Spring in Amsterdam - Cruise the Canals in Spring Sun

The Canals Come to Life

As winter disappears, Amsterdam comes back to life. Days get longer, weather gets warmer and colours get brighter. The city’s famous canals, quiet and empty in winter when it’s too cold to boat, now get busier and brighter. The trees around it get greener, the cherry blossoms bloom, and sunshine brightens up the streets.

The canals are the heart of the city, and really show their beauty in spring. The streets and bridges turn brighter, flowers start to bloom, crowds start to appear and everyone seems happier. The locals restart their boats, looking to catch sunlight while cruising across the water, and the waterside cafes start to fill up. The canals start to fill up again, with locals and visitors renting boats, booking cruises and enjoying the sights Amsterdam has to offer.

As many know, the city is best explored by water. With hundreds of miles of canals and waterways, all highlights of Amsterdam can be explored over waterways. Lovers tours go past the Eastern Docklands, the romantic Skinny Bridge, the canal belt’s golden bent and the Anne Frank house and many other hot spots, now all filled with sunlight and surrounded by bright green trees. Flowers are hanging from bridges, and the gardens of house boats are growing day by day, adding a lively touch to the already beautiful city centre. Our boats offer a 360 view of all of this, both the highlights and the blossoms and green leaves surrounding.

Tulips and other flowers

Every year, throughout the city, thousands of flowers are planted, in pots hanging from bridges, flowerbeds in parks, people’s gardens and all through the city. The most famous flower in Holland is of course the tulip, with many varieties on display everywhere. Amsterdam is filled with tulips and other flowers every spring, but the biggest garden isn’t even in the capital. Just a small drive out of town you’ll find Keukenhof, the biggest and most beautiful garden in the country, and maybe in the world. To see the flowers in this majestic garden and the greenery in the city, why not go to Keukenhof and take a canal tour in one beautiful floral day? Our partners at Tours & Tickets will provide a comfortable bus ride to Keukenhof, and when you get back, we will be ready to guide you through the canals, on our comfortable boats with open windows.

Cruising and Hopping

With many sights to behold, and narrow streets to wander through, Amsterdam is a city of wandering, both on water and on land. A boat can take you to many of the highlights, and show you the most beautiful parts of the city, but usually they do sail on. If you’re a little low on plans, a canal tour is the perfect way to start your Amsterdam spring trip. Lovers canal cruises take you past all the highlights the city has to offer, with guides in many languages, so as soon as you get off, you feel like you know where to go.

Want to get off right away? Visit that attraction the audio guide told you about, see those pretty trees lining a specific canal, or go to the waterside restaurant you saw? Take a hop on — hop off canal tour. You can get on at any stop, and then travel on to the next one, with your audio guide telling you where you are and what to do there. Stops include Amsterdam highlights like the Amsterdam Central Station, the Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House, Albert Cuyp Market, Leidseplein and much more, and can even drop you off at the cruise terminal. Get on, enjoy the views, and get off and enjoy the city, both whenever you like.

Warm evenings and good food

The days are getting longer, and the nights are getting warmer, so the city gets livelier till late. People stay outside, wandering the streets, dining and drinking on restaurant terraces, picnicking in the park, and enjoying the good things spring has to offer. Sunsets brighten up the views, and after that the streetlights create a beautiful nighttime view. Enjoy a nighttime cruise through quiet canals and past lively city squares and enjoy the unique beauty from a different perspective.

And of course, the best way to enjoy the night is while having a drink and a bite in hand. At Lovers, we offer dinner cruises, a full four course meal with seasonal ingredients, fresh spring vegetables and local delicacies, so you can delight yourself in a quality meal while cruising through the most beautiful sceneries. Our wine and cheese cruises are not as filling but just as marvelous, enjoy local cheese and delicious wines that liven up your cruise, while you see the sun setting over the water. Combine a delicious slice of Old Amsterdam with a wine of your choice, and sit back, relax and enjoy the city lights.

Spring activities

Spring is filled with delights and activities in Amsterdam. Whether you’re just coming for a visit to see the canals and flowers, or are looking to have more fun, it’s the perfect season to come to Amsterdam. See Keukenhof while it’s open to enjoy the flowers, celebrate Kingsday, try seasonable food, or just enjoy the good weather. Hop on a canal cruise and see the city the way it looks best, from the water in the sun.