History Walks
A walk along Amsterdam's 17th-century canal ring, from a former merchant's warehouse to the hidden courtyard house where Anne Frank's family lived in secret.
Duration
3 hr 20 min
Distance
5.0 km
Difficulty
Easy
Stops
7
Best time
Weekday afternoons, once the morning bike traffic thins out
Photo: Herengracht, Amsterdam in the Blue Hour
Start
Nieuwmarkt
Finish
Anne Frank House
Route map: The Canal Ring: Amsterdam's Golden Age Walk
A Google My Maps embed drops in here. Until then, follow the numbered stops below, they are written so the route works without a live map.
Overview
Amsterdam's canal ring was planned and dug in the 17th century, during the city's Golden Age as a trading power, and the loop of canals you'll follow today is largely unchanged since then. This walk traces that history from a former weigh house through the grandest merchant streets to a quiet building with a very different story.
It works well as an easy afternoon walk, flat throughout and mostly along canal-side paths, so it suits pretty much anyone on their feet.
Bikes have the right of way everywhere here, more than cars in most cases, so a bit of alertness at crossings goes a long way.
By the end you'll have walked past the wealth that Golden Age trade built, and the very different history that unfolded here three centuries later.
The route
Each stop gives you the direction from the previous one, what to look at, a practical tip and roughly how long to stay.
Direction
Start at Nieuwmarkt square, reachable by tram or a short walk from Centraal Station.
What to see
De Waag was built in 1488 as a city gate before becoming a public weigh house for trade goods, and later a site for public anatomy lessons.
Time here: 15 min
Direction
Walk southwest through the Red Light District, about 500 m.
What to see
Amsterdam's oldest building, consecrated around 1306, standing in what's now a very different neighbourhood than the one it was built for.
Time here: 20 min
Direction
Continue west for about 400 m.
What to see
The city's founding point, named for the dam built across the Amstel river in the 13th century. The Royal Palace on one side started life as the city hall in the 1600s.
Time here: 15 min
Direction
Walk west into the canal ring proper, about 300 m.
What to see
The grandest of the three main canals, lined with the widest merchant houses, built by the traders who ran Amsterdam's Golden Age shipping empire.
Time here: 30 min
Direction
Cross to the outer canal ring, about 600 m, weaving through the small connecting streets.
What to see
A dense grid of narrow shopping streets crossing three canals, largely unchanged in layout since the 17th century, though the shops themselves have changed many times over.
Time here: 30 min
Direction
Continue north along Prinsengracht for about 400 m.
What to see
Completed in 1631, this was the tallest church tower in the city for a long time and remains a landmark for orienting yourself in the ring.
Time here: 15 min
Direction
It's just a short walk further along the same canal, about 100 m.
What to see
The canal-side house where Anne Frank and her family hid for two years during the German occupation, now preserved with the movable bookcase entrance to the secret annex still in place.
Time here: 45 min
Before you go
Checklist
Screenshot Mode
Save each card to your phone gallery in order. On the walk you swipe through the screenshots instead of loading maps. No app, no data, no dead battery from GPS.
Amsterdam
Direction
Start at Nieuwmarkt square, reachable by tram or a short walk from Centraal Station.
See
De Waag was built in 1488 as a city gate before becoming a public weigh house for trade goods, and later a site for public anatomy lessons.
Navi Tip
The cafe inside De Waag is a decent coffee stop before the walk properly begins.
Time here: 15 min
Direction
Walk southwest through the Red Light District, about 500 m.
See
Amsterdam's oldest building, consecrated around 1306, standing in what's now a very different neighbourhood than the one it was built for.
Navi Tip
It's a working church and art space; check hours before visiting, since it's closed to visitors some mornings for services.
Time here: 20 min
Direction
Continue west for about 400 m.
See
The city's founding point, named for the dam built across the Amstel river in the 13th century. The Royal Palace on one side started life as the city hall in the 1600s.
Navi Tip
Street performers and pop-up stalls cluster here; a lively but crowded stop, good for a short pause only.
Time here: 15 min
Direction
Walk west into the canal ring proper, about 300 m.
See
The grandest of the three main canals, lined with the widest merchant houses, built by the traders who ran Amsterdam's Golden Age shipping empire.
Navi Tip
The stretch known as the Golden Bend has the most ornate facades; slow down there rather than earlier along the canal.
Time here: 30 min
Direction
Cross to the outer canal ring, about 600 m, weaving through the small connecting streets.
See
A dense grid of narrow shopping streets crossing three canals, largely unchanged in layout since the 17th century, though the shops themselves have changed many times over.
Navi Tip
Good spot for a lunch break; small cafes here are cheaper than the ones directly on the main canals.
Time here: 30 min
Direction
Continue north along Prinsengracht for about 400 m.
See
Completed in 1631, this was the tallest church tower in the city for a long time and remains a landmark for orienting yourself in the ring.
Navi Tip
Climbing the tower requires a guided slot booked in advance; the exterior view from the canal bridge is free and still striking.
Time here: 15 min
Direction
It's just a short walk further along the same canal, about 100 m.
See
The canal-side house where Anne Frank and her family hid for two years during the German occupation, now preserved with the movable bookcase entrance to the secret annex still in place.
Navi Tip
Tickets must be booked online well ahead, sometimes weeks; there's no walk-up entry at the door.
Time here: 45 min
Dutch
Emergency number: check the local number for your country before you set off.
Swipe sideways to see every card. On a phone, take one screenshot per card.
Emergency phrases
Worth a screenshot of its own. Even a badly pronounced attempt usually gets you help.
Goedemorgen
Good morning
Waar is het toilet?
Where is the toilet?
Hoeveel kost dit?
How much does this cost?
Dank je wel
Thank you
Spreekt u Engels?
Do you speak English?
City notes
A flat, canal-lined city built at a human scale, easy to wander if you stay alert to the bicycles.
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