Cruising the Amstel river: beyond the canal belt
A private cruise on the Amstel takes you out of the narrow canal belt onto the wider river that Amsterdam was built on, where the water opens up and the pace of the cruise slows down.
A different kind of water
The canals are narrow, busy and framed on both sides by facades. The Amstel is the opposite: a broad river running south out of the centre, with open sky, room to pass other vessels and long views along the banks. Amsterdam takes its name from a dam on this river, so it is where the city began. Most visitors never see it, because the standard tourist loops stay inside the belt. Route options are described on cruising routes.
What you pass along the way
Leaving the canal belt you come out near the Magere Brug, the wooden bascule bridge that opens for passing vessels. Further south the banks change from city to something closer to countryside, with houseboats, rowing clubs and low green edges. The Amstel is also where Amsterdam Boothuur has its own facility for guests on sloop trips, since the open boats have no toilet on board. The pace here is slower, which suits a longer cruise with food on the table.
Which boat suits the river
Both types work. The sloops Willy and Marijn Joris are open, which makes the wide views of the river the point of the trip; they seat parties of up to forty guests and you may bring your own drinks on board. The salon boats Marjet from 1929 and Valerie from 1930 have an enclosed, heated saloon with a table and a toilet on board, which suits colder months or a cruise with dinner. Open boats are described on sloop rental.
Combining the river and the canals
Most cruises do both: an hour through the canal belt for the gable houses and bridges, then out onto the Amstel where the boat can pick up pace and the group settles. Two to three hours is enough for the combination. Boarding takes place inside the canal belt, which is possible because Amsterdam Boothuur holds the official operating permit for the city centre; boarding outside the belt can be arranged at additional cost. Charter details are on boat rental.
The skipper decides the exact route on the day, weighing bridge openings, wind on the open water and how long your party wants to stay out. Tell him at the start whether you would rather cover ground or sit still for a while, and he will adjust. On a warm evening many groups ask to stay on the river longer than planned, which is usually possible within the agreed hours.
Guests travelling with children often prefer the river for another reason: the route can pass Artis, where animals are visible from the water. Life jackets for children without a swimming certificate are available on board on request. On the open sloops there is more to look at from every side, which tends to hold younger passengers’ attention longer than an enclosed saloon.
Book as soon as your date is fixed, particularly for evenings in spring and summer. Your enquiry needs the number of guests, the preferred time and the boarding point, after which you receive one quotation covering the boat, the skipper and everything served on board.
Frequently asked questions
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Two to three hours is usual, which allows a loop through the canal belt and a stretch along the river without rushing either part.
Would you like to cruise beyond the canal belt with your own party? Request a no-obligation quote.
