Neighborhood the Canal Belt
Thijs on the Canal Belt
“On the Amsterdam Canals,” written in 1949 by composer Pieter Goemans, remains ingrained in the Dutch language to this day. When reading the lyrics, the famous version by Wim Sonneveld immediately plays in your head. The canal belt, with its four main canals—Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht—according to Thijs, might just be the most iconic part of the city.
Admiring the canal belt from the water is my absolute favorite
On summer evenings, I sail along the impressive canal houses in my boat, passing under the illuminated bridges, while the sun sets behind the city. The houses are famous for their unique facades and their ‘dancing’ appearance. Over the centuries, the wooden foundation piles have settled, often causing the houses to lean.
Decorated canals
In winter, the canals are decorated with beautiful lights. In December and January, this is further enhanced by the Amsterdam Light Festival. Every year, I admire the artworks on foot or by canal cruise. Despite the often stormy weather and short days during this period, events like this create a cozy and festive atmosphere. The restaurants and cafés are also extra inviting during this time of year.
Characteristic charm
Besides the characteristic charm of the canal belt, there’s plenty to do. Think of the Nine Streets, with nice cafés like Proeflokaal A. van Wees, Lotti’s Restaurant, or Café Het Molenpad, and of course various clothing stores. For a night out, you can go to Rembrandtplein, where I personally enjoy Heeren van Aemstel. The mix of live bands and DJs makes it the perfect nightlife spot for me.
My advice is to spend a day in the canal belt and experience it yourself, whether from the quay or the water. The canal belt will never bore you. And you won’t be alone, as it’s a real hotspot for Instagram and TikTok influencers.
