Floating in Luxury: My Unique Experience on an Amsterdam Houseboat

During my recent trip to Amsterdam, I had the unique opportunity to stay in a houseboat for four nights. The cost of this experience was $2,802.55 after taxes and fees, which equaled approximately $700 per night on Airbnb. Although it was on the pricier side, the chance to live like a local for a few days was definitely worth it.

Amsterdam is famous for its canals, and many of them are home to houseboats. The Dutch have a long history of living on boats, dating back to the 17th century. The Netherlands is a waterlogged country with one-third of the land below sea level. There are about 10,000 houseboats in the Netherlands and 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.

My 10-day trip to Amsterdam included two different Airbnbs. The first was a traditional apartment on land which was nice but not particularly different from other Airbnbs I’ve stayed in before. However, my second accommodation was an entirely new experience for me – a houseboat that cost around $700 per night after taxes, cleaning and service fees. It was my first time ever sleeping on water and I must admit that I was a little nervous about getting seasick but the uniqueness of staying on a houseboat far outweighed any potential discomfort.

Staying in a houseboat in Amsterdam turned out to be an unforgettable experience for me as it allowed me to immerse myself fully into the culture of the city while living like a local resident. Even though it came at a higher price than some other accommodations options, I would highly recommend anyone looking for an unique way to experience Amsterdam to consider staying on a houseboat – it’s truly an unforgettable adventure!