Canals in Amsterdam

Did you know that Amsterdam has a larger river system and many more bridges than Venice? These features, which surprise many, have earned this iconic city the nickname “Venice of the North,” as it welcomed a record 21.7 million tourists in 2019.

While the canals are the main reason for its popularity, you can’t miss everything this city has to offer. You can check this through the best activities both on foot and by boat, or simply by participating in the free tour of Amsterdam, the least expensive way to get familiar with the city.

The Amsterdam Canal Ring

 

The capital of the Netherlands has a total of 165 canals, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most appreciated by both tourists and locals are, especially, those that form part of the semicircle surrounding the medieval center of the city.

The canal ring in Amsterdam, which is over 100 kilometers long, was constructed in the late 16th and early 17th centuries during the Dutch Golden Age, with the aim of creating a new port city that allowed for better transportation, effective water management, and more space for urban development.

Amsterdam is not the only city in the Netherlands that adopted a canal system. You will see them in many other Dutch cities like Utrecht, Delft, and in other places you can visit in the nearby towns of Amsterdam, such as Marken, Edam, and Volendam, for example.

Known locally as the Grachtengordel, literally meaning “canal belt,” this ensemble consists of 4 main canals surrounding the Singel, which are: 3 inner canals (Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht) and 1 outer canal, the Singelgracht.

The Grachtengordel gives the old town its iconic and captivating appearance. On a map, the canals, crossed by streets and bridges, make the city look like the lower half of a spider’s web. Others think it resembles half a bicycle wheel, which makes sense considering how important bicycles are in Amsterdam.

What to See in the Canal Ring

The Red Light District of Amsterdam

 

Sooner or later, you’ll realize that there are many places to see in Amsterdam. Two things you will undoubtedly do during your stay in the city are visiting the Red Light District, also known as De Wallen, and crossing some of its 1,281 bridges. Yes, that’s a lot!

One of the most important attractions is the Anne Frank House, dedicated to the famous Jewish wartime diarist, followed by the Canal Museum, the Willet-Holthuysen, and the Van Loon, as well as the Van Gogh Museum, where you can see the artist’s most incredible works.

The Anne Frank House Museum, located on Prinsengracht Canal

 

Other stops that should not be missed in your itinerary include the Westerkerk, the Oude Kerk, and the Nieuwe Kerk, three of the most beautiful churches in Amsterdam, as well as the Leidseplein, an area full of bars, restaurants, theaters, and fashion stores.

Another must-see stop in the canal ring is the Bloemenmarkt, a picturesque and iconic floating flower market. However, if you love flowers and want to be amazed by endless stretches of tulip fields, we recommend visiting Keukenhof Park every spring.

Moreover, if photography is your thing, you’ll have a great time. The neighborhoods of Jordaan and Oud Zuid, the Golden Bend of Herengracht, the Magere Bridge, and the shopping area of De Negen Straatjes are some places where you can capture the best photos of Amsterdam.

To make this experience even more complete, it’s best to book a guided walking tour of Amsterdam. If you want to have a specialized guide at your disposal to share the most interesting stories about the city, it’s worth not thinking about it twice.

The Curious Houses of Amsterdam

 

One of the greatest peculiarities of the canals in Amsterdam is related to the narrow and crooked houses that adorn them, which are so striking to tourists. In fact, the narrowest house in Amsterdam, located at Oude Hoogstraat 22, measures just 2.02 meters wide.

The narrow facades are part of the city’s iconic style. This originated in the 16th century when architects sought a way for citizens to evade tax payments. To compensate, the houses are quite tall and deep at the same time.

Several theories attempt to explain why most of them appear crooked, such as the deterioration of the wooden posts on which they were built. Some are even slightly tilted forward. They are quite a visual spectacle!

As if that weren’t enough, there are over 2,500 houseboats in Amsterdam that were constructed after World War II due to housing shortages. They have their own peculiarities, such as access via the water.

Boat Tour in Amsterdam

 

If we’re talking about a city whose history is intimately connected with water, it’s impossible to overlook the possibility of sailing through its canals. While all of them have their charm, the Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht are the prettiest to visit.

In addition to providing an impressive backdrop to the city’s historic center, most people who have floated through the canals in Amsterdam (both locals and tourists) agree that everything looks better from the water. Are you ready to discover it?

In that case, the most complete experience is the Amsterdam tour on foot, by bike, and by boat, a perfect alternative to see the city from three different perspectives.

 

But wait, there’s more! As Amsterdam is one of the most visited European capitals, there are also a variety of tours and activities you can do to make your experience much more memorable. If you want to know what they are, don’t forget to check them out.