Pancake boat – Boat tour from NDSM + Pancake buffet
If you’re vacationing in Amsterdam, you can’t miss out on the popular pannekoeken. These delicious pancakes aren’t just served for breakfast in the Netherlands; thanks to a wide variety of toppings, these thin pancakes are also a popular lunch dish.
There are numerous opportunities to enjoy the variety of pannenkoeken in the Dutch metropolis, but how about combining this pleasure with an exciting sightseeing tour? You can get to know the city from a new perspective by boat while enjoying delicious pannenkoeken in a wide variety of flavors.
During the 75-minute trip on the Pannenkoekenboot, the three classics of Dutch cuisine are served, as pancakes with bacon, apple, or plain are considered the most popular varieties here. Passengers can also garnish their pancakes with many different toppings.
For example, chocolate spread, apple sauce, jams, and savory toppings such as eggs, ham, or salami are available so that every guest can create their own individual pancake. And you can have as many as you like, because on the trip, it’s all you can eat. So there’s plenty of opportunity to try the delicious pannenkoeken in a wide variety of flavors on the boat.
Online-Tickets for the boat trip
It is best to buy tickets for the pancake boat in advance. That way, you won’t waste any time at the pier and can board straight away. It also guarantees that the tour won’t be fully booked!
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Please remember that you must arrive 30 minutes before departure in any case.
When should you take a trip on the Pannenkoekenboot?
The boat trips take place several times a day.
It’s best to go around noon. There’s probably a boat tour at 12:30 p.m. and one at 2:15 p.m. I’d say both are ideal because the kids will be getting hungry for lunch by then.
So you have to decide which tour you want to take.
While some guests skip breakfast to fully enjoy the all-you-can-eat offer, others prefer to leave later in the afternoon. With this in mind, the pancake buffet could serve as a dessert, with a variety of pancakes to choose from.
Boat trips are very popular with tourists, so booking early is almost a must. If you are flexible with your travel times, you can be sure to get a place on the boat in advance. It’s up to you whether you want to experience the early tour and then enjoy some relaxation, or use the morning for sightseeing and then treat yourself to a leisurely boat trip with delicious pancakes in the afternoon.
Book Now – Boat tour + Pancake buffet
Whether for a late breakfast at 12:30 p.m. or in the afternoon, the boat trip with unlimited pancakes is always a great experience that is highly recommended for visitors of all ages, with its cozy atmosphere and fresh ingredients.
What is there to see on the boat trip?
The Pannenkoekenboot departs from the NDSM shipyard, which you can reach from Amsterdam Central Station by taking the free ferry towards Amsterdam North. On the IJ, the Zuiderzee estuary, the trip takes you past the city’s impressive skyline, allowing you to discover Amsterdam from a completely new perspective.
The harbor tour on the Pancake Boat is a unique opportunity to combine sightseeing from a new perspective with traditional Dutch cuisine.
While enjoying your savory or sweet pancakes, you can admire the tall buildings on the edge of Amsterdam’s harbor and enjoy your meal in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere. As you eat your delicious pancakes, you can marvel at Amsterdam’s exciting skyline from the boat.
If you want to see Amsterdam from the water but aren’t keen on the crowded canal cruises, then the boat tour with all-you-can-eat pancakes is definitely a good alternative.
Here you can enjoy a new perspective on the city. Away from the crowded canals, the harbor tour is an exciting experience for the whole family, where you will also be treated to sweet and savory pancakes.
The perfect boat trip for children
If you’ve ever taken a boat trip with children, you’ll know that while a peaceful trip on the water can be a relaxing break from sightseeing, it can quickly become boring for young children.
By the way, this website also has a separate article about canal cruises with children. Here you will find all the tips you need to choose the right canal cruise or boat trip.
However, this trip on the pancake boat is different. Here, even the youngest passengers can not only top their pancakes to their heart’s content, which is already a great thing for many children, but there is also a surprise for the little ones on the lower deck of the boat.
On the lower deck, there is a ball pit for younger passengers, where they can let off steam after enjoying their pancakes. Perfect for families who want to combine comfort and fun for the youngest members of the family. While you enjoy a variety of pancakes, your children can play and romp around in the ball pit and then refuel with a delicious pancake in between.
The variety of delicious toppings such as chocolate spread, sprinkles, or chocolate chips will also make the hearts of little gourmets beat faster, so that even the youngest passengers can enjoy the savory and sweet variations of traditional pannenkoeken.
The beautiful boat trip is therefore a wonderful experience for passengers of all ages.
Practical information about the boat trip
Especially in summer, a boat trip on the IJ is a refreshing, exciting, and eventful tour for visitors of all ages. However, you should be aware that temperatures on the water are always slightly lower than in the city itself, so a light jacket is recommended even when temperatures are high.
It is possible that the boat cannot depart due to inclement weather. However, the all-you-can-eat pancake meal will still be offered. If you definitely want to experience the boat tour, you should keep an eye on the weather forecast beforehand, but otherwise you can still eat on the boat.
Pets: For hygienic reasons, dogs and other animals are unfortunately not allowed on the boat.
Wheelchair: Wheelchair users can find space on the lower deck and also reach the buffet.
Restrooms: However, the toilets are located on the upper deck and can only be reached via stairs.
Seats: Seats are assigned on board by the staff, but if you would like to eat on the lower deck, for example, because your children can go straight to the ball pit there, you should speak to the staff.
The friendly staff will do everything they can to meet your needs. On sunny days, a seat on the outdoor deck is also recommended, even if it means walking a little further to the pancake buffet.
This way, you can enjoy the sun and let the sea air blow around your nose. After the first round at the pancake buffet, it’s less busy anyway, so you can get your next pancake faster.
Tips for your boat trip
As the Pannenkoekenboot trip is very popular, you should definitely book your tickets online in advance. These tickets do not need to be printed out, but can be conveniently presented on your smartphone.
Tickets can be paid for online via PayPal, iDeal, or credit card. Drinks, which are not included in the price, can also be paid for on the boat using these methods. There are a few paid parking spaces available at the harbor. However, these are often occupied, so it is advisable to park your car outside the area and take the free ferry using public transportation.
If you would like to take advantage of this offer with a larger group, it is advisable to contact the provider in advance. You can also inform the company if you would like to celebrate a special occasion on the Pannenkoekenboot. Whether it’s a birthday or anniversary, the attentive staff will try to make your stay as comfortable and memorable as possible. Would you like to reserve a specific table? This may also be possible under certain circumstances.
Simply send an email to the company to make your reservation. If you do not receive a response to your reservation, please contact the company as soon as possible via the known telephone number (+31 (0)20 – 636 88 17 / amsterdam@pannenkoekenboot.nl).
A trip on the Pannenkoekenboot – Always an experience
You simply have to try the variety of pancakes, from savory to sweet, when you visit Amsterdam. Far away from the hustle and bustle of the busy metropolis, you can marvel at Amsterdam city from a boat while eating delicious pancakes. The selection is so large that no wish remains unfulfilled, regardless of whether you opt for savory pancakes or sweet dishes. Incidentally, the current record stands at an incredible 17 pancakes, which a guest is said to have managed during the 75-minute trip.
Whether it’s a romantic getaway or an exciting experience for the whole family, everyone will get their money’s worth on a harbor tour with the Pancake Boat. Not only the great view, but above all the delicious pancakes are a truly Dutch experience that every visitor to Amsterdam must try at least once.
In 75 minutes, you can eat as many pancakes as you like, and you should definitely try the different varieties with the many different toppings that you can put together yourself at the buffet to your heart’s content. From savory to sweet, fruity or brightly colored, the selection is diverse, so you can create your pancakes however you like. Book your trip with the all-you-can-eat offer in advance, as the tour is very popular.
Frequently asked questions about the boat tour
Here you will find the most frequently asked questions that passengers ask during a boat tour.
How do I book tickets for the Pancake Boat?
The best way to book your tickets is via the link mentioned in the text, but here it is again. Once you’re on the page, proceed to checkout and you’ll see the different prices and ticket options!
Book Now – Boat tour + Pancake buffet
Are there toilets on board?
Yes, there are toilets on the boat. This means that children can go to the toilet at any time. This is different from many canal tours, where there are no toilets. I would also like to emphasize again that this is a boat tour and not a canal tour. It is a fairly large boat that offers more comfort and toilets on board.
What sights can you see during the cruise?
Here are the main attractions you will see during your tour: A’DAM Tower, EYE Museum, and THIS IS HOLLAND.
But just looking at the harbor is worth it. It is one of the largest in Europe. They say it is the fourth largest in all of Europe. So you can imagine how excited the children are when they see all these huge ships!
In summer, it is even more impressive because you pass many cruise ships that are docking in the port of Amsterdam. Unfortunately, there are fewer large cruise ships in winter, so you can’t be sure of seeing a large, beautiful cruise ship between December and February.
General note: Of course, the view is much better in spring, summer, and fall. It can be quite foggy in winter, but the good news is that it’s really warm on board.
How long does the pancake boat ride take?
The typical boat tour lasts approximately 75 minutes. This is mentioned frequently in this text and also on the booking page.
So it’s a little longer than the Lovers Canal Cruise, which takes about 60 minutes. 75 minutes is still a great length of time, because the children won’t get bored.
What types of pancakes are available on board?
The pancakes you will find on board are traditional Dutch pancakes. They are made with bacon or apples. Everything is freshly prepared with love by the team who will welcome you aboard the ship.
Are there unlimited pancakes during the tour?
There is no limit to how many pancakes you can eat on board. It’s perfectly normal to order another pancake if you’re still hungry after the first one.
Fun fact: The record for the most pancakes eaten during a tour is 17 by a single guest.
Can you break the record? 
Can I choose toppings for the pancakes?
Yes, you can choose the toppings for your pancakes however you like. Every time you order a new pancake, you can choose the topping you want.
Are there any special offers, such as the combination ticket with THIS IS HOLLAND?
Yes, there are various options for booking a combination package. You can combine the pancake boat tour with another activity such as “This Is Holland.”
THIS IS HOLLAND + Amsterdam boat tour with pancakes
What age range do the children’s prices apply to?
Children’s prices apply to ages 3 to 11. If the child is already over 11 years old, you must pay the full price to board.
What is included in the price of the trip?
The ticket price includes a trip on the boat, also known as the pancake boat. You can also eat as many pancakes and drink as many beverages as you like. Access to the ball game area is also included.
