Amsterdam tours along the canals
Amsterdam tours fall into three groups: boat tours on the water, walking tours through the old neighbourhoods and bike tours across the city. All three use the canal ring as their backbone, and each shows it from a different angle. A boat gives you the overview, a walk lets you stop at a bridge or a courtyard, and a bike covers more ground between the neighbourhoods.
Price, length and route vary for walking and bike tours, so check them on each offer. This page explains the themes, the walking route of the Light Festival and the points to check on any offer before you pay. For boats, see canal cruises. For a boat or a transfer just for your party, see our Amsterdam canals private tour page.
Our picks: tours along the canals
A canal cruise, a bike tour, a Jordaan food walk and two day trips. The day trips leave the city, so allow most of a day for them.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Jordaan walking tour with Dutch tastings
- English-speaking guide
- 12 tastings and 4 drinks
- Visit to a 400-year-old cafe
A walk through the Jordaan with enough tastings for a full meal, from fried fish and cheese to bitterballen. The guide also explains the Surinamese and Indonesian influence on the food.
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Giethoorn day trip with a boat tour
- Air-conditioned coach
- One-hour guided boat trip
- Cheese tasting
Free time in the village plus a one-hour boat trip with a local skipper. The boat ride is in Giethoorn, not on the Amsterdam canals.
Check availability →3-hour guided bike tour of Amsterdam
- Groups of up to 15
- Guide in EN, DE, FR or NL
- Stroopwafel
The bike is part of the price and a helmet is available on request. You can refill your water bottle along the way.
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Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Marken day trip
- Clog-making demonstration
- Cheese making and tasting
- Boat ride to Marken
A live guide in English and Spanish rides with you on an air-conditioned coach. Going inside a working windmill is only part of the all-inclusive option.
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Canal cruise with skipper and host
- Live commentary
- Local skipper and host
A canal cruise with live commentary. Unlimited drinks and small snacks belong only to the option that includes them, so pick that option when you book.
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75-minute canal cruise with audio guide
- Audio guide in 20+ languages
- Panoramic windows
- Wheelchair-accessible on request
A covered boat with panoramic windows and an audio guide in more than 20 languages. Children get their own audio story with a booklet and binoculars.
Check availability →Amsterdam canal, walking and bike tours
Canal cruises, guided walks and bike tours, with live prices and availability.
Amsterdam walking tour: themes and neighbourhoods
What a guided walk can show you.
A good Amsterdam walking tour has a theme. The most useful themes follow the way the city was built. Amsterdam is an artificial port city, laid out in the 17th century with a clear division of plots. The residential canals were planned for merchants and officials, while trade and craft belonged to other parts of the ring. The Jordaan was a working-class and craft neighbourhood. A walk that follows one of these threads makes more sense than a list of stops.
The Jordaan
A former workers' district with quiet canals. The Prinsengracht and the Brouwersgracht are canals of the Jordaan. See Jordaan and the Nine Streets.
The Nine Streets
Small streets that link the canals with shops, monuments and canal house museums. They are not the same place as the Jordaan, so do not use the two names as one.
Courtyards
Hofjes are courtyards where people live. A mention in a guide does not mean open access, so keep quiet and follow any sign at the entrance.
The Golden Bend
A stretch of the Herengracht with especially large town houses. See Herengracht and Keizersgracht.
Amsterdam bike tour: what to ask first
There is no standard cycling circuit through the canal ring and no standard duration, so ask three things before you book a bike tour: how long it lasts, where it starts and how fast the group rides. Those answers matter more than the name of the tour.
Cycling is not allowed everywhere. At Zaanse Schans you may not ride on the narrow paths between the houses, and bike stands are provided for parking. If a bike tour includes a day trip, ask where you will park the bike and how far you will walk. For the trip itself, see Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn.
Our Amsterdam bike tour guide compares city, e-bike and countryside rides with prices.
For tastings on foot, our Amsterdam food tour guide compares six walks through the Jordaan, the canal ring and Waterlooplein.
Light Festival on foot
One walk with fixed numbers.
The Light Festival gives you a walking route of 4.5 km. The next edition runs from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, with light every day from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. On 31 December the light ends at 9 p.m. An app is available from the middle of November. Plan a night walk with warm clothes and look at the festival page for the boat route of about 75 minutes. See Light Festival.
Tour types compared
What each type is good for and what to check.
| Tour type | Good for | Check before you book |
|---|---|---|
| Canal cruise | A first overview of the ring | Covered or open, length, levy of €2.70 per passenger |
| Walking tour | Streets, courtyards and the Jordaan | Theme, meeting point, group size |
| Bike tour | Covering several neighbourhoods | Length, start point, pace, parking on day trips |
| Light Festival walk | Winter evenings | Dates from 26 November 2026, 4.5 km route |
For most first visits, a canal cruise followed by a themed walk through the Jordaan or the Nine Streets gives a good picture. Choose a bike tour if you already know the centre and want to see more of the city.
Combine a tour with a museum
Time slots decide the day.
The Rijksmuseum costs €25 for adults, is free up to and including age 18 and opens daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., including holidays. You need a time slot. The Van Gogh Museum also asks for a time slot and charges €25 for adults, with free entry under 18. If a tour starts shortly before your slot, leave time to walk. The things to do page has the full list.
The Westerkerk is open to visitors, but its tower cannot be climbed. A walking tour along the Prinsengracht can still pass the church. Guided groups in the church need prior permission, so a church visit is not part of every tour.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where the tours fit.
Amsterdam tours: frequently asked questions
Which Amsterdam tour suits a first visit?
A canal cruise gives the overview, and a themed walk through the Jordaan or the Nine Streets adds street level. A bike tour suits people who already know the centre.
How long does an Amsterdam walking tour take?
There is no standard length. Check the stated duration and the meeting point of the tour you choose.
Can I cycle everywhere on a bike tour?
No. At Zaanse Schans, cycling is not allowed on the narrow paths between the houses, and bike stands are provided.
How long is the Light Festival walk?
The walking route is 4.5 km. The festival runs from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, and an app is available from the middle of November.
Can I enter the courtyards of the Jordaan?
Hofjes are courtyards where people live, and a mention in a guide does not mean free access. Respect signs and keep noise down.