Boating in Amsterdam is fantastic! But other cities and towns are also very much worth visiting with a rental boat.
Just outside Amsterdam lies the wide, picturesque and peaceful landscape of Waterland. The nearby city centres of Haarlem, Alkmaar and Leiden are also beautiful from the water. And the famous Giethoorn makes a perfect day trip. Below you'll find some suggestions for lovely boat rentals.
1. Alkmaar (the cheese capital)
In less than an hour by car or public transport you reach the beautiful historic centre of Alkmaar. Besides the famous weekly cheese market, you'll find hundreds of monumental buildings, lovely courtyards and, of course, canals! Alkmaar is a wonderful city to explore with your own boat. And when you've had enough of the city, you easily sail out into the typical Dutch countryside surrounding it. The North Sea coast is also nearby.
2. Broek in Waterland
Waterland is the polder landscape just north of Amsterdam. Besides lots of water, you'll find beautiful wide views and charming old village centres here. Broek in Waterland is one of those gems, with authentic wooden houses in perfect condition surrounded by lots of greenery and water. At Broeker Bootverhuur you can rent an electric boat to cruise for a few hours through the relaxing landscape. These boats are suitable for a maximum of 5 people. And for the sporty ones: you can also rent a canoe here!
3. Giethoorn
Giethoorn, the 'Venice of the Netherlands', cannot be missing from this list. From Amsterdam to Giethoorn is about 1.5 hours by car. There you enter another world: hundreds of fairytale cottages with thatched roofs and a little bridge at the door, situated along the central village canal. Cruising by boat through that village canal is the most beautiful way to explore Giethoorn.