When a city is built in, on and around the water like Amsterdam, it makes sense to take to a boat to explore. On my most recent trip to Amsterdam, that’s exactly what I did, and it gave me a fascinating look at the city that I simply couldn’t get by foot – or bike!
A covered option – possibly more suitable on a day like this one!
We boarded our cruise just across the water from the beautiful Amsterdam Centraal station. Our cheeky guide immediately made us feel welcome – teasing us about our bring-your-own bottle of prosecco (it was a girls’ weekend after all!) and handing out blankets against the slight chill. We could have opted for a covered cruise but the boat we’d chosen was spacious and we decided we’d rather have a good view than be toasty warm!
We immediately made for relatively open waters where the ‘Eye’, otherwise known as the film centre, and the newly-opened A’dam Lookout greeted us. Although we didn’t have time this trip, I’d love to return to the lookout for what must be a stunning view over the city.
Our next major landmark was the eyecatching NEMO science museum – a bronze structure that quickly turned green in the elements. Our guide explained that it was a fascinating museum that is largely interactive – it sounded loads of fun.
The open-air maritime museum
Our party destination that night (we wished)
I loved staring at the huge variation in the city’s architecture so clearly visible from the water – ranging in age over the centuries, and in style from miniature to mansion! There were floating gardens with “sheds” to get around residency rules, modernist box-style house boats, and many gorgeous older-style boats with beautiful paint jobs. Our guide said the box style, with a concrete base, were much easier to live in and heat, but that many of the older houses remain because of the city’s permit system, which only permits 2500 house-boats in the city.
Drunken houses!
Another open-air museum of the oldest working shipyard
Yep, that’s a zebra – the canal cruise took us right past the zoo! It was truly surreal seeing giraffes and zebra right next to the water like this.
Deb, Cleo and Juliet well rugged up
Cleo’s sneaky snap of me admiring the architecture!
One of my favourite parts of the canal network was this one – the canal of seven bridges! It was an amazing effect to see the arches unfolding out in front of us.
One of the oldest bridges in Amsterdam
Amsterdam Centraal station
All too soon we were back at the dock and preparing for the next part of our city exploration. I recommend the cruise we chose with Canal – especially if it’s a sunny day! Our guide was knowledgeable and fun, and we appreciated the spacious comfortable boat, which was also eco-friendly. I loved getting this maritime view of Amsterdam – the city really makes sense from the water!
Want more Amsterdam? Check out A Dam Good Weekend in Amsterdam!
Like to see more? Follow along on Bloglovin’ to never miss a post, check out pretty pictures on my Instagram or my Twittering rambles here.
