Amsterdam: The 8 most beautiful canals in the Northern Venice (2024)

Singel, the historic canal ringing the city

In the Middle Ages, the Singel fully enclosed the city of Amsterdam. It served as a protective moat and a route for transporting goods. When the municipality decided to extend the city beyond the Singel in the late 16^th century, the Singel was enlarged and beautiful houses were built on its quays. This was the case with De Dolphijn, the “Dolphin House,” built around 1600 (at number 140-142). Along the Singel, you can also find the Bloemenmarkt, a famous flower market that has been in operation since 1862.

Herengracht, the “Lords’ Canal”

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Herengracht is the first axis of the Canal Ring, which was built in 1586 to expand the city of Amsterdam. Wealthy merchants settled in the fancy houses along its border. Of these, Huis Barlotti is one of the most beautiful, which has Amsterdam’s first neck-shaped gable (at number 168). Southward, the part of the Herengracht between Leidsestraat and Vijzelstraat is known as the Golden Curve: the elite of Amsterdam society resided here, in large houses. Most of them have now been repurposed by banks and institutions.

Keizersgracht, the “Emperor’s Canal”

The second canal of the 17^th century Ring, it is now one of the most beautiful in the city. Quayside, the opulent houses of the Golden Age merchants can be seen reflecting off the water, such as Huis Met de Hoofden (at number 123), the “House of the Heads” (1622). The former Greenland warehouses at numbers 40-44, which have been converted into housing, are also worth a look.

Prinsengracht, the “Prince’s Canal”

This majestic 25-metre wide waterway closes the Canal Ring. Next to the Westerkerk, a 17^th-century Gothic-Renaissance church, you can find the Anne Franck House at number 267, where the young Anne lived in hiding during the Second World War. To the north, the old warehouses and the nearby Jordaan give the Prinsengracht a more comfortable atmosphere.

Reguliersgracht and its series of bridges

This canal, dug in 1664, cuts through the Canal Ring. It offers one of the most beautiful views of the city: in the evening, from the bridge at the Kerkstraat, you can admire a string of seven bridges lit up by a thousand bulbs. What a magical sight!

Bloemgracht and Egelantiersgracht, the canals of the Jordaan

Built from the 17^th century onwards for the working classes, the Jordaan has become one of the prettiest districts in Amsterdam. Some of its smaller canals have been drained, but the “Flower Canal” and the “Rosehip Canal,” peaceful and full of trees, have retained their typical charm. A postcard-worthy setting!

Brouwersgracht, the “Brewers’ Canal”

North of the Jordaan, this quiet canal owes its name to the many breweries that used to crowd its quays. It is worth a visit for the magnificent restored warehouses, whose colourful shutters are reflected in the water amidst the floating houses and barges. There is a particularly beautiful view from the small Oranjebrug bridge.