Boating holidays and boat hire in the Netherlands
The Netherlands’ landscape of canals, windmills and chocolate-box towns is just waiting to be explored by boat
Boating is a way of life in Holland, so come on board and discover the best way to see this beautiful country! Make friends with the friendly Dutch nation on the waterways, admire the traditional windmills that border your cruising routes, head off on the waterside cycle routes or moor up in smart new marinas where modern facilities are plentiful and good. Boating holidays in the Netherlands make the perfect getaway.
Regions in Netherlands
Holland, Amsterdam and Friesland highlights
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City
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Cycling
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History & Heritage
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Nature
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Swimming
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Water sports
Extend your holiday in the Netherlands and explore beyond the waters…
Our Dutch cruising region is vast, so why not team up a canal boat holiday in the Netherlands with an additional pre or post cruise night in the Dutch capital or maybe a longer stay by taking in some cities and sights further afield.
Here’s our recommendations:
Amsterdam
You can cruise right into central Amsterdam during your canal boat holiday, but there is so much to do here, you’ll probably want to come back for more. So why not stay a few nights before your flight home? An ‘IAmsterdam’ card can give you access to many of the city’s top attractions and free public transport for the duration of your stay. Sit on Europe’s highest swing, over 100 metres above the ground, or learn the history behind the Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank. Whatever you choose to do, you can never spend too long in Amsterdam.
Groningen
Only an 80-minute drive from our base in Hindeloopen, is the lively historic city of Groningen. Perfect for shopping, the city also hosts a vast array of arts and culture and the view from Martinitoren, its 96-metre high 500-year-old church steeple, is simply stunning. From the Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival every August to its very own culinary treat, the Groninger koek, Groningen is a part of the Netherlands you won’t want to miss out on visiting.
The Hague
Less than an hour on the train from Amsterdam and home to the U.N’s International Court of Justice is The Hague, full of remarkably gothic architecture and a beautiful pier. While our canal boat cruises don’t reach this destination, a train via Gouda from our base at Vinkeeven will have you there in 90 minutes. Don’t miss one of the two amusement parks found in the district.
Review of cruising in the Netherlands…
“The base staff were extremely kind and helpful. She took her time to understand what were hoping to see and do on our short vacation in the Netherlands and guided us through the alternative waterways. She explained the different options clearly and helped us make the right decision for our vacation. The Netherlands were great for a short vacation! We went to Muiden, Weesp and down to Maarsen and Utrecht. It was so picturesque and quite relaxing. Beautiful scenery and mooring next to the windmill in Weesp was a treat.”
R. Lee Tussing, Horizon 2-S