Canal Ring Travel Guide

Amsterdam

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

Visit these semi-circular canals built in the 17th century to see why Amsterdam got the nickname “The Venice of the North.”

Walk or cycle around the Canal Ring for half a day and you’ll come across countless monuments, restored warehouses, houseboats and fine examples of the gabled homes that are typical of Amsterdam. The quickest way to tour the Canal Ring is by a canal boat cruise, which is also a great way to hear interesting facts and stories about the history of the Dutch capital.

The inner canal district, between the IJ River and Singelgracht, is an internationally protected heritage site. The first canals dug around the Dam in the 13th century protected the city from inland waters from the North Sea. The Singel was the city’s outer edge during the Middle Ages. In the 17th century, the Dutch Golden Age, the industrious Amsterdammers built the semi-circular Canal Ring that you can still see today. Barges used the canals to bring goods from all over the world to inner-city locations. The ring consists of three main canals, the Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht.

Hundreds of bridges span the canals, connecting the cobblestone streets and main thoroughfares of the old city. Illuminated at night, the arched bridges are a romantic sight. When the sun is out, the canals fill up with pleasure boats. Twice a year, during the Gay Parade and the King’s holiday, decorated boats full of dressed-up party people entertain the crowds.

For the Dutch, a good winter is when the canals freeze over and they can ice skate instead of cycle to work. This time of year vendors sell hot chocolate and oliebollen, the Dutch equivalent to doughnuts. Any other times of year, the canal cruises show tourists the best spots in the inner city, such as the Seven Bridges viewpoint and the Golden Bend with its elegant mansions. Various tour operators offer English-narrated canal boat cruises, with the Canal Bus allowing you to hop-on and hop-off at the main tourist attractions.

If you rent a bike you can cover most of the Canal Ring loop in one day. There are over 1,500 monumental buildings to admire, including leaning gabled houses with ornamental staircases, inviting old shops and churches.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Canal Ring

Eden Hotel Amsterdam
Eden Hotel Amsterdam
4.5 out of 5
Amstel 144, Amsterdam
The price is £154 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
£154
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,439 reviews)
Walkable area in a lively area
"The room was fine but the location was noisy (crowds outside, not cars). Hotel was pricey. Self-check out kiosk was nice."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Eden Hotel Amsterdam
Pulitzer Amsterdam
Pulitzer Amsterdam
5 out of 5
Prinsengracht 323, Amsterdam
The price is £406 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
£406
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,001 reviews)
"Very cool hotel with great service"

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

Pulitzer Amsterdam
NH City Centre Amsterdam
NH City Centre Amsterdam
4 out of 5
Spuistraat 288-292, Amsterdam
The price is £173 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£173
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,009 reviews)
"Great location, clean comfortable rooms, great breakfast and very accommodating staff. Rooms are small, but still a great value for central Amsterdam."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

NH City Centre Amsterdam
The Hoxton, Amsterdam
The Hoxton, Amsterdam
4 out of 5
Herengracht 255, Amsterdam
The price is £265 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£265
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this eco-certified hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,005 reviews)
"Streets and local area dirty with rubbish. Hotel lovely"

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

The Hoxton, Amsterdam
citizenM Amstel Amsterdam
citizenM Amstel Amsterdam
4 out of 5
Sarphatistraat 47, Amsterdam
The price is £138 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£138
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (719 reviews)
"Very easy check in. Friendly staff. Clean and welcoming. One of the best hotel experiences in Amsterdam. All receptionists were super helpful. A pleasant surprise, I will be back!"

Reviewed on 22 Jun 2025

citizenM Amstel Amsterdam
Hotel Notting Hill
Hotel Notting Hill
4 out of 5
Westeinde 26, Amsterdam
The price is £87 per night from 7 Jul to 8 Jul
£87
7 Jul - 8 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (999 reviews)
I’d stay again
"The double bed with canal view was a nice spacious ro with a comfy bed. The staff was great and a perfect location"

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

Hotel Notting Hill
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

5/5(1 area review)

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 featuring a river or creek, street scenes 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 road cycling, street scenes and motorbike riding

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(2,168 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 showing a city, heritage architecture and street scenes

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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