Funniest canals to cruise in the Netherlands | 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 nowadays 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 canal belt in the Netherlands. Namely, the canals of Amsterdam which also happens to be the only canal in the Netherlands on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The canal is formed by stately canal houses that were once built during the VOC era and were 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 the most romantic places in Amsterdam.

The canals of Utrecht

Utrecht's canals have unique features such as waterfront wharf cellars and waterfront terraces. When you walk through the inner city of Utrecht, all the restaurants, terraces and houses along the canal catch your eye immediately. The most famous canal in Utrecht is De Oudegracht. This canal is about 2 kilometers long and because of all the wharf cellars it immediately looks very different from, for example, 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 seventeenth century and were built to protect the city. Around the inner city of Leiden is a six-kilometer long moat. All the canals form a large whole around and through the city making for great boating. Together, the Leiden canals form one of the largest city defenses in Europe with almost the entire structure intact. Along the waterfront in Leiden you will also find 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 canals

Delft's canals originated in much the same way as in Leiden. In fact, they also used to function as protection and defense 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 transportation. Indeed, you have the canals cab in Delft to travel from a to b without the busy car traffic. On the canals of Delft you sail close to all 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 city center in an S-shape and is an urban river called the Spaarne. When you go boating on this canal you will come across beautiful mansions, a windmill and churches, all located in the historic center of Haarlem. Along the Spaarne are also 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 and then exit back into the center of Haarlem. Haarlem and the other destinations above are nice to combine with your personal sailing route from, for example, the IJsselmeer.

The Groningen Diepenring, Groningen

The old city center of Groningen is surrounded by a long canal called the Diepenring. By the stadjers (inhabitants of Groningen) it is also called “Daip” or “Diep”. On the Diepenring are several attractions such as the Groninger Museum and the Reitdiep. The Reitdiep is a well-known sight because of the colored houses that remind many people of Copenhagen. Furthermore, there are plenty of restaurants and terraces in Groningen where you can enjoy sitting by the water. When you go on a longer boating trip in the Groningen area then it is definitely also a must to visit the Paterswoldsemeer. From Paterswolde it is very easy to rent a boat via Tubber, for more information click on this link.