12 Surprising Facts About Amsterdam's Canals | Did You Know?

12 Surprising Facts About Amsterdam's Canals You Didn't Know

Everyone knows the canals are the heart of Amsterdam. They're beautiful, historic, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. But behind the picturesque facade lies a world of secrets and astonishing facts.

Here are 12 things you probably didn't know about the famous waterways that will make your next canal cruise even more interesting.

1. More Bridges Than Venice Amsterdam is often called the "Venice of the North," but when it comes to bridges, Amsterdam wins by a landslide! The city has over 1,500 bridges, more than double the number in Venice.

2. Thousands of Bicycles at the Bottom An estimated 15,000 bicycles are fished out of the canals each year. Nobody knows for sure how they all end up there!

3. Only Three Meters Deep Most canals are surprisingly shallow, with an average depth of only about 2.5 to 3 meters (8 to 10 feet).

4. The Canals Are (Mostly) Clean Thanks to a sophisticated system of locks and pumping stations, the water in the canals is refreshed daily. The water is now so clean that some locals even swim in it during the summer.

5. The Houses Lean on Purpose You'll notice many of the old canal houses tilt forward. This is not a design flaw! Because the staircases were so narrow, furniture had to be hoisted up through the windows. The overhang prevented the items from hitting the facade.

6. There's a Hook to It Look up at the beams sticking out from the top of the gables. These are hoisting hooks, used with a pulley system to lift goods and furniture to the upper floors.

7. A Whole Neighborhood on Water Amsterdam is home to around 2,500 houseboats. These floating homes have their own addresses and are connected to the city's sewage and electrical systems.

8. The Narrowest Canal is Barely Wider Than a Boat The Bloedstraat is one of the narrowest canals, barely wider than a small boat at its tightest point.

9. Animal Inhabitants The canals are home to many water birds, including swans, ducks, and even cormorants. Keep your eyes peeled!

10. An Annual Swimming Competition The Amsterdam City Swim is an annual charity event where thousands of people swim through the canals to raise money for ALS research.

11. Built on Millions of Wooden Poles All of Amsterdam is built on marshy soil. Every single building, including the Royal Palace on Dam Square (which rests on 13,659 poles), is supported by long wooden piles driven deep into the stable ground beneath.

12. The Canal Belt Was a Masterpiece of Planning The central Canal Belt (Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht) was constructed in just 50 years during the 17th century—a feat of urban planning that still functions perfectly today.

See These Facts Come to Life! The best way to bring these stories to life is by getting out on the water. Book your canal cruise here and impress your fellow travelers with your newfound knowledge!

Now you're a true canal expert! The best way to bring these facts to life is to see them from the water. An Amsterdam Canal Cruise is full of surprises. Find your perfect tour on our homepage and start exploring.