Amsterdam is the gateway to the Rhine River which winds through Germany and connects with other major European rivers like the Main and Danube. Built around the dam of the Amstel River from which it gets its name, Amsterdam is a city alive with culture, art, and quaint architecture. Numberous canals also span the Netherlands into Belgium that are excellent for exploring charming historical cities, windmills and expansive flower farms. As the capital city of the Netherlands, it is home to several art and history museums like Zaanse Schans and the Van Gogh Museum. In the evenings, you can enjoy a leisurely tour of the city on the canals that wind their way throughout enchanting Amsterdam. Contact one of our European river cruise specialists when you are ready to start planning your trip to Amsterdam.

10 Best Amsterdam River Cruises of 6 Days or Less

Ijsselmeer Lake Cruise

Amsterdam Roundtrip
6 Days from $1,775

Board the MS Gérard Schmitter for a 6-day round-trip cruise from Amsterdam, discovering Holland's treasures as you navigate along the Ijsselmeer Lake. Explore Holland's culture and history through guided excursions and free exploration time in Amsterdam, Hoorn, Enkhuisen, and Lemmer.

Western Church with water canal view in Amsterdam

Cruise on the IJsselmeer, one of Holland's treasures

6 Days from $1,775

Join a 6-day round-trip cruise from Amsterdam, discovering Holland's treasures as you navigate along the Ijsselmeer Lake. Explore Holland's culture and history by guided excursions and free exploration time in Amsterdam, Hoorn, Enkhuisen, and Lemmer.

Cruise on the Ijsselmeer, one of Holland's treasures

6 Days from $1,484

Through Authentic Holland

5 Days from $1,200

Join this 5-day cruise aboard MS Mona Lisa and be amazed of the rustic charm of the cities of Amsterdam, Gouda and Rotterdam!

Traditional Dutch windmills from the channel Rotterdam. Holland

Springtime in Holland

Amsterdam to Antwerp
5 Days from $1,200

On this 5-day river cruise voyage, you have the opportunity to discover the culture, history, and culinary treasures of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Antwerp. Board the MS Symphonie, an intimate and comfortable ship, and find yourself immersed in the beauty of the Dutch & Belgian towns.

Springtime in Holland

Amsterdam to Antwerp
5 Days from $1,200

Join this 5-day cruise exploring the enchanting canals of Amsterdam, learning about Voledam and Zaanse Schans' traditions, and visiting the floral gardens of Keukenhof. Every day discover a new port of call and enjoy daily shore excursions, participating in a wide-range of activities.

The Romantic Rhine Valley and Holland

6 Days from $1,520

Discover Strasbourg, Rüdesheim, Cologne, and Amsterdam on this incredible 6-day cruise that takes you through three different countries of Northern Europe aboard the MS Lafayette. Experience all the beauty and magic of this fairy tale region sailing pass numerous castles nestled among Germany's famous vineyards.

Treasures of the North through Holland and Belgium

Brussels Roundtrip
6 Days from $1,550

Board the MS Victor Hugo for a 6-day river cruise experience discovering the treasures of Brussels, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Antwerp. As you cruise from Holland to Belgium, visit the highlights of the area including Dam square, the Royal Palace, Volendam, Zaanse Schans, Madurodam and Utrecht.

The Romantic Rhine Valley and Holland

6 Days from $1,610

Explore three different countries of Northern Europe on this 6-day cruise aboard the MS Leonard De Vinci. Begin your expedition with a guided canal boat tour of Strasbourg, and cruise toward Amsterdam making stops in Rudesheim, Cologne, and Dusseldorf.

Peaceful canal running through a European town

The Romantic Rhine Valley and Holland

6 Days from $1,484

Explore three different countries of Northern Europe on this 6-day cruise aboard the MS L'Europe. Begin your adventure with a guided canal boat tour of Strasbourg, and cruise toward Amsterdam making stops in Rudesheim, Cologne, and Dusseldorf.

10 Best Wine Tasting Cruises from Amsterdam

Bicycles are a part of everyday life in Europe

Captivating Rhine (Wine Cruise) - Cruise Only

8 Days from $2,699

Enjoy an 8-day cruise from Amsterdam to Basel along the Rhine River aboard the MS AmaMora. You will enjoy an extensive lineup of standard tours and bike tours. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder!

Lisbon to Amsterdam

13 Days from $11,200

Join the Silver Cloud Expedition and experience Europe like you never have before, sailing port by port from Lisbon to Amsterdam via Spain and France. Take in sweeping natural vistas amidst old world European history and charm. This trip is a food-lover’s dream, with culinary lectures and seminars planned both on board and ashore.

View from the harbour of Basel, Switzerland

The Enchanting Rhine - Cruise Only

8 Days from $2,999

Begin your 8-day cruise from Basel to Amsterdam, aboard the luxurious MS Amakristina. As you tour the historic towns of France, Germany, and the Netherlands, expert guides will lead you to local wineries, on architectural tours of the Gothic style buildings that highlight the region, and on hikes and canal excursions as well.

The Enchanting Rhine - Cruise Only

8 Days from $2,899

From Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, this classic 8-day cruise of the Rhine & Moselle Rivers aboard the MS Amastella will take you through scenic wine country, where you can visit, hike, and tour the historic towns, museums, and canals of Breisach, Strasbourg, Manheim & Heidelberg, the castles of Rüdesheim, and Koblenz & Cologne.

The Enchanting Rhine - Cruise Only

8 Days from $3,099

Begin your 8-day cruise in Basel aboard the MS Amaprima and sail the Rhine River to Amsterdam. Guided city tours and wine tasting are optional as you visit the towns of Germany and France along the way, like Strasbourg, Mannheim, Heidelberg, Cologne, and Breisach. Canal tours are another exciting part of this cruise.

Ehrenfels Castle on Rhine River near Rudesheim

Enchanting Rhine - Cruise Only

8 Days from $2,799

Enjoy an enchanting 7-night cruise from Basel to Amsterdam along the Rhine to magnificent cities and charming villages alike. You are bound to live timeless traditions on the MS AmaMora as you cruise down the Rhine River.

Rhine & Moselle Delights - Cruise Only

11 Days from $4,799

From Basel to the colorful canals of Amsterdam, delve deeply into history, legends and culture. Enjoy an 11-day cruise along the Rhine and Moselle River aboard the MS Amaserena.

The Enchanting Rhine

12 Days from $4,559

Explore the Rhine Valley on this comprehensive 12-day tour of central Europe. Enjoy a two-night stay in Zurich and two nights in Lucerne followed by an 8-day luxury cruise from Amsterdam to Basel aboard the MS Amakristina. From medieval city tours to hikes through the snow-capped Alps, get to know all this part of Europe has to offer!

Historic Zurich with River Limmat, Switzerland

The Enchanting Rhine

12 Days from $4,459

Start with two nights in both Zurich and Lucerne, then take a 7-night cruise from Basel to Amsterdam aboard the MS Amastella. Along the way, you'll have the chance to explore the gems of the Rhine, including Riquewihr, Strasbourg, Rudesheim, and Cologne, where medieval castles, Gothic cathedrals, and storied traditions abound.

Cologne's famous cathedral at sunset from the Rhine.

The Enchanting Rhine

12 Days from $4,659

Aboard the luxurious MS Amaprima, begin with your travels with 2 nights in Zurich and 2 nights in Lucerne, followed by an 8-day cruise from Basel to Amsterdam. Visit impressive & historic sites, like the Cologne Cathedral, the university town of Heidelberg, and Mt. Pilatus. You can also enjoy a wine tasting & an excursion into the Black Forest.

Amsterdam Cruise Guide & Travel Tips

All Amsterdam Articles

Highlights of Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands and is chock-full of the country's art, history, and culture. Conveniently, many river cruises of central Europe either start or end here, as neighboring Rotterdam is the mouth of the Rhine River. Even cruises that don't originate here tend to spend a few days docked here so that you'll have plenty of time to see highlights like:

The Royal Palace
70-acre Keukenhof Gardens, where tulips bloom in stunning arrays of colors
The Van Gogh Museum, home to the largest collection of Van Gogh's artwork in the world
The ancient Red Light District neighborhood
Zaanse Schans, an open air museum with wooden windmills, barns, and houses
Canal boat tours
Strolling through this delightful city by night
“De Halve Maen,” a Dutch East India Company replica ship