Amsterdam houseboats at a glance
About 750 houseboats moor inside the Singel. That figure describes that area, not a count for the whole city in 2026. Many are homes, so you see them from the canal side and from the bridges, and the Houseboat Museum is the place where you can step on board.
Two Dutch words help you read the canals. A woonschip is a former inland cargo ship that was converted for living. A woonark is a floating house built for living from the start. The two look different, and once you know the words you start to spot them.
Houseboat Museum: prices and opening hours 2026
Tickets can be bought on board or online.
| Ticket | Price 2026 | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | €9.50 | On board or online |
| Morning visit, 10 a.m. to 12 noon | €8 | Online only |
| Child 5 to 12 years | €5 | On board or online |
| Child under 5 | Free | No ticket needed |
| Museumkaart | €8 | Show the card |
| I amsterdam City Card | Free | Show the card |
The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from January to June and from October to December. From July to September it is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed on New Year's Day, on 27 April, on the first Saturday in August and on 25 December 2026. Groups of 10 or more need to register. For most visitors, the €8 morning ticket is the cheapest option if you can be there before noon and book online.
Our pick: the Houseboat Museum
The ticket covers a houseboat you can walk through, on the Prinsengracht.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Houseboat Museum tickets and canal cruises
Tickets for the Houseboat Museum and canal trips past the moored boats, with live prices and availability.
Woonschip and woonark: two kinds of houseboat
A simple way to tell them apart.
Woonschip
A converted former inland vessel. The hull was built to carry cargo, and later it became a home.
Woonark
A floating house built to live in from the start, rather than a ship that was converted.
What you see from the bank
Houseboats along the canals differ a lot in shape and colour. Stop at a bridge and look along the water to see how different they can be.
Staying on a houseboat: what to know first
A museum ticket is not a place to sleep.
A visit to the museum is a visit, not an overnight stay. If you are thinking of sleeping on a houseboat, check three things before you book: that the boat may be rented to tourists, that the safety standard is clear, and that the price includes everything you expect.
The city's tourist tax applies to holiday apartments and short-term rentals as well as hotels, and it is 12.5 percent of the overnight price without VAT. That tax does not mean a boat may be let out. It only tells you what the bill can include. For hotel areas near the canals, see where to stay.
Where to see houseboats from the canal
On foot, by boat or on a cruise.
| Way | What you get | Price 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Walk the canals | Boats moored at the bank, seen from bridges and pavements | No ticket |
| Day cruise | A 75-minute trip along the canals | From €18.50 |
| Self-drive electric boat for up to 6 people | 2 hours on the water at your own pace | €79 for 2 hours, €69 in the morning |
The entertainment tax of €2.70 per passenger is sometimes shown separately. For most visitors, a visit to the museum plus a walk along a canal gives a good view of life afloat. Read about the Prinsengracht for a canal where boats line the bank, or the canal cruise page to see the boats from the water.
Amsterdam houseboats: frequently asked questions
How much is the Houseboat Museum?
An adult ticket costs €9.50 in 2026, the online morning ticket from 10 a.m. to 12 noon costs €8, children from 5 to 12 pay €5 and children under 5 enter free. The Museumkaart costs €8 and the I amsterdam City Card gives free entry.
When is the Houseboat Museum open?
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from January to June and from October to December, and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from July to September. It is closed on New Year's Day, 27 April, the first Saturday in August and 25 December 2026.
How many houseboats are there in Amsterdam?
About 750 houseboats lie inside the Singel. That is a figure for that area, not a count for the whole city.
What is the difference between a woonschip and a woonark?
A woonschip is a converted former inland ship. A woonark is a floating house built for living from the start.
Can I sleep on a houseboat?
Some people look for it, but a museum ticket does not include an overnight stay. Check that the boat may be rented to tourists and what safety standard it meets before you book.