Private Boat on the Canals

This is the one thing I tell every single person who visits Amsterdam: do not take a tourist canal cruise. Rent your own boat. My roommate does this at least four times every summer and it is genuinely the best way to experience the city.

Here is how it works. Companies like Mokumboot, Boaty, and Sloepdelen rent out small electric boats that you captain yourself. No license needed. No experience needed. They give you a five-minute explanation of how the boat works and then you are off, cruising the canals at your own pace, going wherever you want.

The boats fit anywhere from 4 to 12 people depending on the size you rent. My roommate usually gets the 6-person boat, which is perfect for a group of friends. You bring your own drinks and snacks — we always stop at Albert Heijn first and load up on cheese, bread, wine, and some cans of beer. There is something absolutely magical about floating through the Prinsengracht with a glass of wine and a block of old Amsterdam cheese while tourists on the big boats stare at you with envy.

My favorite route: pick up the boat near Centraal Station, head south through the Herengracht, loop through the Jordaan canals (these are the narrow, quiet ones that feel like a movie), come out on the Prinsengracht, cruise past the houseboats, and then head east toward the Amstel river. The whole loop takes about two hours at a lazy pace, which is exactly the right pace.

Pricing varies by company and boat size. A small boat for 2-3 hours typically costs around 80-120 euros total. Split between four to six people, that is 15-25 euros each. For what you get — an entire afternoon on the canals, on your terms, at your speed — it is outrageously good value. Tourist canal cruises charge 15-20 euros per person for a 60-minute ride on a packed boat with a recorded audio guide. No contest.

Practical tips from someone who has done this many times: Book in advance, especially on weekends and sunny days. These boats sell out fast in summer. My roommate books the Thursday before for the weekend. Go in the afternoon — the light on the canals between 3 PM and 7 PM is beautiful, and it is warm enough to enjoy being on the water.

Bring sunscreen. There is zero shade on most of these boats. My friend got the worst sunburn of his life on a canal boat trip because he forgot. Also bring a garbage bag — you need to bring back your trash. The canal police will fine you if they see you throwing anything in the water, and honestly, respect the canals.

One heads up: the canals get busy on sunny weekends. Like, genuinely crowded with boats. It is part of the fun — waving at other boats, navigating around each other — but if you want a more peaceful experience, go on a weekday or early in the day.

The electric boats are slow, quiet, and incredibly easy to drive. My friend who was nervous about steering had it figured out in two minutes. The only slightly tricky part is going under low bridges — some of them require everyone to duck. My roommate considers this "part of the adventure."

Mokumboot has the most pickup locations. Boaty is slightly cheaper. Sloepdelen is good for larger groups. They all work basically the same way and the experience is equally great.

This is Amsterdam at its absolute best. On the water, with friends, on a sunny day, with cheese and wine. My roommate says it is the reason she moved here and I genuinely think she is only half joking.