Our route takes you past 23 places that tell the story of Amsterdam: medieval churches and locks, the canal ring, the Amstel and the eastern docklands.
Below you can read what you will see at every stop: perfect before you board, or to relive the trip afterwards.
How the cruise unfolds
We start in the oldest parts of the city, cruise past Central Station into the eastern docklands and return via the Amstel and the canal ring. In one trip you see how Amsterdam grew over eight centuries, from medieval harbour town to world city.
All 23 stops
Stop 1 · The Bulldog Coffeeshop: The first coffeeshop in the world, opened in 1975.
Stop 2 · The Old Church (de Oude Kerk): Amsterdam's oldest church, from the 12th century.
Stop 3 · Our Lord in the Attic (Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder): A secret Catholic church hidden in a merchant's attic.
Stop 4 · Kolk Sluice (Oudezijds Kolkje): The oldest lock system in the city, plus Little Venice.
Stop 5 · Amsterdam Central Station: 192,000 people pass through here every single day.
Stop 6 · Weeper's Tower (Schreierstoren): Where Henry Hudson set sail and found New Amsterdam.
Stop 7 · The Shipping House (Scheepvaarthuis): Six shipping empires under one roof, now a five star hotel.
Stop 8 · NEMO Science Museum: A green ship rising from the water, by Renzo Piano.
Stop 9 · The National Maritime Museum (Scheepvaartmuseum): The Arsenal of 1656, with a replica VOC ship alongside.
Stop 10 · Crazy Jack's Tower (Montelbaanstoren): The bell ringer who drank on the job for 500 years of fame.
Stop 11 · De Sluyswacht: The cheapest bar in town. You get tipsy just walking in.
Stop 12 · Waterloo Square (Waterlooplein): The oldest flea market in town, 300 stalls strong.
Stop 13 · The Amstel: The only natural river in town. All 88 canals are man made.
Stop 14 · The Gentlemen's Canal (Herengracht): Napoleon's window tax, and the hammer that smashed your steps.
Stop 15 · Waldorf Astoria Hotel: Six canal palaces, and a suite at 24,000 euro a night.
Stop 16 · The Seven Bridges (Reguliersgracht): Seven identical bridges in a row, only visible from the water.
Stop 17 · Amstel Church (Amstelkerk): A temporary 'preaching shed' that lasted 350 years.
Stop 18 · Prinsengracht: Houseboats, hippies, and Amsterdam Pride.
Stop 19 · The Royal Theatre Carré (Koninklijk Theater Carré): Built in 1887 as a permanent circus building.
Stop 20 · The Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug): Two sisters, one thin bridge, and a kiss that lasts forever.
Stop 21 · The Hermitage: A 1682 retirement home, later a world famous art museum.
Stop 22 · The Blue Bridge (Blauwbrug): Named after a blue wooden bridge, built like a Paris original.
Stop 23 · The Mint Tower (Munttoren): A medieval city gate that once minted the city's coins.
Why this route?
Along the way you cruise the canal ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010. You will see the stately merchants’ houses of the Herengracht, the famous Skinny Bridge over the Amstel, the Seven Bridges of the Reguliersgracht and the historic harbours in the east of the city.
Your skipper shares stories about Amsterdam’s history: how it grew into the richest trading city in the world, why the houses lean and what lies behind the famous facades. The exact route may vary depending on traffic on the water.
