Amsterdam Before (or After) Your River Cruise

Two nights in Amsterdam before a river cruise is the sweet spot. You land, sleep off the flight, and still get one full day for a food tour and one relaxed morning before embarkation. With one day you can do the highlights, with three you can add a day trip to Haarlem or Utrecht.

River cruise ships in Amsterdam traditionally dock at the river quays behind Centraal Station, a short walk from the old center. From 2026 more departures shift to Zaandam, including AmaWaterways sailings, which is about 20 minutes from central Amsterdam by road. Check your line's documents, and if it's Zaandam, we can handle the transfer.

Yes, we drop you at the ship after the tour: we arrange hotel-to-ship and Schiphol-to-ship transfers by car or coach, and for groups the luggage simply stays on the coach during the tour. You step off the last tasting and onto your ship.

The 10 Tastes of Amsterdam starts at Gastrovino Amsterdam, Spuistraat 330, about an 8 minute walk from Dam Square and 5 minutes from Rokin metro. The tour ends in the Jordaan, close to the Anne Frank House.

Cancel the 10 Tastes of Amsterdam up to 24 hours before the start and you get a full refund, so a moved embarkation day costs you nothing if you tell us in time. Booked through Viator or GetYourGuide? Their rules apply, so check your voucher.

A food tour on your Amsterdam arrival day is the best jet lag medicine we know. You stay outside, you stay moving, you eat well, and you're in bed by nine with the city already under your belt. If you land in the morning, an afternoon tour works beautifully.

Anne Frank House tickets release ahead of time and sell out fast, so ask us as early as you can. We regularly secure tickets for our private groups, and our Anne Frank walking tour covers the story and the neighborhood even when the house itself is sold out.

Dietary requirements on a pre-cruise food tour: tell us when you book. Vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free and most allergies are easy to plan around, especially on a private tour.

The 10 Tastes of Amsterdam food tour covers about 2.5 km / 1.5 miles of canal-side cobblestones in three hours, so most of the time you are standing still, eating. On a private tour the guide keeps a relaxed pace for slow walkers and adjusts the route a little if needed.

On a private food tour, yes, on request: we pick the stops a wheelchair can reach, and a foldable wheelchair is appreciated. The public 10 Tastes of Amsterdam tour is not wheelchair friendly, the cobblestones and the tight little spots we visit rule that out. Tell us in your message and we plan the private version for you.

Yes, the food tour runs rain or shine. Most tastings are indoors, and your guide adjusts the walking between them when it pours. Pack a light rain jacket, you will want it on deck later in the week too.

You do not have to. Tipping is not expected in Amsterdam, or anywhere in the Netherlands, and your guide is paid properly. If they made your day, a tip is welcome and always optional.

Prices are in euros, and your card is charged in euros at checkout. Your bank converts the amount, so check whether your card adds a foreign transaction fee.

Book as soon as you know your days in Amsterdam before the ship leaves. Earlier is easier, especially from May to September. For a date that is close, message us on WhatsApp at +31 6 23028032 and we will tell you straight away whether a guide is free.