The 5 Audio Tours in the Netherlands That Earn Their Price

1.75 Minute City Canal Cruise with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 17,501 reviews · from $17Our pick

See Amsterdam from its historic waterways on a 75-minute Blue Boat Company cruise. You’ll pass the Anne Frank House area, Westerkerk, the Amstel, Magere Brug, NEMO, and the Museum Quarter while listening to commentary in 19 languages. Add a snackbox, or choose the kids’ option with a Fresh Water Pirate story and booklet.

“everything is great! the captain told me how to use the audio guides, and also gave additional comments on the buildings around us. at the end he congratulated my mother on her birthday. thanks for the reception and the quality of work”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Royal Palace Entry Ticket and Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 6,475 reviews · from $15

Walk through Amsterdam’s working Royal Palace at your own pace with an audio guide in eight languages. See the Citizens’ Hall, Atlas statue, Golden Age paintings, Empire furniture, chandeliers, and rooms still used for royal receptions. Choose a shorter or longer route, enter through the priority lane, and visit for about $15 per adult.

“The museum was good-I did self guided as I do not have the bandwidth to wait on others and listen to areas of the museum with less interest to myself, I feel museums have certain points of interest to many. This museum could take 1 1/2 - 2 hrs or as much as entire afternoon. Not really a place for small kids or elderly who have issues with walking in my opinion. This is a very busy museum with little places to sit down and rest-please don’t be the dumb father and son who decided to sit on the stairs and impede people walking up and down the stairs which…”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Canal Cruise with Live Commentary & Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,034 reviews · from $14Best value

Spend 75 minutes on a covered electric canal boat, passing the Anne Frank House, Western Church, houseboats, seven bridges, the Amstel, and Amsterdam’s old center. Your English-speaking captain adds jokes and local stories, while a multilingual audio guide fills in more detail. Drinks are available to buy, and the boat has heating, tables, and a toilet.

“It was very good Alex was a brilliant host and me and my partner would recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Amsterdam Sightseeing Canal Cruise with Audio Guide

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 828 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $16

Spend about an hour on a glass-topped Lovers canal boat, passing the Anne Frank House, Westerkerk, Magere Brug, Rijksmuseum, and more. Choose departure points near Central Station, Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum, or Leidse Square. The audio guide adds city context, while the enclosed boat keeps you comfortable in unsettled weather.

“Great way to get a quick overview of the city, especially if it is your first time visiting Amsterdam.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Steamship Rotterdam Audio Tour Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 325 reviews · 1 day · from $16

Board the ss Rotterdam, the former Holland-America Line flagship, for a self-guided audio tour through its decks, bridge, chart room, radio room, and captain’s cabin. Choose among three routes, allow about two hours, and add time for a drink, meal, or optional engine room visit. Guides speak Dutch, English, French, and German.

“The tour was brilliant. amazing to see how it is now being used as a hotel and to see unaltered areas from when the ship stopped sailing. Tour guides around the ship were very knowledgeable.”

Check availability →Read our full review