More about: Amsterdam Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
Given the particularities of this city, full of canals but also of interesting attractions and museums, there are many varieties of tours aboard a bus or a cruise to get to know this charming city. Here is a list of the best options.
The most classic option: Amsterdam City Sightseeing Bus
With this hop-on hop-off bus tour of Amsterdam, with the option to add a cruise for a small extra charge, you'll have the freedom to visit the city in total comfort. You'll cross Amsterdam aboard an open-top double-decker bus with audio guide in English, passing through up to 38 of the city's highlights:
Rijksmuseum
Trace the history of Dutch Golden Age painting with masterpieces such as Rembrandt' s "The Night Watch" and paintings by Vermeer and Frans Hals.
Jordaan and Red Light District
Get to know what was called the "European Jerusalem" during the settlement of Jewish refugee communities in the 16th and 17th centuries and Amsterdam's most controversial neighbourhood, with its red-lit shop windows and legal prostitution.
Madame Tussauds
Marvel at the hyper-realistic wax figures of famous historical figures in this replica of London's famous wax museum.
Itinerary
- Rijksmuseum
- Damrak
- Dam Square
- Leiden Square (Leidseplein)
- Van Gogh Museum
- Anne Frank House
- The Jordaan
- Red Light District
- Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
- NEMO Science Museum
- The National Maritime Museum
- De 9 Straatjes
- Casa-Rembrandt Museum
- Madame Tussauds Amsterdam
- Netherlands Casino
- Amsterdam Centrum
- Hermitage Amsterdam
- The Amsterdam Dungeon
- Torture Museum
- Xtracold Icebar Amsterdam
- Body Worlds
- De Gooyer Mill
Pass for a boat cruise with free stops along the canals
A cruise is a must on your visit to the Dutch capital and this one-day or two-day Amsterdam canal cruise pass is a great option. You can do the whole tour without getting off to enjoy a nice walk or you can use it as a means of transport, as it makes a fairly extensive tour (it passes through 18 points of interest) and you can get on and off at any of the stops.
Plus, you can round off your cruise by upgrading your ticket with fast-track entry to two of the city's best attractions, the Van Gogh Museum and the interactive tour of the old brewery at the Heineken Experience.
- Rembrandt House: visit the former home of the great artist, now converted into an interesting museum about his life and work.
- Magere Brug: see Amsterdam's narrowest and most famous bridge and learn about the legend of its origin.
- Keizersgracht: cross the Emperor's Canal, the most picturesque of Amsterdam's main ring, and wander around its surroundings of impressive buildings, such as the House of Heads, the Felix Meritis Foundation and the Van Loon Museum.
Itinerary
- Van Gogh Museum
- Anne Frank House
- Rembrandt House Museum
- Heineken Experience
- Emperor's Canal (Keizersgracht)
- Hermitage Amsterdam
- A'dam Lookout
- Rijksmuseum
- Magere Brug
- The Amstel
- Leiden Square (Leidseplein) Vondelpark
The most complete pack: combines the sightseeing bus and the cruise
This sightseeing bus and cruise package works exactly the same as the previous ones, but combining both experiences: bus and cruise along the canals with unlimited stops.
It can be very useful if you have time and you want to move around the city in a comfortable way without missing the tour of its canals or if, on the contrary, you only have two days in Amsterdam and you want to get a global idea of the city by land and water. In both cases you'll avoid wasting time and energy on public transport and you'll get to know the essential things to see and do in Amsterdam by going through a total of 12 attractions such as:
- Anne Frank House Museum: relive the city's most tragic story during the Nazi occupation in the house that hid young Anne Frank's family while she was writing her important diary.
- Leiden Square (Leidseplein): walk through one of Amsterdam's busiest areas and soak up its lively atmosphere of buskers, terraces, Art Deco architecture and lively nightlife.
- Waterlooplein Market: take in the daily flea market held on the touristy Waterlooplein Square, home to important buildings such as the Stopera, the seat of the city council, and the opera house.
Itinerary
- A'dam Lookout
- Anne Frank House
- Rijksmuseum
- Van Gogh Museum
- Magere Brug
- The Amstel
- Leiden Square (Leidseplein)
- Vondelpark
- Heineken Experience
- Waterlooplein Market
- Albert Cuyp Market
- Westerpark
Combine cruises with other attractions in the city
Visit the Heineken Experience
The visit to the old Heineken brewery is one of the most popular attractions in Amsterdam because of the interest in the brewing process of their famous beer, the interactive tour which includes two complimentary glasses of beer and the course where you can try your hand at making your own brew.
Visit the Rijksmuseum
With this other pack you will also cruise Amsterdam's central ring of canals and can hop on and off at your leisure to visit important museums, monuments and areas of interest on your own, including entry to another of Amsterdam's key attractions, the impressive Rijksmuseum.
Get access to the sightseeing bus with the Amsterdam All Inclusive Pass
If you're spending several days in Amsterdam, my final recommendation is to get the Amsterdam Pass. The Dutch capital is quite manageable for the visitor. If you spend more than 3 days there you can get a lot out of this tourist pass with quick access to its main attractions and it also includes a bus pass and tourist cruises to move around the city and it works very similar to the ones mentioned above.
With this pass you will avoid wasting a lot of time queuing for the more than 30 museums and attractions it includes and you will save considerable money, up to 50%, on your individual tickets. I have written a practical guide to tell you all about its advantages and how it works in detail: Amsterdam Tourist Cards.
The Amsterdam Pass offers everything from the city's most cultural attractions, such as the remarkable Rijksmuseum or the interesting Rembrandt House; to leisure attractions, such as the famous A'dam Lookout, the fun Heineken Experience or the immersive experience on board a boat at the Amsterdam Dungeon.
How does the Amsterdam All Inclusive Pass work?
- It gives you quick and cheaper access to more than 30 cultural and leisure attractions in Amsterdam for half the price of standard tickets.
- It's completely digital: you buy it, receive it and use it directly from your mobile device.
- It's customisable: you can choose to use it for 1, 2, 3 or 5 full days.
- Remember: it does not include the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House, which are not included in any of the Amsterdam sightseeing passes.
Other interesting activities in Amsterdam
By now you've seen that it's virtually impossible to get bored in the Dutch capital, but I'd still recommend that you consider a canal cruise. If you prefer to cover everything without missing a single corner, the best option is the tourist bus, as it allows you to tour the city while still enjoying the sights as you go. You can find all the information here: Amsterdam Hop-On Hop-Off Bus.