Sightseeing Cruises

Amsterdam Light Festival: 90-Minute Extended Heated Cruise

Glide for 90 minutes along the light art route, with a multilingual audio guide explaining each installation as the canals glow after dark.

Board at Stadhouderskade 550 opposite the Heineken Experience, a central departure point that lets you step straight onto the canal route in the evening.

See light installations reflected in the water as you pass the UNESCO canal belt, canal houses, bridges, and art pieces positioned along the route.

Travel in a sightseeing boat with cover and heating, and rely on the onboard restroom so you can focus on the canal views for the full evening.

90-minute Amsterdam Light Festival cruise

Departure near the Heineken Experience

Covered and heated sightseeing boat

Official Amsterdam Light Festival audio guide in Dutch, English, and German

Onboard restroom

Food and drinks (available for purchase on board)

TOTAL DURATION1 hour 30 minutes
MODE OF TRANSFERBoat
Timeline
Map
1 Boarding point
Heineken Experience
Get direction
Sights covered
IJ River, Amsterdam
Herengracht
Westerkerk
The Amstel
Magere Brug
Het Scheepvaartmuseum
VOC Ship Amsterdam

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

1,822 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
1.5K
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5
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Guests from France, Germany, United Kingdom and over 24 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Eduardo A
Group
Verified booking
May 2026
Carlos G
Couple
Verified booking
Jan 2026
The duration and the service. It was very comfortable
Ragsana A
Solo
Verified booking
Jan 2026
The Amsterdam Light Festival cruise was a very enjoyable and well-organized experience 🌉.🌃 I truly appreciated seeing the light installations from the water and learned many interesting facts about the artists and their creations. The atmosphere was relaxing, and the installations were even more impressive in person than in photos or videos. Inside the boat, the guide commentary was played out loud and was clear, but since we were sitting outside, we had to use the phone audio guide. One small downside was that the information sometimes played before reaching the light installations, so it was easy to forget the details by the time we arrived 😄. Inside the cabin, the windows were a bit foggy 🌫️, although they could be opened for photos and videos. We chose to sit outside at the back of the boat, which offered a great view, but it became quite cold by the end of the tour 🥶. Staying outside for the entire cruise may not be the best option unless you are well prepared. Overall, it was a high-quality experience that I truly appreciated and would recommend 👍🏻.
Helena Z
Couple
Verified booking
Jan 2026
We were well looked after, but had to be escorted to another boarding point because of the fog. An excellent boat (the Tulp), whisper quiet, which is very pleasant because you can hear everything clearly. A big ten out of ten as far as I'm concerned, and definitely worth repeating.
Nick B
Couple
Verified booking
Jan 2026
The cruise itself was good. The lights show was crap

What to bring

Keep your entry ticket and a valid ID ready for a smooth boarding process.

Bring your own earphones to enjoy the official Amsterdam Light Festival audio guide.

What’s not allowed

Outside food and beverages are not permitted on this experience.

Sharp metallic tools or objects, along with large bags or luggage, are not allowed on board.

Pets are not permitted on this experience due to venue restrictions.

Accessibility

This cruise is accessible for wheelchair users and guests with prams or strollers. A reservation is required so the crew can arrange boarding assistance.

Wheelchair-accessible boats are available at 5pm and 7pm. Please reserve in advance and indicate when booking that there is a wheelchair in your group, so that the operator can prepare everything properly. Make sure you are at the ticket office at least 15 minutes before departure.

Additional information

Snacks, meals, and additional drinks are available to purchase on board.

The boat is heated and covered, although outdoor areas can still feel chilly during the winter months.

The cruise runs daily from November 26, 2026, up to and including January 17, 2027, between 5pm and 10pm, except on December 25 and 31.

Views of the illuminated artworks may vary depending on weather conditions and the number of guests on board.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.