Sights · Our pick in Amsterdam
Amsterdam on the water: the back story
The back story
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Massimo Catarinella · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Amsterdam on the water: the back story
Amsterdam grew where the Amstel met the IJ. In the 17th century the city planned the great half-rings of the Herengracht, the Keizersgracht and the Prinsengracht, lined with merchants’ houses; UNESCO now lists the Seventeenth-Century Canal Ring Area inside the Singelgracht as a World Heritage site. Today GVB ferries carry walkers and cyclists across the IJ to Noord.
The canal ring
The Herengracht, the Keizersgracht and the Prinsengracht curve around the old centre, with the Singel inside them. The Westerkerk, the Anne Frank House and the Nine Streets all lie along them.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Michielverbeek · CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsThe Amstel
The river that gave the city its name flows in past the Amstel Hotel and the Carré theatre, under the Magere Brug, to the Muntplein.
See the canals from the water once, by boat, then walk them at dusk when the bridges are lit.
The IJ
Behind Amsterdam Centraal, the IJ is the city’s harbour water. The GVB ferries cross it to Noord, to the Eye Filmmuseum and the A’DAM Tower.
Our advice: take the short GVB ferry from behind Centraal Station to the Eye for the best view back at the old city.
Why it's on our list
- The canal ring
- The Amstel
- The IJ
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Amsterdam on the water: the back story before you go.