Berlage route

The Berlage route is a beautiful cruising route that takes you past the most beautiful and famous sights of the Amsterdam city center. The route is named after the famous Dutch architect Berlage. He is responsible for the architectural plan of this district, also called Plan Zuid. The architect visited the city of New York in the beginning of the twentieth century and was inspired by the works of the famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Berlage has never shaken this inspiration and in all his architectural designs you can see those grand minimalist elements from Wright’s works ever since.

Don’t have a boat yet? We can highly recommend our happy hour boat for this route. We guarantee you a drink that you will never forget. Prefer a different boat trip? View our extensive range of boat trips and view our boat rental Amsterdam page. Now lets start on the route!

The Berlage route takes you not only along the most glorious designs by Hendrik Berlage, but also along the artistic bridge designs by Pieter Kramer and a number of famous artworks by city sculptor Hildo Krop.

Holland Casino

Depending on where you moor, the Holland Casino is the first or last attraction you will pass by. This modern, slightly arched building is a great finishing point to enjoy a drink, dinner or game evening after your cruise.

Paradiso

A bit back along the canal you will find the oldest pop temple in the city. Paradiso was built in the Neo-Romanesque architectural style and has been used as a center of faith for almost 85 years. In 1965 the property was sold to a project developer who wanted to build a hotel there. Two years later it was squatted by hippies and they forced the municipality to turn it into a music center.

Rijksmuseum

Then the two towers of the Rijksmuseum loom up in front of you. This museum has served as a national museum since the year 1800, after the French example. Designed by Pierre Cuypers, this is where the fresh-looking neo-gothic building houses the most famous museum in the Netherlands.

Heineken Experience

The next attraction is a favorite among foreign and domestic tourists, the Heineken Experience. On the Singelgracht you will find a modern and interactive museum about the world’s most famous beer brewer, with a surprising tasting at the end of the tour. The museum is Heineken’s first Amsterdam brewery, built in 1868.

Het Berlage Lyceum

At the next stop you can immediately go back to the school desks, because these monumental buildings have always housed secondary schools. Since 1967, the school has been called the Berlage Lyceum, named after the architect of our sailing route. Before that, the Spinozalyceum lived in it for an unknown number of years, before it moved to another location.

The Harbour Club

A nice change in all the historical, architectural violence is the Harbor Club South. This popular club houses a high class fish restaurant, bar and party location and is the place to be for the nouveau riche of the Netherlands. A perfect place to moor and have a drink.

Apollo Hotel Amsterdam

One of the most luxurious hotels in the city can be admired on this cruising route when you cruise up the Noorder Amstelkanaal, the Apollo Hotel. The large concrete block with the many glass is definitely a modernist landmark for the 1930s and was designed by architects Boeken and Zweedijk, together with the Apollohal sports hall.

Herman Gorterstraat

In this street there are a number of beautiful houses, which look out over the water. Modern buildings are interspersed with monumental houses with more historical awareness. Well-known architect Theo Lammers has designed a well-known monumental building in the style of the Amsterdam School.

Olympic Stadium

The last building along the route is the classic Olympic Stadium, built in 1927 for the Summer Olympics in 1928. The athletics stadium designed by Jan Wils still regularly hosts concerts, events and sporting events. A few businesses and a restaurant / bar are located in the edge of the building.