Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Canals and Waterways
With their delightful views, pretty bridges (1,281 in all), idiosyncratic gabled
houses and relaxed waterside cafés, Amsterdam's 75 km (47 miles) of canals
are great fun to explore: full of interest and perfect for a leisurely stroll. They
are a constant reminder that the Netherlands is the world's flattest country,
half of which has been reclaimed from the sea with the aid of dykes, canals
and, more recently, huge tidal barriers. Before you start exploring
Amsterdam's canals on foot, however, you should take a boat tour
(see pp10
and 136)
for a fascinating overview.
Top 10 Canals and
Waterways
1 Herengracht
2 Keizersgracht
3 Prinsengracht
4 Entrepotdok
5 Reguliersgracht
6 Amstel River
7 Brouwersgracht
8 Bloemgracht
9 Leidsegracht
0 Singel
Café Van Puffelen
Three perfect
canalside cafés are
Papeneiland, at
Prinsengracht 2, Van
Puffelen, where you
can sit on a barge in
summer
(see p102)
,
and De Sluyswacht
(see p80)
.
Herengracht
Stateliest canal of the
Grachtengordel
(see p11)
,
the Herengracht is
famous for its Golden
Bend - a grand but rather
lifeless stretch of
mansions built for the
richest merchants. A more
beautiful stretch lies
between Huidenstraat and
Leidsestraat, best viewed
from the east side.
If you are in the
centre of Amsterdam,
with no time to
explore the city's
canals, at least take a
stroll to the Huis op
de Drie Grachten,
(House on Three
Canals), step-gabled
on all three of its
canal-facing sides, at
Oudezijds
Voorburgwal 249.
Keizersgracht
The central canal of
the Grachtengordel has
fine stretches between
Brouwersgracht and
Raadhuisstraat, and again
between Runstraat and
Leidestraat.
Prinsengracht
The outermost canal of
the Grachtengordel, designed
for warehouses and artisans'
housing, has a breezy, laid-
back air. It is peppered with
cafés, art galleries and
houseboats. Cycle its 3 km
(2 mile) length, or explore
short stretches on foot.
8
