Where to Stay in Grachtengordel
The canal belt is comprised of the area around the city’s four main canals: the Singel, the Herengracht, the Keizersgracht, and the Prinsengracht. Most visitors will find little discernible difference between these areas within Grachtengordel and the entire area is easily walkable - meaning any accommodation within the canal belt will be highly desirable. That being said, the area around Noordstraat is popular due to its central location and proximity to several of the city’s famous sights and landmarks. Similarly, the De Negen Straatjes is one of the most famous locations in the city - however, it is also one of the busiest, so those staying in the vicinity should be aware that it could be a little noisier than other areas of Grachtengordel.
Facts About Grachtengordel
Amsterdam is famous for its canals, which along with the ubiquitous bicycles have become a symbol of the city. Historically, the canals served an important part of town planning and transport and as such, Grachtengordel has a rich history dating back to the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century. Below are a few interesting facts about Grachtengordel and its famous waterways:
- Amsterdam canals separate the city into 90 different islands.
- Most of the Amsterdam canals were built in the 17th century, during the Dutch Golden Age.
- Amsterdam has 1700 bridges - three times as many as Venice.
- The narrowest house in the city is just 2.02 metres wide.
- Amsterdam has 165 different canals, with a combined length of over 60 miles.
- There are more bicycles than people in Amsterdam. Every year more than 10,000 of them are fished out from the canals!
- There are over 2500 houseboats on Amsterdam’s canals.
Things to Do in Grachtengordel
Grachtengordel is right in the heart of Amsterdam and boasts many of the city’s most iconic streets and landmarks. Visitors to the area will find that they can easily reach any neighbourhood in the city, meaning they are spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do in Grachtengordel. From world-class museums to quaint bistros and cafes, the canal belt showcases the best of all the Dutch capital has to offer.
Is Grachtengordel a good destination for families?
Grachtengordel is ideal for families as it offers a central location yet provides a more relaxed ambience than neighbouring De Wallen. There are also plenty of family-friendly activities in the vicinity, as well as excursions available to the surrounding countryside and suburbs.
Are there any free activities in Grachtengordel?
Grachtengordel features on numerous free walking tours throughout the city - which offer a great way to get familiar with the neighbourhood and its surroundings. Some of the museums in the area also offer free exhibits - or even free entry on certain days of the year. Finally, many famous landmarks, such as iconic bridges and townhouses, are to be found in Grachtengordel and can be enjoyed for free.
Is Grachtengordel a good place for nightlife?
Amsterdam is famous for its nightlife - particularly the area surrounding central station and De Wallen. However, those looking to escape the more raucous aspect of the city will find that Grachtengordel offers a far more dulcet and genial evening out. With plenty of great bars and cafes, the canal belt offers plenty of late-night venues without the hustle and bustle of the more touristy areas.
Places to Visit in Grachtengordel
Many of Amsterdam’s most famous landmarks fall within the boundaries of Grachtengordel - making it the ideal place from which to start exploring the city. The area also borders several other key locations, such as De Wallen and Jordaan, meaning once visitors have finished exploring the local sights, they only need to make a short walk for more sightseeing. Below is a selection of essential places to visit in the canal belt:
- Huis Marseille, Museum for Photography - a striking photography museum housed in an ornate townhouse.
- Anne Frank’s House - an important landmark that details the persecution of the city’s Jewish residents during World War 2.
- Amsterdam Museum - a former orphanage with artwork, artefacts & interactive exhibitions tracing the city's history.
- De Negen Straatjes - the Nine Streets are Amsterdam’s premier destination for quirky shopping and some of the city’s best artisan coffee houses.
- Houseboat Museum - museum on a 1914 freighter converted to become a houseboat, exploring life on Amsterdam's canals.
- Jordaan - neighbouring Grachtengordel is the artistic heart of Amsterdam, famous for its bohemian atmosphere and beautiful townhouses.
- Bloemenmarkt - Amsterdam’s famous floating flower market, which offers a colourful walk along the Singel River. Many of the stalls now sell souvenirs as well as the country’s iconic tulips.
Places to Eat in Grachtengordel
From Michelin-starred fine dining to unassuming local cafes, Amsterdam is one of the best cities in Europe for dining out. Nowhere is this more evident than in the area known as the canal belt. Here there are several of the cities top establishments, as well as innumerable bistros, cafes, and bars offering cuisine from all over the world.
Grachtengordel has several popular fine dining restaurants, including:
- d'Vijff Vlieghen.
- Spectrum.
- Bord'Eau Restaurant Gastronomique.
- Haesje Claes Restaurant.
- Jansz.
However, the area also has plenty of Amsterdam’s famous bistros, with local highlights including:
- Bistro Bij Ons.
- Sous Bar-Bistro.
- Restaurant de Struisvogel.
- Herengracht.
Finally, Amsterdam has a burgeoning global food scene, with several popular Oriental restaurants to be found in Grachtengordel:
- Restaurant Nooch.
- Tasty Asia.
- Restaurant Dynasty.
- Thai Phutakun.
Street Food Grachtengordel
Being in the heart of the city, the canal belt is a great place to be for those looking to sample some of Amsterdam’s excellent street food. Most of the popular vendors are to be found in or around the Nine Streets area, especially the central end. However, all of Grachtengordel is considered city-centre and those looking for street food will find they don’t have to venture far to find something new. Some venues popular with both locals and tourists include:
- The Butcher Nine Streets.
- Van Puffelen.
- Ben Cohen Tel-Aviv Streetfood.
- Roses by SAL.
Shopping in Grachtengordel
Amsterdam is a great place for shopping, offering everything from modern shopping centres to historic markets and streets famous for protecting their heritage of independent stores. Whilst Grachtengordel isn’t known for its large-scale shopping malls, it is home to one of the city’s most famous shopping areas - De Negen Straatjes. The Nine Streets as it is known in English is a small collection of streets boasting one-of-a-kind boutiques and independent stalls selling everything from confectionary to souvenirs. Alternatively, those looking for more modern shopping in the canal belt can head to several other prominent retail centres:
- Mini Mini Mall.
- Greengrocer.
- Royal Streets.
- Kalverpassage.
Transportation in Grachtengordel
Amsterdam has plenty of options when it comes to getting around. The city’s public transport network is comprised of trams, metro, overground rail, buses and ferries, which between them offer easy means to explore the city as well as its surrounding suburbs and the wider country. For transport within Grachtengordel itself, the tram is usually the fastest and most cost-effective means. Some key stops in the area are:
- Keizersgracht.
- Koningsplein.
- Spui.
- Prinsengracht.
- Dam.
Trams, as well as buses and the metro, can be paid for with the OV-chipkaart system, which operates in a similar way to London’s Oyster. Alternatively, those who do not wish to make use of public transport also have the option of Amsterdam’s most recognizable form of locomotion - the bicycle. The city has extensive cycle path routes and bikes can be hired from numerous vendors.
Weather in Grachtengordel
Amsterdam experiences seasonal weather much like the rest of western Europe. However, the city’s northern location and proximity to the sea means it can often be a little colder and windier than the more southern cities. Typically, the best time to visit is the springtime from late-March to early May. This is before the tourist season hits its peak, yet the weather is mostly clement and the famous tulips will be in bloom. August is peak season and temperatures can reach over 30 degrees - making it the ideal time to visit for those looking to enjoy Amsterdam’s many green spaces and parks. However, winter is also a popular time, with the canal crossed streets making the ideal backdrop for Christmas markets and seasonal festivities.
