I recently had the chance to stay in a houseboat in Amsterdam for four nights. The experience of living like a local for a few days was worth it, even though it came with a higher cost.
Amsterdam is famous for its canals, and many of them are home to houseboats. The Dutch have been living on boats for centuries, dating back to the 17th century. The Netherlands is known as a waterlogged country, with one-third of the land below sea level. There are approximately 10,000 houseboats in the Netherlands and about 2,500 of them are in Amsterdam. The cost of space in an Amsterdam canal without a boat is nearly $500,000 and houseboat prices have been steadily increasing in recent years.
During my trip to Amsterdam, I stayed in two different Airbnbs. The first was a traditional apartment on land which was nice but not very different from other Airbnbs I’ve stayed in before. My second stay was on a houseboat that cost around $700 per night after taxes and fees for cleaning and service. It was an entirely new experience for me as I had never slept on the water before. Although I was slightly nervous about getting seasick, the uniqueness of staying on a houseboat made any potential discomfort worth it.
Overall, staying in a houseboat in Amsterdam was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to immerse myself fully into the culture of the city while experiencing something truly unique. Despite the higher cost, I would recommend this option to anyone looking for an exceptional way to explore Amsterdam’s beautiful canals and rich history.
