Beautiful houseboat in Amsterdam City Centre
4.8
Outstanding(5 Reviews)Docked boat in Amsterdam
4 guests · 1 bedroom · 1 bath
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Includes essentialsGarden, Pool, Kitchen or Kitchenette and more
Book with confidenceWe partner with the top travel sites so you know you're getting a great deal on the perfect rental
About this docked boat rental
We guarantee that this houseboat will give you the special and authentic Amsterdam experience, regardless of the purpose of your visit. The location beats everything - just around the corner from all the best places- museums and fine restaurants - but without the city sounds from The Dam and Leidse Square. The sundeck affords spectacular views of the old warehouses on the Entrepotdok (for which Amsterdam is famous) on one side, and boats passing on the other. The passersby envy those sitting on the sundeck of houseboat 'The Medicijnman'! Over a hundred years old and once a sailing boat (a Tjalk) The Medicijnman (Medicine Man) was transformed in the late 1950’s into a characterful houseboat. With many old features left in place, it gives you an enchanting feel of life on the water back then. It is located in the old centre of Amsterdam, in an oasis of tranquility,with Central Station, Dam Square, well known theatres (Theater Carré), famous museums (e.g. Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum), restaurants, and other cultural attractions within walking distance. Less than 2 minutes’ walk from Kadijk square, where there are many great restaurants, such as ‘A Tavola’, one of the best Italian restaurants in Amsterdam. The highest wooden windmill in The Netherlands, named ‘De Gooyer’, is next to the famous brewery, Het IJ, just around the corner and a must-see for real beer lovers. The interior of the houseboat is light and spacious and is well equipped with all modern facilities; central heating, a dishwasher, a bathtub, a washer and dryer, well equipped and stocked kitchen, etc. The bedroom has a queen size bed and four authentic portholes. The living room has panoramic windows, which let in a lot of light and give beautiful views just above water level. There is a very comfortable sofa bed which enables sleeping room for two extra guests, a big dining table and a charming open kitchen. The bathroom has a washbasin and a bathtub with shower attachment plus a washer and dryer. The position of the boat ensures that you will be able to enjoy both sunny breakfasts on the deck in the early morning, and spectacular sunsets in the evening. Keywords: Great location, ideal for museums, good restaurants, shopping and night life but also an oasis of peace. The roof terrace is very sunny and if you like water birds, you can feed them from outside the windows. A short walk to the Red Light district, Waterloo square and flea market and the Portuguese Synagogue. Some highlight of the reviews: - Loved it! "My daughter, 5-year old granddaughter and I stayed for 3 days and each day fell more in love with the houseboat and location. Martyn was a delight. The houseboat is charming and ever-so comfortable and well-stocked. The location is exceptional, from the quiet peaceful neighborhood, to being right across from the zebras and elephants, to the ease of walking wherever we wanted to go. What a treat! Thank you!!" - Living the Dream in Amsterdam "Spent a weekend at this cozy, comfortable houseboat. It could not have been more perfect for two people. Location was sublime; would love to visit again in summertime and spend evenings relaxing on the deck and watching the zoo animals across the canal." - Best place ever "amazing houseboat on a perfect location." - Uniquely beautiful and peaceful place to stay "This by far was the most unique and our favorite… We felt very safe on the houseboat and the street is quiet. It's a great location and we walked the whole city from there. The boat itself has everything and a very nice bathroom. Good water pressure and we were able to wash and dry our clothes… I would love to go back again and spend more time on the boat." - Nice, quiet neighborhood & well-appointed houseboat "My husband, two boys (13 & 10), and I recently spent four nights on the houseboat. We thoroughly enjoyed it. The neighborhood is nice and quiet, but we were still able to walk to anywhere we wanted to see in the main part of Amsterdam. The houseboat has everything you could need, and there is a grocery store about a 10-minute walk away." - What a jewel! "Last stop on a month long holiday and we saved one of the best for last. Peace lives here. Sitting on the deck with your favorite drink, a good book and a gorgeous sunset. Watching the canal cruisers go by. The boat is beautifully appointed, very comfortable and perfectly located both for walking and public transport." - Great place to stay! "Very comfortable, well-equipped houseboat. Best part is the location. Directly across from zoo and can see and hear the animals. Quiet and safe neighborhood with plenty of stores and restaurants. Short and easy walk to NEMO, waterfront and Central Amsterdam. Owner is very nice, helpful and accommodating." - Tres bon sejour sur la peniche "Peniche tres bien equipée, sejour depaysant. Cadre tres agreable en face du zoo, bien qu'un peu excentré. Caty est tres attentionnée et serviable." - Sehr schönes Hausboot super gelegen tolle Vermieter ... wir kommen wieder "Alles in allem ein tolles Objekt. Sehr zu empfehlen, super Lage und sehr nette Vermieter"
Amenities
Pool
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Dishwasher
Garden
Map of Amsterdam
Nearby attractions
Reviews
4.8
Outstanding(5 Reviews)4.8
Wonderful experience. Martyn was very hospitable. The location is quiet and across from the zoo. Waking up to elephants and zebras was incredible. We enjoyed a nice hit tea on top of the boat in the mornings while we watched boaters and swimmers come by. We truly enjoyed this property and it’s fully stocked kitchen supplies.
4.8
Péniche Entrepotdok
Experience originale
Accueil du propriétaire impeccable.
Situation correcte à 15min à pied du centre d’amsterdam
Il y a tout le nécessaire à bord, literie satisfaisante. A noter garage à côté de la peniche
4.8
Excellent séjour
A la fois original et confortable, proche du centre historique, péniche trés bien équipée, accueil chaleureux. On recommande fortement.
4.8
We enjoyed staying in “The Medicine Man”. What a beautiful boat! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our mornings looking across the canal to the zoo. Onr morning we were treated to a mother swan and her babies to our kitchen window to be fed with bread treats! It was delightful to see the elephants and giraffes in the morning. In the evening, it was a welcome respite for two tired tourists! Caty checked us in when we arrived, and graciously showed us the boat amenities. It was located on a beautiful street, close to the tram stops and a nice grocery store. It was in a great location, accessible to the inner-city, but quiet. Kitchen was stocked with everything you need, and the bathroom was comfortable, and the bathtub is a luxury on a boat! The bed was soft and we slept well. Highly recommend for those looking for something different and adventurous! Many thanks to out hosts for sharing this with us! Many memories!
4.8
We can not imagine a better spot for a houseboat !! Views of Giraffes, zebras and the new baby elephant and family . And fascinating watching the tour boats and tourists coming around to look at the zoo... GREAT spot and very handy for Supermarket and trams. Boat is very cosy and well equipped. Enjoyed our stay very much
4.8
Very comfortable, well-equipped houseboat. Best part is the location. Directly across from zoo and can see and hear the animals. Quiet and safe neighborhood with plenty of stores and restaurants. Short and easy walk to NEMO, waterfront and Central Amsterdam. Owner is very nice, helpful and accommodating.
4.8
Well maintained old boat in a nice residential area next to the Amsterdam zoo so we had a great view! Loved the top deck with a table, chairs and a bench. The owner was very accommodating and gave us all kinds of great info. She even offered to arrange transportation for us! She has gorgeous flowers and plants all over which adds a nice touch. Loved the experience of staying on a houseboat!
4.8
We loved the novelty of looking across the canal to see elephants, zebras & giraffes, hearing them and assorted other animals everyday and some nights. It was lovely to sit on the roof of Martyn’s Houseboat on the long summer nights watching and waving at others boating by. Many slowed to glimpse the animals. The street, lined with converted warehouses, was lively but not crowded as many more well known neighborhoods in Amsterdam have become.Tables at the canal side cafe nearby were always full, so we had to walk a bit farther (in either direction)to find restaurants and trams. The houseboat was very comfortable for two & would be ok with a child or two, but we think more adults, sleeping in the one main room on a pullout would be too cozy for more than a night or two. We appreciated the basic cooking ingredients left, flowers and generous supplies.We enjoyed being there so much that we extended our stay as long as we could! Thanks Martin & Caty.
4.8
We were very much looking to living on a canal during our Amsterdam visit. We chose this houseboat because of its location and the reviews. We could not have been happier. Caty arranged for the limo into the city and met us at the houseboat. We got a thorough indoctrination. Pay attention to her instructions on the clothes washer. It worked fine but is unfamiliar. We felt very comfortable inside and up on the deck. It was a treat to see all the zoo animals and to hear the elephants and the lions in the morning. We walked to the tram stops and and many nearby restaurants. It was a great stay.
4.8
This quaint houseboat is perfectly situated across from the zoo and is well appointed. The check in and checkout is easy and we had great face-to-face experiences with the owner and the boats neighbor who may help with check in. Highly recommended.
4.8
We loved this experience. It was a wonderful way to truly experience Amsterdam lifestyles. We spent the evenings on the upper deck watching the zoo animals and the canal cruises.
4.8
Nice experience
4.8
What a delightful place to call home for our three days in Amsterdam. My husband and I couldnt get over how peaceful the location was while being convenient to everything we wanted to do while in Amsterdam. It was very well appointed for a family stay - we were able to cook dinner in a couple of nights (which is often much easier when traveling w/ a jet-lagged preschooler - the kitchen is well appointed with the basics; and the grocery is an easy walk from the houseboat.) And what a pure delight it was to hear the elephants trumpet and a lion roar while we played cards at the dining table. I truly hope that we can return for another stay sometime in the future - we wont soon forget what a delightful time we had here.
4.8
perfect location! excellent owners!
We enjoyed staying at this beautiful houseboat at the end of March for a week. With 3 kids (12,9,7) we gave them the bedroom with the HUGE bed and my wife and I took the sofa sleeper. We loved the experience of living on a canal with the Artis Zoo directly across the water. The neighborhood is very quiet with excellent resteraunts, bus/tram access and a great grocery store a block of two away. Everything we needed was included with the gorgeous boat and the owner and his mother were excellent to deal with! We would definitely stay here again!
4.8
From the details of our booking, to arranging for someone to pick us up at the airport, to a warm welcome on this beautifully restored historic boat a quiet canal near the center of Amsterdam our host, Martyn, his mother Caty, and their assistant Caroline, were helpful, hospitable, and thoughtful in every way. Staying on the Medicijn Man is a wonderful way to experience Amsterdam like a local. Public transportation, restaurants, and shops are close by yet the neighborhood is tranquil and quiet. Having the zoo on the other side of the canal provided unexpected entertainment. This boat is a wonderful place to stay if you plan to visit Amsterdam.
4.8
This trip makes our second to have stayed on The Medicijn Man. It was as wonderful as the first. We run a small luxury hotel and restaurant and have stayed in some very nice places. Amsterdam is becoming a favorite. The city is charming and there is much to see and do. The boat is a great place to have as your home away from home. It is furnished with everything one could need for cooking or just being at home. There are Dvds and a dock so you can listen to your music from your phone or Ipod. There are games and even a hot water bottle! I used it when my stomach wasnt feeling well. I liked it so much my husband bought me one when we arrived back home. haha!The animals across the canal make it an adventure and feeding the swans and ducks was as much fun the second time around as well. I did find out that feeding them crackers and bread wasnt that healthy for them so we got them some spinach and grapes and they loved it. The grapes can sink though so be careful with them. They have to be close to where you throw them. Just google what should they eat and it will give you some new ideas for what to feed them. We just love the Medicijn Man and cant say enough about Martyn and his mom Caty. They really are good at this hospitality thing and they will go above and beyond to make your time spent in their piece of the world a wonderful and memorable experience. You wont be disappointed if you stay on the Medicijn Man. I left each time with a relaxed sense of being and just about had the time of my life each time I stayed in this lovely place. Martyn and Caty do a lovely job. Do yourself a favor, forget about the hotels and cookie cutter experience and try something different. You will like it!
4.8
The interior was spotless, the welcome wonderful, the facilities were all we needed. We were right across from the zoo and we had as our neighbors giraffes and zebras. Perfect for 2people. Good to have a car but a taxi is ok too and trams easy to reach
4.8
A beacon of tranquility a stones throw from the center. This accommodation had everything we wanted. Compliments to the attention to detail. Nothing like staying on the water in Amsterdam. Hope to be back soon!
4.8
Staying on a houseboat in Amsterdam is the only way to go and this rental is really well located. Its across from the Zoo and we had coffee on the deck and watched Zebras and Giraffes. Its a really romantic view of the canal, the nice houses along the sidewalk, the ducks in the canal...so I proposed to my girlfriend with the sun going down and the owner arranged to have a dozen roses hidden in the boat for me upon arrival. Nice service. We stayed 5 days and a short walk to central tourist places and a short walk to Vondelpark for a picnic. Definitely recommend!
4.8
We stayed in this houseboat for a weekend and absolutely loved it! Where else can you live in a boat, attend the Van Gogh museum at night, have world famous war fries, drink tasty beer and and then wake up to see giraffes and zebras across from you? Only in Amsterdam! (The boat is across from the zoo away from the touristy areas and located in a really cool, quiet neighborhood.) When we think of our weekend there, the accommodations will be near the top of our list.Perhaps most importantly, wed like to thank the owners, their family and their friend up the street for their extremely generous hospitality. Whether it was waiting around for us because we were drastically late to meet them at check in, helpfulness in organizing trips to museums, etc, and even giving us a ride in the rain to the train station, we felt like we had been taken in by really cool family. Are you going to get that from a hotel or another houseboat? Probably not. Well never stay anywhere else in there.
4.8
My friend and I were just looking for a nice place to really relax in city where we both really like to party! Luckily, this boat provided so much warmth and comfort (even during a CRAZY wind storm), that we spent majority of our time relaxing on the deck watching the zoo animals (yes, its directly across from zebras and giraffes), or spending hours cooking and just hanging out. Theres a grocery store just a 10 min or less walk. And if you do go out and get smashed and forget the address, just have the cab driver drop you off at the zoo and you can find your way back from there! Overall, best vacation rental and I plan on renting again.
4.8
We loved our stay on this beautiful boat. We were greeted, shown around the boat and given great advice on what to see and services available in the neighborhood. Its peaceful but fun with ducks swimming by and a good view of the giraffes and birds that gather around the zoo. We enjoyed the 15 minute walk to the center; its a great way to see things off the tourist route.
4.8
Stayed there will my wife and adult daughter, lots of room for all...Much better price then renting suite or 2 rooms in hotel. Excellent location, easy to get to anywhere, very quite and peaceful for sleeping. Owner and this mother are great at communicating, explaining any questions you have. Upon arrival Carolien was there to show us everything we needed to know about the houseboat, very helpful. There are numerous restaurants in the immediate area that are very good, but you must try A Tavola, some of the best Italian food I have had. I would highly recommend this property and would stay there myself if I were to visit Amsterdam again.... Ted Paluch
4.8
We absolutely loved our time on the Medicijan Man! It's in a quiet location, but still close enough to the main city centre areas. We enjoyed playing cards on the deck, waving to all the folks cruising the canal and watching the giraffes and zebras across the canal at the zoo. A true Amsterdam experience. Everything was wonderful on the boat and we'd certainly stay there again if we ever make it back to Amerstdam.
4.8
The only way to stay in Amsterdam!
We absolutely loved our time on the Medicijan Man! It's in a quiet location, but still close enough to the main city centre areas. We enjoyed playing cards on the deck, waving to all the folks cruising the canal and watching the giraffes and zebras across the canal at the zoo. A true Amsterdam experience. Everything was wonderful on the boat and we'd certainly stay there again if we ever make it back to Amerstdam.
4.8
We absolutely loved our time on the Medicijan Man! It's in a quiet location, but still close enough to the main city centre areas. We enjoyed playing cards on the deck, waving to all the folks cruising the canal and watching the giraffes and zebras across the canal at the zoo. A true Amsterdam experience. Everything was wonderful on the boat and we'd certainly stay there again if we ever make it back to Amerstdam.
FAQs
How much does this docked boat cost compared to others in Amsterdam?
The average price for a rental in Amsterdam is $124 per night. This rental is $887 above the average.
Is parking included with this docked boat?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Beautiful houseboat in Amsterdam City Centre. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this docked boat?
Yes, a swimming pool is available for use at Beautiful houseboat in Amsterdam City Centre. Enjoy the water!
Is Beautiful houseboat in Amsterdam City Centre pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this docked boat is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Beautiful houseboat in Amsterdam City Centre?
We found 8 amenities for this rental. This includes pool, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, parking, and laundry.
Explore similar vacation rentals in Amsterdam
Explore all rentals in AmsterdamAmsterdam travel inspiration
Read our blogGuides
10 Best Solo Travel Destinations
Research
How to Avoid “Tourist Traps” in the Most Popular Cities
Guides
Pride Month Events: Where to Travel for Pride Celebrations
Guides
Amazing World Destinations for Singles Adventure Travel