Eco Boats Amsterdam

Canal routes Amsterdam tips

Amsterdam has many beautiful canals, bridges, buildings and parks. It is therefore no surprise that the Canal District has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2010. But which Amsterdam canal route will you take? It’s a good idea to plan your route in advance so you don’t have to worry about it while you’re boating. This way you can be sure that you won’t miss a thing. Also please read the canal rules before going on the canals. Take a look at the Amsterdam canal routes below and hire a boat in Amsterdam.

Check the 2 hour route

Prinsengracht | Amstel | Keizersgracht or Herengracht

Check the 3 hour route

Prinsengracht | Entrepotdok | Oosterdok | Zwanenburgwal | Amstel | Keizersgracht or Herengracht

Amsterdam canal route: 2 hours

Would you like to cruise for 2 hours in Amsterdam? Then we have mapped out the perfect Amsterdam canal cruise route for you. In 2 hours time you will cruise along the most famous canals of Amsterdam and pass no less than 11 hotspots. You can rent a boat per hour with us. This way you can decide for yourself how long you want to cruise the canals.

There are 2 routes you can take if you want to rent a boat for 2 hours. The difference is the way back: via the Keizersgracht or the Herengracht.

Boat route 1: Prinsengracht | Amstel | Keizersgracht

You pass the following sights in Amsterdam:

Prinsengracht

  • Lekkeresluis Bridge
  • Anne Frank House
  • Amsterdam Tulip Museum
  • Westertoren and Westerkerk
  • The 9 Streets
  • Houseboat Museum

Amstel

  • Skinny Bridge
  • Hermitage Amsterdam
  • Amsterdam Museum

Keizersgracht

  • Foam Museum
  • Museum van Loon

Take this route:

  • From our dock in the Westerdok, enter the Prinsengracht.
  • Follow the Prinsengracht until you reach the Amstel
  • Turn left when you’ve reached the Amstel and turn into the Keizersgracht.
  • Keep going until you can turn left on the Brouwersgracht and return to the Westerdok via the Korte Prinsengracht.

Check route

Boat route 2: Prinsengracht | Amstel | Herengracht

You pass the following sights in Amsterdam:

Prinsengracht

  • Lekkeresluis Bridge
  • Anne Frank House
  • Amsterdam Tulip Museum
  • Westertoren and Westerkerk
  • The 9 Streets
  • Houseboat Museum

Amstel

  • Skinny Bridge
  • Hermitage Amsterdam
  • Amsterdam Museum

Herengracht

  • De Golden Bend
  • Canal Museum Amsterdam

Take this route:

  • From our dock in the Westerdok, enter the Prinsengracht.
  • Follow the Prinsengracht until you reach the Amstel
  • Turn left when you’ve reached the Amstel and turn into the Herengracht.
  • Keep going until you can turn left on the Brouwersgracht and return to the Westerdok via the Korte Prinsengracht.

Check route

Canal route Amsterdam: 3 hours

Would you like to spend 3 hours cruising the canals in Amsterdam? Then choose this tour. In 3 hours time you will pass no less than 17 hotspots in Amsterdam! This Amsterdam boat tour takes you past all the points that the short boat tour also passes, but is a bit more extensive as you also pass Artis Zoo, the National Maritime Museum, NEMO, Rembrandt Museum, the Opera House and the Blue Bridge. You can rent a boat per hour with us. This way you can decide for yourself how long you want to cruise the canals.

There are 2 routes you can take if you want to rent a boat for 3 hours. The difference is the way back: via the Keizersgracht or the Herengracht.

Boat route 1: Prinsengracht | Entrepotdok | Oosterdok | Zwanenburgwal | Amstel | Keizersgracht

You pass the following sights in Amsterdam:

Prinsengracht

  • Lekkeresluis Bridge
  • Anne Frank House
  • Amsterdam Tulip Museum
  • Westertoren and Westerkerk
  • The 9 Streets
  • Houseboat Museum

Entrepotdok

  • Artis Zoo

Oosterdok

  • National Maritime Museum
  • NEMO Science Museum
  • Rembrandt House
  • Blue Bridge

Amstel

  • Stopera
  • Amsterdam Museum
  • Hermitage Amsterdam
  • Skinny Bridge

Keizersgracht

  • Foam Museum
  • Museum van Loon

Take this route:

  • From our dock at the Westerdok, enter the Prinsengracht.
  • Continue until you reach the Amstel and go straight ahead on the Nieuwe Prinsengracht towards Artis Zoo.
  • Then turn right onto Plantage Muidergracht.
  • Continue until you reach Entrepotdok and turn right into Nieuwe Vaart, then immediately left.
  • Go straight ahead past the National Maritime Museum and NEMO.
  • Turn left at NEMO towards the Oosterdok.
  • Go straight across the Oude Schans and Zwanenburgwal.
  • Then turn left at the Opera House towards Amstel.
  • After you’ve reached the Amstel, turn into the Keizersgracht.
  • Keep going until you can turn left on the Brouwersgracht and return to the Westerdok via the Korte Prinsengracht.

Check route

Boat route 2: Prinsengracht | Entrepotdok | Oosterdok | Zwanenburgwal | Amstel | Herengracht

You pass the following sights in Amsterdam:

Prinsengracht

  • Lekkeresluis Bridge
  • Anne Frank House
  • Amsterdam Tulip Museum
  • Westertoren and Westerkerk
  • The 9 Streets
  • Houseboat Museum

Entrepotdok

  • Artis Zoo

Oosterdok

  • National Maritime Museum
  • NEMO Science Museum
  • Rembrandt House
  • Blue Bridge

Amstel

  • Stopera
  • Amsterdam Museum
  • Hermitage Amsterdam
  • Skinny Bridge

Herengracht

  • De Golden Bend
  • Canal Museum Amsterdam

Take this route:

  • From our dock at the Westerdok, enter the Prinsengracht.
  • Continue until you reach the Amstel and go straight ahead on the Nieuwe Prinsengracht towards Artis Zoo.
  • Then turn right onto Plantage Muidergracht.
  • Continue until you reach Entrepotdok and turn right into Nieuwe Vaart, then immediately left.
  • Go straight ahead past the National Maritime Museum and NEMO.
  • Turn left at NEMO towards the Oosterdok.
  • Go straight across the Oude Schans and Zwanenburgwal.
  • Then turn left at the Opera House towards Amstel.
  • After you’ve reached the Amstel, turn into the Herengracht.
  • Keep going until you can turn left on the Brouwersgracht and return to the Westerdok via the Korte Prinsengracht.

Check route

Why do customers choose Eco Boats Amsterdam

Where can you find us?

Have a question?

We offer three options:
  1. Rent an electric boat that you may sail yourself, no boating license required.
  2. Rent a private canal boat with a captain and space for 30 people, including additional packages like catering and open bar.
  3. Purchase a ticket for our classic canal cruise starting from Amsterdam Centre and cruise through Amsterdam Center in 1 hour.

Certainly! You can hire a boat with us during various events, such as King's Day, Gay Pride, and the Amsterdam Light Festival. The rental usually starts 4 to 6 months in advance. So, make sure to book in advance to secure a boat.

Available boats

  • Small boats that you can sail yourself
  • Private canal boats with a captain and space for 30 people
  • Tickets for our public canal cruise

Do you need to sail yourself or is there a captain?

Please note: on King's Day, you always rent a boat with a captain. You can rent both the small boats and the large private canal cruise boat with space for 30 people. On other holidays/events, you are allowed to sail yourself.

Food and drinks

Regarding food and drinks on King's Day and Gay Pride: On the small boats where you are the captain, you may bring your own food and drinks. On the large boats (30-person boats), it's only allowed to bring your own food. We will arrange the drinks for you.

We are open every day, all year round.
  • Monday: 10:00 - 21:00
  • Tuesday: 10:00 - 21:00
  • Wednesday: 10:00 - 21:00
  • Thursday: 10:00 - 21:00
  • Friday: 10:00 - 21:00
  • Saturday: 10:00 - 21:00
  • Sunday: 10:00 - 21:00

Certainly! You can hire a private large boat, including a captain and catering and/or activities. The IJdok boat accommodates 30 people, ensuring exclusivity for your group. Or you can rent multiple smaller boats that you can sail yourself. This means you are the captain. No boating licence needed! You can choose between different boats.  

In addition to the regular boat rental fee, we are obliged to charge tourist tax at €2.50 per person. This applies to all boat rentals in Amsterdam.

The rates vary per boat. We offer 4 different self-drive boats. You rent a boat for a minimum of 2 hours, and pay a low amount per hour for any additional time.

This depends on the boat. This way, you can choose which boats fits your needs.

When you rent a boat with us, you can go plastic fishing for free. We provide all the necessary equipment on board, including nets and garbage bags, allowing you to fish for plastic during your canal cruise. Not only is it a fun activity, but it's also environmentally friendly! Learn more about plastic fishing. This can be booked at no extra cost for both self-piloted boats and private canal cruises. It's important to notify us in advance. You can do this by including 'plastic fishing' in the comments when making a reservation.

You can rent a self-drive boat from us at two locations. Where you pick up the boat, you must also return the boat.
  • Location Centre: Zandhoek 22 1013 KT Amsterdam. Check the directions to this location.
  • Location East: Daniël Goedkoopstraat 11096 BD Amsterdam. Check the directions to this location.
Read all frequently asked questions

Or contact us

Have not found what you are looking for? We are happy to assist you.

Opening hours

Mon till sun: 10:00 – 21:00

The benefits of Eco Boats Amsterdam

Option 1: Sail yourself without a license
Option 2: Buy a sightseeing tour ticket
Option 3: Private cruise with a captain
From 1 to 30 persons
Choose from various boats
Electric, whisper-quiet, and clean
Guaranteed a fun day
Perfect for group outings
Around Amsterdam city center
+31 (0) 6 216 171 11