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Cruise through Amsterdam’s glowing canals in a comfortable open boat or deck lounge. Watch radiant artworks reflect across the water and enjoy live commentary.
✔️ 75-minute canal cruise on the official festival route
✔️ Choose between semi-covered sloep or deck lounge boat
✔️ Board from Starboard Dock, Oudezijds Voorburgwal, Central Station, or Anne Frank House
✔️ Heated seating or blankets for winter comfort
✔️ English-speaking guide or audio commentary onboard
✔️ Clear, unobstructed views of illuminated artworks
✔️ Amsterdam Light Festival entry fee included
✔️ Option to have unlimited drinks
Arrive at your selected boarding point: Starboard Dock, Oudezijds Voorburgwal, Central Station, or Anne Frank House. Settle into your seat, wrap up in blankets if needed, and get ready for a 75-minute light-filled journey.
Sail the official Amsterdam Light Festival route, gliding past the city’s UNESCO canals, twinkling bridges, and around twenty dazzling light installations created by international artists.
Your English-speaking guide or audio commentary shares background about each light sculpture, the artists behind them, and how Amsterdam transforms into a floating exhibition every winter.
Choose a semi-open canopy covered sloep for full exposure to the night sky or a covered canal boat with a rear deck lounge for an open-air view. Heated seating or blankets ensure a cozy experience.
Join fellow travelers for a lively, social evening. Whether chatting quietly or photographing the glowing canals, everyone enjoys an unfiltered view of Amsterdam’s winter lights.
| Feature | Open boat cruise | Standard covered cruise |
|---|---|---|
View | Unobstructed views of artworks | Through glass windows |
Experience | Open-air, close to water | Fully enclosed comfort |
Atmosphere | Lively, social, immersive | Quiet, sightseeing-focused |
Boat type | Open sloep or rear deck lounge | Fully glass-roofed boat |
Photo quality | Clear night photography | Occasional light reflection |
Best for | Night lights & photography | Relaxed indoor sightseeing |
Sail past the majestic Centraal Station, its Neo-Renaissance façade glowing against the night sky. Reflections ripple across the water as festival artworks illuminate one of Amsterdam’s most iconic landmarks.
Glide by one of the world’s oldest botanical gardens, where centuries-old greenhouses shimmer under vibrant lights. The surrounding canal reflects bursts of color from nearby festival installations.
Pass beneath the famous Skinny Bridge, adorned with hundreds of white bulbs that shimmer over the Amstel River. Its timeless elegance contrasts beautifully with the surrounding festival glow.
Admire the grandeur of Herengracht, lined with stately canal houses and arched bridges. During the Light Festival, its calm waters mirror contemporary artworks set between the city’s historic façades.
Cruise through Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canal belt, a masterpiece of 17th-century design. The Light Festival transforms this historic network of waterways into a glowing panorama of art and reflection.
Sail along Brouwersgracht, known for its charming warehouses and flower-draped bridges. The tranquil waterway becomes even more captivating when illuminated by colorful light displays along its curved path.
Go past this historic lock connecting the Singel to the IJ. As you glide under softly lit arches, modern artworks interplay with centuries-old stonework and the gentle sound of moving water.
Catch a glimpse of Amsterdam’s boutique-filled Nine Streets, where narrow bridges cross glowing canals. The warm shopfront lights blend with festival reflections for a scene straight from a postcard.
Admire the grand Dutch National Maritime Museum, its courtyard lit in striking colors during the festival. The monumental architecture and glowing reflections evoke Amsterdam’s deep maritime legacy.
Spot NEMO’s green copper exterior glowing under colorful projections. Its sloped roof and modern design create a striking contrast to the historic canals surrounding it.
Sail beside the full-scale replica of an 18th-century Dutch East India Company ship. During the festival, its masts and rigging sparkle with light, creating a magical nautical silhouette.
Drift across the IJ River, a wide expanse of still water mirroring Amsterdam’s illuminated skyline. Contemporary architecture and festival artworks create a breathtaking panorama of color and reflection.
Pause near the Anne Frank House, its quiet canal setting offering a moving contrast to the city’s brightness. The softly lit façade adds a contemplative note to your journey.
Admire the wealth of Amsterdam’s Golden Bend, where the grandest canal houses stand illuminated. The mirrored water and refined façades showcase the city’s elegant past in a radiant light.
Some boats are open sloeps, while others are semi-covered with a back-deck lounge offering open-air views.
Each cruise lasts around 75 minutes and follows the official Amsterdam Light Festival route.
Yes, depending on your ticket type, you can board from Starboard Dock, Oudezijds Voorburgwal, Central Station, or Anne Frank House.
No, boats provide heated seating or blankets. Dress warmly for outdoor comfort during evening cruises.
Yes. Some boats feature a live English-speaking guide, while others provide audio guides in Dutch and English.
Some cruises offer drink options; this depends on the ticket type and boat operator.
Yes, families and children are welcome to enjoy the illuminated artworks together.
The semi-covered and deck lounge boats provide overhead shelter, but if you go on open sloeps, make sure to carry a raincoat or a poncho.
Absolutely. You can take photos and videos throughout the cruise; just be mindful of fellow guests.
