+44 333 057 0739

Do you have a question?

Our team of advisors is here to listen to you.
+44 333 057 0739
Monday to Friday: 9am - 6pm
Open on Saturdays: 9am - 6pm

Do you have a question?

Our team of advisors is here to listen to you.
+44 333 057 0739
Monday to Friday: 9am - 6pm
Open on Saturdays: 9am - 6pm
/
Netherlands

Boating holidays in the Netherlands

The Dutch are just as passionate about boats as they are about cycling – and it’s no wonder. The Netherlands has hundreds of kilometres of waterways, perfect for boating holidays, giving you dozens of options for your Holland cruise.

The canals are prettiest where the sun goes down: set off on a Holland cruise

Water is in Holland’s DNA: the region is open to the sea and crossed by countless canals. Those that shape the city of Amsterdam are some of the best known. You won’t just like them … you’ll love them!

Our destinations

A Holland cruise is full of surprises

When you set off on your self-drive boat, remember these tips to make your Holland cruise a success… While taking the helm of your Pénichette®, wear an orange smock: it’s the proper ‘look’ for canal boat skippers, and it’s the country’s favourite colour. Learn a few words – such as Boot for “boat”, and Hallo for ‘Hello” – and you’ll have no trouble talking to the locals. They’ll happily chat about their love of cruising and the waterways when you stop at a lock or a swing bridge. They can be justly proud of it all, thanks to the recently refurbished marinas, where service and comfort are top priorities: just what you need to make your boating holidays easier. And make sure you leave your no-license boat occasionally to explore the surroundings, including the magnificent museums, fields of multi-coloured tulips, cosy waterside bars and half-timbered 17th century houses. On a canal boat holiday, you can enjoy the Dutch way of life in ‘dead slow’ mode. From the enormous canal that leads from the sea, to the network of small canals winding through the heart of the countryside, the scenery changes as you cruise from one side of the country to the other, but the pleasure is the same, wherever you are.

You could call it the star of the Netherlands, on equal terms with the king…

The province of Holland is a dream destination, so much so that it often gets confused with the country as a whole. All aboard for a scenic Holland cruise. Boating holidays in Holland have so many attractions. On the port side you can see the sails of a windmill, while to starboard, the tulip fields seem to go on forever in the flat landscape: a brilliantly-coloured mosaic that you can photograph to make a great screen-saver. If you love flowers, you might want to stop at the superb Keukenhof tulip garden. The façades of the houses in Amsterdam are also brightly coloured. This beautiful city offers plenty to see, including its port, immortalised by Jacques Brel, and the Van Gogh Museum. There are plenty of great stopping places in the province and you’ll be happy to get back to your comfortable Pénichette® in the evening, to dream about the wonderful things you discovered on your cruise. Our tip: bikes stored on the boat’s deck are a must, so that you can get out onto the banks whenever you want. You might just want to pick up a few things to re-stock the fridge, or bring back a piece of the famous Gouda cheese from the local market.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing and Availability

Departure on Saturday: minimum 7 days. For short stays: departure on Monday or Friday Remember to provide details of your crew to benefit from additional discounts. Please note: 1 May is a public holiday in France and, exceptionally, all locks will be closed on that day.
Adults 18 to 64 years
4
Adults +65 years
0
Children 0 to 17 years
0
Total (max. 12) 4
Routes Boats
France

France

Welcome to the home of waterways tourism. If you’re looking for a canal cruise, France is the obvious destination. Its canals and rivers form a vast network of routes, offering fantastic opportunities for boating holidays.

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Germany

Germany

In Germany, boating holidays mean watching the lakes slowly unfold from the deck of your boat. There’s no better way to enjoy these immense landscapes than by taking the helm of a self-drive boat, with no license required, and becoming a skipper.

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Hungary

Hungary

Explore Hungary in complete freedom aboard a license-free boat, along the Tisza River and up to the lake of the same name. Between wild landscapes, authentic villages, and the vineyards of Tokaj, enjoy a peaceful cruise that is accessible to all.

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Ireland

Ireland

In Ireland, boat hire holidays are not just a good idea – they’re the obvious way to see the country. Reinvent yourself while you steer your self-drive boat, with the sound of U2 or the Cranberries in the background. Rent a boat from one of our bases and set off on a waterways cruise through a land that’s greener than green.

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Italy

Italy

When it comes to boat hire holidays, Italy offers some spectacular waterways for exploring this fascinating, surprising country that you’re bound to fall in love with. There’s nothing cooler than cruising along, your hair flying in the wind, as if you’re in a film. It’s going to be La Dolce Vita afloat!

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Portugal

Portugal

Cruise Lago Alqueva in southern Portugal on a license-free boat. Enjoy easy sailing, sunny weather, and stops in traditional villages in the heart of Alentejo. Accessible to all, even beginners.

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Holiday ideas

Heritage

Canal boat rental cruise: Perfect for History Lovers

A canal boat rental cruise is ideal for history lovers, offering deep immersion in heritage and culture. As you navigate aboard your boat, you’ll have the chance to explore iconic regions that can only be accessed via waterways. Along canals, rivers, and lakes, you can visit grand medieval castles, ancient abbeys, architecturally distinctive villages, and heritage-listed monuments.

Each stop immerses you in a world where time seems to stand still, with cobbled streets, historic churches, local museums, and beautifully preserved half-timbered houses. Beyond architectural discoveries, you can also enjoy the local culture by visiting markets, tasting regional products, or exploring UNESCO-listed sites on a river cruise through France.

Swimming

Whether you enjoy sunbathing on the deck of your boat, swimming in crystal-clear waters, or taking part in water activities, renting a boat gives you the freedom to plan the perfect vacation.

During your river cruise, you can:

– Swim in rivers and lakes
– Sunbathe on natural beaches
– Visit water parks with pools and slides
– Enjoy activities at watersport centers
– Swim directly from your Riverly boat

100% Natural

From rivers to canals, nature reveals itself along the water. From the deck of your boat, flora and fauna are all around you. On board, let yourself be soothed by the peaceful surroundings. A landscape or animal catches your eye? You’re free to stop wherever you like and explore the area.

By choosing a boat rental with Riverly, you can:

– Moor along untouched riverbanks
– Spot herons and kingfishers right from your boat
– Discover wild landscapes along the water
– Learn more about local wildlife from lock keepers
– Enjoy family-friendly outdoor activities in natural settings

European Cities

What if your next city break… was by boat? No license needed—just the desire to discover cities from a new perspective. On board, there’s no stress, no schedule to follow: you move at your own pace, enjoying the scenery and stopovers as they come.

From our base in Bram, you can reach Toulouse via the Canal du Midi in just half a day of cruising. Once moored, landmarks like the Basilica of Saint-Sernin or the Capitole are just a short walk away. Further north, set off from Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune and follow the Saône River to Lyon: stroll along the riverbanks, enjoy a drink in the Old Town, then return to your boat for a peaceful night on board.

And it’s not just in France. Take Venice, for example, you can arrive by boat, moor near St. Mark’s Square, and experience *la dolce vita* with your feet practically in the water. In Amsterdam too, everything feels different when you’re navigating through the heart of the canals.

With Riverly, big cities become intimate stopovers, accessible without a car, free from constraints, and always offering the freedom to pause whenever you feel like it.

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