Illuminated arched bridge on the Herengracht, with bicycles, houses and reflections at dusk.

Canal Ring

Bridges and gabled houses line canals drawn in arcs; walking the Grachtengordel helps you see how Amsterdam organized its own expansion.

  • Neighborhoods and canals
  • Suggested time:1.5 to 2 hours
  • Area:Grachtengordel

About Canal Ring

The reflection of the façades wobbles when a boat goes by, and the next bridge asks for another photo. The Grachtengordel, recognized by UNESCO, is the result of an urban expansion project with canals in arcs and plots of land between them. Water organized the city's growth.

Pick one stretch instead of trying to cover every canal. Use the Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets) as a reference for walking between the banks. To see the façades from a boat, check the departure point and route first.

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