There are no shortage of water-borne transport options for sauntering around Amsterdam's 165 canals and other waterways. Tourist-focused transport includes 110 glass-topped canal boats (a tour is the number one attraction) and boats can be picked up at several places in the city including Rokin and Centraal Station. Buy the tickets from the individual boat company kiosks. At the weekends, there are canal-hoppers (small electric boats) with two routes: one covering the city centre to the Westerpark and the other heading east to KNSM and Borneo islands. Prices vary. Canal bikes (pedalos) are the most energetic option and can be picked up and dropped off at various places including Anne Frank Huis and the Rijksmuseum.

Across the IJ, ferries are essential transport for north Amsterdammers. It takes about a minute on the (free) ferries that leave regularly all day from De Ruyterkade behind Centraal Station. There are six routes in total going west to NDSM, straight across to Buiksloterweg and IJplein, and east to Java Island (which is charged at one euro a trip). Two routes run from Houthaven, to the west of Centraal Station, to NDSM and Distelweg on Amsterdam North. There's a high-speed jetfoil (run by regional operator Connexxion – see www.connexxion.nl for timetables and prices) that goes to IJmuiden. If you fancy your own boat, a permit costs around €15.50 per square metre of boat, but it can be moored pretty much anywhere (see www.binnenwaterbeheer.nl for more details).