Lovers Canal Cruise Amsterdam: Prices, Tickets, and Information
A stay in Amsterdam gives you the opportunity to experience sightseeing from a new perspective. The Dutch capital is known for its waterways, which stretch for more than 100 km. Known as grachten in Dutch, these waterways allow you to explore the city’s most important sights from the water.
The most comfortable way to experience this change of perspective is on a boat trip. Known as canal cruises, these boat tours are one of the most popular ways to see famous waterways such as the Prinsengracht, Bloemgracht, and Herengracht with your own eyes.
Book your Lovers Canal Cruise now
Lovers Canal Cruises is considered an expert in this field. Once you’ve boarded, all you have to do is relax and listen. The highlight of a Lovers boat tour is the accompanying audio tours.
⛶ You will receive a QR code that turns your smartphone into a GPS audio guide. With a choice of 19 languages, most passengers will be able to understand the information about the attractions they are passing.
The selected routes showcase historic Amsterdam with its colorful house fronts as well as modern elements of the city’s architecture. Taking a cruise with Lovers Canal Cruises will give you a new perspective on Amsterdam that you will remember for a long time to come.
Online tickets – Lovers Canal Cruise
It’s really important that you buy your tickets in advance.
Especially during peak season, the desired time slot and tour may no longer be available if you wait until the last minute to book your tickets.
There are 4 different departure points in Amsterdam. In this table, you will find tickets for the 4 different departure points.
| Departure point | Places of interest | Online-Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| Central Station Pier | Central Station, NEMO Science Museum, Dam Square | Online-Ticket |
| Anne Frank House Pier | Anne Frank House, Jordaan, The Pancake Bakery | Online-Ticket |
| Leidse Square Pier | Vondelpark, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum | Online-Ticket |
| Rijksmuseum Pier | Rijksmuseum, Heineken Experience, Leidseplein cafes | Online-Ticket |
| 🍕 With food Pizza & drinks | Central Station, NEMO Science Museum, Dam Square | Online-Ticket |
| ℹ️ Combined tickets Van Gogh Museum + Canal cruise | Central Station, NEMO Science Museum, Dam Square | Online-Ticket |
| ℹ️ Combined tickets Heineken Experience + Canal cruise | Central Station, NEMO Science Museum, Dam Square | Online-Ticket |
Tip: Please arrive about 30 minutes before your chosen time slot. Seats are not numbered, so the earlier you arrive, the greater the chance you will get a window seat.
Please note that there is also an offer with a pizza cruise and unlimited drinks. However, this tour only lasts 75 minutes and starts directly at the main station.
Combined tickets: Remember that you can also book combination tickets. These tickets are slightly cheaper and offer a financial advantage. For example, with the Van Gogh Museum or the Heineken Experience.
Combination with the Amsterdam Pass
Taking a boat tour through Amsterdam’s canal belt allows you to arrive in the city in a relaxed manner and get a first impression. If you want to spend more time visiting attractions, we recommend purchasing your ticket for the LOVERS boat tour with the Amsterdam Digital Pass.
Buy Amsterdam Digital Pass now
The canal cruise is part of the Amsterdam Digital Pass and includes four top attractions for pass holders. This advantageous package is as follows:
1. Advantage: Canal cruise
When you purchase the Amsterdam Digital Pass, you also get a ticket for the Lovers boat tour through Amsterdam’s canal belt. The canal cruise lasts 1 hour and starts at the pier at Amsterdam Central Station.
2. Advantage: Museum visit
The pass also serves as an admission ticket to one of the following three museums:
– Van Gogh & Rembrandt Immersive Experience
– Moco Museum Amsterdam
– Van Gogh Museum
Once you have decided which of the three museums you like best, you will receive a digital ticket that you can use on the selected day.
3. Advantage: Public transportation
The Amsterdam Digital Pass includes free use of public transportation for up to 3 days, if booked. Transportation throughout the Dutch capital includes buses, trams, and subways.
4. Benefit: 10% discount
The discount applies to visits to cultural and entertainment attractions, among other things. The exact list of attractions and activities will be available after booking the pass. Examples include the ARTIS Zoo and THIS IS HOLLAND, a unique flight projection.
The best time for a canal cruise
If you are wondering what time of day you should book your canal cruise, here are a few recommendations. Boat trips through Amsterdam’s waterways are generally offered both during the day and in the evening. For several reasons, it is advisable for tourists to book their first boat trip through the canal network during the day. The sun’s rays highlight the numerous small and large details of the historic old town, which are easier to overlook in the evening.
During the day, boat tours also offer an unfiltered insight into the everyday life of the city’s inhabitants. Hundreds of cyclists crossing one of the city’s more than 1,000 bridges are just as much a part of daily life in Amsterdam as a glimpse of the markets or stalls along the canals. Canal cruises during the day allow you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the city.
Boat tours that take place between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. are best suited for this.
A boat trip in the evening hours, on the other hand, is more recommended for couples looking for a romantic destination. Just in time for sunset, the city slowly transforms into a sea of thousands of lights. Watching their reflections on the water while enjoying one of the culinary offerings on the boats is either a great way to end the day or a perfect start to a night out in Amsterdam.
Itinerary and what is there to see?
LOVERS Canal Cruises makes it very easy for you to set off on a canal cruise in Amsterdam. There are four departure points across the city where the boats dock and pick up new passengers. The boat trip starts at these different landing stages:
- Central Station
- Anne Frank House
- Leidseplein
- Rijksmuseum
Not all landing stages are located directly in front of the respective sights, but sometimes at the nearest canal. However, the length of the canal trip is identical for all four departure points. You should allow about 1 hour to take part in this sightseeing tour by boat. For the rest of the day’s activities, you should also be aware that the tours end back at the starting point.
The sights along the waterways include hundreds of historic buildings. These buildings date back to Amsterdam’s heyday, which began in the 17th century. In Dutch history, this period is still referred to as the Golden Age. The city’s development into a thriving European metropolis was driven by the growth of international trade.
The artistically designed merchant houses along the canals still serve as witnesses to the stories of this era. For passengers on board who are interested in history, we recommend taking a look at the churches and other historic buildings in the city, which can often be admired from the canals.
Why take a canal cruise with LOVERS?
It’s no secret that several companies now offer canal cruises through Amsterdam’s canal belt. If you decide to take a boat trip with LOVERS Canal Cruises, you’ll be boarding with the pioneers of these exploration tours. The company was founded in the 1950s and now has more than 70 years of experience.
The cruise company has invested this experience in continuously improving the tours it offers. Feedback from passengers has enabled it to make the boats increasingly comfortable. The choice of enclosed and semi-open boats makes this tourist attraction less dependent on the weather. Wind or rain will not stand in the way of your exploration of the canals.
Book your Lovers Canal Cruise now
Another advantage of a canal cruise on a LOVERS boat is the desire to move with the times. You now have the option of ordering your tickets months in advance, for example. This applies to both regular tickets and group tours on Amsterdam’s canal belt.
You will then receive all the important information by email, and thanks to digital e-tickets, you don’t even need a printer to print out your tickets for the boat tour. At LOVERS Canal Cruises, long-standing tradition and a modern booking process go hand in hand.
Customer reviews and testimonials
This part of the text is not really intended to criticize or emphasize anything negative about the cruise in Amsterdam.
Only the most important points should be explained again using common sense, as some customers and guests sometimes exaggerate these points.
The cruise has a 4.5/5 star rating on TripAdvisor, which is excellent and represents a truly favorable assessment.
Customers complain that the boats are full in summer, but we ask for your understanding. It is a very touristy city and it is a simple cruise. Demand is high, tickets sell out quickly, and many tourists take part in the tours.
There are audio guides on board, but please bear in mind that these are not high-quality audio guides, but simple audio guides with fairly basic information about the city.
Overall, the reviews are very positive, and the cruise has been a tried-and-tested, well-known tour on Amsterdam’s waterways for years. You certainly can’t go wrong with a booking through Lovers.
Lovers canal cruise for children
Keep in mind that this is also a really great experience for children. The tour lasts only 60 minutes, which is not too long for children. Audio guides are available in 19 languages.
You can find a complete overview of all canal cruises that might be suitable for children in my separate article, where I have lots of different suggestions. But here too, Lovers is my first recommendation due to the short duration of the tour.
Practical information about the canal cruise
Clothing: First, the good news. There is no dress code at LOVERS Canal Cruises. We recommend comfortable clothing that allows you to sit down and stand up easily.
However, waterproof clothing is not necessary. The boats are either semi-open or closed, protecting passengers from both rain and splashing water from the canals.
Wi-Fi: The boats are equipped with free Wi-Fi. If you want to share your adventure directly with family and friends, you can choose this Internet access option and save on mobile data usage on your smartphone.
Comfort on board: Every passenger is provided with a seat during the canal cruise. This means you don’t have to stand during the trip. All large boats with either a closed or semi-open roof also have a toilet on board.
Food and beverages: With a few exceptions (e.g., private group tours), bringing food and drinks on board is not permitted. Snacks and drinks can be purchased on board. The costs are not usually included in the ticket price.
Dogs: Dogs and pets in general are not permitted on board. If you require an assistance dog for health reasons, an exception will be made and your four-legged friend will be welcome on board.
Tips for the canal cruise through Amsterdam
Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your canal cruise.
Preparation: If you are only planning a short stay in Amsterdam, you should compare the boat’s departure point with your other plans. For example, if you are interested in visiting the Anne Frank House, you can save valuable time later on by choosing this departure point for your boat tour. The company recommends arriving at the pier at least 30 minutes before departure.
Ticket purchase: You can reserve tickets online months in advance. Sales and payment are handled entirely online, so all you need to do is show your e-ticket on your cell phone to take part in the canal cruise. Children up to three years of age can participate in the boat tours free of charge. Children’s tickets are valid for girls and boys between the ages of 4 and 13. If your plans change, it is possible to rebook tickets up to 24 hours before departure or transfer them to other people.
Camera: It is permitted to take photos or videos of the tour on board. However, it should be noted that the boats are often either completely or partially enclosed. Therefore, the recordings may have to be made inside the boats.
Accessibility: It is not possible to take wheelchairs or strollers on the boats. Anyone who is permanently wheelchair-bound should contact the company in advance to find out about alternatives.
Conclusion – Lovers Canal Cruises through Amsterdam
The decades-long interest in boat trips through Amsterdam’s canal belt is no coincidence. LOVERS Canal Cruises impressively demonstrate that it only takes an hour to fall in love with this city. Canal cruises cleverly combine the city’s history with the current lifestyle of its inhabitants. The past has left its mark on numerous places in Amsterdam, but without casting a veil over the city or standing in the way of progress.
Book your Lovers Canal Cruise now
During your time on the boats, you can simply take in the sights or use the audio guides to learn more about the places you are seeing. In 60 minutes, you will be immersed in the past while also getting to know modern Amsterdam. You should definitely not miss out on this multifaceted excursion destination during your next visit to the Dutch capital.
Frequently asked questions about the ‘Lovers’ canal cruise in Amsterdam
Here are the most frequently asked questions about boat trips in Amsterdam. I hope you find the answers to some of your questions here.
How long does the canal tour take from the main station?
The entire boat tour lasts about an hour. This is particularly suitable for travelers with children, as the tour is not too long. Tours from other piers usually take a little longer.
What is included in the tickets for the LOVERS canal cruise?
The ticket includes a one-hour boat trip and an audio guide in 19 languages.
Can I cancel or change my canal cruise booking?
Yes, that’s the cool thing about these canal cruises. You can book your ticket and return it up to 24 hours before departure. So be sure to get a ticket—you can always return it in an emergency.
Where does the Lovers Canal Cruise start?
There are 4 different departure points: Central Station, Anne Frank House, Leidseplein, Rijksmuseum. So you can choose the departure point that suits you best.
Is there an audio guide during the boat tour?
An audio guide is available during the tour. Thanks to years of experience, Lovers has compiled the stories in the audio guides and all explanations in such a way that you get all the important information in a compact form.
What types of canal tours does Lovers offer?
The classic canal cruise is definitely the most popular tour.
Otherwise, there’s also a cruise with pizza and drinks.
Can I combine the canal cruise with other attractions in Amsterdam?
Yes, there are also combination tickets. For example, with the Van Gogh Museum or the Heineken Experience.
Otherwise, during this tour you will pass Amsterdam’s most important sights and can also buy tickets separately if you wish. But please take a look at all the offers, because with the combination ticket you usually get a discount and save money.
Who operates the Lovers Canal Cruise?
The tour is offered by Stromma Nederland.
Are the boats used for the Lovers Canal Cruise accessible?
The boats are not fully wheelchair accessible. For people who are dependent on a wheelchair, participating in a canal cruise is therefore less suitable. But here’s a solution! In Amsterdam, there is the Wheelchair Boat, which is specially designed for people in wheelchairs!
Where can I book tickets for the Lovers Canal Cruise?
Tickets for the Lovers Tour can be booked at the various landing stages. Here is the list again:
