Here it is— your motivation to visit the Netherlands (aka Holland) in 2025 for a rare travel experience! Next year, the Dutch capital celebrates its 750th anniversary with the return of SAIL Amsterdam and its flotilla of tall ships. The world’s largest nautical event normally occurs every five years along Amsterdam’s waterfront, but the pandemic canceled 2020’s gathering. Sailors and maritime fans have waited ten long years for SAIL Amsterdam 2025. And the next 5-day event promises to be one of the biggest spectacles yet. Plus, you still get to enjoy all of Amsterdam’s “usual” attractions.
Origin of SAIL Amsterdam
The Dutch launched SAIL Amsterdam in 1975 to honor the capital’s 700th anniversary and rich maritime history. People loved the tall ships and the fleet of smaller boats that greeted them. So sponsors have repeated the gathering every five years. In 2025, organizers expect more than 50 tall ships from 24 countries to converge in Amsterdam’s harbor. And they’ll be joined by hundreds of smaller escort ships, naval vessels, historical restorations, and modern watercraft of every imaginable type. It’s the largest free event in Europe.
SAIL Amsterdam 2025 Schedule of Events
You can join the festivities from August 20-24, 2025. The massed fleet parades into the harbor on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. The sail-out procession takes place on Sunday, August 24, 2025. In the interim, enjoy maritime, cultural, musical, and culinary events along Amsterdam’s waterfront and throughout the city from morning to evening. Many of the tall ships and other vessels at anchor will permit visitors aboard. And throughout your visit, experience the welcoming, inclusive hospitality for which Amsterdam is known.
SAIL Amsterdam 2025 App
Check the SAIL Amsterdam app for a full schedule of events, meeting points, and other details, once finalized. You can also consult SAIL Amsterdam’s official website, in multiple languages, for more information as it becomes available. Although SAIL Amsterdam 2025 is still a year away, it’s not too early to book flights and accommodations if you plan to go. In fact, it’s a good idea to get started now.
SAIL Amsterdam 2025 Cruises
Tickets just went on sale for one especially popular activity— daily cruises of the harbor to see the flotilla from the water. Click here for photos of ships that previously took part in SAIL Amsterdam to get a sense of what’s on display.
The one-hour, small group cruises— either on a covered, canal boat or an open-air sloop— board near Amsterdam’s central train station. The cost is € 35.00 for adults and € 27.50 for children 5-12. Kids under the age of 5 are free.
To reserve your harbor cruise tickets, click here. Then choose your desired date and time slot before entering your personal details and payment information.
Free Amsterdam Harbor Ferry
There is also a free— but crowded— ferry that regularly runs from one side of the harbor to the other throughout the year. You may find it less suitable for taking photos. And they make you exit the ferry and then wait in line again for the return journey. (With a paid cruise, you’ll have a designated boarding area and reserved time slot.) But at least the ferry gets you on the water for free!
Amsterdam’s “Dine with the Dutch”
I’ve been to Amsterdam three times, including a two-week home exchange. It’s one of my favorite cities, in part because it’s so distinct from other places in the world.
The Dutch are wonderful people, and it’s worth your while getting to know them. Check out my article about Dine with the Dutch and consider signing up to share dinner with a Dutch couple or family— matched to your tastes and interests— in their home in Amsterdam.
More Recommended Sites in Amsterdam
Also consider these uniquely Dutch experiences on my curated list of things to do in Amsterdam:
Anne Frank House
The 17th-century canal house at 263 Prinsengracht hides a secret annex at the rear. That’s where teenager Anne Frank, her family, and four other Jews hid from the Nazis for 25 months. Someone betrayed them, and in August 1944 the Gestapo deported the group of eight to concentration camps. Only Anne’s father survived, and in 1947 he published the diary Anne kept while in hiding. The excellent museum preserves the annex— open to visitors— as it was during WW2. Plan your visit and purchase tickets only at the museum website.
Westerkerk
The Anne Frank museum stands in the shadow of Westerkerk, a 17th-century church whose bell tower is one of Amsterdam’s tallest buildings. Frank mentions the tower’s chimes in her diary. Although closed through 2024 for renovations, tours of the tower are set to resume in 2025. You must climb 186 steps to the top. But your rewards are a close-up look at the workings of the bells and panoramic views of the city. Click here to plan your visit.
Rijksmuseum
The Anne Frank House is must-see. If you can only squeeze in one more museum, I recommend the Rijksmuseum— that national museum of the Netherlands. Its large and varied collection, with an emphasis on Dutch art and history, has something for everyone. Among the items on display are phenomenal works by the Dutch masters, large-scale model ships, and suits of armor. Pay close attention to paintings of Amsterdam from the 1600s— the buildings today are remarkably unchanged! Click here for more information.
Café Chris
Café Chris, at Bloemstraat 42 in Amsterdam, dates to 1624. Laborers who constructed the nearby Westerkerk drank here. It’s rumored that Rembrandt— buried in Westerkerk— patronized Café Chris, too. It’s the oldest bar in the Jordaan neighborhood and possibly all of Amsterdam. The place oozes history and authenticity and, though a local hangout, welcomes tourists.
Leemstar Canal Cruise
There’s a reason they call Amsterdam “the Venice of the north”— it’s a city of beautiful canals. And there’s no better way to experience them than boarding a traditional canal boat for a guided tour.
We enjoyed a 90-minute cruise on Leemstar. Their excursions are limited to 12 passengers at a cost of € 55 per person, with an optional upgrade for food and beverages. The boats are covered or uncovered, depending on the weather. Book your Amsterdam canal cruise here.
Bloemenmarkt / Flower Market
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when I mention “Holland”? It’s a safe bet you answered windmills or tulips. And if you want to bring home an authentic Dutch souvenir, head to the Bloemenmarkt, Amsterdam’s year-round, floating flower market. There you’ll find Dutch tulip bulbs that U.S. Customs will allow you to bring into the United States. Just verify the bag has a label clearing it for U.S. entry. Many flower stalls keep the pre-approved bulbs in a separate section— just ask the staff if you can’t find them. Click here for more information about the flower market.
Rene’s Bakery / Croissanterie
All that exploring will leave you hungry. And when I’m in Europe, traditional bakeries are my go-to spot for snacks. Rene’s Croissainterie is my favorite bake shop in Amsterdam. But it’s more than just croissants— it has a wide selection of treats to tempt every palate. My reason for going back, again and again? The apple beignet. Normally available only at Christmastime, this Dutch dessert is available year-round at Rene’s. The shop is just a 5-minute walk from Dam Square and easy to locate at Damstraat 20. Click here for more information.
Final Thoughts
Amsterdam is one of my favorite places to visit and a great city for walking or biking. But the canals— and their link to the sea— define the city. That’s why the return of SAIL Amsterdam makes August 2025 the perfect time to experience Amsterdam— for the first time, or in a new way. Note that two million visitors are expected for SAIL Amsterdam 2025. So now is the time to book your plans. (Use the Trivago link on this page to get a great hotel deal!)
Special thanks to Valerie F. for the tip about SAIL Amsterdam 2025!
