Amsterdam: Moco Museum Entry Ticket and Canal Cruise
Location: North Holland, Netherlands
Price: $37 per person
Duration: Valid for one day, including a 1-hour canal cruise
Rating: 4.3/5 from 146 reviews
A Quick Overview
If you’re looking to combine modern art with a scenic boat ride through Amsterdam’s iconic canals, this package offers a compelling blend. For about $37, you get skip-the-line access to the Moco Museum—a dedicated space for contemporary and street art—and a one-hour boat cruise along the city’s historic waterways. The experience is flexible, allowing you to explore at your own pace, and the audio guide available in 19 languages enhances the journey’s educational aspect.
What we love about this experience is how seamlessly it marries art and scenery, giving you a chance to enjoy some of Amsterdam’s best known landmarks from a unique vantage point. The Moco Museum’s location in a beautifully restored villa with eye-catching urban art makes it a highlight, especially for fans of Banksy, Dalí, and Lichtenstein. On the water, you’ll see the city’s historic bridges and merchant houses, which perfectly encapsulate Amsterdam’s charm.
However, a potential drawback is that the canal cruise’s schedule and quality may vary, as some reviews mention inconsistent timing and audio guide issues. This means if you’re seeking a fully curated or punctual experience, you might find this part a bit hit-or-miss.
This tour suits travelers who appreciate modern art, scenic city views, and value a practical, budget-friendly way to get a broad sense of Amsterdam in a short time. It’s especially helpful if you’re trying to see key sights without too much fuss or expense.
Key Points
- Convenient combination of art and water views in one affordable experience
- Skip-the-line access minimizes waiting and maximizes exploring time
- Diverse audio guides in 19 languages enhance understanding of the sights
- Beautiful historic villa adds charm to the art experience
- Waterway views include famous landmarks like Westerkerk and Skinny Bridge
- Some variability in cruise schedule and audio guide consistency
A Closer Look at the Experience
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Exploring the Moco Museum
The Moco Museum is housed in an appealing early 20th-century villa designed by Eduard Cuypers, which immediately sets a tone of elegance mixed with contemporary edge. Once inside, you’ll find walls adorned with works by Banksy, Dalí, Lichtenstein, and other modern masters. The museum’s focus on street art and contemporary pieces makes it a standout in the city’s art scene, appealing to those interested in urban culture and modern creativity.
Getting skip-the-line access is a real bonus, especially during peak tourist seasons when lines can stretch out the door. The flexibility to visit at your own pace allows you to linger over favorites or explore quickly if pressed for time. Some visitors have expressed that the museum is “really worth visiting” and a highlight of their trip, particularly for teenagers or art enthusiasts.
The Canal Cruise Experience
Following your museum visit, you’ll board a 1-hour boat cruise along the historic canals. The route typically takes you through the Canal Belt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, passing under beautiful bridges and alongside slender merchant houses that give Amsterdam its distinctive skyline. The cruise also covers districts like Jordaan, De Pijp, and De Wallen, providing a water-based overview of the city.
The GPS audio guide in 19 languages is designed to identify landmarks in real-time, offering historical context and interesting facts. But as some reviews note, the audio guide may sometimes fall out of sync with what you see, or the schedule may not be perfectly adhered to, which can be frustrating if punctuality is important to you.
Practical Details and Considerations
The ticketing process is straightforward—your museum and cruise time slots are booked separately, with the museum entry at your chosen time, and the cruise scheduled upon arrival. Please note that the cruise departs from Damrak 26, and your cruise time must be reserved upon your arrival in Amsterdam.
The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users, and pets are generally not allowed, aside from assistance dogs. Children aged 10-17 qualify for the reduced museum ticket, while kids 0-9 enter free with an accompanying adult. The cruise is best suited for children aged 4-13, with infants under 3 free.
More Great Tours NearbyValue for Money
At $37, this combo offers a pretty good deal, especially considering the skip-the-line benefit and the chance to see both modern art and iconic cityscapes. While some might wish for a more polished cruise experience, the combination provides a balanced and cost-effective way to see some of Amsterdam’s highlights without breaking the bank.
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Who Will Enjoy This Tour?
This experience is ideal for art lovers interested in modern and street art, especially those who want to skip long lines and make the most of their limited time. It’s also perfect for travelers who appreciate scenic water views and want a quick, accessible overview of the city’s top districts. However, if you’re looking for an extremely punctual or curated cruise experience, or if you require wheelchair access, you might want to consider alternative offerings.
The flexibility and combination of indoor and outdoor activities make this tour a solid choice for first-timers or families seeking a balanced, affordable introduction to Amsterdam.
Detailed Breakdown of the Tour
Visiting the Moco Museum
Once you arrive at Honthorststraat 20, the quiet street outside the museum hints at a more relaxed experience compared to the busy city center. Showing your digital ticket, you gain quick entry—no waiting in line during busy hours makes a noticeable difference. Inside, the atmosphere is modern but intimate, with thoughtfully curated exhibits.
You’ll especially appreciate the collection of street art by Banksy, whose works challenge traditional notions of art and often carry social messages. Dalí’s surrealist pieces and Lichtenstein’s comic-style pop art add further color and variety. Many visitors mention that the museum’s location in a historic villa adds charm and contrasts sharply with the edgy artworks inside.
The Canal Cruise from Damrak
After your museum visit, you’ll head to Damrak 26, where the boat awaits. The cruise route is designed to showcase Amsterdam’s most renowned sights, including the Westerkerk and the Nine Streets district. The boat itself is typically a cozy, covered vessel, ideal for viewing and listening to the audio guide.
While the GPS system aims to enhance your experience with insightful commentary, some reviews report that the timing can sometimes be inconsistent, or the audio may not quite match the landmarks. Still, the views of the slender merchant houses and historic bridges are genuinely spectacular up close.
Timing and Logistics
The museum visit is scheduled separately from the cruise, with different time slots that must be pre-booked. The museum is open from around 9 or 10 am depending on the season, while canal cruises run from early morning until late evening, with frequencies changing seasonally.
Be mindful that the cruise departs from Damrak, the main street near central station, making it easy to combine with other sightseeing plans. Remember that the cruise is not wheelchair accessible, and only service dogs are allowed onboard.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
Overall, we see this tour as a practical, reasonably priced package that pairs modern art with scenic waterways—two of Amsterdam’s best features. For those with a keen interest in contemporary art, skipping long lines at the museum is a real benefit. The scenic boat ride offers a lovely perspective of the city’s architecture and historic districts, even if the audio guide sometimes isn’t perfectly aligned.
While some travelers may find the cruise experience variable or prefer a more curated boat tour, the overall value remains high considering the cost and convenience. It’s especially suitable for first-time visitors eager to get an overview without spending a fortune, or families looking for engaging activities accessible within a day.
In the end, this combination tour provides a well-rounded taste of Amsterdam’s art scene and enchanting canals. It’s an experience that blends cultural discovery with sightseeing, making it a worthwhile addition to your itinerary—if you’re prepared for some minor logistical quirks.
FAQ
Do I need to reserve my time slots in advance?
Yes, you should pre-book your museum time slot when you purchase your ticket. The canal cruise also requires a reservation at the Damrak 26 office upon arrival in Amsterdam.
Can I visit the museum and take the cruise on the same day?
Absolutely. The ticket is valid for one day, and you can select your museum visit time and then schedule your cruise accordingly. Just be sure to check the available times and plan your day accordingly.
Is the canal cruise accessible for people with mobility issues?
No, the cruise is not suitable for wheelchair users, and only service dogs are allowed onboard.
What’s included in the ticket price?
Your ticket includes skip-the-line entry to the Moco Museum and a 1-hour canal cruise with an audio guide in 19 languages.
Are children allowed?
Yes. Kids aged 0-9 enter the museum free when accompanied by a paying adult, and children aged 4-13 can enjoy the cruise at a discounted rate.
What if I want to see more art or explore longer?
This tour is designed for a quick, flexible overview. If you want to explore more museums or take additional cruises, consider booking separate tickets or guided tours.
Is there a limit on how long I can stay at the museum?
No, you can spend as much time as you like within your scheduled time slot, making it easy to linger or move quickly depending on your interest.
In essence, this combined ticket provides a practical and engaging way to see some of Amsterdam’s art and waterways without overextending your day or budget. If you love discovering new art and soaking up city views from the water, it’s a choice well worth considering.
You can check availability for your dates here:More Boat Tours & Cruises in Amsterdam
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