This combination offer saves you both time and money as you explore Amsterdam's scenery by a leisurely cruise along Amsterdam’s canals and discover the Jewish Cultural Quarter. It’s up to you to decide which activity to do first.
Be amazed by the 17th-century merchant houses of Amsterdam’s Canal Belt, and colorful barge boats that intrepid residents have converted into homes on a 75-minute canal cruise.
Then, you’ll enter old Amsterdam's Jewish neighborhood with its beautiful synagogues, striking buildings, and impressive monuments. At the heart of this historic neighborhood, you’ll find the Jewish Cultural Quarter. Visit the Jewish Museum with its engaging Jewish Museum junior, or admire the Portuguese Synagogue.
The National Holocaust Museum and National Holocaust Memorial (Hollandsche Schouwburg) are currently closed for reconstruction. Both locations are expected to re-open in 2023.
Any trip to Amsterdam should include a visit to the Jewish Museum. This museum, housed in four monumental synagogues, offers a unique look at Jewish life in the Netherlands past and present in all its complexity. The museum has a large multimedia collection ranging from paintings to films and from everyday objects to 3D presentations and always offers one or two temporary exhibitions.
In the centre of the Jewish Cultural Quarter stands the magnificent Portuguese Synagogue. The building is still used as a house of worship, but it is also open to the public, and concerts are held there regularly. The 17th-century interior is still fully intact and illuminated by hundreds of candles. The other buildings in the complex include treasure chambers where visitors can admire a unique collection of ceremonial objects made of silver, gold, silk and brocade.
Inside the Jewish Museum is another museum, just for children! It is set up as a Jewish family home with six rooms, where children aged 6 to 12 can play games that will teach them about Jewish culture – sometimes seriously and sometimes with humor. Children can bake rolls in the kosher kitchen, learn Hebrew in the study or make music together in the music room.
You will make your own way to the meeting points
The boats depart from Stadhouderskade 551, opposite the Heineken Experience (Amsterdam Canal Cruises ) and Stadhouderskade 501, opposite the Hard Rock Café (Blue Boat Company). Take Metro 51, 53, 54 from Waterlooplein (near the Jewish Cultural Quarter) to Weesperplein. Here you change to tram 7 or 19 in the direction of Slotermeer or Station Sloterdijk. For Stadhouderskade 551 get out at Frederiksplein. For Stadhouderskade 501 get out at Leidseplein. From here it's a 2 minute walk to the boat. Be sure to check the opening hours/days of the Portuguese Synagogue at https://jck.nl/en/page/opening-hours