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Amsterdam UNESCO sites

Our most recommended Amsterdam UNESCO sites

Amsterdam: City Canal Cruise

1. Amsterdam: City Canal Cruise

Enjoy the center of Amsterdam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on this canal tour in Amsterdam. Be amazed by the gorgeous 17th century canal houses, old merchant houses from the Dutch Golden Age, charming bridges, and the Dutch cyclists. Hop aboard a comfortable boat and pass by the Anne Frank House and the Westerkerk. Glide by more than just old buildings, as you admire new architectural masterpieces have been built along the Piet Heinkade on the IJ river. During your cruise, uncover everything the Dutch capital has to offer in 75 minutes. Keep your camera close by to snap some enviable shots. Book your canal tour in Amsterdam now and board one of the famous blue boats. Take in highlights of Amsterdam and experience the city the way it really is. Soak up sights like the Golden Bend, Overhoeks (the city’s newest quarter), the Music Building in the harbor, and the impressive replica of a VOC ship outside the Maritime Museum.

Amsterdam: Canal Cruise with Drinks and Native German Guide

2. Amsterdam: Canal Cruise with Drinks and Native German Guide

Navigate through the world-famous Amsterdam canals on a scenic cruise. Pass by charming homes and historic landmarks as your guide provides interesting facts about them. Sit back and take in the view as you sip on unlimited beer, wine, or soft drinks. Begin your journey on a small boat that will take you through the beautiful canals of Amsterdam. Listen to key anecdotes about the sights as you enjoy a voyage of discovery on the water. Pass 17th-century houses, picturesque bridges, the classic canals and several key sights that give you a great impression of Amsterdam’s vibe. Allow your guide to narrate the trip in a passionate manner while you enjoy unlimited drinks on board. Lean back and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, letting the sights of the city impress you. In addition, the boat is equipped with an electric motor, which allows for a quiet and environmentally friendly journey.

Amsterdam: Open Boat Canal Cruise

3. Amsterdam: Open Boat Canal Cruise

Embark an open-boat tour through Amsterdam and discover the sights through the city's famous canals. Enjoy commentary from your captain throughout the tour, as you relax while taking in some of Amsterdam's most famous sights. Board your boat and listen as your captain tells you all about the history of the city, as they show you the prettiest houses and canals. Since this open boat is so much smaller than a normal canal cruise boat, enjoy sailing through the smallest canals. See the some of the city's biggest highlights including the stately Westerkerk and the Anne Frank House. Watch Amsterdamers cycling along the canals and snap photos all along the way.

Amsterdam: Highlights Canal Cruise

4. Amsterdam: Highlights Canal Cruise

Learn about Amsterdam’s vibrant history on its historic waterways on a 1-hour canal cruise that takes in more than 100 highlights. Listen to the on-board commentary about the city’s emergence in the 13th century and the merchants of the Dutch East India Company that led to the so-called Golden Age. Experience Amsterdam and board the boat by Stromma Central Station or Stromma Rijksmuseum in the city center, and set sail from the IJ waterfront. See the city’s modern architecture as you cruise around the southernmost part of fashionable Amsterdam-Noord. Sail past old warehouses, dockyards, and boatyards. Cruise under enchanting bridges from the past and present. Watch the centuries merge as you experience Amsterdam in its purest form, as a seaport. Along the way, you will pass many of Amsterdam’s most famous monuments, and discover why UNESCO declared the city’s canals a World Heritage Site.

Amsterdam: Museum of the Canals Ticket with Audio Guide

5. Amsterdam: Museum of the Canals Ticket with Audio Guide

Adventure into Amsterdam’s past and present, through exploring the history of the city’s canals. Start your journey of discovery as you travel back 400 years at the Museum of the Canals, located in the city center of Amsterdam. Our multimedia exhibition illustrates the evolution of Amsterdam through the lens of its canals, which have been and continue to be central to the movement of the city and its inhabitants. Visit the Museum of the Canals, located in a 17th-century canal house with classical period rooms at the Herengracht. The canals are the heart of Amsterdam and to understand the city, you'll have to understand the reason behind the canals and why they were and are of such importance to the city. Next to the permanent exhibition about the canals, you can also visit the temporary exhibitions that are on display at this museum.

From Amsterdam: Day Trip to Bruges

6. From Amsterdam: Day Trip to Bruges

Embark on a day out to Bruges from Amsterdam and discover the World Heritage Site. See the romantic Lake of Love, walk around the Burg Square, and enjoy some free time to taste the Belgium beers. Depart from the center of Amsterdam in a comfortable and airconditioned bus. Learn from your guide all about the historic center of Bruges and why it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Start your tour with an introduction to the history of Belgium and Bruges. See the Lake of Love and the Begijnhof, founded in 1245. Visit the historic city center, learn more about Belgium’s world-famous beers and see the Church of Our Lady. Admire one of the most charming areas, around the Dyver canal. Continue your walk to Walplein Square, the Stoofstraat, Gruuthuse Palace, Burg Square with its Gothic Town Hall, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, and the Grote Markt with the Belfort. The tour finishes in the Grote Markt, in the heart of Bruges. Get recommendations on where to eat, drink and shop during your 3 hours of free time in the city. Sit back and relax as you head back to Amsterdam, where the tour ends.

Amsterdam 1-Hour Canal Cruise and Ripley’s Believe it or Not

7. Amsterdam 1-Hour Canal Cruise and Ripley’s Believe it or Not

Climb aboard a glass-topped boat and see the sights of Amsterdam from a different perspective on a 1-hour canal cruise. Admire the centuries-old merchant houses and UNESCO World Heritage monuments of the 17th-century Golden Age from the historic waterways. Admire the decorative façades and iconic landmarks of the city center, such as Anne Frank's House, the imposing Westerkerk and the Skinny Bridge over the Amstel River. Enter an amazing museum that showcases the world’s most remarkable collection of natural, scientific, artistic and human oddities with a fast track entry ticket to Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Go on a journey into the bizarre as you explore ancient civilizations and see unusual contemporary art. Some say that it is one of the weirdest spots in the city, but a must-see if you’re interested in odd facts!

From Amsterdam: Kinderdijk and The Hague Tour with Museums

8. From Amsterdam: Kinderdijk and The Hague Tour with Museums

Enjoy the beautiful scenery from the comfort of a luxurious minivan. You will be picked up from a centrally located meeting point in Amsterdam and driven to Kinderdijk in about 75 minutes. Sit back, relax and enjoy views of the Dutch landscape as you head to the UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit a working windmill from the inside, watch the film about the area and learn more about the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a 90-minute visit, get back in the minivan and continue to The Hague. This bustling city is home to some of Europe's most important political institutions, including The Netherlands' seat of government and its royal family. It is also home to numerous embassies and international organizations, including the International Court of Justice, The International Criminal Court, and several royal palaces. Start your adventure in The Hague, where you will do a city tour via minivan. You will see all the highlights, and a stop will be made for lunch (at your own expense) before enjoying an included visit to one of the three cultural highlights of The Hague. Discover Mauritshuis, home to some of the best Dutch paintings from the Golden Age. In this museum, you can find masterpieces such as Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl earring and images by Rembrandt van Rijn. Enjoy an included audio tour of Escher in Het Paleis. This former royal winter palace now houses over 120 prints of the famous M.C. Escher. The way he played with perspective, space, and reality means he remains fascinating even today. What makes the small country of the Netherlands so great? Discover this and more at Madurodam. The smallest city in the world is full of beautiful miniatures, playful activities, and great rides for kids and adults to discover what makes us so unique.

Amsterdam City, Unesco Countryside & Windmills Tour

9. Amsterdam City, Unesco Countryside & Windmills Tour

Experience a mixed tour between Amsterdam and the Countryside, perfect if you want to have an overall experience of this beautiful part of the Netherlands. Start by meeting your driver/guide at your accommodation in Amsterdam. After a short meet and greet you will set off on your adventure.  Start your day by driving through the famous Canal Belt, added as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010. Witness how the ‘Golden Age’ influenced urban development in Amsterdam as your guide informs you of how Amsterdam became so rich and artistically renowned. During your tour, you will get to see countless interesting sights, amazing views inside and outside the historic city center. Continue on your tour with a visit to another UNESCO World Heritage site, a typical Dutch polder called "the Beemster" - the first ever reclaimed polder in the country. During a stroll over the ring dyke, you will have a perfect view of the extraordinary structure of the polder and the enormous difference in water levels surrounding the area. Learn why the windmills were built and see how they work, you will also get to enter a working 17th-century windmill for a tour of its mechanisms and living quarters. Follow this with a drive through typical 17th-century polder villages, like Midden Beemster, the Rijp and, Graft. Stroll through the cozy historic centers and walk across old draw bridges as you pass a lock that saved the town from flooding. After this inspiring journey, you will be dropped you off at your hotel, Schiphol airport or boat pier.

Amsterdam: Walking Tour & Canal Cruise with Airport Transfer

10. Amsterdam: Walking Tour & Canal Cruise with Airport Transfer

Turn your layover into an extraordinary Amsterdam adventure with Layovers Amsterdam! Embark on our exclusive Canal Cruise & Walking tour, and discover the best of this vibrant city in just 3-5 hours. Feel the excitement as you glide through historic waterways on a glass-top boat, taking in iconic landmarks and architectural wonders. Our comfortable driver service will ensure a hassle-free journey to and from the airport, so you can make the most of your time in Amsterdam. Led by knowledgeable guides, our private walking tour unveils the hidden gems and captivating history of the city, providing a truly immersive experience. Rest assured, we understand the value of your time. Layovers Amsterdam, a trade name of Dutch Flower Tours, is dedicated to creating exceptional travel experiences that cater to your needs. Don't waste your layover - book your unforgettable Amsterdam adventure with Layovers Amsterdam today and make memories that will stay with you forever. We recommend booking your tour at least two days in advance to avoid dissapointment.

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Frequently asked questions about Amsterdam UNESCO sites

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Other Sightseeing Options in Amsterdam

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What people are saying about Amsterdam

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 789 reviews

Exactly as advertised. We were late and they put us on the next boat with no problem. Didn’t make us feel stupid for getting lost. Had ear pods to hear. It was winter, and we were warm.

All bookings of cruise, museums were excellent. The only issue I had, was Blue Boat Cruise booking, as the address on getyourguide is not correct.

Smooth boat ride with nice sights around Amsterdam. Also had an entertaining captain.

Good museum with a great multimedia experience. Great value for money.

It was nice! Beautiful Amsterdam from a boat. 100% recommended