You can see authentic Amsterdam through its canals. Walking on the streets, you miss the stories these waterways have to tell.
The canal system was established in the 1600s when Amsterdam was wealthy and influential. UNESCO protects these historic waterways because of their significance to world history.
You can visit locations inaccessible on foot by taking a boat tour. You will witness stunning historic structures and undiscovered locations contributing to Amsterdam’s uniqueness.
This guide takes you to seven sites that transform your canal ride into a cultural and historical journey through the Netherlands.
- The Anne Frank House
Along the Prinsengracht Canal, the Anne Frank House stands silently. The structure where Anne and her family spent two years hiding during World War II is visible from the water.
Your guide tells you how Anne lived secretly and wrote her well-known diary behind those windows. Surrounded by bustling canal life, the building appears normal from the outside. Her story seems more authentic as a result.
This feature is often the most poignant aspect of an Amsterdam canal tour. You feel a unique connection to Anne’s story when you view this significant historical item from the water.
- The Canal Ring and Historic Architecture
Amazing 1600s city planning can be seen in Amsterdam’s Canal Ring. Thousands of historic merchant homes that intentionally lean forward can be found along three major canals. With hooks still in use today, this design made it easier for people to move goods to higher floors.
The Reguliersgracht’s “Seven Bridges” view is renowned for its photographic potential, particularly when illuminated at night.
Despite extensive repairs, these historic canals remain intact. Hundreds of kilometers of bridges and waterways require renovations while maintaining their historic appearance, according to a 2024 city report.
- The Golden Bend on Herengracht Canal
The richest inhabitants of Amsterdam are spotted in the Golden Bend of Herengracht. It is where wealthy bankers, mayors and shopkeepers built their gigantic houses when the city was doing well.
These houses are twice as large as a typical canal house. Their large, fancy door frames and ornately carved stone exteriors demonstrate the means and power of the owner.
Wandering through these homes that look more like small mansions will feel like walking through an outdoor art gallery of ornate buildings designed by the wealthiest of society in the 1600s.
- The Houseboats of Amsterdam
After World War II, housing shortages led to the creation of Amsterdam’s renowned houseboats. With more than 2,500 boats residing in the canals, they are now a cherished aspect of urban life.
You witness a fantastic diversity on your canal tour. Some are vintage, rustic cargo boats adorned with bikes and flowers. Others are contemporary two-story floating residences with gardens on the roof. Every houseboat has a distinct personality and aesthetic.
The city now strives to maintain these distinctive residences in an eco-friendly manner. To keep this unique way of life while safeguarding canal water quality, a 2025 Waternet study investigates improved mooring systems and environmentally friendly improvements.
- The Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes)
Nine smaller side streets with many small canals are linked to the main canals in the Nine Streets neighborhood. Your boat may give you a view of all the life that moves on the cobblestone lanes and across the bridges.
This neighborhood has intertwined cozy cafes, art galleries, vintage stores and designer boutiques. You will find people relaxing over coffee on the outdoor tables by the water and shoppers talking to each other and hopping across the stores.
This canal view is captured in the vibrant, trendy atmosphere that makes the neighborhood such a favorite amongst tourists and locals of Amsterdam. The combination of new shopping and old streets creates the perfect Amsterdam atmosphere that appears in the travel photography.
- The Red Light District and Outer Canal Belt
Your canal tour provides a unique perspective of Amsterdam’s Red Light District from the water. The Oude Kerk, the oldest structure in the city, is located directly in the center of this well-known neighborhood along the Oudezijds Voorburgwal canal.
An almost magical scene is created at night when the red lights reflect off the dark water.
Many tours continue to the outer canals, such as Singelgracht, beyond the bustling city center. The calmer residential area of Amsterdam, where residents truly reside, is visible here. You catch snippets of daily life, such as bicyclists, strolling families, and typical local activities that visitors overlook.
- Van Gogh Museum and Other Iconic Sights
Although the main attraction is the canal houses, your tour will show much more. The Van Gogh Museum’s contemporary architecture and the Rijksmuseum’s imposing façade can be seen close to Museum Square.
Everyone’s attention is drawn to the Skinny Bridge. When illuminated at night, this classic Dutch drawbridge is stunning. In the Eastern Docklands, you may also spot the NEMO Science Museum, which resembles a gigantic ship.
You can enjoy a pleasant blend of modern and historic Amsterdam architecture at these landmarks. The tour demonstrates how the city combines contemporary architecture with its past.
Conclusion
From the water, these seven sites depict Amsterdam’s fascinating past and contemporary life. Canal tours allow you to see things that walking tours do not.
A boat ride through the canals reveals the authentic Amsterdam, complete with its stories, stunning architecture, and local culture. Schedule your canal tour to discover why Amsterdam appears best from the water.
