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Explore Amsterdam Canals | Things To Do, History, Nearby Attractions & More
Cruises in AmsterdamAbout Amsterdam Canals
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Amsterdam is home to almost 62 miles of canals, 90 islands, and 1,500 bridges. The Grachtengordel is formed by the three main canals, Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht, which were dug in the 17th century during the Dutch Golden Age. There are 1550 historic buildings along the main waterways. The Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht, and Jordaan canal ring region, which includes the canals in their respective names were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, adding to Amsterdam's reputation as the 'Venice of the North.'
Amsterdam Canals | Quick facts
- Built in: 17th century
- Avg. depth: 2.6m (Lowest point: 4.5m)
- Length: Over 100 km
- Source: Amstel River
- Number of canals: 165
- Main canals: Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht
- UNESCO site: Since 2010
- Best time to visit: March to May and September to November
Types of Amsterdam Cruises
Why explore Amsterdam Canals?
- In 2010, UNESCO designated Amsterdam's inner canal ring as a World Heritage site and classified it as a protected area. This ancient site winds around Dam Square and inside the Prinsengracht canal's semi-circle.
- In addition to being one of the main forms of transportation in Amsterdam, the canals also host several events and festivals throughout the year, attracting tourists and visitors worldwide.
- At least 1,550 monuments are currently located inside the borders of the canals, including some significant landmarks and institutions such as Westerkerk, Anne Frank Huis, and Museum van Loon.
Top sights to see on an Amsterdam Canal Cruise
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Major canals of Amsterdam
Herengracht Canal
Between the Singel and the Keizersgracht is the Herengracht, the first of four canals that make up Amsterdam's canal belt. The canal was created on Mayor Frans Hendricksz's proposal starting in 1612. The Herengracht is regarded as the city's most important canal. This canal was home to the city's wealthiest merchants, powerful regents, and mayors in the 17th century. It initially served as a moat for companies at Singel, running within the city wall - parallel to the canal outside.
Prinsengracht Canal
The Prinsengracht is the second and farthest of Amsterdam's three main canals. Together, these three canals make up the city's 'fourth outlay,' an extension project that began in 1612 and took 50 years to complete. The three main canals have been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2009. The Prince of Orange Canal is a 2-mile-long canal that runs parallel to the Keizersgracht in the heart of Amsterdam.
Keizersgracht Canal
The Emperor's Canal is in the middle of Amsterdam's three main canals. Named after Austrian Emperor Maximilian, it's the inner city's widest canal, measuring 31 meters in length. The digging of this canal, together with the Herengracht and Prinsengracht, began in 1612. Due to elm disease, the municipality had all of the trees along the canal cut down in 1949, and linden trees were planted in their place.
Singel Canal
In the Middle Ages, the Singel ringed Amsterdam, acting as a moat until 1585, when the city expanded beyond it. The canal makes its presence felt from the IJ Bay at Central Station to the Muntplein square, where it meets the Amstel River. In Amsterdam's semicircular ring of canals, it is presently the innermost canal. The name is derived from the Dutch phrase ‘omsingelen,’ which means ‘to surround,’ and eventually from the Latin word cingulum, which means 'belt.'
Other notable Amsterdam Canals
Zwanenburgwal
The Zwanenburgwal is a canal and roadway in Amsterdam's city center, famous for housing the painter Rembrandt and the philosopher Spinoza. It was named one of Amsterdam's most attractive streets by readers of Het Parool in 2006.
Brouwersgracht
Brouwersgracht is a canal in Amsterdam's city center that connects the Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht canal belts and marks the canal belt's northern border. Ships returning from Asia with spices and silks used the canal as a stopover.
Kloveniersburgwal
On the outskirts of the old city, the Kloveniersburgwal runs south from Nieuwmarkt to the Amstel River. The city's east side began to develop in the 17th century, and there are a few large palaces, such as the Trippenhuis, which currently houses the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW).
Brantasgracht
The Brantasgracht is a canal in Amsterdam-East that runs across quays and is part of the Indische Buurt. In the late 1990s, a canal was excavated on Java Island, which was then changed from a ship mooring area to a residential area.
Lamonggracht
The Langegracht is a road and former canal in the Dutch city of Leiden's northern inner city. The canal was a key component of the 1611 northern city expansion, built north of the Oude Vest. As the new district's major axis, the Langegracht was built parallel to the Oude Vest.
Majanggracht
The Majanggracht is a canal in Amsterdam-East with related quays dug in the late 1990s on Java Island and later transformed from a ship mooring area to a residential neighborhood. The canal was named after the Majang River in Java, Indonesia.
Seranggracht
In Amsterdam-East, the Serangracht is a canal with adjacent quays. In the late 1990s, a canal was built on Java Island, which was then transformed from a ship mooring area to a residential area.
Why were the Amsterdam Canals built?
Amsterdam is situated close to a river inlet on a wetland. To keep the water in control and make the city inhabitable, the canals were constructed. Almost all dwellings are thus built on poles that are secured meters below the surface on a set stratum. However, the Dutch used it to their advantage since it became a major commerce port. Every house along the canals was formerly a warehouse or a portion of a warehouse. The canals made it simple to transport commodities to the warehouses.
Who built the Amsterdam Canals?
A body of Lords, heren regeerders, were responsible for governing Amsterdam in the 16th and 17th centuries. These were the city's rich long-term citizens who oversaw various areas of the city's operations. They put a lot of money into the canals' construction. Herengracht, the first of these waterways, is named for these reagents.
Architecture of Amsterdam Canals
Because of the particular city structure, Amsterdam's canals are one-of-a-kind. Although most canal cities are rectangular, Amsterdam's three main canals are made up of five kinked straights. They form a semicircle around the original medieval city center when combined. The radials all come together at Dam Center, the city's central square.
Amsterdam Canals activities
Amsterdam Canal Cruise
Floating down Amsterdam's canals on a cruise is one of the fascinating ways to experience the city's sites and attractions, in addition to providing a lovely backdrop to the city's historical center. Most of the canal cruises and tours last for over an hour when you will get to explore Amsterdam's UNESCO-protected canal ring and learn various intriguing insights about the city while enjoying several unique experiences.
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Amsterdam boat tours
Without a doubt, one of the best possible ways to see the UNESCO-listed Amsterdam Canal Ring is by boat tours. During a calm Amsterdam boat cruise, you'll get a distinct perspective of the Dutch city while avoiding the crowds on the streets. With multiple departure times throughout the day, the cruise can fit into practically any schedule. The boat tours give you a unique experience as you float on the iconic canals through the heart of the city.
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Amsterdam dinner cruise
Enjoy a special dinner on the iconic canals of Amsterdam as you enjoy your meal on a luxurious cruise. The amazing dining experience starts with a welcome drink followed by a delicious meal prepared by a professional chef using only the freshest seasonal ingredients. The luxury experience, special meal, and iconic setting are bound to make your night worth remembering.
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Amsterdam City Swim
The Amsterdam City Swim (ACS) is a 5 or 10-km open water event that takes place every year in the center of Amsterdam in Amsterdam's canals. Swimmers raise money for the battle against ALS (Lou Gehrig's illness) in this charity event. This event was first organized in 2009 and happens to be a yearly event that takes place every first Sunday in September. It is a swimming spectacle where adults and kids take part to raise funds. The event attracts international swimmers because of the iconic route.
Frequently asked questions about Amsterdam Canals
Q. Why are Amsterdam Canals famous?
A. The Amsterdam Canals are famous for their extensive waterways lined with thousands of ancient buildings and verdant rows of trees that are unlike anything else in the world.
Q. What are the major canals of Amsterdam?
A. The Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht canals are the three main Amsterdam Canals. During the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, these were dug and formed concentric belts surrounding the city.
Q. Why were the Amsterdam Canals built?
A. The first Amsterdam Canals were built for water management and defense. As the city grew in the Middle Ages, subsequent defense moats were built inside the walls and no longer served a purpose. They did, however, acquire a significantly new function - local goods transportation.
Q. Who built the Amsterdam Canals?
A. A body of Lords governed Amsterdam in the 16th and 17th centuries. These were the city's wealthiest citizens who supervised various areas of the city's operations. They put a lot of money into canal construction and the Herengracht, the first of these canals, is named after the regents.
Q. When were the Amsterdam Canals built?
A. The Canals of Amsterdam were mostly constructed between 1585 and 1665.
Q. How many canals and bridges are there in Amsterdam?
A. Amsterdam has 165 canals spanned by 1753 bridges, which is more than any other city in the world.
Q. What’s unique about the structure of the Amsterdam Canals?
A. The Amsterdam canals are man-made, and their arc shape reflects the shape of the city center as it expanded outwards to some degree. The Canal Ring's unique architecture reflects Amsterdam's economic prowess during the Golden Age.
Q. Why are the houses beside the Amsterdam Canals leaning?
A. Houses built on wooden piles in Amsterdam may tilt to one side due to the degradation of the wooden base.
Q. Is the water on the Amsterdam Canals hygienic?
A. Although the wastewater from many houseboats goes directly into the canals, the canal water is getting cleaner every year. Waternet, a government organization, works to keep the water as pure as possible by addressing pollution sources.
Q. What events take place on the Amsterdam Canals?
A. The Amsterdam City Swim is one of the most renowned events on the Amsterdam Canal. This charity swimming event is organized to collect funds for ALS. You can also enjoy the Amsterdam Light Festival by taking one of the Amsterdam Canal Cruises or enjoy the city from a unique perspective by taking a boat tour.
Q. Where does the Amsterdam City Swim event take place?
A. The Amsterdam City Swim is an annual event that takes place at the Marine Etablissement Amsterdam.