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Canal Ring Architecture walk

Amsterdam Architecture tour

Canal Ring Architecture walk

Amsterdam Architecture tour

Europe’s most spectacular urban landscape

Canal Ring Architecture walk

Book tour
Book tour
  • Startingpoint
    Startingpoint

    We start and finish at the Herenmarkt, on the Brouwersgracht, Behind the ‘West Indisch Huis’, a 10 minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station​

  • Duration | Distance
    Duration | Distance

    2,5 hours | -/+ 3 km (1.4 ml)

  • Highlights
    Highlights

    - Westerkerk
    - A visit inside a canal house
    - The 'House with the Heads'
    - Narrowest canal house
    - Nieuwe Lutherse kerk
    - oldest bridge
    - crooked architecture

  • Price
    Price

    See Booking page

Schedule your
private Amsterdam Architecture tour

More Information
Tour Reviews
  • Startingpoint
    Startingpoint

    We start and finish at the Herenmarkt, on the Brouwersgracht, Behind the ‘West Indisch Huis’, a 10 minute walk from Amsterdam Central Station

  • Duration | Distance
    Duration | Distance

    2,5 hours | -/+ 3 km (1.4 ml)

  • Highlights
    Highlights

    - Westerkerk
    - A visit inside a canal house
    - The 'House with the Heads'
    - Narrowest canal house
    - Nieuwe Lutherse kerk
    - oldest bridge
    - crooked architecture

  • Price
    Price

    See Booking page

Book your
Amsterdam Architecture tour

More Information
Tour Reviews

Amsterdam’s Canal Ring: An Architectural Masterpiece

Uncover the secrets behind Amsterdam’s iconic canal ring on our in-depth architecture tour. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a testament to Dutch ingenuity and architectural brilliance.

The Amsterdam canals are an unique urban landscape. Miles of waterways stretch out underneath hundreds of bridges, forming a ring around the medieval city center. It’s easy to get lost here. Some visitors to Amsterdam complain that all the canals look exactly the same. We – naturally – disagree and are happy to help you get your bearings of the Amsterdam canal ring.

Renaissance Meets Lowlands

Discover how Italian Renaissance ideals were adapted to the unique challenges of the Dutch landscape. Learn about the innovative engineering solutions that transformed a swamp into a breathtaking urban canal system.

Architectural Evolution Through the Ages

From the early brick style to the ornate Baroque facades, witness the evolution of Amsterdam’s architecture. Our expert guides will illuminate the distinctive characteristics of each era and their impact on the city’s cityscape.

Canal House Insights

Step inside a beautifully preserved canal house and experience the opulent lifestyle of Amsterdam’s elite. Discover the intricate details of interior design, from ornate plasterwork to stunning landscapes on wall paper.

Engineering Marvels and Urban Planning

Explore the engineering feats that underpinned the creation of the canal ring. Learn about the challenges faced by architects and engineers in building on a watery foundation. Understand the urban planning principles that shaped this iconic district.

A Photographer’s Paradise

Capture the essence of Amsterdam’s architectural beauty with your camera. Our tour highlights the most photogenic spots along the canal ring, offering you the perfect opportunity to create stunning images.

Book your Canal Ring Architecture Tour today and immerse yourself in the architectural splendor of Amsterdam.

Tour reviews

  • star rating  Tijs gave us a wonderful tour of Amsterdam focused on literary history. He showed us where several main Dutch Authors lived, took us to sites that inspired writers and even... read more made a 'quote' game from the books of Dutch writers. And more. He was very...More

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    avatar thumb Joyce S
    April 4, 2019
  • star rating  Operator: Amsterdam Red Light District Tours Our tour guide Martin was engaging from the very beginning. Very well informed and interesting. Questions were responsed to. Highly recommend this tour.... read more Totally enjoyable!!

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    A Tripadvisor Member
    March 1, 2020
  • star rating  All communication before the tour was prompt and friendly. Tijs was waiting exactly where he was supposed to be, and we did a walking tour which covered the Golden... read more Age, Financial information and World War II. Tijs was engaging, interesting and humorous and I would...More

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    avatar thumb Lovetotravel7559
    July 25, 2018
  • star rating  Living in Amsterdam I read quite a bit about its history. However, during the history of expats tour Tijs knew how to surpise me with interesting details I didn't know... read more before. Time was flying! Thanks!

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    avatar thumb suusjeaussie1979
    April 1, 2019
  • star rating  This was a fascinating and informative tour. The shocking reality of the Second World War is so close to the surface in Amsterdam; important historical events happened on almost every... read more corner. Tijs was an excellent and knowledgable guide about this difficult subject; he told us stories of bravery and loss, acts of rebellion and resistance, of the Hunger Winter, of families in hiding and people being shot by a sniper just days after Liberation Day. I am familiar with this period of history and this city and yet I still learned many new things, so I can't recommend this tour highly enough. …

    tripadvisor logo
    A Tripadvisor Member
    March 1, 2020

Blog posts

Top 5 Photography Ideas For Amsterdam

In this blog Historical Amsterdam Tours has curated some of the most iconic spots, as well as several snappy ideas to capture this vibrant old city.

Read More »

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