RIVER & CANAL CRUISES
Reviewed, compared and ranked by the people aboard.
The 15 most popular evening experiences, compared side by side. What you see from the water, how long you are aboard, what it costs and which operator to book, so you can pick your boat in a couple of minutes.
Seine at night from near the Eiffel Tower on a 100% electric boat with music, an audio app, and landmark views for about 1 hour.
Most Popular“Seeing Paris from the river at night was magical. The lights, the music, and the calm ride made this experience truly special. A must-do in Paris 🗼✨”
See Krakow’s Wawel lights from the Vistula on a 1-hour Kapitan Victor night cruise, with audio guide, music, and a bar onboard.
“We had the best time, it was so relaxing. Tour was Polish/English. Bar had fab cocktails too!”
See Amsterdam’s glowing canals on a 1-hour electric boat cruise with a live English guide and onboard bar. Great first-night option.
“Wonderful boat captain and bartender. Friendly, engaging, informative. We were seated next to a family with young children using devices to watch videos and we would probably seek an adult-only experience in the future since that made it tough to hear the guides. But the boat trip and area was beautiful. We toured at night…”
A 1-hour Budapest Danube night cruise with a welcome drink, 30-language audio, and great bridge-and-palace views from a glass-topped boat.
“It was ok. Super crowded so you couldn’t go outside because a few people blocked the whole thing. Wouldn’t even let us take a photo for two minutes. Would be better outside. If you can get an outside spot it would be great! The inside had space but a family with a very sick kid…”
1-hour illuminated Seine cruise from the Eiffel Tower with audio guide and a warm waffle near Trocadéro. Great value for $22.
“We were very disappointed when we got on the boat and realized we were in a spot inside where we couldn’t see as well with our kids. So we thought maybe we’d just get off and wait for the next boat and be one of the first to come aboard. The crew couldn’t let us…”
A cozy 1-hour Amsterdam canal cruise near Dam Square with optional open bar, landmark narration, and blankets on a partly covered boat.
“It was great! Thank you to Sabrina, Freddie and Alex for a great experience ❤️”
1-hour evening Amsterdam canal cruise from Central Station with UNESCO views, GPS audio in 19 languages, and optional drinks.
“It was a nice way to start the holiday, the guide was cool and funny.”
45-minute Vistula River cruise in Krakow by day or night, warm covered boat, English/Polish audio guide, views of Wawel and Bernatek.
“A well organised cruise, punctual departure and friendly staff. Very enjoyable and relaxing. Highly recommended.”
A 1-hour Amsterdam evening canal cruise with an onboard bar, small-group hosting, blankets, and night views plus winter Light Festival art.
“Really fun and informative and our guide Zara was great :)”
A relaxing 1-hour evening cruise on the Vistula River in Krakow, starting at Wawel Hill, with audio in English and Polish.
“the night tour is a must see! staff is very friendly and cooperative”
A small-group sunset pontoon cruise on the Brazos in Waco with photo stops, river stories, and tasty treats for about 2.5 hours.
“Liz and John were hands down the BEST tour guides I've ever had! Both of their personalities were so warming and fun! Liz wrote down everyone's name at the beginning and throughout the ENTIRE cruise, she personalized everything she said, making each individual feel like she was talking straight to them the entire time! I…”
Relax on a 90-minute Amsterdam night canal cruise with UNESCO canal views, audio in 20 languages, and an optional wine & cheese box.
“It lacked some explanation. The lights of the city were beautiful and it was a great exposure to the city!”
Sail the Douro from Gaia with a guide, port wine on deck, and big views of bridges, churches, and riverside wildlife in about 2 hours.
“Please note to check in at the BBDouro office located at marina so they know you are there. We had an issue that was quickly resolved with the assistance of the coffee shop and them directing us to the office of BBDouro as the tickets did not indicate that we were to meet at Dock…”
Two hours on a modern catamaran from Porto, sipping port wine past key bridges and Ribeira, with Atlantic air at Foz do Douro.
“The boat was a beautiful modern catamaran and the skipper and crew were great! We enjoyed the tour and seeing Porto from the river. Length of time on the boat was perfect - 2 hours. Thank you!!”
Sail the Tagus on a luxury yacht and see Lisbon’s big monuments and hillside neighborhoods from the water for about $25.
“This activity was absolutely amazing and great value for money. Our guides were super helpful and showed us all of the coastal sites and provided knowledge. The guides were also super friendly and very welcoming. I would definitely reccomend this tour to anyone wanting to see Lisbon from a different angle and see some key…”
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