Amsterdam City & Canal Cruise Shore Excursion

This full-day Amsterdam shore excursion is built for guests who want to see as much of the city as possible in a single private day: a walking tour, a canal cruise, a major museum visit, and free time.

Your guide meets you at the pier and drives into the city center to begin the morning on foot through Amsterdam's 17th century canal ring, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010. This canal system was built during the Dutch Golden Age, when Amsterdam grew into one of the wealthiest trading cities in the world on the strength of the Dutch East India Company, and the grand merchant houses lining the canals still reflect that wealth today. Your guide points out architectural details as you walk, then gives you a short amount of free time near the Bloemenmarkt, the world's only floating flower market, to pick up a souvenir if you like.

Before lunch you take a private canal cruise through the same canal ring, gliding beneath historic bridges and past gabled houses for a different perspective on the city known as the Venice of the North. You then have free time for lunch on your own before the afternoon's main event.

In the afternoon your guide takes you to Museumplein for a visit to either the Van Gogh Museum or the Rijksmuseum, whichever you prefer; let us know your choice when you book. The Van Gogh Museum holds the largest collection of the artist's paintings and letters anywhere in the world, while the Rijksmuseum spans Dutch art and history from the Middle Ages to the present, including major works by Rembrandt and Vermeer. Your guide leads you through and provides commentary along the way. Afterward, if time allows, you have a bit of free time in the nearby Jordaan neighborhood, a former working class district now known for its narrow streets, courtyards, and independent shops, before returning to the pier.

• Mobility: Due to uneven surfaces, steps, and walking distances, this itinerary is not suitable for guests using wheelchairs. Please contact us for alternative sightseeing options, including private driving tours that may better accommodate your needs.