The extraordinary number of canals has led Amsterdam to be known as the “Venice of the North”. These canals are the city’s identity and have been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2010. Amsterdam has some 1,500 bridges, making it easy to get around. A boat trip on the canals is not only fascinating, but also gives you the chance to rest from your hours of walking during the day, or to admire the illuminated houses and bridges at night.
The four major canals that encircle the center of Amsterdam are, from the outside in: Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht and Singel. There are also a number of smaller but equally charming canals, including the particularly pleasant Brouwersgracht, Bloemgracht and Leliegracht. The Singel River was transformed into a canal in the 14th century to form part of the city’s defensive belt. The other three canals were designed at the beginning of the Golden Age to expand the city.
Several walks along Amsterdam’s canals were taken from June 7 to 9, 2013.
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