The Netherlands is a real country of water and is known for its many canals, the Afsluitdijk and the vast polder. The old canals used to act as protection from invaders and to drain water from the inner city. In addition, the canals were used for trade and merchant ships could easily spread their goods through the Netherlands.
The canals of Amsterdam
In the times we live in today, the Dutch canals form the streetscape of several cities. Many of the Dutch canals are now widely used by pleasure boats and canal tours. Therefore, we have written the following blog, in which we are going to tell you what is so unique about different canals in the Netherlands.
Let's start right away with the longest ring of canals in the Netherlands. Namely, the canals of Amsterdam, which is also the only canal in the Netherlands on the UNESCO world heritage list. The canal is formed by stately canal houses that were once built in the VOC era and used by merchants. Each canal within Amsterdam's ring of canals is unique. Want to see the most beautiful canal houses? Then head to the Golden Bend, which is the stretch of canal between Herengracht, Leidsestraat and Vijzelstraat. One of the most beautiful bridges in Amsterdam is the Skinny Bridge over the Amstel River. At night, this bridge is also beautiful because of the lighting and is considered one of Amsterdam's most romantic spots.
The canals of Utrecht
Utrecht's canals have unique features such as waterfront wharf cellars and waterside terraces. When you walk through Utrecht's city centre, all the restaurants, terraces and houses along the canal immediately catch your eye. Utrecht's most famous canal is De Oudegracht. This canal is about 2 kilometres long and all the wharf cellars make it look very different from, say, Amsterdam. Residents of Utrecht came up with the idea of digging tunnels from the waterfront to houses along the canal. This idea created the typical double quays with wharf cellars along the canal.
The canals of Leiden
Leiden's canals originated in the 17th century and were built to protect the city. A six-kilometre-long moat surrounds Leiden's city centre. All the canals form a large entity around and through the city, making for great boating. Together, the Leiden canals form one of the largest city defences in Europe, with almost the entire structure intact. Along the waterfront, Leiden also has one of the most beautiful city parks within the canals, called the Plantsoen. Here you can moor for a while and enjoy the beautiful park. Another fun fact: Leiden is the city with the most bridges, canals and canals after Amsterdam.
Delft's canals
Delft's canals originated in much the same way as in Leiden. In fact, they also used to function as protection and defence of the city. In those days, the canals were also widely used for transporting goods, food and other groceries. The Oude Delft is the oldest canal known to the city and is more than 750 years old. Today, the canal is still used for passenger transport. Indeed, you have the canals taxi in Delft to travel from a to b without the busy car traffic. On Delft's canals, you sail close to all the monumental buildings with a rich history. Want to visit a historic city with enough boating routes to keep you entertained all day? Then Delft is the city for you to spend a day boating.
The Spaarne, Haarlem
Haarlem's canal runs through the old centre in an S-shape and is an urban river called the Spaarne. When you go boating this canal, you will come across beautiful mansions, a windmill and churches, all located in Haarlem's historic centre. The Spaarne is also home to several museums, including the oldest museum in the Netherlands called the Teylers Museum. From the Spaarne, it is also very easy to take a long route from Haarlem across the Mooie Nel to then end up back in the centre of Haarlem. Haarlem and the other destinations above are nice to combine with your personal itinerary from, for example, the IJsselmeer during a long cruise.
The Groningen Diepenring, Groningen
Groningen's old city centre is surrounded by a long canal called the Diepenring. By the stadjers (inhabitants of Groningen) it is also called ‘Daip’ or ‘Diep’. Along Diepenring are several attractions such as the Groninger Museum and the Reitdiep. The Reitdiep is a well-known landmark because of its coloured houses that remind many people of Copenhagen. There are also plenty of restaurants and pavement cafés in Groningen where you can enjoy sitting by the water. If you go on a longer boating trip in the Groningen area, a visit to the Paterswoldsemeer is also highly recommended. From Paterswolde, it is very easy to rent a boat via Tubber, click this link for more information.