90-min shared cruise on a classic canal boat · open bar, snacks & expert captain included
Exceptional
395 reviews
What guests loved most
Koen Huisman
“Echt een aanrader deze rondvaart Amsterdam! Fons legt alles over de stad uit, wat hij met veel passi…”
Book up to 6 min before departure
From €55
·1 hour & 30 mins
Small Group Max 6 • Hidden Canal Routes • All-Inclusive Cocktails
This small amsterdam canal cruise departs from Singel 5, just outside Hotel Estheréa, and winds through quieter stretches of the city's waterways over ninety minutes. With a maximum of six guests on board, the Pien offers something closer to a private outing than a typical group tour — enough space to settle in, enough company to make it sociable.
The cruise includes a full international open bar running throughout, alongside a small selection of sweet and savoury nibbles. You won't need to flag anyone down or reach for your wallet mid-route. The captain handles the commentary too, weaving in local history and neighbourhood anecdotes as you pass through the canal belt. It's informative without feeling scripted, the kind of storytelling that comes from actually living here.
The Pien steers away from the most congested tourist routes, which means fewer tour boats jostling for position and more time to take in the architecture, the houseboats, the small details you'd miss on a busier stretch. The pace is unhurried. Whether you're visiting Amsterdam for the first time or you've lived here for years, this amsterdam boat tour offers a slower, quieter way to see the city from the water. Cancellation is fully refundable up to 24 hours in advance.
Koen Huisman
July 2026
“Echt een aanrader deze rondvaart Amsterdam! Fons legt alles over de stad uit, wat hij met veel passie doet. Dank je Fons”
Jens Bot
July 2026
“Fantastische manier om Amsterdam te ontdekken. Fons is dé captain! Ik zou deze partij zeker aanraden als je een rondvaart in Amsterdam boekt, want ze zijn gewoon duidelijk de beste”
Ben Chrischilles
July 2026
“Great tour! Good mix of architectural history, humor, and hospitality. Lots of the big brand boats cram people in, this one had tons of free space.”
Craig Smith
July 2026
“This was a last minute booking, but so glad we made the choice. Beautiful boat (Sophie) great captain kept us educated and entertained. As an expat who loves to show friends and family the wonders of Amsterdam when they visit, this will be my go-to boat tour from now on.”
jolene Moran
July 2026
“Amazing captain amazing boat amazing tour don’t miss this!!”
Zaraa Neila
July 2026
“Tour en bateau incroyable avec Jon ! Plein d’histoires et d’anecdotes passionnantes sur la ville, open bar généreusement rempli, ambiance intimiste en petit groupe. Le bateau était magnifique, l’équipe disponible et réactive ! J’ai adoré, c’est à faire pour tout ceux allant à Amsterdam !”
Jeannine Campbell
July 2026
“John was extremely warm and welcoming !! He greeted each passenger individually, truly an inviting experience. His knowledge of Amsterdam was impressive, answering any question asked of him. The voyage was incredibly peaceful - allowing the passenger to take in all of the city - all attributed to John and the atmosphere he created. NOTE: Bow’s Journey came recommended from The Pillows Hotel.”
Chuck Roberg
July 2026
“Great tour. Plenty of narrated sites to see. Adequate bar on board with snacks. Hop on board and enjoy the ride”
Brian Pate
July 2026
“What a wonderful journey with Captain Jan! Highly recommend a ride on the Sophie, a beautifully restored classic river cruiser. Captain Jan knows the history and the hidden treasures in the canals around Amsterdam. Fantastic value.”
Iva Boyadzhieva
July 2026
“It is what is says on their website! 🤩 Not your average cruise where you can barely hear the captain from the other side of the boat. It is very cosy, enough space to have everyone seated on the outside deck at the front. The tour is 90 minutes, so it doesn't feel rushed at all. On the contrary, you have enough time to chill, relax and enjoy all the beautiful sites around. You are free to help yourself to a drink from the bar inside anytime, which adds to the home-like experience. Our captain was very friendly and welcoming, and had a lot of curious stories and facts to tell us from the perspective of a local. You can freely join the conversation onboard or sit quietly to enjoy the views. 100% recommend!”
Spencer Bossi-Johnson
July 2026
“John was an exceptional tour guide, he was so friendly and gave so much historical context on Amsterdam and its founding. 10/10 recommend, one of the best experiences we’ve have in the city!”
fourthann
July 2026
“John was the best captain. He was so informative and really was so kind. Would definitely recommend him for any boat tour in the future.”
Lauren Bossi-Johnson
July 2026
“John was incredible, this was the best tour. His knowledge of the city & conversational nature made the trip so enjoyable. If you have the opportunity to get on a boat ride in Amsterdam, take it with Bow’s Journeys with John - he is the best!”
Natalie warren
July 2026
“We had the most amazing tour/cruise with John. I would take this trip over again!!! It a small group of people and amazing tour.”
James Tedesco
July 2026
“We had a great journey on the canals of Amsterdam with Capt Jon this evening. Informed and funny captain shared interesting history on the formation of the city and many of the famous thinkers and artists that came from this society. Loved the tour”
Inspire Dance Challenge
July 2026
“Captain John was exceptional and very informative on our journey, learning about how tolerance built an incredible Dutch Empire. Wonderful tour beautiful boat. Picturesque canal settings”
Michelle Delaney
July 2026
“We had a great time on Bow's Journeys Canal Cruise Amsterdam. Captain John was full of interesting information, was very professional and had a great boat!”
Dave Goossens
July 2026
“Vandaag, 8 juli 2026 op de 70ste verjaardag van m’n moeder de Pien geboekt. We waren met 7 personen, m’n ouders m’n gezin en m’n broertje. Al vanaf de boeking merkte je dat deze eigenaar betrokken is bij zijn klanten. Snelle response en luisteren naar de wensen. Bij de afspraak werden we op de stoep al opgewacht door de kapitein, wat een hartelijke en leuke vent! Kaptitein Nicos verstaat z’n vak en heeft empathie en gevoel voor humor. Hij voer ons naar de plaats die we hadden verzocht op voorhand en maakte daarna nog een prachtige route. Het heeft ons letterlijk en figuurlijk aan niets ontbroken. Hartelijk dank en zeker tot de volgende! Familie Goossens”
T P
July 2026
“Fantastische boot en schipper. Echte gunners, zeldzaam om dit nog te vinden. Goudeerlijk.”
Chiara Polfliet
July 2026
“Al meerdere keren gaan varen in 'de Pien', top ervaring! Alles goed verzorgd, Boudewijn en Nikos zijn goede en betrouwbare schippers en weten veel van Amsterdam. Ze nemen de tijd voor je, het is echt een uitje. Ook fijn dat er drankjes aan boord zijn en dat je zowel binnen als buiten kunt zitten. En dat ze zowel Nederlands als Engels spreken :). Aanrader dus, we komen snel weer terug!”
Free cancellation 48h before departure time
Change time 24h before departure time
Increase guests 1h before departure time
This operator's policy: Free cancellation 48h before departure time; Change time 24h before departure time; Increase guests 1h before departure time.
This varies by cruise — check the feature badges and 'What's Included' section on this specific cruise page above for exactly what's covered (drinks, snacks, toilet, heating, and more) before you book.
Yes — shared cruises are booked per seat, so solo travelers, couples, and small groups can all join the same departure alongside other guests. Check this cruise page for how many seats you can book in one reservation.
The exact departure point is shown on the map further down this page — click "How far is this from me?" for directions from your location. Once you book, the full address and directions are also sent straight to your confirmation email.
Yes, as long as a time slot is still open for booking on this page. Every booking is confirmed instantly online — no waiting to hear back. Each available time shows its own booking cutoff, so grab a spot before it closes if you're booking for the same day.
