About Amsterdam Canals | Historic Waterways, Iconic Architecture & Boat Tours

What are the Amsterdam canals?

The Amsterdam canals are a vast, interconnected network of 165 waterways that serve as the architectural spine of the Dutch capital. Originally engineered in the 17th century to facilitate trade and manage water levels, the Amsterdam canals transformed a marshy landscape into a flourishing port city arranged in a distinctive concentric "Grachtengordel" or Canal Ring.

This cultural landmark is defined by rows of narrow, gabled merchant houses that lean over the water, the rhythmic clatter of bicycles crossing over 1,500 arched stone bridges, and the gentle hum of electric boats navigating the green-tinted currents. Moving through the Amsterdam canals, you encounter a living history where the scent of brackish water meets the sight of colourful houseboats and the reflection of centuries-old brickwork, making the Amsterdam canals an essential fusion of urban infrastructure and artistic heritage.

Amsterdam Canals | Quick facts

Built in: 17th century (Dutch Golden Age)
Average depth: 2.1m to 3m
Total length: Over 100 km (62 miles)
Primary source: Amstel River
Number of canals: 165
Main canals: Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht
UNESCO site: Since 2010

Plan your visit to the Amsterdam canals

Opening hours

The Amsterdam canals are a public, open-air network of waterways and quays that remain accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. While the Amsterdam canals themselves never close, specific experiences like canal cruises generally operate between 9am and 10pm. During the winter, the Amsterdam canals host the Light Festival, making evening visits between 5pm and 11pm particularly popular.

Seasonal changes: Boats are often glass-topped and heated in winter; open-air boats are common in summer.
Closed: Never closed, though boat traffic may be restricted during major events like King’s Day or the Amsterdam City Swim.

Best time to visit

Canal bridge and historic buildings in Grachtengordel, Amsterdam.

Spring (April–May)

Pros: Mild weather; King’s Day celebrations on the Amsterdam canals.

Cons: Higher hotel prices.

Crowd levels: High

Amsterdam canal cruise on a flower-adorned boat with passengers enjoying the view.

Summer (June–August)

Pros: Long daylight hours for boating on the Amsterdam canals.

Cons: Intense heat and humidity.

Crowd levels: Very high

Paddle boat on Amsterdam canal with historic buildings and bridge.

Autumn (Sept–Oct)

Pros: Golden foliage reflects in the Amsterdam canals.

Cons: Increased chance of rain.

Crowd levels: Moderate

Traditional canal boat cruising during Amsterdam Light Festival.

Winter (Nov–March)

Pros: Light Festival art on the Amsterdam canals; lower costs.

Cons: Very cold winds.

Crowd levels: Low

Amsterdam canal cruise boat passing under bridge with historic buildings in background.

Best time of the week to visit: To enjoy the Amsterdam canals with fewer tourists, aim for Tuesday or Wednesday. Weekends see a significant spike in local boat traffic and pedestrian congestion along the Amsterdam canals, especially during Saturday afternoons when the quay-side markets are in full swing.

Canal boat cruising past historic buildings in Amsterdam.

Best time of the day to visit: For a serene experience, explore the Amsterdam canals at sunrise (around 6am–7:30am) when the water is glass-like, and the city is just waking up. Alternatively, an after-dark cruise is essential to see the 1,500 bridges of the Amsterdam canals illuminated by thousands of tiny glowing bulbs, creating a distinctively cinematic atmosphere.

Location

The Amsterdam canals weave through the heart of the city, centred around the historic Grachtengordel (Canal Ring). This UNESCO-protected area of the Amsterdam canals fans out from Dam Square, bordered by the Singel and the Prinsengracht. You will find the Amsterdam canals steps away from the Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum, and the bustling Jordaan district.

Address: Central Canal District, Amsterdam, Netherlands | View on Google Maps
Public transport: Most Amsterdam canals are accessible via Amsterdam Centraal Station. Take trams 2, 12, or 17 to reach the western Amsterdam canals, or the North-South metro line (M52) to Vijzelgracht for the southern Amsterdam canals.
Driving tips: Driving near the Amsterdam canals is discouraged due to narrow one-way streets and high parking fees; use "Park + Ride" (P+R) lots on the city outskirts and enter the Amsterdam canals via tram.

What to do on the Amsterdam canals

Amsterdam canal cruise boat with onboard bar passing historic buildings in the evening.

Take a classic canal cruise

Boarding a glass-topped canal boat is the definitive way to navigate the Amsterdam canals. This leisure-focused activity is perfect for all ages and typically lasts 60 to 75 minutes. As you glide through the Amsterdam canals, you will feel the gentle sway of the water while passing under low-slung stone bridges. It is a low-intensity experience requiring no special gear, just a camera. Most cruises offer multilingual audio guides to narrate the history of the Amsterdam canals.

Book your canal cruise tickets in advance

Bicycles parked on a bridge over a canal near Amsterdam Centraal Station.

Cycle the canal quays

To experience the Amsterdam canals like a local, rent a bicycle and ride along the cobblestone paths of the Prinsengracht or Herengracht. This moderate-intensity activity allows you to cover several miles of the Amsterdam canals in a single afternoon. You will feel the breeze and hear the constant ring of bicycle bells. Sturdy shoes are recommended for the uneven bricks lining the Amsterdam canals. This is ideal for travellers who want to see the city quickly.

Amsterdam's Negen Straatjes at sunset with historic canal houses.

Stroll the Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets)

Walking the historic "Nine Streets" that bisect the main Amsterdam canals is a high-reward, low-intensity activity for shoppers and photographers. This micro-neighbourhood spans across the Amsterdam canals, offering views of leaning facades and boutique window displays. Expect to spend 2 to 3 hours wandering between the bridges of the Amsterdam canals. It is a romantic and family-friendly way to soak in the atmosphere of the Amsterdam canals on foot.

Amsterdam canal cruise during Light Festival with illuminated bridge and buildings.

Experience the Amsterdam Light Festival

During the winter months, the Amsterdam canals transform into a luminous open-air gallery. This seasonal event features light sculptures by international artists installed directly within the Amsterdam canals. You can view these artworks via a dedicated cruise or a shore-side walking route. It is a low-intensity, sensory-rich experience that lasts about 90 minutes. You will need warm, windproof clothing to enjoy the shimmering reflections on the Amsterdam canals in the crisp winter air.

Secure your Amsterdam Light Festival boat tour tickets

Amsterdam canal with houseboats and a bridge in the background.

Join the Amsterdam City Swim

For the truly adventurous, the Amsterdam City Swim is a high-intensity charity event where participants plunge into the Amsterdam canals. Swimmers cover a 2-kilometre course through the historic Amsterdam canals, starting at the Marine Terrain and finishing at the Keizersgracht. This activity is for strong swimmers and requires a wetsuit and pre-registration. It offers a rare, immersive physical connection to the Amsterdam canals, surrounded by thousands of cheering spectators lining the quays.

Man examining fishing reels in a tackle shop.

Go plastic fishing with a mission

Combine sightseeing with environmental impact by joining a plastic fishing trip on the Amsterdam canals. Using a net, you will pull plastic debris and "treasures" from the Amsterdam canals while learning about the city's modern efforts to keep the waterways clean. This is a family-friendly, low-intensity activity that usually lasts 2 hours. No gear is required as nets and gloves are provided.

Houseboats along Prinsengracht canal in Amsterdam with Westerkerk in the background.

Discover history at the Houseboat Museum

If you have ever wondered what life is like beneath the surface of the Amsterdam canals, visiting the Houseboat Museum (Woonbootmuseum) is essential. Located on the Prinsengracht, one of the most famous Amsterdam canals, this stationary barge shows the clever use of space required to live on the water. This is a very low-intensity, 30-minute walk-through, making it perfect for families. It provides a cosy, tactile look at the unique residential culture found only on the Amsterdam canals.

Amsterdam canal cruise with Westerkerk tower in view, part of City Sightseeing Hop on Hop off tour.

Celebrate King’s Day on the Water

On April 27th, the Amsterdam canals become the site of the world’s largest floating party. Thousands of orange-clad locals and tourists fill boats of all sizes to navigate the crowded Amsterdam canals. This is a high-energy, social experience that lasts the entire day. Navigating the Amsterdam canals during King's Day requires patience and a festive spirit, as the waterways become packed with music and dancing. Be sure to wear orange and book your boat rental months in advance.

Book a King's Day cruise to celebrate

What to see at the Amsterdam canals

Canal view of seven bridges in Amsterdam with bicycles and trees lining the path.

The Seven Bridges view (Reguliersgracht)

Standing at the intersection of Reguliersgracht and Herengracht, you can see seven arched stone bridges of the Amsterdam canals perfectly aligned. It is most striking at night when the arches are illuminated, casting golden glows on the water.

Couple sitting by Amsterdam's Damrak canal with historic buildings in view.

Prinsengracht canal with historic buildings and boats in Amsterdam city.

Magere Brug over Amstel River with canal houses in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam canal cruise boat passing historic buildings near Rembrandt House Museum.

History of the Amsterdam canals in a nutshell

The Amsterdam canals began as a defensive necessity, with the first waterways serving as moats to protect the medieval settlement. Because the city sits on marshy ground, every building lining the Amsterdam canals was constructed on wooden piles driven deep into the clay. During the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age, the Amsterdam canals underwent a massive planned expansion, creating the iconic "Grachtengordel" to facilitate global trade and house a booming merchant class. Over fifty years, workers hand-dug the Amsterdam canals, transforming the city into a world-leading port.

While the 20th century saw many Amsterdam canals filled in to create roads for cars, local conservationists successfully fought to save iconic landmarks like the Reguliersgracht. Today, the Amsterdam canals cover 25% of the city’s surface, preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage site that maintains the same hydraulic ingenuity and aesthetic grandeur that defined the city four centuries ago.

Who built the Amsterdam canals?

The grand design of the Amsterdam canals was spearheaded by the Heren Regeerders, a powerful body of city regents and wealthy merchants who governed the city during the 16th and 17th centuries. Seeking to transform Amsterdam into a world-class maritime hub, these officials financed and oversaw a massive urban expansion project known as the "Grachtengordel." Their influence is physically etched into the landscape of the Amsterdam canals; for instance, the Herengracht (Gentlemen's Canal) was named directly in their honour. These planners combined practical commerce with aesthetic grandeur, ensuring that the Amsterdam canals would support heavy trade while serving as a prestigious residential district for the elite.

Architecture and layout of the Amsterdam canals

The layout of the Amsterdam canals is a unique architectural feat that deviates from the standard rectangular grids found in most canal cities. Instead, the Amsterdam canals are organised into a distinctive "Crescent" or "Polygonal" shape, consisting of five "kinked" straights that form a concentric semi-circle around the medieval core. These waterways radiate out from the city's heart at Dam Square, creating a masterfully planned urban web. This man-made structure was designed to maximise waterfront access for merchant warehouses during the Dutch Golden Age, resulting in the iconic, narrow-fronted buildings that characterise the Amsterdam canals today.

Major Amsterdam canals

Herengracht Canal

As the first of the three major Amsterdam canals designed for the city’s 17th-century expansion, Herengracht, or the ‘Patricians' Canal,’ served as the prestigious residential address for the Dutch elite. Walking along this stretch of the Amsterdam canals, you will notice the ‘Golden Bend,’ where the city’s wealthiest merchants commissioned wide, double-fronted mansions with ornate neck and bell gables. Originally a moat located within the city walls, this section of the Amsterdam canals evolved into a symbol of the Dutch Golden Age, reflecting the immense political and financial power held by the regents who lived along its waters.

Prinsengracht Canal

The Prinsengracht, or ‘Prince's Canal,’ is the outermost and longest of the three main Amsterdam canals in the historic centre. Named after the Prince of Orange, this waterway offers a more bustling, lived-in atmosphere compared to other Amsterdam canals, characterised by a dense row of warehouses that once stored colonial goods. As you navigate the Prinsengracht, you encounter some of the most iconic sites along the Amsterdam canals, including the Westerkerk and the Anne Frank House. Its two-mile length provides a scenic corridor where the sound of church bells often mixes with the gentle lap of water against traditional houseboats.

Keizersgracht Canal

Situated between the Herengracht and Prinsengracht, the Keizersgracht (Emperor's Canal) stands out as the widest of the central Amsterdam canals, measuring 31 meters across. Named in honour of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, this waterway was designed to radiate grandeur and space. While exploring these Amsterdam canals, look for the lush linden trees that line the quays; these were planted in 1949 to replace the original elms lost to disease. The Keizersgracht is also famous for its winter transformation; when temperatures drop sufficiently, it is one of the first Amsterdam canals where boat traffic is halted to allow for public ice skating.

Singel Canal

Before the great 17th-century expansion, the Singel served as the medieval moat protecting the city's western edge. Today, it marks the innermost ring of the major Amsterdam canals, stretching from the IJ harbour near Centraal Station to the Muntplein. This section of the Amsterdam canals is home to the Bloemenmarkt, the world’s only floating flower market, where stalls rest on permanently moored barges. Visitors strolling this part of the Amsterdam canals can experience the vibrant colours of seasonal tulips and the historic "Poezenboot" (Cat Boat), a floating sanctuary for local felines.

Brouwersgracht

Often voted the most beautiful street in the city, the Brouwersgracht (Brewers’ Canal) marks the northern boundary of the central Amsterdam canals. Historically, this area was the industrial heart of the canal belt, home to numerous breweries and tanneries that used the fresh water of the Amsterdam canals. Today, the massive former warehouses with their colourful shutters have been converted into some of the most sought-after residential lofts along the Amsterdam canals. Its location at the intersection of the four main waterways makes it a focal point for photographers capturing the quintessential Dutch reflection of brickwork on water.

Zwanenburgwal

The Zwanenburgwal is a significant waterway located in the former Jewish Quarter, historically connected to the broader network of Amsterdam canals. This canal gained fame for its illustrious residents, including the painter Rembrandt van Rijn and the philosopher Baruch Spinoza. When you walk along the Zwanenburgwal, you can enjoy expansive views toward the Amstel River, a perspective that inspired many of Rembrandt’s sketches. It remains one of the most culturally significant stretches of the Amsterdam canals, bridging the gap between the medieval city centre and the later 17th-century expansions.

Kloveniersburgwal

Flowing south from Nieuwmarkt to the Amstel River, the Kloveniersburgwal was once a defensive boundary for the medieval city. As the city grew, it became a site for opulent architecture unlike many other Amsterdam canals. The most striking example is the Trippenhuis, a neoclassical "double house" built for the Trip family of arms dealers, which now serves as the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. Exploring this part of the Amsterdam canals offers a view of the transition from military fortification to residential luxury, featuring some of the most imposing stone facades in the city.

Java Island

In the late 1990s, the Amsterdam canals were extended into the Eastern Docklands as part of a modern residential project on Java Island. Canals such as the Brantasgracht, Majanggracht, and Serangracht were excavated to bring the city’s traditional water-based identity to a contemporary setting. These Amsterdam canals are narrow and intimate, crossed by small, creatively designed pedestrian bridges that contrast with the historic stone arches of the city centre. Named after Indonesian islands and rivers, these modern Amsterdam canals demonstrate how the city continues to use water as a tool for high-quality urban living and sustainable development.

Amsterdam canal with historic buildings and houseboats in early spring.

Water quality in the Amsterdam canals

Historically, the water in the Amsterdam canals faced significant pollution challenges. Until the mid-19th century, the Amsterdam canals were often stagnant and served as an open sewer for the city’s growing population. To resolve this, the Gemaal Zeeburg pumping station was commissioned in 1879 to flush the Amsterdam canals with cleaner water from the Zuiderzee (and later the Markermeer). While the city centre began connecting to modern sewers in 1935, many houses along the Amsterdam canals continued discharging wastewater directly into the water until 1987. Today, strict regulations require all houseboats on the Amsterdam canals to be connected to the municipal sewage system, ensuring the water is cleaner than it has been in centuries.

Amsterdam canal cruise with views of historic buildings and iconic bridges.

Sustainability and "bicycle fishing"

Conservation is a high priority for the modern management of the Amsterdam canals. A fascinating part of the city’s maintenance involves ‘bicycle fishing’ using specialised hydraulic claws on boats to pull thousands of sunken bicycles from the bottom of the Amsterdam canals every year. Beyond debris removal, the city has introduced strict "Emission Free" zones on the Amsterdam canals, transitioning commercial tour boats from diesel to electric propulsion to reduce noise and water pollution. Visitors are encouraged to support these environmental efforts by choosing electric boat rentals and using the numerous public bins to prevent litter from entering the delicate ecosystem of the Amsterdam canals.

Tips for visiting the Amsterdam canals

Book evening cruises early: The Amsterdam canals are most atmospheric at twilight when the bridges are illuminated; reserve these popular slots in advance to ensure availability.
Explore beyond the centre: While the main Amsterdam canals are beautiful, head to the Jordaan district for quieter, more intimate views of the smaller Amsterdam canals.
Mind the bike lanes: When stopping to photograph the Amsterdam canals, always stay clear of the red asphalt bike paths to avoid accidents.
Check accessibility: Many historic boats are not wheelchair-friendly; look for Blue Boat cruises if you require wheelchair access.
Watch the weather: Open-top boats offer the best views of the Amsterdam canals, but keep a light rain jacket handy for sudden Dutch showers.

Frequently asked questions about the Amsterdam canals

Why are the houses beside the Amsterdam canals leaning?

Many buildings along the Amsterdam canals sit on wooden piles driven into swampy soil. Over centuries, these piles shift or rot, causing "dancing houses." Today, engineers use concrete poles to stabilise structures bordering the Amsterdam canals.

Is the water in the Amsterdam canals clean?

While not for drinking, the Amsterdam canals are cleaner than ever. Waternet flushes the Amsterdam canals regularly by opening locks to circulate fresh water. Most houseboats are now connected to the sewer system to protect the Amsterdam canals.

What events take place on the Amsterdam canals?

The Amsterdam canals host the Amsterdam Light Festival in winter and the Amsterdam City Swim for charity. King’s Day and Pride also see thousands of boats celebrating on the Amsterdam canals.

Can I rent a private boat to explore the Amsterdam canals?

Yes, you can rent electric boats or pedal boats to navigate the Amsterdam canals independently. No license is required for small rentals. It’s a favourite for families wanting a private picnic while floating through the Amsterdam canals.

What are the best viewpoints along the Amsterdam canals?

The bridge at the corner of Reguliersgracht and Herengracht offers a view of 15 bridges simultaneously. The Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) is another iconic spot for photographers to capture the evening glow of the Amsterdam canals.

How deep are the Amsterdam canals?

On average, the Amsterdam canals are about 2.1 to 3 meters deep. Despite the depth, the bottom of the Amsterdam canals is famously filled with thousands of discarded bicycles, which are cleared annually by specialised "bike fishing" barges.

Can I swim in the Amsterdam canals?

Official swimming is generally discouraged in the Amsterdam canals due to boat traffic and submerged objects like bicycles. However, during the annual Amsterdam City Swim, the Amsterdam canals are specially cleared and tested for legal participants.