10 Best Canals in Amsterdam

The best canals in Amsterdam were mostly established in the 17th century as an expansion of the city and a vital trading network. The framework connecting all of these sights and the neighborhoods in the center is called the Grachtengordel, or Canal Ring of Amsterdam. Today, these picturesque waterways are commonly featured in travel brochures and on Instagram feeds.

Thanks to Amsterdam’s numerous bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly environment, it’s easy to explore the famed canals and the attractions that can be found along them. Read on to learn about the most attractive canals in Amsterdam and the reasons why they should be on your travel itinerary.

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1. Singel

One of the oldest canals in the city center

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The Singel is the first canal in the Grachtengordel (Canal District) if you start counting from the very heart of Amsterdam to the outer ring. It was established in the 15th century and connected the inner Amstel river with the IJ bay. The canal is lined with picturesque merchant houses and historically significant buildings.

You’ll find the imposing Munttoren, a 17th-century tower situated where the Singel flows into the Amstel river. House No. 7 is also an odd yet fun place to visit, as it’s known as the narrowest house in existence, with a width of roughly 1 meter. It’s worth also heading to the Ronde Lutherse Kerk, an eye-catching circular cathedral with a dome-shaped roof. Read more

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2. Keizersgracht

Beautiful, medieval merchant houses

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The Keizersgracht (Emperor’s Canal) dates back to the start of the 17th century, when it served as an avenue of upmarket residences. Eventually, it turned into a canal with numerous historical buildings. Among the sites here is The Embassy of the Free Mind, a medieval art museum hidden behind the facade of a towering merchant house at No. 123.

The Groenlandpakhuizen (Greenland Storehouses) are a one-of-a-kind feature, as these are some of the last remaining buildings used for storage of whale oil and similar products. The stepped gables and ornamental windows of the Groenlandpakhuizen are quite mesmerizing. Additionally, the Herengracht canal is between Keizersgracht and Singel, making it easy to explore all 3 on a walking tour. Read more

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3. Prinsengracht

Many of the city’s most famous sights

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The Prinsengracht starts at the Westerdok in the north and stretches for over 2 miles. The construction of this canal caused Amsterdam to expand, making it one of the largest cities in the world in the early 1600s. Some of the city’s most recognized attractions are lined up along the Prinsengracht, including the Anne Frank House, the Houseboat Museum, and the Amsterdam Tulip Museum.

A highlight is Westerkerk with its mighty bell tower. This church functions as a beacon for the Prinsengracht and the Jordaan neighborhood. If your walking or cycling tour gives you an appetite, visit Papeneiland, a lovely pub dating back to 1641. It’s a great place to enjoy delicious Dutch cuisine with views of the canal. Read more

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4. Brouwersgracht

The most canal-side monuments

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The Brouwersgracht (Brewers’ Canal) is often considered one of Amsterdam’s most picturesque canals, thanks to its charming bridges and merchant houses built in the Golden Age of the Netherlands. As the name suggests, this waterway was once lined by breweries, providing the locals with some distraction from work.

Cultural monuments that survived the centuries include No. 20, a tiny house with a unique neck-gable, and houses No. 188 to 196 with their gorgeous red shutters. The A Van Wees – de Ooievaar craft distillery is an authentic cultural experience in Amsterdam. It offers tours and tastings of its signature gins, liqueurs, and spirits, which are distilled using authentic copper kettles according to centuries-old recipes. Read more

5. Herengracht

Where the rich and famous lived in the past

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Named after the wealthy businessmen that occupied the residences, the Herengracht (Gentlemen’s Canal) used to be a place to see and be seen in Amsterdam. Many of the original inhabitants worked for the Dutch East India Company, VOC. This allowed them to build the fanciest houses at the Herengracht. On Herenmarkt Square, you can find the former headquarters of the VOC.

These days, the Herengracht is home to several fascinating museums and over 400 dwellings listed as national monuments. If you’re into fashion and design, the Museum of Bags and Purses is worth your time. The Museum of the Canals at No. 386 tells you more about the intricate canal network, its history, and its uses. Read more

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6. Oudezijds Voorburgwal

Some of the city’s architectural highlights

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The Oudezijds Voorburgwal is only 750 meters long, but has loads of architectural gems and age-old monuments. When entering the street, the charm of it is obvious. A must-see is Het Wapen van Riga, a striking trader’s house built in 1605 with a perfectly executed stepped gable.

Another iconic monument along the Oudezijds Voorburgwal is the Oude Kerk, the oldest church in Amsterdam. Continue to the Agnietenkapel, a gothic chapel that’s been around since 1470. Learn about a lesser-known part of Amsterdam’s history in the Our Lord in the Attic Museum, a hidden Catholic church established in a time when services and gatherings were prohibited.

7. Singelgracht

The canal that once encircled all others

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The Singelgracht was once the outer ring around Amsterdam, serving as a defensive line. Today, the canal winds its way through several districts and passes by recognized landmarks. For example, the Rijksmuseum, with exhibitions containing works of Dutch Masters such as Rembrandt van Rijn and Vincent van Gogh.

From the shores of the Singelgracht, you can directly enter the vast and beautiful Vondelpark with its scenic lakes, see the architecture of the Muiderpoort defense tower, or visit the truly impressive Wereldmuseum with its ethnographic exhibits. Read more

8. Kloveniersburgwal

Monuments and theaters along Amsterdam’s shortest canal

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With a length of only 550 meters, the Kloveniersburgwal is the shortest canal in Amsterdam city center. However, this is one of the city’s original canals, and together with the Singel and Geldersekade, created the first defense line in the late 1400s.

Majestic structures rise above the cobbled streets, such as the palace-like Trippenhuis at No. 29 and the Narrow House on the opposite side at No. 26. Many of the historical buildings along the Kloveniersburgwal have been transformed into a university campus, such as the magnificent Bushuis and the Oudemanhuispoort. The Kloveniersburgwal also has a nice selection of cafes, international restaurants, and gelato shops, allowing for a pleasant break. Read more

9. Entrepotdok

The contemporary side of the Canal District

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The roots of the Entrepotdok don’t go as deep as some of the other canals in Amsterdam. It’s still a significant waterway, especially from a tourist’s perspective. Most notable is the row of merchant houses that stretch along the canal’s entire northern side, making it the largest inhabited complex of merchant houses in Amsterdam.

As soon as you cross the Nijlpaardenbrug (Hippos’ Bridge) to the southern bank, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Resistance Museum. This hall brings you back in time, telling the story of resistance, persecution of the Jewish community, and daily life in Amsterdam from 1940 to 1945. Read more

10. Nieuwe Herengracht

A diversity of sights along this green canal

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As an extension of the Herengracht, the Nieuwe Herengracht starts on the other side of the Amstel river and ends at the Scharrebiersluis drawbridge. The canal doesn’t have as many heritage houses as other avenues, but it hosts some lovely parks and an impressive monument. The first sight from the Amstel river, the Hermitage Amsterdam, shows exhibits on culture, history, and arts.

Don’t forget to wander around Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam, a massive botanical garden with thousands of exotic plant and flower species. From the garden, it’s a mere stroll to Wertheimpark, where there’s plenty of space for relaxation. This park also hosts the Auschwitz Monument, a sobering reminder of the city’s bleak past. Read more

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