Stromma 100 Highlights cruise – review

Did you know that in the 17th century, the Dutch government taxed properties based on the width of their facades? This was just one of the interesting facts we learnt while on Stromma’s 100 Highlights cruise in Amsterdam, where we took in some of the city’s beautiful sights and sounds.

This taxing explains why old houses in the centre are so narrow – property owners wanted to lower their taxes, so built their houses narrow and deep.

Stromma’s 100 Highlights cruise offers comfort, comprehensive sightseeing and insightful commentary, making it a standout option for both first-time visitors and seasoned travellers to Amsterdam. And with a reputable company like Stromma Netherlands (it started way back in 1912) that is committed to offering memorable trips to visitors, you’re in good hands with this canal experience.

So if you’re looking for a comfortable and enjoyable way to see the city, come onboard the 100 Highlights Cruise!

We have tried and reviewed the 100 Highlights Cruise ourselves. Are you curious about our experience? Jump directly to our conclusion.

The 100 Highlights tour leaves from Stromma by Rijksmuseum.

– Book your cruise with our exclusive discount code ‘THINGSTODO20’ and get 20% extra off –

At the Stromma ticket shop, you can buy some snacks for your cruise, and some lovely souvenirs.

In warmer weather, part of the boat’s roof can come off. 

What to expect

The boat used for the 100 Highlights cruise is a modern, well-maintained vessel designed to provide a smooth and enjoyable ride through Amsterdam’s waterways. With comfortable seating, large panoramic windows and a partially open roof (weather-permitting), you’ll see a lot – and get amazing pictures for the socials.

The boat is also equipped with audio guides available in multiple languages. Do note that you’ll need to bring your own headphones if you want to listen to audio in a language other than English, which is piped through the speakers.

The Stromma 100 Highlights cruise leaves from Rijksmuseum, starting at 10:00, with up to 12 cruises a day, depending on the seasons and demand. The last cruise leaves in summer at 18:00, and each 100 Highlights canal cruise lasts 75 minutes.

The boat’s skipper was highly knowledgable, which together with the onboard commentary, made for an enlightening tour.

On the cruise, you’ll pass many well-known bridges, monuments and buildings.

A glimpse of the Walter Süskind bridge.

The cruise & route

As its name suggests, the cruise takes you past 100 of Amsterdam’s most noteworthy sights, though no one is counting, and you’ll likely see more than 100 awesome things.

There’s no set route, but rest assured – you will see many of the iconic favourites, while discovering some new treasures.

A lot of the cruises will likely include the following spots:

• Canal houses of the Herengracht: These grand canal houses reflect Amsterdam’s Golden Age architecture, with their distinctive gabled facades and ornate details.
• The Jordaan district: Known for its narrow streets, quaint cafes and vibrant atmosphere, this charming area showcases Amsterdam’s cultural diversity.
• Anne Frank House: This significant historical site is where Anne Frank hid with her family during World War II.
• Westerkerk: This beautiful Renaissance-style church, located near the Anne Frank House, is the city’s biggest church.
• Seven Bridges of the Reguliersgracht: A picturesque location where you can see the seven bridges align, providing a perfect photo opportunity.
• NEMO: The architectural gem that houses the incredible science museum.

The seats are comfortable, and large windows allow for easy sightseeing.

Beyond the famous landmarks, the cruise also takes you past lesser-known but equally charming spots, giving you a view of Amsterdam’s beauty and history.

The boat goes past some of the iconic houses along the main canals.

Good-to-know

• There is a toilet on board.
• Children up to and including three years old may board for free, the price for children from 4 to 12 years old is reduced, while kids older than 12 pay the same price as adults.
• Stromma offers other cruise options, such as pedal boats, Pizza Cruises, and the 60-minute Open Boat Tour. You can also hire a private boat in Amsterdam for you and your friends or colleagues. Each private boat includes a skipper. Look out for their Amsterdam Light Festival cruise around December and January to coincide with this annual event.
• Stromma continuously adjusts its timetables to meet demand, so the daily schedule might change. Check the website for information.
  Stromma has been rewarded with the Green Key certificate, showing their commitment to sustainable practices.
• There’s free WiFi on board.
• The departure point is close to Rijks, Van Gogh and Moco museums, so you could pair a boat ride with an art experience.

While our cruise took place on a gorgeous summer evening, the boats have heating, so it’s pleasant onboard even during the colder months. 

At every turn, there’s a picture-perfect moment.

Stromma also has pedal boats to hire, along with a variety of other cruises.

– Book your cruise with our exclusive discount code ‘THINGSTODO20’ and get 20% extra off –

Conclusion

The Stromma 100 Highlights canal cruise is a brilliant way to experience Amsterdam’s beauty and history. Its comprehensive route and insightful make it a standout choice for any visitor looking to explore the city from its picturesque canals.

We liked the mix of the onboard and skipper’s commentary, the latter giving the tour more “personality”. We found the skipper not only knowledgeable but friendly too.

The seats are comfortable, and the layout of the boat is such that we could clearly see the sights all around us – to our left and to our right. It did help that the boat wasn’t completely full – our 18:00 departure time during the week was probably a good choice. Leaving from the central Rijksmuseum is convenient too, and I enjoyed skipping all the crowds around Central Station, from where a lot of boat rides usually depart.

This was a special way to experience the city – learning new things, seeing popular landmarks and discovering new gems.

When you’re coming by train to Amsterdam Central Station you can’t miss the dock of Stromma. We can recommend hopping of here if you arrive in Amsterdam via Central Station.