Magere Brug

Drive-by of a wooden bridge in Amsterdam, known for its romantic appearance.

Amsterdam Canal Ring

Amsterdam, the Dutch capital, features over one hundred kilometers of canals, around 90 islands, and 1,500 bridges. The three main canals—Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht—were dug in the 17th century forming concentric belts called the Grachtengordel. Along these canals are 1550 monumental buildings. The 17th-century canal ring, including the Jordaan, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.

Rijksmuseum

The boat docks directly in front of the Rijksmuseum. Visitors can take time to appreciate the museum building and its exhibitions, including Rembrandt's famous painting, the Night Watch.

The Jordaan

The name Jordaan likely derives from the French word for garden, as many streets and canals here are named after plants. Another theory links the name to the river Jordan. This neighborhood is both the start and end point of the canal tour.

Prinsengracht

One of Amsterdam’s three main canals, named after the three princesses of Holland. Construction began in 1612, initiated by Mayor Frans Hendricksz. Oetgens, designed by Hendrick Jacobsz Staets and Lucas Jansz Sinck. The section between Leidsegracht and Amstel was developed in 1658; the eastern part, called Nieuwe Prinsengracht, was added later. Korte Prinsengracht extends between Brouwersgracht and Westerdok.

Houseboat Museum

The cruise passes the houseboat museum on the Prinsengracht, illustrating how residents live on houseboats. Admission is inexpensive and the site is especially enjoyable for children.

Leiden Square (Leidseplein)

One of Amsterdam’s two main entertainment areas, featuring numerous bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and concert halls. It is a popular location for music and drinks.

Spiegelkwartier

The Spiegelgracht canal connects Prinsengracht with Lijnbaansgracht and leads into Nieuwe Spiegelstraat. It is part of the Spiegelkwartier, known for galleries and antique shops. Art enthusiasts can enjoy paintings, antiques, and other art objects along this route.

De Duif

The current church is named after a 17th-century hidden church called Het Vrededuifje on Kerkstraat. Designed by architect Th. Molkenboer, construction started in April 1857. The building deteriorated in the 20th century but was restored and reopened in 2002, revealing original murals beneath layers of paint.

The Amstel

The Amstel is Amsterdam’s largest canal, originally a river. The city’s name derives from a dam built by fishermen on this river. The Amstel also lends its name to a well-known beer brand.

Westerkerk

The Westerkerk is a Reformed church located in the western part of the Grachtengordel neighborhood, near Jordaan, between Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht.

Koninklijk Theater Carre

Located near the Amstel river, this Neo-Renaissance theatre opened in 1887 originally as a permanent circus building. It now hosts musicals, cabaret, and pop concerts.

H'ART Museum

A branch of the Hermitage Museum of Saint Petersburg, Russia, situated on the Amstel riverbank in a classical building dating from 1681, formerly the Amstelhof.

Blauwbrug

The Blauwbrug, or Blue Bridge, is a historic bridge over the Amstel river connecting Rembrandtplein and Waterlooplein, located south of the Stopera.

Dutch National Opera & Ballet

The Dutch National Opera company is based in Amsterdam at the Stopera building, a modern structure opened in 1986 and designed by Cees Dam and Wilhelm Holzbauer.

South Church

The Zuiderkerk was Amsterdam’s first Protestant church, built near Sint Antoniesbreestraat in the Last neighborhood, now Nieuwmarkt. It is located at Zandstraat 17.

Amsterdam Light Festival

An annual winter festival featuring light installations by international artists that illuminate the city’s streets and waterways.

Nieuwmarkt

One of Amsterdam’s oldest markets, combining the Chinatown and red light district. The Waag building, formerly the city’s western gate and a site of public executions, is now a restaurant.

Amsterdam Cheese Museum

A cheese museum offering more than free tastings, including the history of cheese making, Dutch cheese varieties, the world’s most expensive cheese slicer, and traditional cheese farmer costumes.

Emperor's Canal (Keizersgracht)

The three main canals—Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht—dug in the 17th century form concentric belts around Amsterdam, known as the Grachtengordel. The canal ring and Jordaan were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.

Herengracht

The same three main canals, dug in the 17th century, create concentric belts called the Grachtengordel. Alongside them are 1550 monumental buildings. The canal ring and Jordaan are UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2010.

Singel

The Singel canal once encircled medieval Amsterdam, serving as a moat until 1585. It runs from the IJ bay near Central Station to Muntplein, where it meets the Amstel river, now the innermost canal in the semicircular canal ring.

Statue of Anne Frank

Anne Frank and her family hid in a house on the Prinsengracht for over two years during WWII. She was deported in 1945 to Bergen-Belsen, where she died aged 15. Her diary and legacy attract many visitors.

Magere Brug

Also called the Skinny Bridge, this wooden drawbridge was once so narrow pedestrians could barely pass. It was replaced by a wider bridge in 1871. Known as a love bridge, couples kiss on or under it for lasting love.

Munt Tower (Munttoren)

The Munttoren, or Mint Tower, was part of the Regulierspoort gate built between 1480 and 1487 as part of the city wall. In the 17th century, it was used for minting coins.