Is an evening canal cruise in Amsterdam worth it? Totally! Amsterdam looks completely different after dark. And even if you’ve already taken a canal cruise during the day, stepping in a boat for the evening canal cruise in Amsterdam is a totally different experience.
You can keep it simple with a regular evening boat cruise, or turn it into a full Amsterdam dinner cruise and have your meal while you sail past the lit-up canals.
In this guide
- New High-end 3-course dinner canal cruise in Amsterdam. Book online >>
Last updated: 12 October 2026 by Anastasia Dudina
The evening cruises are generally less crowded than daytime ones, making for a more relaxed, peaceful and romantic experience. A number of cruise companies – including Lovers Canal Cruises and Stromma – organize evening canal tours in Amsterdam.
| Cruise | Duration | Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evening / Night Cruise | 60 min | From €17,50 | Book >> |
| LOVERS Dinner Cruise | ~2 hours | From €89 | Book >> |
| High-end 3-Course Dinner Cruise | 2h15 | From €128 | Book >> |
| Pizza Cruise | 1,5 hours | From €42,50 | Book >> |
| Cheese & Wine Cruise | 1,5 hours | Check price | Book >> |
1-hour evening canal cruise in Amsterdam
The first option is a regular night time cruise (sometimes called an Amsterdam night boat tour) departing from Central Station. It’s a 60 minutes cruise with an audioguide in 19 languages, including Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. Tickets costs € 19 per person (or € 17,50 if you book tickets online).
Photo: Kristina Kutena
Need a wheelchair-accessible option? The 90-minute evening canal cruise with Blue Boat Company is wheelchair accessible – contact the operator’s reservations department in advance to reserve a wheelchair seat.
There’s also a number of evening canal cruises that include catering and drinks, so instead of a plain boat tour, you can turn it into a full meal.
Amsterdam dinner cruises
Prefer to make a full meal of it? The LOVERS 4-course dinner cruise (from €89) and the high-end 3-course saloon boat cruise (from €128) are the two best-known dinner cruises in Amsterdam, and there’s also a private BBQ cruise for groups who want their own boat. We cover all of them, with full menus, schedules, meeting points, and a price comparison, in our dedicated Amsterdam dinner cruise guide.
Amsterdam pizza cruise
An evening 1,5-hour cruise with New York-style pizza and drinks included, it’s a relaxed, casual way to see the canals at night. You choose your pizza when you book: Pepperoni, Hawaii, Margherita, Chilli Chicken, a vegan Margherita (vegan cheese), or a Californian Veggie (vegetarian) option.
All drinks are included too (beer, wine, and soft drinks), plus a Cookie Dough Chocolate Chip Ice Cream for dessert. Kids aged 3 and under can join the pizza cruise for free if they sit on your lap. Tickets from €42,50. Make a reservation >>
Amsterdam cheese & wine evening boat tour
During this 1,5-hour evening cruise through Amsterdam’s canal ring you can enjoy a selection of local cheeses, grapes, bread, and figs, with a choice of white wine, red wine, rosé, or sparkling or still mineral water. You may also see this same tour listed elsewhere as a “candlelight cruise” – it’s the same experience under a different name.
It’s a lighter option than the dinner cruises, more of a drink-and-a-snack than a full meal. Kids aged 3 and under go free if they don’t take up their own seat; wine is only served to guests 18 and over, as required by Dutch law. Make a reservation >>
What is the best time for an evening canal cruise in Amsterdam?
We recommend timing your evening cruise around sunset to make the most of the city’s twinkling lights. For example, the sun sets around 20:30 – 21:00 in April, consider taking a cruise around 21:00 – 22:00. Check the sunrise and sunset times in Amsterdam and book your cruise in advance.
Amsterdam Light Festival cruises
If you are lucky to visit Amsterdam during the Amsterdam Light Festival, don’t miss a chance to see the illuminated with the light artworks.
This year the center of Amsterdam will welcome the 15th edition of Amsterdam Light Festival from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027.
“15000 and more” artwork by Studio Klus. Copyright Janus van den Eijnden
There are several departure points in Amsterdam (Central Station, Oosterdock, Amsterdam Noord). You can pick which one is the most convenient for you!
Enjoy your canal cruise and stay in Amsterdam!
FAQ: evening canal cruises in Amsterdam
How long does an evening canal cruise in Amsterdam last?
The regular evening/night cruise takes about 60 minutes. The pizza cruise and cheese & wine cruise last about 1.5 hours, and the dinner cruises run from about 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes.
How much does an evening canal cruise cost?
The regular 60-minute night cruise costs €19 per person at the door, or €17,50 if booked online. Cruises with food or drinks cost more: the pizza cruise from €42,50, the LOVERS dinner cruise from €89, and the high-end 3-course dinner cruise from €128. Check the cheese & wine cruise‘s current price on GetYourGuide.
Is dinner included in an evening canal cruise?
Not in the standard evening cruise – that’s just the boat tour and audio guide. If you want food included, choose between the LOVERS dinner cruise (4-course meal), the high-end 3-course dinner cruise on a saloon boat, the Pizza Cruise, or the cheese & wine cruise, which are separate, slightly longer tours.
What is the best time for an evening canal cruise in Amsterdam?
Around sunset, so you catch both daylight and the city’s lit-up buildings and bridges. Sunset time shifts throughout the year – for example, around 20:30-21:00 in April – so check current sunset times before booking your slot.
Do evening canal cruises run in winter, and is there a Light Festival cruise?
Yes. Evening cruises run year-round, and if you’re visiting during the Amsterdam Light Festival (26 November 2026 – 17 January 2027 for the 15th edition), dedicated Light Festival canal cruises let you see the illuminated artworks from the water.
Where do evening canal cruises depart from in Amsterdam?
The regular night cruise departs from Central Station. Light Festival cruises depart from several points around the city, including Central Station, Oosterdok, and Amsterdam Noord, so you can pick whichever is most convenient.
Is there a candlelight cruise in Amsterdam?
Yes – it’s the same tour listed above as the cheese & wine cruise, just marketed under a different name on some booking sites. It’s a 1.5-hour evening cruise with local cheese, bread, and wine rather than a full dinner.
Is there a wheelchair-accessible evening canal cruise in Amsterdam?
Yes. The 90-minute evening canal cruise with Blue Boat Company is wheelchair accessible. Contact the operator’s reservations department in advance to reserve a wheelchair seat.
Related articles:
- Amsterdam in one day: things to see and do
- Canal cruises in Amsterdam: tickets and option
- Things to do in Amsterdam with kids
- Public transport in Amsterdam
- Red Light District in Amsterdam
- Lovers 1-Hour Canal Cruise from Amsterdam Centraal
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