Amsterdam’s canals have sometimes been overlooked by talks of the Red Light District and overflowing Coffee Shops, but here’s a look at more than one hundred kilometres of canals in the Netherland’s favourite city. They were beautiful to behold and I couldn’t help but stay still for longer to truly take in the view, no matter the confused weather (it hailed, rained and shined in the space of five minutes).
Around ninety islands and one thousand five hundred bridges make what is today one of Northern Europe’s most vibrant cities. Lucky for me, we took a canal tour on a ferry and discovered the weaving waterways more intimately.
The Singel Canals
The innermost canal in Amsterdam’s semicircle of canals, The Singel served as a moat around the city from 1480 until 1585. This canal runs from the IJ Bay, near Central Station (main train station in Amsterdam), to the Muntplein square, where it meets the Amstel River.
Prinsengracht
Translated as The Prince’s Canal, The Prinsengracht is the longest of the main canals in Amsterdam. An interesting fact is that most of the Dutch houses along this canal were built during the Golden Age of the United Provinces.
Zwanenburgwal Canal
This canal and street is famous for its past residents Rembrandt and Spinoza. Both painter and philosopher lived along the Zwanenburgwal canal which flows from the Sint Antoniessluis sluice gate to the Amstel river.
Herengracht Canal
This canal can be translated as The Gentleman’s Canal and it is the first and most elegant of some of the major city centre canals. The Golden Bend will inspire you with wide mansions, coach houses and inner gardens.
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