
Amsterdam: Light Festival Boat with optional drinks
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 534 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Amsterdam: Light Festival Boat with optional drinks worth booking?
Amsterdam: Light Festival Boat with optional drinks is a 1.3-hour experience in Amsterdam, Netherlands, from $14 per person. It scores 87 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 534 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 87 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (534)
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- From
- $14 per person
Until 18th of January the Amsterdam Light Festival takes place. This festival gives artists the chance to show 27 illuminated pieces of art in the canals of Amsterdam. The best way is seeing them is from a canal boat wit
What you get
About this experience
Until 18th of January the Amsterdam Light Festival takes place. This festival gives artists the chance to show 27 illuminated pieces of art in the canals of Amsterdam. The best way is seeing them is from a canal boat with our English speaking Skipper. ✔️ Drinks optional Sit back and relax with a wine, beer or soda & Dutch Snacks which you can book optional. ✔️ Small Group We cruise with a small group of maximum of 28 passengers ✔️ Highlights Apart from the illuminated works of art. We'll pass by the best highlights in Amsterdam. From The Dancing Houses to the Seven Bridges, onto the Skinny Bridge. ✔️ Guide language Our skipper speaks English, but we have a digital booklet with guided information in English, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, German, French and Italian. ✔️ Location We depart right in front of Amsterdam Central Station, in one of our brand new stylish and electric Eco Boats.
What's included
Included
- Snacks
- Alcoholic beverages
- Cruise with the proud winner of TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice 2025!
- In Person guide ( English and Dutch)
What you'll see and do
Canal Ring (Grachtengordel)
Explore Amsterdam by visiting its UNESCO-listed canals. We'll pass by the best highlights in Amsterdam. From The Dancing Houses to the Seven Brigdes. On the Amstel and underneath the Skinny Bridge, all to be seen from our canal boat.
Pass by without stopping
Amsterdam Light Festival
Great to take photo's of these Art works (they are a limited time in Amsterdam )
Pass by without stopping
St. Nicholas Basilica
Paas by this beautiful basilica
Pass by without stopping
NEMO Science Museum
The NEMO building as the striking, copper-green shape rising high above Amsterdam's eastern docklands. Architect Renzo Piano had a clear vision for his design of the NEMO building, with its very own piazza 22 metres above water level.
Pass by without stopping
Skinny Bridge
Skinny bridge, listen carefully to your local guide who tells you about the legend of the Skinny Bridge
Pass by without stopping
Herengracht
The Herengracht; Often referred to as the “Gentlemen’s Canal,” it is renowned for its historic charm and elegant 17th-century canal houses.
Pass by without stopping
Haarlemmersluis
The Haarlemmer Sluis is a historic sluice (lock) located in Amsterdam, near the junction of the Singel and the IJ River. It was built to regulate water levels in the city’s canals and to prevent flooding, an essential function in a city below sea level. Dating back to the 16th century, the Haarlemmer Sluis reflects Amsterdam’s long history of water management and engineering innovation.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Amsterdam
Our location is right in front of Amsterdam Central Station, directly in front of the tram stops by the water. You can recognize us by our dark green beach flag and staff wearing shirts with 'Eco Boats' on it. Please use Google Maps to find the correct location, not Apple Maps.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Our location is right in front of Amsterdam Central Station, directly in front of the tram stops by the water. You can recognize us by our dark green beach flag and staff wearing shirts with 'Eco Boats' on it. Please use Google Maps to find the correct location, not Apple Maps.
Options you can book
Cruise with one drink
1 (non)alcoholic or hot drink
Unlimited Drinks + Dutch Snack
Unlimited drinks and snacks
Cruise without a drink
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, pt, cmn, en, it, fr, nl, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Eco Boats Amsterdam
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Departure point right in front of Central Station
- The route and duration (75 minutes) may vary each time depending on external factors.
- On the day itself (depending on the weather conditions) we decide to cruise with an half open or covered boat (with some shelter for rain).
- On cold days, please wear warm, clothes, as cruising on water can get cold
- On Rainy days, please wear suitable clothing
- We only serve alcoholic drinks for travellers 18 years old and above (proof of ID can be asked for). Minor travellers below 18 years old will be served non-alcoholic drink
- Our welcome snack may contain traces of nuts, and these traces might also be present on the boat itself (in case of severe nut allergies)
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 534 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
534 verified traveler reviews for Amsterdam: Light Festival Boat with optional drinks. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great tour and tour guide
The tour was perfect! We are non drinkers so having a choice of tickets with or without drinks was nice. We weren’t crowded, so everyone had a chance to take great pictures and the seats were comfortable. Jack, our Captain was relaxed and provided great commentary as we cruised. His insights were not too much, and not too little…but combined w/ the super quiet electric engine, you were able to hear the sounds of the city around you. Again, for us, that was perfect! I highly recommend this tour.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much, JHall! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the Light Festival tour with Captain Jack. It's great that the option to choose tickets without drinks suited your needs, and we're glad you appreciated the peaceful ambience of our electric boat. We'd love to welcome you back for another perfect cruise in the future! The Amsterdam Eco Boats crew
via Tripadvisor
Great experience!
Bob gave us an amazing experience. He was very funny, charismatic, and friendly. He did an amazing job! He knew the history and answered all our questions. Loved it!
via Tripadvisor
Memorable, beautiful boat ride through famous Amsterdam canals
Awesome, peaceful, and informative boat ride through the famous Amsterdam canals. The light exhibits were very neat! Loved the atmosphere on the boat at nighttime, with snacks and drinks. Mike (captain) and Gerardo (guide) were very knowledgeable, welcoming, and created a memorable atmosphere.
via Viator
Lovely canal cruise
We had a great experience during this cruise. We were 4 friends enjoying Amsterdam over a short week end. Mark the captain and Jamie were fun and entertaining. They were quite knowledgeable about the city. We also had a drink included in our trip. The boat was comfortable and it wasn’t too cold.
via Tripadvisor
Great Experience
The boat trip was excellent!! We had an amazing and knowledgeable guide and we got a perfect tour of Amsterdam, showing all the main spots.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $14 to $40
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 187
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 87
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Amsterdam: Light Festival Boat with optional drinks: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Amsterdam.
How much does Amsterdam: Light Festival Boat with optional drinks cost?
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Prices start at $14 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Amsterdam usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Amsterdam: Light Festival Boat with optional drinks take?
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Plan for about 1.3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Amsterdam is not rushed.
Is Amsterdam: Light Festival Boat with optional drinks worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 87 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 534 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Amsterdam, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Amsterdam: Light Festival Boat with optional drinks?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Amsterdam: Light Festival Boat with optional drinks suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Amsterdam: Light Festival Boat with optional drinks?
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Around 187 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Amsterdam can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Amsterdam and add a light layer if any part of the 1.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Amsterdam: Light Festival Boat with optional drinks start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Amsterdam within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Amsterdam?
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On Outty we rank every Amsterdam experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Amsterdam Canal Cruise with Local Guide and Small Group, Guided Bike Tour of Amsterdam's Highlights & Hidden Gems, Amsterdam: Luxury Canal Cruise including Cocktails & Snacks. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Amsterdam?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Amsterdam?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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