Your Trip to the Netherlands: The Complete Guide SEE FULL GUIDE prev next Your Trip to the Netherlands: The Complete Guide Best Time to Visit Weather & Climate Airports in the Netherlands Getting Around the Netherlands Cities to Visit Complete Guide to Amsterdam Best Hotels in Amsterdam Amsterdam's Public Transportation Essential Dutch Phrases One Week in the Netherlands 48 Hours in Amsterdam Getaways From Amsterdam Top Things to Do in the Netherlands Castles to Visit in the Netherlands Best Things to Do in Amsterdam Things to Do With Kids in Amsterdam Shopping in Amsterdam Amsterdam's Top Markets Live Music in Amsterdam Amsterdam's Must-Visit Museums Guide to the Keukenhof Flower Gardens Must-Try Food in the Netherlands Craft Beer in the Netherlands Heineken Experience Amsterdam's Top Restaurants Nightlife in Amsterdam Your Trip to the Netherlands: The Complete Guide close Overview Europe Netherlands The 9 Best Small Canals in Amsterdam A Guide to Amsterdam's Most Charming Small Canals By Shannon McAllister Shannon McAllister LinkedIn Shannon Wilson McAllister is a travel writer and American expat living in Amsterdam. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 09/05/19 Fact checked by Erin Medlicott Fact checked by Erin Medlicott LinkedIn Twitter New York University Rutgers University Erin Medlicott is a fact checker and researcher with a background in lifestyle and finance. Prior to her work at TripSavvy, she did financial research for the American Express Departures Magazine as well as the Wall Street Journal. She earned a TripSavvy's fact-checking Share Pin Email As you wander around Amsterdam -- whether by bike, boat or on foot -- you're bound to lose yourself in the canals. The three main large canals (Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht) carve out the concentric, watery horseshoes in the city and offer hours of sightseeing. But some of our favorite spots in Amsterdam exist along its "small" canals. Here, find our favorite of Amsterdam's small canals and the charming bridges, buildings, and sights that will make them yours, too. 01 of 09 Reguliersgracht Dennis Fischer Photography/Getty Images View Map Address Reguliersgracht, 1017 Amsterdam, Netherlands Get directions The seven (or eight, depending on which ones you count) humpbacked, lighted bridges that cross this quiet canal are quintessentially Amsterdam and make for perfect pictures. Largely residential, the Reguliersgracht is home to a few small cafés and restaurants and one of the most charming small hotels in the city, the aptly named Seven Bridges Hotel. Where to Find It: In Amsterdam's Eastern Canal Belt, not far from Rembrandtplein. 02 of 09 Leidsegracht Peter Adams/Getty Images View Map Address Leidsegracht, Amsterdam, Netherlands Get directions This canal offers a quiet respite from the busy street one block away with a similar name (Leidsestraat). The canal houses on Leidsegracht are among Amsterdam's most beautiful, with their neck gables leaning over tree-lined streets and brick walls. Some of the best vantage points include looking north to see the back side and towering steeples of De Krijtberg church and looking west at the intersection of big canal Keizersgracht. Where to Find It: In Amsterdam's Central Canal Belt, not far from Leidseplein. 03 of 09 Brouwersgracht Paulo Amorim/Getty Images View Map Address Brouwersgracht, Amsterdam, Netherlands Get directions Not quite as small as some of the other canals on the list (some sections are wide enough for houseboats on either side), the "brewers canal" is home to dozens of excellent examples of 17th-century Dutch architecture, including several former warehouses (now apartments) with huge windows and painted, arched shutters. The neighborhood, the Jordaan, evokes the laid-back feel you'll find here. Where to Find It: In Amsterdam's Western Canal Belt, not far from Noordermarkt. 04 of 09 Bloemgracht Jorg Greuel/Getty Images View Map Address Bloemgracht, Amsterdam, Netherlands Get directions Who wouldn't love a canal named the "flower canal"? The quiet Bloemgracht represents the reason so many people want to live in this part of the Jordaan neighborhood. Among its beautiful canal houses is the step-gabled No. 87-91, which dates back to 1642. Where to Find It: In Amsterdam's Western Canal Belt, not far from the Westerkerk. Continue to 5 of 9 below. 05 of 09 Egelantiersgracht Thomas Janisch/Getty Images View Map Address Egelantiersgracht, 1015 Amsterdam, Netherlands Get directions Just like neighboring Bloemgracht, the Egelantiersgracht (named for a type of wild briar or honeysuckle) is the epitome of a tranquil, tree-lined canal in a residential area. It's also home to one of our favorite little cafés, Café 't Smalle (on the corner with Prinsengracht). Where to Find It: In Amsterdam's Western Canal Belt, not far from the Westerkerk. 06 of 09 Groenburgwal Emreturanphoto/Getty Images View Map Address Groenburgwal, 1011 Amsterdam, Netherlands Get directions If you're wandering through the somewhat confusing streets of the old city center and you come across a canal view that stops you in your tracks and has you searching for your camera instantly, you may have arrived at the Groenburgwal. The view down this little canal toward the Zuiderkerk is straight out of a postcard. Where to Find It: In Amsterdam's Old City Center, not far from the Zuiderkerk. 07 of 09 Leliegracht George Pachantouris/Getty Images View Map Address Leliegracht, Amsterdam, Netherlands Get directions Most canal cruises turn down the little Leliegracht ("lily canal") right by one of our favorite café terraces at Spanjer en van Twist, offering visitors a unique city perspective they won't find anywhere but Amsterdam. If you're on foot, don't miss the great specialty bookstores on this canal. Where to Find It: In Amsterdam's Western Canal Belt, not far from the Westerkerk. 08 of 09 Oudezijds Achterburgwal George Pachantouris/Getty Images View Map Address Oudezijds Achterburgwal, 1012 Amsterdam, Netherlands Get directions Certainly hard to pronounce, this easy-to-love canal forces you to look beyond the nearby Red Light District and with its canopy of trees and parade of some of the most historic architecture in Amsterdam. The neighboring University of Amsterdam gives this area a young, vibrant feel. Where to Find It: In Amsterdam's Old City Center, not far from the Oude Kerk. Continue to 9 of 9 below. 09 of 09 Spiegelgracht George Pachantouris/Getty Images View Map Address Spiegelgracht, 1017 Amsterdam, Netherlands Get directions The tiniest of all the canals on this list, the short Spiegelgracht is one of our favorites because of the beautiful shops that line its streets (it quickly turns into a paved street called Nieuwe Spiegelstraat). This area is known as the Spiegelkwartier, the unofficial antique district of Amsterdam and one of its best shopping areas. Usually busy with bike traffic, this small canal is cute but not always quiet. Where to Find It: In Amsterdam's Central Canal Belt, not far from the Rijksmuseum. Updated by Kristen de Joseph. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit