Meet the canals
Many Dutch cities were built around canals. Alkmaar Utrecht, Dordrecht, Leiden, Groningen, Leeuwarden and Amersfoort are cities with cityscapes that are characterised by graceful canals. Of course, Amsterdam has the best-known canals. The Amsterdam Canal District is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the city has even been nicknamed the “Venice of the North”. Discover Holland from a different perspective and take a cruise through the canals.
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Canals of Leiden
The canals of Leiden were incorporated into the city's planning and are studded with tree-covered quays.
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From necessity to recreational playground
The canals were constructed in the 17th century to enable development of new neighbourhoods surrounding the city centre. The canals were used for water management, transportation and defense purposes. Nowadays, the canals are mainly used for recreational activities. Motor boats, canal tour boats, pedal boats and canoes sail through the canals year round, and you can even skate through the city centre during those severe winters when the canals freeze over.
History of the canals in Holland
Holland has thousands of canals used for travel, irrigation, and water removal.
Read MoreLiving on the canals
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The Houseboat Museum
The Houseboat Museum in Amsterdam was created due to curious visitors' questions.
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Things to do on the canals
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Renting boats
Renting boats in Holland can be a wonderful way to explore the cities and countryside more fully.
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Dining on boats
Enjoy the view and a meal while cruising along the canals of Holland.
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The Floating Dutchman
The Floating Dutchman tour is one of the rare amphibious bus tours in the world, traveling the streets and the canals.
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Renting canoes in Utrecht
Utrecht is located in the central area of the Netherlands and has many canals to be explored by canoe.
