What is the best evening or night canal cruise in Amsterdam, and what time should you go? In this guide, we compare the most popular evening cruises, from a budget night cruise to sunset cruises with drinks, candlelight cruises and dinner cruises, so you can pick the right one for your trip.
Taking an evening cruise in Amsterdam is a great way to see the city at night. Amsterdam looks very different after dark, with the bridges lit up and the canal houses reflecting on the water. So even if you’ve already been on a day canal cruise, a night cruise (or evening boat tour) is a different experience. You can also book an evening canal cruise with drinks or have a dinner on board.
Last updated: 28 October 2026 by Anastasia Dudina
Best evening and night canal cruises at a glance
- Cheapest night cruise: Lovers Amsterdam by Night, 1 hour, €17,50 online
- Best sunset cruise on an electric boat: Eco Boats sunset cruise, drinks optional
- Best with drinks included: 90-minute cosy sunset cruise by Jack Tours
- Best for city lights with a drink: Evening city lights canal cruise with drinks by Starboard
- Most romantic: candlelight cheese & wine cruise by Lovers, from €35
- Best dinner cruise: high-end 3-course dinner cruise from €129, or the LOVERS 4-course dinner cruise from €89
- Winter special: Light Festival cruises from €24 (26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027), or a private salon boat from about €325
In this guide: Best time for a night cruise · Best evening cruises compared · Classic night cruise (budget) · Sunset cruises with drinks · Candlelight cruises · Dinner cruises · Light Festival cruises · FAQ
What is the best time for an evening or night canal cruise in Amsterdam?
Book a departure about 30 to 45 minutes after sunset. You still catch the last colours in the sky at the start of the cruise, and by the end the bridges and canal houses are lit up. The classic night cruise departs every 15 minutes, with the last boat at 21:00 (sunset, candlelight and dinner cruises run at their own fixed times). Check the exact sunset times in Amsterdam for your dates and book your cruise in advance, since the later departures sell out first.
| Month | Sunset in Amsterdam (approx.) | Best departure for night views |
|---|---|---|
| November to January | 16:30 to 17:10 | From 17:30, any evening departure is in the dark |
| February and March | 17:20 to 18:50 | 18:00 to 19:30 |
| April | 20:05 to 20:55 | 20:45 or 21:00 |
| May to July | 21:00 to 22:05 | The last departure (21:00) for golden hour, or a later sunset cruise |
| August | 21:40 to 20:35 | 21:00 |
| September and October | 20:30 to 18:10 | 19:00 to 20:45 |
In June and July the sun sets after 21:30, so a 21:00 cruise is still in daylight. If you want to see Amsterdam in the dark in summer, choose a later sunset or candlelight cruise. From late October to February, even a 17:30 cruise shows the city fully lit up.
Best evening canal cruises in Amsterdam compared
Here are the evening and night cruises we recommend, without dinner. For dinner cruises, see the dinner cruise table below.
| Evening cruise | Best for | Included | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lovers Amsterdam by Night1 hour, from Central Station | Budget | Audio guide in 19 languages, €17,50 online | Book now |
| Eco Boats evening sunset cruiseElectric boat | Sunset, quiet ride | Drinks optional | Check price |
| Cosy sunset evening cruise90 minutes, by Jack Tours | Drinks included | Drinks on board | Check price |
| Evening city lights canal cruise with drinksBy Starboard | City lights, drinks | Drinks on board | Check price |
| Candlelight cheese & wine cruiseBy Lovers, also sold as the cheese & wine cruise | Couples | Dutch cheeses and wine, from €35 | Book now |
| Candlelight cruise with drinks & snacks2 hours | Couples, drinks | Drinks and snacks, from €45 | Book now |
Classic night canal cruise in Amsterdam: best if you’re on a budget
The simplest option is a regular night canal cruise operated by Lovers boat company, departing from Central Station. It’s a 1 hour canal cruise with an audio guide in 19 languages, on a covered boat with large windows, so it runs in any weather. Tickets normally cost €19 per person (but you can get them with a discount for €17,50 if you book tickets online).
Prefer a quieter ride at sunset? The Eco Boats evening sunset cruise sails on an electric boat, so there’s no engine noise, and you can add drinks when you book:
Sunset and night cruises with drinks in Amsterdam
Want a drink in your hand while the city lights come on? These evening cruises include drinks or have a bar on board:
- 90-minute cosy sunset evening cruise with drinks by Jack Tours: a relaxed 1,5-hour cruise timed around sunset, with drinks included.
- Evening city lights canal cruise with drinks by Starboard: an evening cruise past the illuminated bridges and canal houses, with drinks on board.
- Candlelight cheese & wine cruise by Lovers: local cheeses, bread and wine on a candlelit boat, from €35.
- Unlimited drinks & pizza cruise: 1,5 hours with pizza and unlimited drinks, from €42,50.
Candlelight cruises in Amsterdam: the most romantic option
A candlelight cruise is the classic choice for couples: an evening cruise on a boat lit by candles. The Lovers candlelight cruise (sold as the cheese & wine cruise on some booking sites) serves local cheeses, bread and wine, from €35. Or choose the candlelight cruise with drinks and snacks (from €45), one of the best value evening options:
Evening dinner cruises in Amsterdam: for a special night out
An evening dinner cruise combines a canal tour with dinner, a good idea if you don’t have that much time in Amsterdam. Here are the options, from a high-end 3-course menu to the LOVERS 4-course dinner with drinks:
| Dinner cruise | Price | Duration | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick High-end 3-course dinner canal cruise | from €129 | 135 minutes | Book Now |
| LOVERS 4-course dinner cruise | from €89 | about 2 hours | Book Now |
| Candlelight cheese & wine cruise | from €35 | 1,5 to 2 hours | Book tickets online |
| Unlimited drinks & pizza cruise | from €42,50 | 90 minutes (1,5 hours) | Make a reservation |
Prefer better value? The LOVERS 4-course dinner cruise (from €89) serves a four-course menu with wine, beer and soft drinks while you sail through the canal ring:
Looking for the full picture across all cruise types, not just evening ones? Check our Amsterdam canal cruise prices 2026 guide, or our Amsterdam travel budget guide if you’re planning out your whole trip.
Amsterdam Light Festival evening cruises: winter festival
If you are visiting Amsterdam this winter, during the Amsterdam Light Festival, take a special festival cruise and see Amsterdam illuminated with the light artworks. This year Amsterdam Light Festival will take place from 26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027.
There are also different types of Light Festival canal cruises: in usual boats, open boats, private boats, including hot drinks on board. Festival cruises run for less than 8 weeks and sell out earlier every year, so it’s worth booking as soon as your dates are fixed. Here you can find an extended overview of festival cruises with links to all the tickets.
| Light Festival cruise | Price | Tickets |
|---|---|---|
| Covered boat, ride only | from €24 | Book tickets online |
| Covered boat with drinks & snacks | from €26 | Book tickets online |
| Open boat with unlimited drinks | from €29 | Book tickets online |
| Private salon boat, 4,8★Whole boat for up to 8 guests, about 2 hours | from about €325 per boat | Check availability |
| Private dinner cruiseSame salon boat, 2,5 hours, two-course dinner | from about €620 per boat | Check availability |
Private cruises depart from Amstel 51, in front of the H’ART Museum. Split between 8 guests, the salon boat works out at about €41 per person. More details in our guide to private Light Festival cruises.
Prefer to sit outside and see the light artworks without a window in between? The open boat festival cruise comes with unlimited drinks and a snack, so you stay warm on board:
Photo: Kristina Kutena
Enjoy your canal cruise and visit to Amsterdam!
FAQ about evening canal cruises in Amsterdam
What time is the last evening canal cruise in Amsterdam?
The last daily departure for the Lovers evening cruise is at 21:00. Cruises run every 15 minutes throughout the day, so if you want the darkest, most illuminated views, book the 20:45 or 21:00 slot. Sunset, candlelight and dinner cruises have their own fixed departure times.
What is the best evening canal cruise in Amsterdam?
It depends on your budget. The cheapest is the 1-hour Lovers night cruise (€17,50 online). For drinks, choose the 90-minute cosy sunset cruise with drinks. For a romantic evening, the candlelight cheese & wine cruise (from €35), and for a special night out, the high-end 3-course dinner cruise (from €129).
Does the evening canal cruise include drinks?
No, the standard evening cruise (€19, or €17,50 if you book online) does not include drinks, only the audio guide. If you want drinks included, choose the Candlelight cheese & wine cruise (from €35) or the Pizza cruise (from €42,50), both of which include unlimited drinks, or the Candlelight cruise (from €45), which includes drinks and snacks.
How long is an evening canal cruise in Amsterdam?
A classic night cruise takes 1 hour. Sunset cruises with drinks take about 1,5 hours, candlelight cruises 1,5 to 2 hours and dinner cruises 2 to 2,5 hours.
Do evening canal cruises run in winter and in the rain?
Yes. Covered boats with glass roofs and heating run all year and in any weather. Open boats also sail in winter, usually with blankets, but bring a warm coat. In winter it gets dark early, so even a cruise at 17:30 shows the city lit up.
Can I book a private Light Festival cruise?
Yes. During the Amsterdam Light Festival (26 November 2026 to 17 January 2027) you can book a private salon boat for up to 8 guests, from about €325 for the whole boat, or a private dinner cruise on the same boat with a two-course dinner, from about €620. Both depart from Amstel 51, in front of the H’ART Museum.
Is an evening canal cruise worth it if I already did a day cruise?
Yes. Amsterdam looks very different at night, with illuminated bridges and buildings reflecting on the water, so an evening cruise is a genuinely different experience from a daytime one, not just a repeat.
Related articles:
- Canal cruises in Amsterdam: tickets and prices compared
- Things to do in Amsterdam: the ultimate local guide
- Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam: tickets, prices and tips
- Amsterdam itinerary: best of the city in 2 days
- KLM houses walk in Amsterdam
- Things to do in Amsterdam with kids
- Amsterdam Light Festival 2026/2027
- Amsterdam Light Festival cruises: all options and tickets
About the author:
Written by a local
Anastasia Dudina
I’ve been living in the Netherlands since 2013 and exploring it ever since. I write and update all articles on Amsterdam Explorer and Holland Explorer myself: real tips, not tourist traps.