Amsterdam: VR Time-Travel Canal Cruise into the Golden Age｜Netherlands

Climb aboard a 17th-century VR history cruise and let the canals carry you through Amsterdam's past and present. Glide smoothly over the water as the city slips by at eye level, brickwork and window frames close enough to study, bridges arching overhead and reflections trembling in the canals.

With the onboard audio guide, every corner you pass gains a backstory, turning a beautiful view into a living timeline of the city’s rise and character. At selected spots, put on VR glasses and watch as the scenery around you changes in an instant.

Still seated in the same place, find yourself surrounded by Amsterdam in the 1650s: busy streets, ships and waterfront activity, as well as canal-side buildings reconstructed with historical precision. The animated moments are tied to your real position on the route, so when you lift the headset, you’re looking at the present-day canal. Compare what survived, what vanished, and what evolved right where it happened.

The experience includes around 15 minutes of VR delivered through 7 separate animations. Most of the cruise is enjoyed without the headset, so you can relax, take in the real city, and then “drop into” the past when the next VR chapter begins. Audio is available in Dutch, Spanish or English for both the VR experience and the onboard guide.