Open Boat Tour Amsterdam — Private Cruising Under the Open Sky
An open boat tour in Amsterdam on your own historic saloon boat: roof slid back, open deck, nothing between you and the canal houses. From €250 an hour, with your own local captain.
Why an open boat tour beats a glass-roofed one
Most Amsterdam canal boats are sealed under glass. Ours are historic saloon boats with roofs that slide right back and decks that sit open to the air — so on a decent day you get the canals properly, not through a pane of reflective glass.
No glass, no glare
Photographs come out clean without reflections or condensation across the frame. A real difference on a bright day.
You look up, not out
Gable roofs, bridge arches and church towers pass directly overhead — the part of Amsterdam a closed boat hides.
Weather-proof anyway
If the weather turns, the roof closes and the heating goes on. Open is a choice you make on the day, not a gamble.
Still fully private
Open does not mean shared. The boat is booked for your group alone, with a captain who adapts the route.
Which boat opens up the most?
All three boats in the fleet open up, but they do it differently. This is the one decision worth getting right for an open boat tour.
Tzar
A sliding roof over the indoor area plus a fully open front deck with completely unobstructed views. The best choice if being in the open air is the whole point. Up to 12 guests.
View the Tzar →Undine
A 1920 classic whose deck opens in minutes and closes just as fast. You sit close to the captain, so it doubles as a guided tour. Up to 8 guests.
View the Undine →Ritz
A convertible stern that still keeps a covered roof for shade — open air with somewhere to retreat. Mahogany interior and a restroom on board. Up to 12 guests.
View the Ritz →Not sure? Compare capacity and layout side by side on the fleet page, or just ask and we will match the boat to your group.
Open boat tour Amsterdam prices
Same pricing as any private cruise — there is no premium for having the roof open. Every duration includes your private boat, local captain, one non-alcoholic welcome drink per guest, VAT and tourist tax.
1 hour
The main canal-belt landmarks with the roof back. A good first taste of the city from the water.
1.5 hours
The full route: Herengracht, the Seven Bridges, the Amstel, the Jordaan and the narrow canals.
2 hours
Room to slow down, stop for photographs and work through the minibar in the sun.
A small surcharge applies for groups over 4. Longer durations are on the tours and prices page, and drinks come from the onboard minibar.
What an open boat tour actually feels like
You step aboard, your captain slides the roof back, and the cruise starts with a drink in hand. The canal belt passes at walking pace — close enough to read the gable stones and hear the bells from the Westerkerk.
Because the boat is small and private, you get into the narrow side canals that the large glass-roofed tour boats cannot reach. Ask your captain to linger somewhere, take a detour, or stop for photographs — the route is yours.
- ✓Roof and deck open on request, closed just as quickly
- ✓Local captain doubling as your guide
- ✓Flexible route through the UNESCO canal ring
- ✓Blankets on board for cooler evenings
- ✓Minibar with wine, beer, soft drinks and Champagne
Private open boat vs a standard canal cruise
| Private open boat tour | Standard canal cruise | |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | Slides fully open, closes if needed | Fixed glass |
| Who is on board | Your group only, 2–12 guests | Shared with other passengers |
| Route | Flexible, including narrow side canals | Fixed loop on main waterways |
| Photography | No glass, no reflections | Shooting through glass |
| Guide | Local captain, live commentary | Often a recorded audio guide |
| Price | From €250 per boat | Per-person ticket |
A shared cruise wins on price per head if you are travelling solo or as a pair. From about four guests upwards, a private open boat is usually comparable — and the boat is yours.
Best time for an open boat tour
Open cruising is at its best from spring through early autumn, but the boats run year-round — the roof simply stays shut when the weather says so.
Spring
April and May: tulips in the window boxes, blossom along the Amstel and quieter canals than summer.
Summer
Peak open-boat season. Long evenings mean sunset cruises until well past 9pm — book these ahead.
Autumn
September and October: golden light on the canal houses, warm afternoons and far fewer boats about.
Winter
Roof closed and heating on. Not an open-air cruise, but the Light Festival makes up for it.
Open boat tour Amsterdam — FAQ
A canal cruise on a boat that is open to the air rather than sealed under a fixed glass roof. Our historic saloon boats have sliding roofs and open decks, so you can sit in the sun with unobstructed views of the canal houses and bridges.
The Tzar. It has a sliding roof over the indoor area plus a fully open front deck with completely unobstructed views. The Undine has an open sundeck, and the Ritz a convertible stern.
The cruise goes ahead. Your captain closes the roof and turns on the heating, so you are dry and warm within a minute or two. Open-air cruising is a choice you make on the day rather than a risk you take when booking.
From €250 for one hour, €340 for 1.5 hours and €430 for two, including your private boat, captain, welcome drink, VAT and tourist tax. There is no extra charge for cruising with the roof open.
Always private. The boat is booked exclusively for your group of 2 to 12 guests — you never share with other passengers.
Yes. One non-alcoholic welcome drink per guest is included, and the minibar carries wine, beer, soft drinks, prosecco and Champagne. See the drinks menu.
Late afternoon and early evening from spring to early autumn give the best light for open cruising. Summer sunset slots are the most requested, so book those well ahead — though a last minute cruise is often possible on weekdays.
The standard departure point is near Amsterdam Central Station at Oosterdokskade 8. Pickup from a canal-side hotel or another convenient spot can often be arranged, depending on location.
Roof back, drink in hand, canals all around
Book a private open boat tour in Amsterdam with your own historic saloon boat and local captain. From €250 an hour, welcome drink included.