SAIL Amsterdam 2025: The history of Tall Ships and their arrival in Amsterdam

Tall Ships at SAIL Amsterdam 2025

Imagine the big sails of a tall ship appearing on the horizon on the water. Immediately, a sense of adventure and admiration comes up. These sailing ships are more than just large boats. They are living monuments with a rich maritime history. During SAIL Amsterdam 2025, you will have the unique opportunity to see these ships up close. Seize this opportunity to see these unique tall ships with your own eyes, for example during one of the cruise by LOVERS Canal Cruises, which offer you a truly unique view of these ships – straight from the water. In this blog, we will explain what makes tall ships so special, and why you don't want to miss them during this event!

The history of the Tall Ships

The ships that visit SAIL Amsterdam often have a long history behind them, sometimes spanning centuries. Some ships were once the pride of merchant fleets around the world, while others served as training ships for future sailors. Each ship has its own story, of distant voyages, daily life on board and other adventures. During SAIL, these ships showcase their beauty and history to the people of Amsterdam and all other visitors. SAIL is a world-famous international maritime event held once every five years, exclusively in Amsterdam.

What exactly are tall ships?

Tall ships, the classic wooden sailing boats with tall masts, are living proof of traditional craftsmanship. Their enormous wooden hulls, long masts and intricate rigging are the result of centuries of seafaring knowledge. Up close, you can see the details that make this workmanship so special: hand-carved decorations and tightly spun sails on many ropes. The term tall ship is a collective term for various types and sizes of sailing boats. From stately three-masted ships with their impressive sails, to elegant schooners with their long, slender shapes.

The tall ships impress with their sheer size, their long and rich history and the admirable craftsmanship with which they were built. They demonstrate the impressive power of the ocean, and the skilled work of the people behind them. Because SAIL Amsterdam attracts the most beautiful of ships from all over the world, it’s a truly unique opportunity to admire such a diversity of historic and modern sailing boats.

A rich history, from the Golden Age to the current day

It’s no surprise that the tall ships leave such a strong impression on the people who see them. The combination of their large size, the visible craftsmanship and the rich history that each ship has is truly awe-inspiring. The mighty Tall Ships that will soon be sailing into Amsterdam are more than just boats; they carry a wealth of history dating back to the Golden Age of shipping, in the 17th century. During the Golden Age, sailing ships were the most important means of international trade, exploration and warfare.

After the Golden Age, three-masted ships and clippers emerged. These were built for the rapid transport of valuable goods, such as tea and spices. Even though during the Industrial Revolution steam ships took over the maritime world, people still admire and enjoy sailboats such as Tall Ships, as SAIL Amsterdam proves. Today, many Golden Age tall ships still sail, often used for training sailors, or during events such as SAIL Amsterdam. This makes SAIL a unique tribute to this rich maritime past, where you’ll get the opportunity to experience this majestic history up close.

Which Tall Ships can you see during Amsterdam SAIL 2025?

Now that you have some background information about the tall ships, we can tell you about some of the nicest ships visiting Amsterdam during SAIL.

Take, for example, the Shabab Oman II, an impressive three-masted ship from Oman. This ship has been sailing since 2014, travelling all over the world and spreading a message of friendship, peace and cultural exchange on behalf of the Sultanate of Oman. It is a symbol of 400 years of maritime ties between Oman and the world. With its beautiful shape and large sails (of 2,630 square meter!), it can sail incredibly fast for its size!

The Le Phoenix, a two-masted ship from 1929, has a completely different backstory. It was once a cargo ship sailing in Denmark, but at some point changed career and became a missionary ship stacked with bibles. After retiring and decaying in Florida, it was refurbished for a third time, this time to appear in movies! You may recognise the Le Phoenix from well-known films and series such as In the Heart of the Sea and Poldark.

The Pogoria is very fast Polish three-masted ship built in 1980. This ship is 48 metres in length, and frequently participates in Tall Ships Races. Aside from racing, the main purpose of this ship is to teach new recruits how to sail. The Pogoria has had its share of adventures, including the snapping in half of its masts in 2009, but today it’s repaired to back to its old self, and was present at SAIL 2015, and soon at SAIL 2025.

And these just a few examples of the many incredible ships you can see from up close during SAIL 2025! And in addition to admiring the ships, you can also enjoy other events, tours and performances during SAIL. Starting this year, SAIL On Stage will provide extra atmosphere and music in the evenings, and all over the city there is things to do.

LOVERS Canal Cruises also offers special SAIL 2025 cruises all throughout the events, with a chance to get as close as it gets. We offer several unique cruises right between the tall boats of SAIL 2025. Join the SAIL-in from the water to see the ships arrive, or take a canal cruiser from central station to smoothly sail right next to the massive ships. We also offer a nighttime cruise with drinks and a few more options, so plenty of choice. Don't miss the opportunity to see these unique ships for yourself! Book your tickets for one of our packages now, and witness SAIL like never before!