A Detailed Guide on Amsterdam: City Canal Cruise and Rijksmuseum

Having spent time in various cities throughout Europe, I can easily say that Amsterdam is indubitably one of the most beautiful cities. Not only is it renowned for its elegant canals, wonderful attractions, and exquisite walks, but also for the fact that it has something to offer to every traveler. From seasoned adventurers to solo wanderers, Amsterdam is the destination for everyone.

For my last trip to this gorgeous Dutch capital, I decided that I wanted to explore the city in depth and to make the most out of my trip. To do so, I decided to go on a city canal cruise as well as visit the Rijksmuseum – and let me tell you, I sure was not disappointed!

In this article, I am going to provide a detailed guide on what the city canal cruise and the Rijksmuseumin Amsterdam have to offer and how it can help you make the most of your time there. But before doing so, it would be slightly remiss of me (as a digital nomad) not to mention that the best and perhaps most convenient way of booking activities such as this is through online platforms such as GetYourGuide, which will help maximize your experience as a traveler in the city.

City Canal Cruise in Amsterdam

A canal cruise is an intrinsic part of any visitors experience of Amsterdam – and for good reason. The magical city is home to 165 canals, collectively referred to as Grachtengordel (the belt of canals). In addition to being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage sight, the Grachtengordel comprises of four main canals, each of which surrounding many other canals and unique gems of buildings. So much history and beauty are visible here – it would be a shame to miss out.

Opting for a canal cruiser typically takes approximately one hour, but the length is customizable based on your preferences. On this opportunity to get up close and personal with the canals, you can get amazing views of iconic tourist spots such as the Magere Brug (the skinny bridge), Anne Frank’s House, and the Hermitage Museum, as well as experiencing an awe-inspiring amount of beautiful buildings that tell tales from different eras. You may even spot a windmill or two!

My personal experience with a canal cruise was incredibly enjoyable. I took a boat for two hours with some friends and experienced much more than I had anticipated. We enjoyed a sandwich and a beer while listening to an informative audio guide giving insight into the history of this incredible city. There were many other canal cruises too, so we could observe them from afar and observe unique perspectives which added an extra dimension to our ride.

Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of Amsterdam and one of the leading museums in Europe – in fact it has been so since it opened back in 1885. It is home to many masterpieces from some great Dutch artists such as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Hals, as well as many other incredible works from many other countries around the world. It embraces tales from 800 years of Dutch culture which can easily be enjoyed here by visitors.

The giant museum building itself is also quite something – being exemplary at how modern architecture can be combined with an ancient aesthetic in an elegant way (strongly echoed in nearby buildings at Museum square). It consists of 8 different galleries, each presenting an era with its own unique style: medieval sculptures and paintings; flamboyant cabinet makers’ works; 19th-century paintings; modern art such as Van Gogh’s work; and many more surprises!

Having visited this incredible museum myself, I found myself being sucked into different time periods as I wandered through many stunning pieces of artwork. I was welcomed by astounding representations of stunning landscapes, immaculate sculptures,fascinating prints and some wonderful personal furniture from ages gone by. Once I finished exploring these immersive halls, I found myself enlightened by my short visit– understanding history through art is a great way for any traveler (and particularly digital nomads) to gain perspective into what life was like for different cultures over time.

Final Thoughts

Both the city canal cruise and a visit to the Rijksmuseum are essential things to do when visiting Amsterdam. Exploring these Dutch sites will certainly leave you contented with a better perspective on life – after all, who wouldn’t want a little bit of culture every now and then?

To maximize your experience even further, I highly advise using online booking platforms such as GetYourGuide (https://www.getyourguide.com/activity/-t8275?partner_id=UWJ1LS2) for any activities you decide to embark on – not only is it more convenient than attempting to book activities from individual providers or walking around the city aimlessly hoping you stumble across something great, but it also helps you secure tickets ahead of time ensuring that you don’t miss out due to sell outs or other limitations.

To conclude, having spent time in Amsterdam and experienced both the city canal cruise and the Rijksmuseum I can confidently say that these activities should be added to your list of must-dos when visiting Amsterdam! So don’t forget to book yourself on a city canal cruise & get ready to experience the greatest culture shock your eyes have ever witnessed inside Rijksmuseum!