Canal Belt – Built in the 17th century as a result of the city’s great expansion during the Netherlands’ Golden Age, the iconic tree-lined canals and stepped-roofed palaces are now part of UNESCO sites. To see them at water level, a dozen operators offer boat tours from various starting points around the city.Each of Amsterdam’s canals is unique and has its own special charm. To admire Amsterdam’s most beautiful canal-facing houses, one must stop on the Gouden Bocht (Golden Bend), the stretch of Herengracht located between Leidsestraat and Vijzelstraat. An extraordinary view can be enjoyed from the bridge that stands at the corner of Reguliersgracht and Herengracht. As many as fifteen bridges can be glimpsed from the side of the odd-numbered house numbers. The most picturesque bridge is the Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge), which appears charmingly illuminated in the evening and is one of the most romantic places in Amsterdam.
