Compare Amsterdam Houseboat Rentals

Yes, you can find plenty of houseboats for rent in Amsterdam. Options range from individual houseboats where you have the whole place to yourself, to larger houseboats that allow you to book a private stateroom while sharing common living and kitchen areas. From budget options to luxury living, anyone who wants to stay on a boat in Amsterdam can find their match.

There are about 2,500 Amsterdam houseboats lining the canals and waterfront—though not all are for rent—many people in Amsterdam live on houseboats year round. The number of houseboats rose after World War II, when there was a housing shortage and the city created special permits to allow them. They’re permanently anchored and have specific addresses, just like a regular home or apartment. Many of them are a century old—or more!—and have been restored and modernized. Local tip: They’re called woonarks in Dutch, which literally means “house ark.”

• Liberté Amsterdam is a “houseboat hotel” where your options range from a cheaper twin room to the Captain’s Cabin double, the largest room on board. Enjoy your complimentary breakfast on the terrace as you upload pictures of yesterday’s adventures on the free WiFi. Then plan your day: The Nemo Science Museum, National Maritime Museum and Verzetsmuseum are all a 10-minute walk or less away.
• If you’d rather have your houseboat rental in Amsterdam all to yourself, try Houseboat in the Center, located in the Eastern Docklands. Watch ducks from your living room window as you sip your morning coffee, then go exploring. You’ll be less than 10 minutes by foot from the Tropenmuseum, De Gooyer (the country’s tallest wooden windmill), and plenty of bars and restaurants.