13 Best Canals in Amsterdam You Need to See
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Written by Kyle Kroeger
There’s no doubt that Amsterdam is a city best explored by boat. The canals wind through the historic city, providing picturesque scenes at every turn. Here are the best canals in Amsterdam that you need to see on your next visit.
The capital of the Netherlands is a prominent stop during any European tour. The spot is famous for its tulips, islands, 1500 bridges, and grachten—the Dutch word for canals. Amsterdam is full of them, and they’ve played an important role in the city’s history.
On these famous canal tours, tourists can immerse themselves in the city’s past and learn about the importance of these manmade bodies of water.
However, the canals are just one piece of the extraordinary and impressive array of waterways that this city has to offer. We’ll be exploring Amsterdam’s famous canals, channels, and the majestic Amstel River, as seen through one of the city’s famous canal cruise tours and on foot.
These canals of Amsterdam cannot be missed during your visit to this city; they are sights you won’t easily find in other cities worldwide.
Amsterdam Canal Cruise Tours
If you’ve never toured the canal belt on the water, an Amsterdam canal tour is necessary. Viator and GetYourGuide offer dozens of tour options, and you can easily take a group or private boat tour.
There is something about seeing the most beautiful canals of Amsterdam from a boat that is truly a different perspective than walking on foot. Canal cruise tours are among the best tours to enjoy in Amsterdam. Watch out for the canal cruise tour we took from the ViaTravelers YouTube channel.
Best Amsterdam Canals to Visit
1. Singel
The Singel is the city’s innermost canal. Its existence dates back to medieval times, and it was used as a moat between 1480 and 1585 as Amsterdam expanded. This body of water flows from Ij Bay, near Centraal Station, to Muntplein Square, which connects to the Amstel River.
Many people mistake it for the Singelgratch, but that’s a different canal that was built during the Golden Age to serve as a border. Now you know! To make it more confusing, plenty of other canals named Singel exist in the Netherlands. After all, the word “Singel” describes ring-shaped canals surrounding a specific region.
But when people talk about the famous Singel, they most likely refer to this historical canal within the city’s famous canal ring. As mentioned before, as opposed to Singel’s defense purposes, the other three main canals were developed for residential purposes. Singel is also near to some of the best family hotels in Amsterdam.
2. Herengracht
Among all of Amsterdam’s canals, the Herengracht is hands down the most luxurious one. It’s also known as the Gentlemen’s Canal, named after the Heren Regeerders who governed the city between the 16th and 17th Centuries.
According to legend, early settlers were encouraged to buy two lots of property, which is why properties in this region are so big. Apart from their size, they stand out due to their beautiful facades and accessible gardens, which are occasionally open to the public. And if you thought it couldn’t get any more prestigious than this, wait until you make it to the curve near the Nieuwe Spiegelstraat!
This is where the richest citizens used to live, and that’s why this part of the canal is known as the Golden Bocht (or Golden Bend), where residents own double-wide mansions and other prestigious properties that will easily catch your eye.
Among the outstanding past residents of this neighborhood are Samuel Sarphati, who lived at the 598 house, and Peter the Great (yes, Peter the Great), who stayed at 527 during his second visit to the city. But luxury living isn’t all there’s to see in the city. Two other main canals offer different settings.
See Related: Amsterdam Packing List: What to Bring on Your Trip
3. Keizersgracht
If you plan to fly to Amsterdam, this canal is among the best to marvel at. There’s also the Keizersgracht, the second and widest of the three major canals, between Herengracht and Prinsengracht.
This one was named after Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, and it’s famous for its historical buildings, such as the Keizersgracht Cathedral and the Museum Van Loon. At first, this canal was supposed to be a street with no water. But this canal became necessary when rich people used boats to get to their homes.
Keizersgracht has been the scene of many cultural and historical events. When ice forms during winter in Amsterdam, the canal can be used for ice skating—an ideal winter activity. Occasionally, there’s been a sprint skating race, in which winners may call themselves the Keizer or Keizerin of Amsterdam, a title worth respect.
Some of the famous icons who’ve stayed around this canal are American statesman John Adams, who stayed at the 529 house (a couple of doors down from old Peter), and Daniel Fahrenheit, who stayed at 463-465 when he first visited the city in the late 1600s.
See Related: Things Amsterdam is Famous For
4. Prinsengracht
Lastly, as the fourth and longest of the main canals, we have Prinsengracht (or Prince’s Canal). This one was named after William III, Prince of Orange, and most of the houses you’ll see here were built during the Dutch Golden Age of the United Provinces.
This canal is surrounded by many monumental buildings, such as a crow-stepped gable, The Palace of Justice, the Nooderkerk or Northern Church, the famous Anne Frank House, and the Westerkerk, Amsterdam’s tallest church.
Each year, the Prinsengrachtconcert is held in front of Hotel Pulitzer, making this canal an ultimate destination for lovers of art and culture. You can book at Hotel Pulitzer if you plan to stay longer by the area at Booking.com to get the best deals.
This is a great canal, with many houseboats to gawk at and the iconic Nine Streets district for shopping and exploring. It’s a great side trip if you want to buy Amsterdam souvenirs.
Want to know what this epic canal is like? Watch us walk along this canal during a beautiful rain shower in the summer in Amsterdam.
5. Oudezijds Voorburgwal
Another canal is the Oudezijds Voorburgwal, created as the city moat. It’s best known as the home of Amsterdam’s Red Light District, and as such, it’s filled with cafes and bars where you can watch all kinds of entertainment, but it is also best known for being created as a city moat.
It’s a great destination to enjoy delicious food and slurp superb Dutch beer in Amsterdam. It is filled with cafes and bars where you can watch all kinds of entertainment. The Oudezijds Voorburgwal is one of the best canals in Amsterdam.
It’s only about 400 meters in length but is by far one of my personal favorites as it’s the heartbeat of the canal system with significant history, lined with beautiful architecture (including the Het Wapen van Riga and the Oude Kerk), and has a thumping nightlife.
There are also plenty of Amsterdam museums and other attractions in this area, such as the Our Lord in the Attic Museum, a hidden Catholic church established when practicing Catholicism was prohibited in Amsterdam.
See Related: Best Food Tours in Amsterdam
6. Zwanenburgwal
The Zwanenburgwal is a beautiful canal in Amsterdam. From a local perspective, visiting the canal is one of the top things to do in Amsterdam. This canal is best known for its association with the textile industry, as this is where painter Rembrandt and philosopher Spinoza used to live.
Residents have voted the Zwanenburgwal one of the most beautiful streets in Amsterdam. The Zwanenburgwal owes its historic beauty to its construction in 1610, making it one of the oldest canals in Amsterdam.
This canal was named after the Zwanenburg Castle, located close to where it now stands. The castle was destroyed during a siege in 1573, but the canal’s name still pays tribute to it.
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7. Brouwersgracht
The Brouwersgracht is a canal in the city center of Amsterdam. This canal is famous for its former warehouses, which are now some of the most expensive apartments in Amsterdam.
The Brouwersgracht is also one of the best canals in Amsterdam because it is so picturesque and beautiful. If you don’t feel like a canal tour, biking across this part of Amsterdam is the best way to explore the place.
Many beautiful houses and boats are on both sides of the canal, and the streets surrounding it are quite small. The motor traffic is light, and many beautiful oak trees straddle the river, making it perfect for walks.
8. Kloveniersburgwal
Kloveniersburgwal is another one of the best canals in Amsterdam. It was part of the city’s first defense line and is now home to the Royal Netherland Academy of the Arts and Sciences.
A wonderful sight to see on a canal tour in Amsterdam. The canal is 560 meters long and is lined with majestic structures, such as the palace-like Trippenhuis at canal house number 28 or the narrow canal house on the opposite side at canal house #25. Many old buildings at Kloveniersburgwal are now university buildings.
See Related: 2 Days in Amsterdam Itinerary
9. Groenburgwal: hidden, green, and famous…for an awkward reason
The Groenburgwal Canal is one of the best canals in Amsterdam. It’s a hidden treasure, and it’s known for being the home to many cloth-weaving factories. The word “Groen” in the name comes from the dyehouses.
The southern entrance is rather long and narrow through a beautiful low timber drawbridge. Because of these restrictions, no larger tour boats are allowed on these waters. The south has the best views of the canal, which is directly connected with the Amstel rivers and has beautiful views of the Zuiderkerk.
10. Java Island
Java Island is a neighborhood of Amsterdam, Netherlands. It is located on a peninsula, surrounded on three sides by water and on the east by the KNSM Island neighborhood.
Their names are Brantasgracht, Lamonggracht, Majanggracht, and Seranggracht, and they are full of modern canal houses that 19 young local architects designed.
In the 1980s, squatters, artists, and the homeless had taken over many of the buildings in the area. Today, it features interesting architecture and is a hidden gem in Amsterdam.
The name Java Island was chosen because of the Javanese people who lived here at first. Later, it became a popular place for sailors to buy coffee beans from their ships because they were cheaper than anywhere else in town.
The sailors called this area Java Island because of this, and today, there are still some coffee shops around here selling coffee beans and other things like spices from Indonesia.
11. Bloemgracht: from wallflower to sunflower
One of the best canals in Amsterdam is the Bloemgracht. Bloemgracht is located on the west side of Prinsenhof, bordering the Jordaan neighborhood.
It’s a beautiful canal lined with charming houses and lovely gardens. The best time to visit Bloemgracht is spring when the flowers are in bloom and the trees are green. If you’re looking for a peaceful place to relax and take in the scenery, then Bloemgracht is worth a visit.
Jordaan has a pleasant mix of residential buildings, small-scale offices, unique shop galleries, cafés, and restaurants to taste the best Amsterdam food.
12. Reguliersgracht: ‘postcard Amsterdam’
Reguliersgracht is easily among the best canals in Amsterdam. It cannot be missed, and it’s one of our favorite options. This canal runs north and south and is not a ring around the city like Prinsengracht, Herengracht, and Keizersgracht, which makes it so special.
Here, you’ll find the iconic view of seven bridges from the start of the canal ring into the city center, eventually ending at Rembrandtplein. Given its juxtaposition in the city, you have several opportunities for double bridges, meaning the arched bridge going along the side as well as over the top of Reguliersgracht.
And you’ll find the incredibly rare triple bridge near Rembrandtplein, where you’ll find the iconic photo of Amsterdam’s Wikipedia page. If you’re taking a canal tour, book a tour through Reguliergracht.
13. Spiegelgracht
Spiegelgracht is one of the shortest canals in Amsterdam. This is always the neighborhood I live in, so you may even spot me riding my bike around here. Spiegelgracht runs north and south and is known for being one of the first canals to enter the canal ring.
Cutting through a number of the main canals that surround the city center or south Canal is extremely important because if you are standing on the north-facing south, you have an iconic view of the Rijksmuseum.
For Instagrammers of the bunch, there is also a separate bike lane that goes alongside the canal. This makes for an incredible view, particularly at sunset as you bike south facing the Rijksmuseum.
See Related: Best Hotels in the Netherlands
History of Amsterdam’s Canals
The main canals in Amsterdam are Herengracht, Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, and Singel. They were dug in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age, and each had a specific purpose.
Together, they form the Grachtengordel, the Amsterdam Canal District. This picturesque neighborhood is more than just a tourist destination; it results from arduous city planning.
Many people believe that the canals were developed from the center outwards. However, construction happened from west to east, starting in the Northwestern sector and developing from 1613 to 1625.
Meanwhile, the eastern part took a long time to develop. This part was used for parks and botanical gardens for centuries before joining the rest of the canal plan. Three popular canals were made for residential development, while the Singel was used for defense and water management.
The Amstel River
Among all these bodies of water, the most important is The Amstel, the river on which the city was founded. Its name comes from Amestelle, a compound word made out of “aam” or “ame,” which means water, and “Stelle,” which means solid, high, and dry ground – the perfect words to describe a city full of waterways!
The Amstel holds important events such as the annual Liberation Day Concert, the Head of the River Amstel rowing match, and the Amsterdam Gay Pride boat parade. Its cultural and historical relevance is still alive today.
Undoubtedly, the waterways have played an important role in Amsterdam’s development. These canals have been recognized among the incredible UNESCO World Heritage sites and are must-see attractions on any Amsterdam trip.
Certainly, anyone visiting this city cannot leave without experiencing some of the magic the canals offer. Just don’t fall in! Seriously, don’t be that tourist.
FAQ
What is the purpose of the canals in Amsterdam?
The canals in Amsterdam served many purposes. They helped people live by providing water for crops, homes, and industry.
The canals were also used to transport goods between towns through the countryside. The canals are protected from flooding. Houses were built alongside them for fishing families to live on the waterfront, where they could fish daily.
Today, Amsterdam’s network of more than 200 kilometers of canals is important in shipping traffic, particularly for tourist purposes, including canal boats.
How clean is the water in the canals of Amsterdam?
The Dutch government requires that rivers and streams contain no more than 1×10 or less than 1×10 CFU/100mL. The water in Amsterdam’s canals gets cleaner year after year. Amsterdam City Swim is held annually to raise funds for charities. Several organizations address pollution to provide water protection for all people. In addition, canal gates are open three days per month to refresh the air.
Do canals freeze in Amsterdam?
Yes. The canals will freeze if the weather stays below freezing for an extended period. When the canals freeze, people walk and ice skate on the canals of Amsterdam. It’s a beautiful sight to see.
How many canals & bridges are there in Amsterdam?
There are 165 canals and 1,180 bridges in Amsterdam.
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