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Herengracht - The grandest canal of the Amsterdam canal belt

The Herengracht is the most prestigious waterway within Amsterdam’s UNESCO-listed canal ring, famously known for its "Golden Bend." As you sail through this historic canal, you will witness the opulent legacy of the Dutch Golden Age, characterised by double-wide mansions and intricate gables.

Where is it located?

The Herengracht is situated in the heart of Amsterdam's canal belt, running parallel to the Singel and Keizersgracht, and stretching from the Brouwersgracht to the Amstel River.

How to access?

Access to the Herengracht is included in almost all Amsterdam canal cruises; you simply board your boat at designated docks like Centraal Station or the Anne Frank House to begin your journey.

Things to know before booking Herengracht canal cruise tickets

  • While most standard sightseeing cruises pass through the Herengracht, some smaller open-boat tours offer a more intimate look at the Herengracht canal house details that larger glass-topped boats might miss. 
  • If you are specifically interested in the Herengracht architectural highlights, ensure your chosen route includes the "Golden Bend," as some express cruises might bypass specific stretches. Prices for these cruises typically start around €16, though luxury options with drinks or dinner are priced higher. 
  • Please note that most canal boats are not fully wheelchair accessible due to steep boarding steps.
  • While the Herengracht is beautiful all day, evening cruises offer a unique view of the illuminated bridges.

Why visit Herengracht?

Bridge over Herengracht canal in Amsterdam with bicycles and historic buildings.

The Herengracht represents the pinnacle of 17th-century Dutch wealth and urban planning. It is the primary destination for those wanting to see the most impressive Herengracht canal house facades in the city.

  • Must-see highlights: The Golden Bend (Gouden Bocht), the official residence of the Mayor of Amsterdam, and the "Seven Bridges" view at the intersection with Reguliersgracht.
  • Current use: Today, the Herengracht remains an elite residential and commercial address, housing several prominent museums and the offices of international organisations.
  • Unique facts: The Herengracht canal was named after the Heren Regeerders (ruling lords) of Amsterdam. It features some of the widest plots in the city because the wealthiest citizens bought adjacent lots to build massive "city palaces."

Your Herengracht ticket types

Ticket typeIs Herengracht access included?Why go for it?Starting price
Sightseeing cruise

Yes

Budget travel

From €10.88

Open boat tour

Yes

Unobstructed views

From €17

Private salon boat

Yes

Exclusive access

From €22.95

Dinner cruise

Yes

Romantic evening

From €20.16

Hop-on hop-off

Yes

Flexibility

From €29.50

What to see along the Herengracht canal

Canal houses along The Golden Bend, Amsterdam.
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam facade with canal view and parked car.
Bartolotti House facade with ornate brickwork and decorative elements in Amsterdam.
Museum of the Canals courtyard with fountain, Amsterdam City Card.
Person photographing Amsterdam canal houses during a 7-day itinerary.
Paintings in ornate frames at Willet-Holthuysen Museum, Amsterdam.
Canal view of historic buildings along Leidsekade in Amsterdam.
Placeholder Image Headout Blimp
Canal view with historic buildings and boats in Old City Locks, Amsterdam.
Visitor observing artwork at Prague National Museum exhibit.
Canal view of historic buildings along Leidsekade in Amsterdam.
Luxury hotel room with king-size bed, modern decor, and large window.
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The Golden Bend

Located between Leidsestraat and Vijzelstraat, this is the most famous stretch of the Herengracht. You will see the most magnificent mansions here, which were built on double-sized plots during the height of the 17th century.

The Mayor’s Residence

Situated at Herengracht 502, this "House with the Columns" is the official residence of the Mayor of Amsterdam. Its grand neoclassical facade is a standout feature during any Herengracht canal cruise.

Bartolotti House

At Herengracht 170, you can spot one of the most ornate facades in the city. This Herengracht canal house was designed by Hendrick de Keyser and features a stunning red-brick Renaissance style with a curved gable.

Museum of the Canals (Het Grachtenhuis)

This museum at Herengracht 386 is the best place to learn how the Herengracht canal was dug and developed. It offers a detailed look at the engineering marvel behind the canal ring.

The Cromhouthuizen

This cluster of four houses at Herengracht 364-370 was built for the wealthy Cromhout family. The architecture is a perfect example of the Dutch Classicism that defines the Herengracht canal house aesthetic.

Willet-Holthuysen Museum

Located at Herengracht 605, this is a rare opportunity to see the interior of a Herengracht canal house. The museum features a perfectly preserved 19th-century ballroom and a stunning French-style garden.

The Office of the Big Five

At Herengracht 507, you can spot the former headquarters of the Dutch West India Company. This building played a massive role in the global trade history associated with the Herengracht.

The House with the Heads

Found at Herengracht 123, this house is famous for the six stone heads on its facade. Legend says they represent six thieves caught by a housemaid, making it a favourite stop on a Herengracht canal cruise.

West India House

Originally headquarters of the Dutch West India Company, this building is where the founding of New Amsterdam (now New York City) was decided in 1625—an icon of Dutch colonial history.

KattenKabinet

This quirky museum features cat-themed art in a lavish canal mansion. Its collection blends humor and elegance, appealing to both animal lovers and fans of classic Dutch interiors.

Driekoningenstraat Bend

A noticeable curve in Herengracht reveals the original path of Amsterdam’s medieval moat. This kink offers a quiet visual cue to the city’s layered and evolving urban layout.

The Hoxton Hotel

Occupying five historic canal houses, The Hoxton combines old-world charm with trendy interiors. Visitors enjoy stylish dining and canal views, even if they’re not staying overnight.

Architectural highlights of Herengracht

Drawbridge over Nieuwe Herengracht canal in Amsterdam with city buildings in the background.

The Herengracht is a living gallery of Dutch architectural evolution. You will notice a variety of gable styles, including the step gable, neck gable, and bell gable, which served both as decorative elements and as status symbols for the owners. Many a Herengracht canal house also features a slight forward lean, known as op de vlucht, designed to prevent goods from hitting the facade when hoisted by the hooks at the top of the house.

Another defining feature of the Herengracht architecture is the use of sandstone for the grander facades, a material far more expensive than the standard brick used on lesser canals. The "Golden Bend" specifically showcases the transition to the Louis XIV style, where facades became more symmetrical and classical, reflecting the changing tastes of the Dutch elite in the late 17th century.

Historical and cultural significance of Herengracht

The Herengracht has been the heart of Amsterdam's socio-economic power since the 1600s. Originally dug as a modest ditch, it was expanded during the Great Union to become the primary residential site for the city’s regents and wealthy merchants. Its development mirrored the rise of the Dutch Empire, and today the Herengracht remains a symbol of the city’s prosperity and its enduring commitment to historical preservation within a modern urban environment.

​Explore the history of Amsterdam's canals

Notable figures of Herengracht

Hendrick de Keyser

The influential architect who designed the Bartolotti House and many other landmarks along the Herengracht.

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Philips Vingboons

A leading architect of the Dutch Golden Age, responsible for many of the classical facades on the Herengracht canal.

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Wilhem van den Heuvel

A wealthy merchant who commissioned one of the most beautiful houses on the Herengracht.

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Know before you go

  • Most Herengracht canal cruises operate daily from 9am to 10pm. 
  • During the Amsterdam Light Festival (typically December to January), special evening cruises run until 11pm to showcase the light installations reflecting on the Herengracht.

The Herengracht is the second main canal in the belt. You can reach the central sections easily by taking Trams 2, 12, or 17 to the "Dam" or "Spui" stops. Most cruises depart from docks near Centraal Station or the Leidseplein area.

While the Herengracht quays are walkable, some Herengracht canal house museums have steep stairs and no elevators. If you have mobility concerns, look for Blue Boat vessels specifically marked as wheelchair accessible with hydraulic lifts.

  • The best time for a Herengracht cruise is either early morning (before 11am) to avoid boat traffic or at dusk. 
  • The "Golden Hour" provides the best lighting for photographing the Herengracht canal house gables and the famous bridge reflections.

Frequently asked questions about Herengracht

Yes, Herengracht translates literally to "Gentlemen's Canal," named after the ruling lords of the city.

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Singel Canal

Keizersgracht Canal

Prinsengracht Canal