A Guide to Amsterdam Cruise Port

Amsterdam is one of the most popular cities in Europe for cruise ship passengers, with over 170 ships visiting each year, and it has a never-ending option of things to see and do.

It really is a place that needs more than just a day visit, but if that’s all you have, hopefully our guide will help you decide where to go and what to do during your time here.

The Netherlands’ capital city, Amsterdam is known throughout the world for its canal system, narrow houses, incredible heritage, thousands of bicycles and, of course, its impressive museum district.

It’s a place for all ages to enjoy and proudly one of the safest countries in the world.

Read also: Where should I stay for a cruise from Amsterdam?

Where do cruise ships dock in Amsterdam?

The terminal is located on the Amsterdam IJ Waterfront, just a short walk from the heart of the city centre. It will take you approx. 15 minutes for you to get from the terminal to the bottom of Damrak, opposite Amsterdam Central Train Station. A GVB tram, number 26, also runs to Amsterdam Central Station.

Some ships will also dock in the town of IJmuiden which is outside of the city. The journey from here to Amsterdam central is around 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

Address:

Passenger Terminal Amsterdam
Piet Heinkade 27, 1019 BR Amsterdam

How to get from Amsterdam cruise terminal to city centre?

Walk to City Centre: From the passenger terminal it’s an easy 10-15 minute walk along the Piet Heinkade road (head right in a westerly direction) to the central train station (Amsterdam Centraal). At the Amsterdam Central Station you can transfer to another bus, tram or metro.

The station is located at the head of Amsterdam’s city center.

Tram: Tram 26 runs to Amsterdam Central Station from outside the passenger terminal.

Another option is taking a taxi. A taxi ride within the Amsterdam city centre area should cost you between €10 and €20 euro.

From your Hotel to Amsterdam Cruise Port

By Taxi: Depending on where your hotel is located, this may be the easiest option. Cabs are plentiful in Amsterdam, and your hotel can always call one for you. Cabs accept credit cards, but check before you leave. It will cost you between € 10.00 and € 15.00.

A ride from Schiphol airport (hotels) costs between € 40 and € 60.

By Tram: From the center of Amsterdam, most tram routes run to Amsterdam Central Station (Centraal). From here you can easily take tram #26 in the direction of IJburg to get to the cruise ship terminal. Get off at the first stop “Muziekgebouw / Bimhuis”.

By Uber: Uber is widely available in Amsterdam

By Train from Schiphol Airport: The train station is located directly below Schiphol’s arrival hall. From here you can easily take a train to Amsterdam Centraal. Journey Time is about 15 to 20 minutes. From the central station you can opt to walk to the cruise terminal (15 minutes) or take a tram #26. Another option is taking a taxi.

Things to see and do in Amsterdam

The list of things to see and do in Amsterdam is quite literally endless. You could visit every day for one year and still not experience everything this bustling and incredibly vibrant city has on offer. To help you with your destination planning, these are just some of the recommended options:

Anne Frank House – Located on Prinsengracht, this is the house where Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank and her family spent their years before being taken to Auschwitz Concentration Camp in Poland. This is one of the most popular places for tourists to visit and it’s a very moving experience. Queues in the summer months can extend around the block, so always try and pre-book online before you travel.

Rijksmuseum – One of Holland’s most prestigious and well-known museums, located in the Museum Square of the city. The Rijksmuseum is a Dutch national museum dedicated to Dutch history and art.

Van Gogh Museum – Dedicated to works of the man himself and also found at Museum Square. The museum houses the world’s largest collections of work by Van Gogh.

Dam Square – Basically, the town square. This is an area where events regularly take place and it’s also an intersection that can take you down numerous other lanes and streets to seek out hidden gems.

Bloemenmarkt – Amsterdam’s unique floating flower market which was founded in 1862. If you want tulip bulbs, this is the place to come. You’ll find it between Muntplein and Koningsplein on the Single River.

The Oude Church – This is Amsterdam’s oldest building, founded circa 1213 and consecrated in 1306 by the Bishop Utrecht. It became a Calvinist church in 1578 and remains so today.

Red Light District – Amsterdam is known for its famous Red Light District and a walk-through is an absolute must. It’s like stepping into another world.

Amsterdam Cheese Museum – This is a small museum/shop which houses a small area dedicated to the history of cheesemaking.

Hash, Marihuana and Hemp Museum – Located in De Wallen and open to the public since 1985, this museum offers visitors a glimpse into the historical and modern use of cannabis for medicinal, spiritual and cultural purposes. It’s small but very well presented.

Nieuwmarkt – Part of Amsterdam’s China Town and bursting with bars, restaurants and cafes. It’s a nice place to relax between exploring.

De Pijp – One of Amsterdam’s most popular areas and home to the Albert Cuyp Market, the busiest in the city. The Heineken Experience and former town hall of Nieuwer-Amstel are also nearby.

The Hague – A city within a city and the seat of the Dutch parliament, and 16th-century Noordeinde Palace. The Hague is also home to the United Nation’s International Court of Justice, headquartered in the Peace Palace, and the International Criminal Court.

Rembrandt House Museum – This historic house is where painter Rembrandt lived and worked between 1639 and 1656. Many of his paintings and etchings can be found here.

The Amsterdam Dungeon – History through an interactive adventure with live actors, shows and more. Be prepared to be scared!

Joods Historisch Museum – This museum is part of the Jewish Quarter and is dedicated to Jewish history, religion and culture. The only one of its kind in The Netherland’s.

House of Bols Cocktail and Genever Experience – Taste, smell, discover and learn how to craft the perfect cocktail. This is an interactive experience that ends with a cocktail of your choice.

A Little Further Afield

If you’ve visited Amsterdam before and would like to go somewhere different, then we would recommend the following:

Haarlem – Hop on a train and enjoy a 20-minute journey to another of The Netherland’s beautiful cities, Haarlem. This is the centre of the flower-bulb-growing district and it retains its beautiful medieval charm. Similar to Amsterdam in many ways.

Zaandam – Just a 7-minute train journey from Amsterdam and you’ll come across Zaandam, where you’ll find great shopping, museums, restaurants, bars and so much more.

Volendam – A typical Dutch fishing village and a hive of activity during the summer months. Enjoy people watching as you sample local delicacies, explore the gift shops and generally enjoy the atmosphere of being in this working fishing harbour.

Edam – The birthplace of Edam cheese and another place that’s just a short journey outside of Amsterdam. Edam can easily be visited as part of a day out that also includes Volendam, as they’re just minutes away from each other.

Best Time to Visit and Cruise from Amsterdam

Anytime is the best time to visit Amsterdam, put simply, because there’s always something happening. The summer months allow for use of the city’s public green spaces, live events, pleasant canal walks and so much more.

The winter months bring a chilly aspect to your day, but in the run up to Christmas there’s always markets to enjoy, even the occasional ice rink proudly set up in random streets.

Amsterdam Cruise Hotels

There are hundreds of hotel options in Amsterdam, but we’ve noted some below that are all within a maximum 20-minutes walking distance of the cruise terminal. They’re centrally located, so everything is easily accessible.

If you take the bottom of Damrak as your starting point (opposite Central Station) you’d keep right on Prins Hendrikkade before crossing at Oderbrug, going under the bridge and then turning right onto De Ruijterkade – from here it’s a straight walk and you’ll see your ship. Taxi’s will also be available from your hotel.

• DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Central
• Renaissance Amsterdam
• Hotel Mövenpick Amsterdam City Centre
• IBIS Amsterdam Centre
• NH Collection Barbizon Palace
• Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam

Read also: Best Amsterdam Cruise Hotels

Getting to Amsterdam Central from AMS Schiphol Airport

The easiest and quickest way to get from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam central is by using the NS train service. The main station is located directly beneath the terminal building and the high-speed train will see you arrive in the city within just 17-minutes.

Prices vary depending on the type of ticket you want, but we would recommend something that includes things such as the tram network if you plan on exploring throughout the city.

The Netherland’s has a very good public transport system and the NS service runs throughout the country and further.

Useful Information About Amsterdam for Cruise Passengers

Amsterdam is a relatively safe place to explore day and night, so those travelling on their own need not worry about exploring the city solo.

The city is always ‘on the go’, you’ll find gift shops sometimes open until the early hours of the morning, the same with clubs, some bars and dozens of fast food outlets – you don’t really need to plan your visit based on a 9-5 timeframe.

If you plan on visiting a lot of attractions and using the public transport system you may benefit from the use of a I Amsterdam City Card. A one-off payment gives you access to discounts or free entry at over 70 of the city’s top attractions, city wide use of the public transport network including trams and buses, and a unique canal cruise, bicycle hire and discounts at selected bars and restaurants.

Numerous cards are available, with the basic being a 24-hour pass for 65 euros. They can be pre-ordered online and picked up at various locations within the city, including directly from the I Amsterdam info point and store on Damrak.

Your time in Amsterdam wouldn’t be well spent without sampling Dutch frites, which is simply fries and sauce. There are vendors throughout the city selling them and they are super tasty! Some simply come with a sauce of your choice while others can have extras such as pulled pork, slaw or gravy and cheese. You have to give them a try and these are some of the places we would recommend: Moeke’s, Grizzl, Frietboutique, Freddy Fryday and Manneken Pis.

Parking

Parking IJ-oever Centrum by Interparking

You can park here for a maximum of 14 days and is charged per 24 hours, with a starting rate of €17.50 per 24 hours. The rates are based on availibility. The earlier you book, the lower the rate.

Please note; there a limited number of parking spaces, so book early to secure your space

Q-Park Oostenburg
Q-Park Oostenburg (700 spaces) is located a 20-minute walk from the cruise terminal. The parking can be booked for a maximum of 14 consecutive days. Rates are fixed, there’s a fee of €15 per 24 hours.

Piet Heingarage
This parking lot is located underneath the cruise terminal. Entrance is just in front of the terminal. Unfortunately it’s not possible to make a reservation.

Rates €5.00 per hour and €50.00 per 24 hours.

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(Latest update June 20th, 2024)

Please contact us if any information is incorrect or not up-to-date.

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