Looking for unique lodging in Amsterdam? Check out a houseboat!.
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Amsterdam is also called the “Venice of the North” and with good reason. There are canals everywhere!
In my opinion the canals are easily the most charming part of the city. One thing that makes the canals in Amsterdam so unique is the fact that many of the residents live in houseboats right on the canals.
When we went to Amsterdam in September we discovered that it’s a pretty expensive city to visit. Most hostels were running about 35 Euro a person. With the both of us and the exchange rate it was going to cost us about $100/night to stay in a dorm room. We weren’t too excited about spending that kind of money to sleep with several other people so we started hunting around for other options.
Staying on a Houseboat in Amsterdam!
My sister Bridgette had been to Amsterdam twice before and said we should try to stay in a houseboat if we could be aue it’s a part of the Amsterdam culture and city life. Luckily we found Apartments Houseboats Amsterdam online and we were able to start our trip off with an incredible stay on an Amsterdam houseboat!
The minute we stepped onto the boat we were in love. There were so many windows and the light just streamed into the boat. It was spacious – actually it was huge. After living on a 27′ sailboat for a year we were in heaven on this boat – plenty of room, big kitchen complete with fridge, dishes, pans and a great dining table, a large comfortable iving room with TV, 2 couches and a bathroom with flushing toilet! We only had a pump toilet on our sailboat. In fact the bathroom was huge with a full bathtub and there was a large bedroom and an additional smaller room with bunk beds. Another small room off the master bedroom contained a built in crib (photo of the green room below shows this) – perfect for those traveling with a small child.
Hardwood floors lined the boat and vintage accessories added to the charm. There was an additional sitting room (complete with ships wheel) and a porch on the front of the boat. The views were great and it was a peaceful, quiet place to stay. It was only about a 10 minute walk to the city center and there was a coffee shop just a few steps from the boat with free wifi.
We’d spend the day exploring the city and we loved coming back to our private houseboat every night. I always sleep really well on boats and this one was no exception. Upon check in they also provided us with a map of Amsterdam and they spent about 30 minutes with us giving us recommendations and directions around the city.
If you’re looking for a unique loging experience in Amsterdam definitely check out Apartments Houseboats Amsterdam. Renting a houseboat in Amsterdam could also be a great option if you are traveling with a large group. This houseboat sleeps six people and it’s perfect for a big family or a group of friends traveling together. We absolutely loved our stay in this unique Amsterdam lodging! The photos below will give you a great idea of what it looks like.
The view from the back of the boat:
*Although half of our accommodation was paid for by Apartments Houseboats Amsterdam the opinions expressed in this article are entirely our own.
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*Please remember all photos on this website, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted and property of Beers and Beans Travel Website, Nariko’ s Nest Weddings & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you do want to use one of them please contact me first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!
(20) awesome folk have had something to say...
Leigh -
November 30, 2011 at 6:30 am
What a wonderful way to experience a city famous for its canals. It looks roomy & clean. I’d never even thought about a houseboat stay before but count me in now.
You guys are having quite the wonderful trip!
Bethany -
January 10, 2012 at 9:56 am
Hi Leigh,
This houseboat was pretty cool. We would definitely stay on it again π @Leigh,
Christine -
November 30, 2011 at 8:40 am
I stayed on Jonas Houseboat (http://www.jonashouseboat.com/) in Amsterdam with a friend last November and absolutely loved it! Our hostel owner was so chill, and it was just such a neat experience–would love to try it again in another city!
Bethany -
January 10, 2012 at 10:12 am
How the heck did you find that place? The website is crazy! @Christine,
Pauline Simpson -
November 30, 2011 at 5:14 pm
Sweet. I’m Dutch and have visited Holland several times but never stayed on a houseboat. This looks so sweet.
Bethany -
January 10, 2012 at 9:58 am
It was pretty cool! @Pauline Simpson,
Scott -
November 30, 2011 at 6:05 pm
Looks amazing! I will look them up next time I am in Amsterdam for sure. I actually stayed on one in Ghent, Belgium and it was without a doubt the hostel highlight of my trip.
Bethany -
January 10, 2012 at 10:01 am
That sounds very cool! I would love to check out Belgium on a hostel houseboat!@Scott,
Eurotrip Tips -
November 30, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Amazing! Definitely added to my bucket list, it seems like such a great experience!
Bethany -
January 10, 2012 at 10:03 am
We really loved it! @Eurotrip Tips,
Carolyn -
November 30, 2011 at 7:47 pm
Wow – that is beautiful! I would have never expected a houseboat to be so nice and spacious inside. Sure beats an ordinary hotel room!
If you’re looking for another unique boat experience in Amsterdam, visit Poezenboot http://www.poezenboot.nl/index.php It’s a shelter for stray cats on a boat – definitely one of the strangest attractions we’ve ever visited!
Bethany -
January 10, 2012 at 10:18 am
wow – that’s really cool! Thanks so much for sharing this Carolyn! I would love to check it out. π @Carolyn,
Barbara – The Dropout Diaries -
December 1, 2011 at 6:07 am
What a fabulous concept! I’m hooked!
We’ll be in Holland for a few weeks next year and this seems like exactly the quirky yet charming experience I love. Thanks so much for the great travel tip!
Bethany -
January 10, 2012 at 10:04 am
Definitely look into staying on a houseboat. We thought it was really cool and a nice way to see local life too since there were plenty of families living around us! @Barbara – The Dropout Diaries,
Si @thedepartureboard.com -
December 9, 2011 at 2:07 pm
Hi Beth, Sounds like a great accommodation option. I have added a link to the post at The Travel Bloggers Guide to Netherlands Iβm developing. I hope you donβt mind? Kind regards, Si
Bethany -
January 10, 2012 at 10:05 am
Hi Si, Thanks for including the post in your guide! π @Si @thedepartureboard.com,
Rahul -
December 29, 2011 at 11:49 am
It would be worth a try…..rooms look neat and reasonable…
Bethany -
January 10, 2012 at 10:06 am
Yeah it was very cool and great for a family or group too – tons of space! @Rahul,
Lindsey -
February 23, 2012 at 1:49 am
This might just motivate me to make a 2nd trip to Amsterdam this year! Would love to have that experience.
Mary @ Green Global Travel -
October 19, 2013 at 2:21 pm
I absolutely love this idea! What a gorgeous boat and fabulous way to explore independent, unique and culturally relevant / specific accommodation that is also decadent a great deal of fun! Fabulous recommendation and review!