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Canal Ring

Amsterdam

The UNESCO-listed ring of 17th-century canals, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht, lined with merchants' houses, boutiques and the Nine Streets.

Best for First visit · Upscale

Transport
4/5
Sights
5/5
Value
2/5
Quiet
3/5
Food
4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$315/night · 10 min to Dam Square

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Canal Ring on the map

Why stay here

  • Classic canal views from your window
  • Walk to the Dam, Anne Frank House and the museums
  • Boutique hotels in historic houses

Who should stay here

  • First-time visitors
  • Couples
  • Travellers who want the classic Amsterdam

Not ideal if…

  • You're on a budget
  • You can't manage steep stairs
  • You want a quiet street near Leidseplein or Rembrandtplein

What it's like

The Grachtengordel is the Amsterdam of postcards: three concentric canals of tall gabled houses, humpbacked bridges and houseboats. The Nine Streets cross between them with independent shops and cafés, and the Anne Frank House stands on Prinsengracht by the Westerkerk.

Staying here means waking up on a canal within walking distance of almost everything, from the Dam to the museums. Many hotels are in converted canal houses with steep stairs and no lifts, and prices are among the highest in the city. Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein at its edges are busy nightlife squares.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • The Nine Streets

    Little shopping streets between the canals, full of boutiques and cafés.

  • Golden Bend

    The grandest stretch of Herengracht.

  • Reguliersgracht

    Canal with views through seven bridges in a row.

Getting around

Nearest stations
Trams along Raadhuisstraat, Leidsestraat and Vijzelstraat, Rokin and Vijzelgracht on the North-South metro, and canal boats.
To Dam Square
About 10 minutes
From Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
About 30 minutes: train to Centraal, then a tram, or the 397 bus to Leidseplein.

Nearby attractions

  • Anne Frank House

    The secret annex on Prinsengracht; tickets sell out weeks ahead.

  • Westerkerk

    Church with the city's tallest tower, open to climb in summer.

  • Bloemenmarkt

    Floating flower market on the Singel.

  • Museum van Loon

    Canal-house museum with a formal garden behind.

Where to eat and drink

  • The Nine Streets

    Cafés, lunch spots and wine bars.

  • Leidseplein

    Bars, clubs and the Melkweg and Paradiso music venues.

  • Canal-side terraces

    Drinks by the water on Prinsengracht.

Where to stay in Canal Ring

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

Pulitzer Amsterdam

Why we like it: 25 connected canal houses on Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht.

Typical luxury rate in Canal Ring: ~$700/night

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Luxury pick

The Dylan

Why we like it: Quiet luxury hotel in a 17th-century building on Keizersgracht.

Typical luxury rate in Canal Ring: ~$700/night

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Boutique pick

The Hoxton, Amsterdam

Why we like it: Five canal houses on Herengracht, with a busy lobby café.

Typical mid-range rate in Canal Ring: ~$315/night

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Hotels in Canal RingMid-range from ~$315/night

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