Experience Amsterdam's authentic charm on board The Medicijnman houseboat, nestled in the old centre and offering a tranquil oasis amidst the city's best attractions. Enjoy spectacular views of old warehouses and boats passing by from the sundeck, while being within walking distance to Central Station, Dam Square, famous museums like Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum.
Reviews
9.69.6 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire house boat
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4756 sq ft
Popular amenities
Pool
Breakfast included
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Outdoor space
Add dates for prices
About this property
Beautiful houseboat in Amsterdam City Centre
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"
Property amenities
Beach
On the beach
Pool/Spa
Communal pool
Internet
Available in the accommodation: WiFi
Parking and transport
Limo/town car service
Car not required
Onsite parking options include a garage
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Dining
Free breakfast available
Chef service
Dining table
Bedrooms
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Sofa bed
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Living room
Entertainment
Books
DVD player
Stereo
Video library
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Barbecue grill
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Note from host: Please smoke outside
Services and conveniences
Housekeeping on request
Iron/ironing board
Meal delivery service
Location highlights
In a village
In the city centre
Near a health/beauty spa
Near a hospital
Near a zoo
Near the marina
On the waterfront
Things to do
Boat
Basketball nearby
Birdwatching nearby
Casino nearby
Ecotours nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Ice skating nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Sailing nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Snorkelling nearby
Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
Swimming nearby
Water skiing nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Windsurfing nearby
Winery tours nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
Flexible check-out available (contact host to arrange)
Special check-in instructions
The front desk hours vary at this property
Guests must contact the property for check-in information
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
Please respect my houseboat, my neighbors and the neighborhood.
My houseboat is not a hotel.
Pets
Pets not allowed
Note from host: pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Note from host: There are life vests available for young kids.
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Please smoke outside
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Special cancellation policies or charges may apply for group reservations (more than 8 rooms for the same property/stay dates)
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number secondary
We should mention
A car is not required for transport to and from this property
Frequently asked questions
Does Beautiful houseboat in Amsterdam City Centre have a pool?
Yes, this property has a pool.
Is Beautiful houseboat in Amsterdam City Centre pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Beautiful houseboat in Amsterdam City Centre?
On-site parking is available at the property.
Where is Beautiful houseboat in Amsterdam City Centre located?
Located in Amsterdam City Centre, this beachfront houseboat is in the city centre and within 1 mi (2 km) of ARTIS, Dam Square and Rembrandt Square. Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum are also within 2 miles (3 km). Artis Stop is only a 5-minute walk and Plantage Lepellaan Stop is 8 minutes.
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Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
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.
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
A la fois original et confortable, proche du centre historique, péniche trés bien équipée, accueil chaleureux. On recommande fortement.
Alexis G.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Wesley R.
17 May 2016
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!
Wesley R.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2016
Archival
8/10 Good
17 Aug 2013
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.