How to Explore Amsterdam by Boat - The Republic of Rose

I’ve been to Amsterdam three times and still my favorite thing to do while I’m there is explore the city by boat! There’s nothing better than gliding through the canals, enjoying the architecture and sipping on some wine on a beautiful summer day in Amsterdam.

Here’s my guide to exploring Amsterdam by boat!

How to Rent a Boat in Amsterdam

There are several boat rental services throughout the city so pick one that is most convenient for where you’re staying and aligns with your budget. We always rent with Mokumboot because they have six locations throughout the city (so one is usually convenient for us!) and they have always been so friendly and easy to rent from!

Mokumboot has a few boat rental options for larger parties that come with a captain, however, the most popular option is sailing yourself! This option fits up to 8 people, is fully electric and doesn’t require any license. Pricing for 2 hours of sailing is € 95, 3 hours of sailing is € 120 and 4 hours of sailing is € 150.

What to Expect When Exploring Amsterdam by Boat

If renting through Mokumboot, once you arrive at the rental location, they will ask for €100 deposit in cash (which will be returned to you once the boat rental is finished). Then, they will show you to your boat and give you a map of the canals and advice on the best routes to take.

From there, you’re the the captain!

Depending on your route, you can see the Rijksmuseum from the water, the beautiful houses at the Herengracht or even the Artis Royal Zoo (we were able to spot elephants and giraffes from the boat!).

Tips for Renting a Canal Boat in Amsterdam

Pack a picnic: one of the best things about a self-guided canal cruise is that you can bring your own food and drinks! We stopped by a local shop to make our own charcuterie board and pick up some wine to sip on during the ride.
Playing music: we packed a portable speaker to play music on but put it on a very volume since the canals run through residential districts!
Use your phone’s GPS: while the map of the canals was helpful, we ended up using our GPS to double check our location while navigating through the hotels. A portable phone charger wouldn’t hurt to bring either!
Prepare for the weather: this may seem like an obvious one but we were a bit unprepared on our last trip when it started to rain! Make sure to bring a rain jacket, scarf (I like this one that doubles as a blanket for travel!) or sweater for cooler days (especially if you’re planning to go to sunset!) and sunscreen and a hat for warmer days. Note that the boat doesn’t have any shade but does get a nice breeze when moving.