The canal ring & Nine Streets
The canal ring and the Nine Streets: the back story
Neighbourhood guide
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Michielverbeek · CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout The canal ring and the Nine Streets: the back story
The 17th-century canal ring, a UNESCO World Heritage site, curves around the old centre: three great canals of merchants’ houses, crossed by the Nine Streets of small shops and cafés.
The canals
The Golden Bend on the Herengracht, the Kattenkabinet, and the Westerkerk and the Anne Frank House at the top of the Prinsengracht.
Shopping
The Nine Streets, De Kaaskamer and the Bloemenmarkt on the Singel.
Walk the Herengracht’s Golden Bend, then browse the Nine Streets.
Eating
Vinkeles and 212 (Two MICHELIN Stars); CUE, Zoldering and Bistro de la Mer (One) on the Utrechtsestraat.
Staying
The Waldorf Astoria, The Dylan, the Pulitzer and Rosewood Amsterdam.
Our advice: see the canals once from the water, then walk them at dusk when the bridges are lit.
Why it's on our list
- The canals
- Shopping
- Eating
- Staying
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with The canal ring and the Nine Streets: the back story before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from The canal ring and the Nine Streets: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 14 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest metro stations
- RokinM52550 m7 min walk
Key sights
- Anne Frank House350 mWalk 4 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 6 min
- The Begijnhof450 mWalk 6 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 7 min
- The Dam450 mWalk 6 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Rijksmuseum1.3 kmWalk 17 minCycle 6 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Van Gogh Museum1.5 kmWalk 19 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 10 min
- A’DAM Lookout1.8 kmWalk 22 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Concertgebouw1.8 kmWalk 22 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Schiphol Airport11 kmCar or taxi 41 min
Main railway stations
- Amsterdam Centraal1.3 kmWalk 17 minCycle 6 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Amsterdam Amstel3.6 kmWalk 45 minCycle 16 minCar or taxi 17 min
- Amsterdam Zuid3.8 kmCycle 16 minCar or taxi 18 min