Sail Amsterdam 2025 kicks off with hundreds of historic ships

Hundreds of historic ships sailed toward Amsterdam on Wednesday to kick off Sail Amsterdam 2025, a five-day festival that celebrates the city’s maritime heritage and its 750th birthday. The flotilla began in IJmuiden, then wound its way up the North Sea Canal into Amsterdam’s IJ river, signaling the first edition of the event in a decade. A replica three-masted clipper, Stad Amsterdam, led the procession, and the opening included orange smoke, ship horns, cannon salutes, and the playing of national anthems as each vessel entered the harbor.

The parade showcased vessels from around the world, with a wide mix of naval training ships, steamers, sailing heritage craft, and a broad array of recreational craft filling the waterways. Organizers describe Sail Amsterdam as the world’s largest nautical event, held every five years to celebrate Amsterdam’s seafaring past. The ships will remain in the city through the weekend, many open to visitors, with a closing sea parade planned for Sunday.

This year’s event is notable for its timing and scope. It marks the tenth edition of Sail Amsterdam, the first since 2015, and serves as part of Amsterdam’s broader celebration of its 750th...