Water bike, Amsterdam

3 more images

A very different way to see the city is to hire a canal bike from one of the four moorings across the city - Anne Frank House/Prinsengracht, Rijksmuseum, Leidseplein and Keizersgracht/Leidsestraat. There is a deposit of €50 per vessel and then charges are €7 - €8 per person per hour. The vessels can be hired from 10.00 to 18.00 (22.00 in the high summer) and they can be hired at one point and dropped off at another. A canal map is provided with suggested routes and if it rains they have a rain hood.
The two girls in photo 2 were finding their canal bike difficult to steer but the people in photo had no problems with their vessels. However a canal tour boat went dangerously close to them and they were in danger of falling in the water. As it sailed away they bobbed about for a few minutes in its wake. It looks good fun but you need to be careful.

An unique way of exploring the canals is by canal bike. It seats max. four people and you can rent it for an hour. The company "Canal Bikes" can be found at the Rijksmuseum, Leidseplein, Anne Frank Museum and Keizergracht (Leidsestraat).

By canal bike!

As a child, at age six or so, I once made a trip by canal boat through Amsterdam ; but now, at age 43, I've finally made my first trip by canal bike- from Rijksmuseum to Westertoren! Of course it's more fun than taking a trip by boat, but much to my surprise it was also more expensive: we paid 7 euro for the bike (times 3 makes 21 euro ...), but later on we found out that a boat trip can be made for 5,50 euro.

Well, I think the best were the trams, but also taxi were OK and not too expensive.
You can also take a pedal boat for a small cruise in the canals.
...and, cycling of course around the city.