DK Travel : Amsterdam : Canals and Waterways

Canals and Waterways

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With their delightful views, pretty bridges (1,281 in all), idiosyncratic gabled houses and relaxed waterside cafés, Amsterdam’s 75 km (47 miles) of canals are great fun to explore: full of interest and perfect for a leisurely stroll. They are a constant reminder that the Netherlands is the world’s flattest country, half of which has been reclaimed from the sea with the aid of dykes, canals and, more recently, huge tidal barriers. Before you start exploring Amsterdam’s canals on foot, however, you should take a boat tour (see Unexpected Sights on a Canal Tour, Canal Tours, Museum Boat, Canalbus) for a fascinating overview.

Top 10 Canals and Waterways

1. Herengracht

Stateliest canal of the Grachtengordel, the Herengracht is famous for its Golden Bend – a grand but rather lifeless stretch of mansions built for the richest merchants. A more beautiful stretch lies between Huidenstraat and Leidsestraat, best viewed from the east side.
2. Keizersgracht

2. Keizersgracht

The central canal of the Grachtengordel has fine stretches between Brouwersgracht and Raadhuisstraat, and again between Runstraat and Leidestraat.
3. Prinsengracht

3. Prinsengracht

The outermost canal of the Grachtengordel, designed for warehouses and artisans’ housing, has a breezy, laidback air. It is peppered with cafés, art galleries and houseboats. Cycle its 3 km (2 mile) length, or explore short stretches on foot.
4. Entrepotdok

4. Entrepotdok

An imposing stretch of former dockland has been restored to provide offices and apartments, with outdoor cafés overlooking colourful houseboats.
5. Reguliersgracht

Much loved for its pretty houses and hump-backed bridges, Reguliersgracht was cut in 1664. Look out for Nos 57, 59 and 63.
6. Amstel River

Until the construction of the Grachtengordel pushed it out of focus, the river Amstel was the city’sraison d’être . It is still used by barges to transport goods to the city’s port.
7. Brouwersgracht

The happy-go-lucky feel of the “brewers” canal’ makes a pleasant contrast to the sophisticated elegance of the Grachtengordel.
8. Bloemgracht

A charming canal crossed by cast-iron bridges, Bloemgracht is known locally as “the Herengracht of the Jordaan”, because of its elaborately gabled houses.
9. Leidsegracht

This lovely – and exclusive – canal was cut in 1664, when it was the main barge route from Amsterdam to Leiden.
10. Singel

Once a fortified moat, the Singel is now home to Bloemenmarkt, the domed Ronde Lutherse Kerk and the soaring Neo-Gothic Krijtberg church.

Practical Information

Three perfect canalside cafés are Papeneiland, at Prinsengracht 2,Van Puffelen, where you can sit on a barge in summer (see Bars), and De Sluyswacht (see Restaurants, Cafés and Bars). If you are in the centre of Amsterdam, with no time to explore the city’s canals, at least take a stroll to the Huis op de Drie Grachten, (House on Three Canals), step-gabled on all three of its canal-facing sides, at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 249.