Sight
Canals of Amsterdam
Andrés Barrios · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Some booking links are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We never let this influence which places we recommend.
Amsterdam's canal ring, known as the Grachtengordel, is a masterpiece of 17th-century urban planning and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The concentric canals, Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht, were dug during the Dutch Golden Age to manage water and facilitate trade. Today, they are lined with elegant merchant houses, houseboats, and leafy trees. Exploring the canals by boat offers a unique perspective, gliding under low bridges and past historic warehouses. Walking along the cobbled streets reveals hidden courtyards, art galleries, and cozy cafes. The canals are especially magical at dusk when the bridges are illuminated. Don't miss the famous 'Seven Bridges' view on Reguliersgracht.
Don't miss
- Take a canal cruise to see the city from the water
- Walk along Prinsengracht past the Anne Frank House
- Photograph the iconic Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug)
- Spot historic houseboats and gabled facades
- Visit the 'Seven Bridges' viewpoint on Reguliersgracht
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Canals of Amsterdam
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inAmsterdam Evening Canal Cruise with Live Guide and Bar4.6★ · 3,748 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$19 per personSee dates →
Most bookedAmsterdam Luxury Canal Cruise + Unlimited Drinks & Bites option4.9★ · 31,429 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$23 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleAmsterdam Your Way: Canals, Hidden Corners & Local Life4.8★ · 249 travelers2–6 hoursFree cancellationFrom$79 per personSee dates →More attractions in Amsterdam
