Amsterdam is known worldwide for its canals. Since 2010 they are even on the Unesco World Heritage List. And that's not without reason. The canals play an important role in the history of the city.
The Amsterdam canals were constructed in the seventeenth century for various purposes. They had to drain water so that more tracts of land would be suitable for expanding the city, but they were also very important for trade. The import and export of goods went a lot faster by water.
The best way to discover the Amsterdam canals is to get out on the water. This can be done in many different ways. From a canal cruise with a large boat to a trip with a sloop, various shipping companies are ready for you from morning to evening. Would you rather go on your own? Then rent a boat, canoe or pedal boat. You can even paddle on the Amsterdam canals!
You can admire Amsterdam and its beautiful canal houses even better from the water than from the street. While you float along quietly, you can feast your eyes, without being knocked over by the many pedestrians and cyclists.
Would you like to know more about the history of the Amsterdam canals? Then visit the Museum of the Canals. This museum is located in a seventeenth-century canal house on the Herengracht. In a multimedia exhibition you travel 400 years back in time and discover how Amsterdam developed from a small fishing village to the bustling city it is today.
You will find them everywhere in Amsterdam: houseboats. One of these boats is open to the public. In the Houseboat Museum Amsterdam on the Prinsengracht you can experience what it is like to live on a houseboat.
Do you want to discover the Amsterdam canals? Then book a local private guide from Aroundfriends. Our guides will ensure that you experience the canals at their best.