Canal Ring Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Amsterdam featuring a river or creek, boating and a city
Canal Ring
Canal Ring
Canal Ring
Canal Ring

Walking, cycling or cruising around Amsterdam’s famous canal network offers a picturesque and invigorating way to view the city’s landmarks.

It’s not hard to understand why Amsterdam is known as the “Venice of the North”. The city is criss-crossed with waterways of every shape and size, but perhaps its most famous thoroughfares are the grand semi-circular canals constructed during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century.Three main canals make up the Canal Ring: the Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Keisersgracht. The inner canal district bordered by the IJ waterfront and the Singelgracht is today an internationally protected heritage site dating back to the 13th century, when the first canals were dug to protect the low-lying city from the North Sea. Over the centuries the network expanded along with the city’s importance, with barges from all over the world using the canals to transport goods inland. A trip round today’s Canal Ring offers spectacular views of the grand merchants’ homes and narrow gabled warehouses that line its banks.A pleasant few hours can be spent on two feet or two wheels circumnavigating the ring, passing under and over the many bridges that connect the picturesque cobbled streets of the old city. The bridges make an especially attractive sight at night with their illuminated arches reflecting on the still waters of the canals. For a more relaxing way to see the sights, take a canal boat cruise and learn more about the history of the buildings as you glide past.During the annual Gay Parade and the King’s holiday, beautifully decorated boats and their festive passengers fill the canals with colour and laughter, while when the canals freeze over in winter you can sometimes see intrepid Amsterdamers skating to work. Winter also brings the traditional Dutch treats of hot chocolate and oliebollen, or doughnuts, bought from canalside vendors and eaten al fresco.Many canal boat cruises offer English-language narration so you can make the most of your voyage of discovery. Alternatively, the hop-on hop-off Canal Bus stops at all the main tourist attractions so you can plan your own itinerary. Hire a bike for a do-it-yourself day out, or enjoy a stroll at your own pace along the banks of these historic waterways.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Canal Ring Hotel Deals

Eden Hotel Amsterdam

Eden Hotel Amsterdam

4.5 out of 5
Amstel 144, Amsterdam
The price is NZ$319 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
NZ$319
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,480 reviews)
"Would definitely stay again on my next trip to Amsterdam."

Reviewed on 22 Jul. 2025

Eden Hotel Amsterdam
NH City Centre Amsterdam

NH City Centre Amsterdam

4 out of 5
Spuistraat 288-292, Amsterdam
The price is NZ$364 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
NZ$364
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,014 reviews)
"Nice location in walking distance to Old Town. Clean hotel with nice room. Bed was comfortable but we got 2 twin beds instead of a queen or double."

Reviewed on 23 Jul. 2025

NH City Centre Amsterdam
Pulitzer Amsterdam

Pulitzer Amsterdam

5 out of 5
Prinsengracht 323, Amsterdam
The price is NZ$867 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
NZ$867
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,002 reviews)
Beautiful!
"Great hotel in great location. We loved the property and would stay again."

Reviewed on 21 Jul. 2025

Pulitzer Amsterdam
Hotel Nes Amsterdam

Hotel Nes Amsterdam

3 out of 5
Kloveniersburgwal 137-139, Amsterdam, North Holland
The price is NZ$250 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$250
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (440 reviews)
"Receptionist was so helpful and kind. Room spotlessly clean"

Reviewed on 15 Jul. 2025

Hotel Nes Amsterdam
Hotel Notting Hill

Hotel Notting Hill

4 out of 5
Westeinde 26, Amsterdam
The price is NZ$172 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$172
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,007 reviews)
"Great staff, excellent location, and wonderful property!"

Reviewed on 22 Jul. 2025

Hotel Notting Hill
The Hoxton, Amsterdam

The Hoxton, Amsterdam

4 out of 5
Herengracht 255, Amsterdam
The price is NZ$543 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
NZ$543
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,001 reviews)
Amazing stay
"Very comfortable and clean. Amazing service. Has a younger demographic- lots of people relaxing or studying/working on laptops in lobby. Good location and has an in-house vintage photobooth!"

Reviewed on 22 Jul. 2025

The Hoxton, Amsterdam
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Canal Ring

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Grachtengordel-Zuid

While you're in Grachtengordel-Zuid, take in top sights like Reguliersdwarsstraat or Flower Market, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Muntplein Tram Stop or Rembrandtplein Stop.

Grachtengordel-Zuid
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Red Light District

Dam Square and Oude Kerk are just a few worthwhile attractions to visit in Red Light District. Travellers also love the fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

Red Light District
Amsterdam showing street scenes, a river or creek and a city

Binnenstad

If you're spending time in Binnenstad, check out sights like Dam Square or National Monument and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Dam Stop or Paleisstraat Tram Stop.

Binnenstad
Leidseplein which includes motorbike riding, a city and street scenes

De Weteringschans

While you're in De Weteringschans, take in top sights like Paradiso or Holland Casino, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Vijzelgracht Station or Weteringcircuit Stop.

De Weteringschans
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Amsterdam City Centre

4.5/5(187 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Amsterdam City Centre. Top attractions like Dam Square and Nieuwmarkt Square are major draws. Catch the metro at Nieuwmarkt Station or Waterlooplein Station to see more of the city.

Amsterdam City Centre
Dam Square which includes street scenes, heritage architecture and a city

Old Town Amsterdam

Known for its fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Old Town Amsterdam. Top attractions like Dam Square and Warmoesstraat are major draws. Catch the metro at Dam Stop or Nieuwezijds Kolk Stop to see more of the city.

Old Town Amsterdam


Canal Ring Travel Guide

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