WalkPaths

Canal Ring: Dam Square to Museumplein

Amsterdam, Netherlands · Amsterdam walking route

Amsterdam's 17th-century Canal Ring is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and this route walks its finest cross-section. It begins at the Royal Palace on Dam Square, calls at the Westerkerk tower and the Anne Frank House, threads the boutique-lined Nine Streets, pauses at the world's only floating flower market and ends before the Rijksmuseum, home of Rembrandt's Night Watch. Leaning canal houses keep you company the whole way.

Distance
4 km
Estimated Time
~90 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Stops
7
Route Type
Linear

Stops on the Route

  1. Dam Square & Royal Palace

    The city's founding point; the 17th-century town hall is now the Royal Palace.

  2. Anne Frank House

    The secret annexe where Anne Frank wrote her diary; book tickets well in advance.

  3. Westerkerk

    Its 85-metre tower is the tallest in the canal belt; Rembrandt is buried here.

  4. The Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes)

    Nine little streets between the canals, packed with boutiques, galleries and cafés.

  5. Bloemenmarkt (Floating Flower Market)

    A flower and tulip-bulb market held on canal barges since 1862.

  6. Rijksmuseum

    The national museum of the Netherlands, with masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer.

  7. Museumplein

    The broad lawn square ringed by the Van Gogh Museum and the Concertgebouw; the finale.

Getting There

Dam Square is a 10-minute walk or two tram stops from Amsterdam Centraal. Trams 2 and 12 run back from Museumplein.

Open the Route on the Map

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