From “tall ships” to tattoos, five days of Amsterdam’s Sail festival begin on Wednesday with a parade of heritage vessels from all corners of the globe.

The 10^th festival, under the banner “united by waves”, is expected to draw more than two million visitors to admire the 10km long Sail-In procession from Zeesluis IJmuiden to Amsterdam on Wednesday, explore the boats and watch evening light shows, cultural and musical events.

“In principle, it’s the biggest freely accessible event in Europe,” said spokeswoman Marije Harmsen.

The boats – including four vessels from the Dutch navy – will be moored around Amsterdam’s harbours to visit on foot, but there are also options to pay for tours by sea, catered events and ride your own vessel around the traditional sailing ships.

There are expected to be 650 historic ships from more than 20 countries, including 40 so-called “tall ships”, traditionally-rigged sailing ships. Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema is expected to arrive aboard the Dutch-built Clipper Stad Amsterdam, a 76 metre long ship inspired by the 1869 Cutty Sark.

King Willem-Alexander, meanwhile, was aboard family boat De Groene Draeck, coming in from Monnickendam with former comrades from his time in the marines forty years ago, according to the royal Instagram account.

Although the Financieele Dagblad reported earlier this month that some shipping companies have sold fewer corporate tickets than they had expected – with high prices blamed P– Chris Janssen of Sail said that firms that began earlier with ticket sales have sold out.

The festival last took place in 2015 and this year claims to be more sustainable than ever, with an “academy” for students, kids’ club, plus discussions around Dutch maritime history and its darker aspects such as slavery.

For those who want a more lasting memory of the visiting seafarers, there is even a Sail 2025 tattoo.

The parade is being broadcast by NOS