Route 2: Amstel River and Eastern City Center

‘Go East’: a bit more adventurous and off the beaten track, but definitely worthwhile

This route combines the Amstel River and a very attractive part of the eastern city center. This route is less crowded than our other recommended city center route.

But not because it’s dull. The scenic Plantage area, the surroundings of the Artis Zoo and the impressive and open Oosterdok with some well-known landmarks are definitely rewarding, as is the most interesting part of the Amstel river. On your way back to our dock you will also pass the Heineken Experience, the Rijksmuseum and a small red light district in the ‘Pijp’ neighborhood.

Without any long breaks this route takes about three hours.

What’s to see on this route?

1. the southern Amsterdam architecture by Berlage
2. the skyline at the Amstel station
3. the former city archives
4. houseboats in all shapes and sizes
5. the posh Amstel Hotel and Royal Carré Theatre
6. the iconic Skinny Bridge
7. the university buildings at Roeterseiland
8. the sleek storage houses at Entrepotdok
9. (with some luck) giraffes and zebras at the Artis Zoo
10. the old Kromhout shipyard
11. the Oosterkerk (eastern church)
12. the Maritime Museum and adjacent replication of a 17th century ship
13. the NEMO, central library and conservatory at Oosterdok
14. the Montelbaan Tower and Waterlooplein from Oudeschans
15. the City Hall/Opera House and the Hermitage from the Amstel river
16. the National Bank and Heineken Experience on Singelgracht
17. the Rijksmuseum
18. the small Red light district on Ruysdaelkade
19. the ‘Pijp’-area (‘the Quartier Latin of Amsterdam’)
20. and more…

This route on the map

If this is a route you’re interested in, we will personally explain it to you before you start your boat tour.

We will do so with our large map at hand. This map is on your boat and all of our suggested routes -including this one- are clearly indicated on it.

Below, you can also check this route in detail on Google Maps.