Amsterdam 2023: canal boat trip
When we arrived in Amsterdam, our landlady recommended the café immediately across the canal from us, Greenwoods. We hadn’t yet been, so on the last morning we packed up our belongings and headed over for breakfast. What a spread!
What to do next? Our flight wasn’t till mid-afternoon. Well, have you even been to Amsterdam if you haven’t taken a canal boat-trip? Well, yes actually – often we don’t. But with a reasonably short time to fill on a fairly miserable morning it seemed like a good option. So after wrestling with the left-luggage system at Central Station we crossed to Damrak and looked for a boat that would be departing soon.
Then we just sat back and let the city pass by, savouring some of the landmarks we had visited earlier in the week from another angle. Here are St Nicholas Church and Scheepvarthuis (Shipping House). The latter was built in two stages between 1913 and 1928 as the headquarters of six leading Amsterdam shipping companies, and is now a grand hotel. Its interior is supposed to be as decorative as its exterior, though we’ve never been in – maybe next time!
Montelbaanstoren, a row on Amstel known as the dancing houses, and an elaborate house on Herengracht:
Some views as we passed under a set of bridges on Herengracht:
Sixteenth century houses on Herengracht:
Some more modern buildings now as we look over to Amsterdam-Noord. The low white building is the EYE Film Institute and the A’DAM Tower next to it is where we went on the giant swing a few years ago. In fact, if you enlarge the first picture you can see there are people swinging out over the void. The swing is visible top right of the building in the second picture – it’s either moving backwards or the occupants are getting off. I’m glad I did this once, but I’m not sure I’d want to do it again!
Finally, as we returned to Damrak we passed our old favourite, the Victoria Hotel.
And that was it! We retrieved our luggage and took the train to Schipol for our flight back to Glasgow having had a wonderful week. Can’t wait to go back!
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
What a great way to fill the time before heading home. I would love a canal boat ride in Amsterdam. Also, that breakfast spread at Greenwood’s looks delicious!
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It’s very relaxing just to sit back and let the city float by. The breakfast was indeed delicious!
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Looks like a very nice way to top off your week in Amsterdam. I have done the canal tour a few times (once at night and once during the day) but if I remember correctly I have always done it while on business with colleagues or with hosts to our various meetings…(Suzanne
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It’s always a good way to while away an hour or so.
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What a nice boat trip. I always find that they allow you to see a place in a different way.
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It does, Melodie, I like seeing things from a different perspective.
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That breakfast would last me a week! Fantastic ride on the canal…great photos!
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Ha ha, we’re obviously greedy, but it did last us most of the day!
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Now that’s what I call a hearty breakfast! It looks delicious. I can’t think of a better way to spend a last day in Amsterdam than a relaxing boat ride along the canals, taking in the sights one last time.
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Nor could we! It was perfect.
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We often used to opt for a big breakfast when at a B&B it sets you up for the day. No need for food until the evening. I have had a great week of virtual travel on a river this week. First London with Margaret and now Amsterdam. Those houses are stunning. I love Dutch gables.
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Well, we had been very good all week making our own (small) breakfasts so I think we deserved a splurge at the end. The canal houses are wonderful and you get a good view from the water. I enjoyed Margaret’s post too.
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All good fun and on a cold dreary day we would’ve opted for the canal boat trip or a museum. What’s wrong with scoffing a good hearty breakfast especially on holiday when you’re doing lots of walking and talking, it’s exhausting work.
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Absolutely nothing! I’m glad you understand – it was necessary fuel.
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You certainly made the most of your last day! I wish Amsterdam was closer so I could visit often.
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It’s close enough for us to do just that. Last days anywhere are funny – part of me just wants to get on with the journey and a nice relaxing boat trip where someone else puts in all the effort was just the way to soothe my anxieties.
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What a lovely way to fill in your last morning, relaxing and letting someone else take you around. A boat ride is always a fun way to see a different side of a city. Your breakfast certainly looks tasty and filling.
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Yes, yes,and yes to all! Breakfast and a boat – perfect.
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