A complete SAIL Amsterdam 2025 guide
It’s unusual for me to write an article about something that hasn’t happened yet, but SAIL Amsterdam only happens once every five years: best to be prepared! And this time, it hasn’t happened in 10 years because the 2020 edition was cancelled.
The 2025 edition of SAIL Amsterdam celebrates both the 750th anniversary of the city of Amsterdam and the 10th edition of this event. Here’s your complete SAIL Amsterdam 2025 guide, but in the form of a work in progress. I promise to keep updating as the event nears.
SAIL Amsterdam 2025 is scheduled for August 20-24, 2025.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission. This will not affect your price.
What is SAIL Amsterdam?
Sail Amsterdam is a massive gathering of ships, from tall ships to little more than rowboats, in the port of Amsterdam. The first was in 1975, which makes this next one the 10th edition.
When is SAIL Amsterdam?
August 20 to August 24, 2025. Don’t miss the “sail-in” on August 20. While the time hasn’t been announced yet, it’ll probably start at 9:00. The “sail-out” on August 24 will probably start at 14:00. You’ll get to see at least some of the tall ships under sail!
What sorts of ships can you see?
Examples of pretty much anything that sails, many of them restored or replica historical ships, are planning to come to SAIL Amsterdam from all over the world. There will be more than 800 ships, all told.
Tall ships
The main attractions of SAIL Amsterdam are the tall ships, including many three-masted and four-masted ships. For the one planned in 2020, 57 tall ships were expected to attend and it should be a similar number this time – at the moment (September 29, 2024), 50 tall ships are listed on their website, but that number may grow. Barks, schooners, brigantines, frigates: you name it, they’ll be there. (If you know the differences among all these types of tall ships, you should definitely be there too!). As of September 29, 2024, the website lists 184 ships in total, but promises 800+.
Marine ships
These are operated by the navies of various countries. I would categorize some of them as tall ships as well.
Dutch fleet
More than 80 boats from within the Netherlands are likely to attend, though 21 are currently listed on their website (as of September 29, 2024). These range from clippers and schooners to very modest historical fishing boats. A few non-sailboats will also be represented: look for tugboats and steamboats, for example.
What isn’t included on the organizer’s official lists is all the other boats that show up. If you go, you’ll see the water just covered with small motorboats carrying visitors to see the festival from the water.
What can you do at SAIL Amsterdam?
See lots of ships
The main thing is just to see the ships. Walk along the wharf and admire the sight of these elegant structures, some of which might have their sails rigged. You might be able to spot sailors high in the rigging as well.
Try to visualize sailing across an ocean in one of these, passing through storms, living off what you could bring along, and having no recourse to call for help via modern communications equipment. I’m in awe of the bravery of people who made their living on ships like this. Of course, they all have modern equipment these days.
Also make sure to notice details on the tall ships. I enjoyed seeing the figureheads from so close up.
Tour the ships
Some of the ships will allow visitors to board; some won’t. You could easily spend all day – I did at the last one in 2015 – and not see all the ships and not have time to board all of the ones that allow it. Each ship has sailors posted, ready to answer questions.
Take a free ferry ride
In the 2015 edition of SAIL Amsterdam, I took a ferry ride across the IJ and back. These are regular ferries that shuttle back and forth normally anyway, and they continue to do so during SAIL Amsterdam. The trip only takes a few minutes, but it’s free and gives you a different perspective on the event.
I was amazed that the ferry managed to cross without hitting any of the small private boats swarming over the water. Or maybe it’s the other way around, and I should say it was amazing that none of those little boats hit us.
If you take the ferry across, expect to wait a bit, since the crowds are big. When you get to the other side, you have to get off even if you intend to take the return trip right away. Disembark and then just join the crowd waiting to board again.
Take a paid boat ride
Another option is to take one of the official sail or motorboat rides on offer, for a price. Click on this link to see the tickets that are already listed: a canal tour boat (rondvaartboot) or an open boat (sloep). I’ve booked a sloep so I can get better pictures. The risk, of course, is that it might rain.
If you’re traveling with a group of 8 people or more, you can book a group arrangement on the SAIL website. They’re described as business arrangements, but any group can book them. Be warned: they’re pricey!
Other companies may also offer paid boat rides, and I’ll post them here when they publish their offers.
Entertainment
If it’s anything like the 2015 edition, you’ll find musical groups performing, demonstrations, exhibits, and so on as you wander by the ships. When I get more information, I’ll add it here.
If you’re planning a trip to SAIL Amsterdam in August 2025, check out my series on small museums and other sights to see in Amsterdam!
How much does it cost?
Sail Amsterdam is free. Of course, you might end up spending money for things like food or a boat ride, but there is no admission charge. How could they possibly charge admission to an event that covers such a large area of land and water?
If you’ll be seeing lots of the Amsterdam sights while you’re there, you might want to consider buying a GoCity card, which covers entrance to lots of museums, entertainment, and experiences. It could save you significant money.
Where is SAIL Amsterdam?
Since there are hundreds of boats involved, some of them quite large ocean-going schooners, the festival covers a lot of ground – or, rather, water. If you arrive at Amsterdam Central Station, exit the station on the IJ river side (Signs read “IJ-zijde”.). You’ll see the ships from there, and walking along the IJ to the right will take you to the busiest part of the event.
Where should you stay?
Public transportation is excellent in Amsterdam. You can book a room through this link and be near a tram or metro or bus pretty much anywhere. Just make sure to read the small print about your chosen hotel to find out how far it is from the nearest tram or metro stop. Or choose from the map below.
If you can afford it, the best view, I think, will be from the Movenpick Hotel, right on the river IJ.
Note: Much as I am a fan of Airbnb, it has become a problem in Amsterdam. The city government limits how many weeks a year owners can rent rooms, and they do check, so I’d recommend avoiding it for now. You just might end up losing the room at the last minute.
Some advice
SAIL Amsterdam is very crowded, both on the ground and on the water, with more than two million people expected over the five days. What I love about it is that it isn’t really directed at tourists; it’s a local event and everyone comes out for it. Yet at the same time, it’s international in that the ships themselves sail to Amsterdam from all around the world. Just be prepared for crowds!
- Bring a bottle of water, especially if it turns out to be a hot day.
- Apply sun lotion, even if it’s not sunny. You’ll be outside all day.
- Bring an umbrella; the weather in the Netherlands can change on a dime.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Watch out for pickpockets; the crowds get very dense. Wear your bag in front and don’t put anything of value in back pockets.
- Be aware of your surroundings, especially when you’re standing next to the edge of the dock. You don’t want to get jostled and end up in the water!
- If you’re going to want to take a boat ride other than the free ferry, book it ahead. As more companies offer boat rides, I’ll update this article to include a list of links.
- Accessibility: The riverside on both banks is generally wheelchair accessible. However, most, perhaps all, of the boats are not.
Note: I got much of this information from the SAIL Amsterdam site and from my own memory and photos from 2015. I will continue to add to this article as more information is released.
See you there!
If you have any questions I haven’t answered here, please add them below in the comments and I’ll do my best to find the answers for you!
(Last updated September 29, 2024)
My travel recommendations
Planning travel
- Skyscanner is where I always start my flight searches.
- Booking.com is the company I use most for finding accommodations. If you prefer, Expedia offers more or less the same.
- Discover Cars offers an easy way to compare prices from all of the major car-rental companies in one place.
- Use Viator or GetYourGuide to find walking tours, day tours, airport pickups, city cards, tickets and whatever else you need at your destination.
- Bookmundi is great when you’re looking for a longer tour of a few days to a few weeks, private or with a group, pretty much anywhere in the world. Lots of different tour companies list their tours here, so you can comparison shop.
- GetTransfer is the place to book your airport-to-hotel transfers (and vice-versa). It’s so reassuring to have this all set up and paid for ahead of time, rather than having to make decisions after a long, tiring flight!
- Buy a GoCity Pass when you’re planning to do a lot of sightseeing on a city trip. It can save you a lot on admissions to museums and other attractions in big cities like New York and Amsterdam.
Other travel-related items
- It’s really awkward to have to rely on WIFI when you travel overseas. I’ve tried several e-sim cards, and GigSky’s e-sim was the one that was easiest to activate and use. You buy it through their app and activate it when you need it. Use the code RACHEL10 to get a 10% discount!
- I’m a fan of SCOTTeVEST’s jackets and vests because when I wear one, I don’t have to carry a handbag. I feel like all my stuff is safer when I travel because it’s in inside pockets close to my body.
- I use ExpressVPN on my phone and laptop when I travel. It keeps me safe from hackers when I use public or hotel wifi.
Rachel Heller is a writer living in Groningen, the Netherlands. She is the owner and primary author of this website, Rachel’s Ruminations, a travel blog focused on independent travel with an emphasis on cultural and historical sites/sights. Read more here about her and about this website. All photos in her articles are her own, unless otherwise specified. Rachel also owns and operates a website about UNESCO site travel.
Incredible photos, looking at them, I kind of was there. Thanks for this opportunity! I’m impressed!
I just saw this. Think I need to come visit you and attend this. I’ve been to a little one in Duluth and it was so much fun, but this would be just incredible. Let’s talk later this winter/spring.
Sure. Plenty of time, since it’s not till 2025.
Which are the best hotels to stay in to see the tall ships from?
I haven’t stayed in any hotels that overlook SAIL Amsterdam, but my best guess is that the Movenpick would have the best view – ask for a view of the IJ when you book. I think the Hotel Jakarta Amsterdam might also have a good view.
And I’d like to add that it’s very wise of you to be looking into booking a place so far in advance!
Hello Rachel. How do we convert to English on the Sail Amsterdam site?
Good question! It’s only in Dutch, but I use Google Translate. If you are searching on Chrome or Edge or maybe some other browsers, you can install an extension for Google Translate. Then you don’t have to cut and paste – you just click on it to translate the page. I use it all the time – not for Dutch but for every other language!