
When we think of Amsterdam, we often visualise the coffee shops, the Red Light District and the tulip farms. However, there is SO much more culture in the Netherlands, one of those being the Amsterdam canals and how they came to be. Here are ten fun facts to impress your mates with.
1. A city with over 1,700 bridges
Amsterdam in the Netherlands is known for its beautiful canals. In fact there are 165 canals in Amsterdam, which are connected by over 1,700 bridges (which is 1,300 more than Venice!). Amsterdam was entirely built on marshy, waterlogged land – picture Shrek’s swamp. The canals were actually dug to drain all the water into them, so the Dutch could use it as a mode of transport and to create drier land to build on. They built dykes to protect the area against the sea. “God created the world but the Dutch created the Netherlands” is a famous saying you may hear, because the Netherlands is such a low-lying country, but most of it was built by the clever methods of the Dutch people.

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2. The clever idea of the Dutch houses
Have you ever wondered why Amsterdam has such skinny houses lining the canals? These homes were built during the Golden Age, but weren’t just your average home. Wealthy merchants, bankers and artisans were the primary owners. The reason the houses are so narrow and tall reflects the high cost of land and tax paid on the width of a properties frontage.
So of course, the Dutch had the clever idea of building them with multiple storeys, but narrow to save a pretty penny. The houses weren’t just for living; usually the bottom storey was used as a warehouse, office or shop, and the top levels were used as living quarters. The houses have narrow hooks on the houses which were used to lift goods into the house with a hoist, instead of having to face the steep staircase. Often boats travel through the canals and deliver goods to the home, using the hoist to deliver them. You can actually still see these hooks on the canal houses today!
3. Can you swim in the canals?
Officially you are not allowed to swim in the Amsterdam canals due to the boats constantly passing through. However, Amsterdam holds an annual event called the ‘Amsterdam City Swim’ to raise awareness and funds for research into Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. All of the boats and vessels make way for this prestigious event. The swim covers a 2km distance and is open to anyone who meets the proficiency requirements. The canals are tested and cleaned before the event to ensure the water is clean and safe. Thousands of spectators gather and cheer on the swimmers in this annual event, with music and festivities. The event usually has around 3,000 swimmers who take the brave plunge into the Amsterdam canals.

Image source:Contiki
4. 15,000 bikes are pulled out of the canals annually
The Netherlands has a population of at least 17 million, but there are 22.8 million bicycles. This means there are more bicycles than people! Unfortunately, up to 15,000 bikes are pulled out of the canals annually. With bikes being parked so close to the canals, sometimes Mother Nature takes its turn, however a lot of these cases are due to vandalism. Luckily, Amsterdam has boats which are made specifically for pulling bikes and other waste out of the waterways. The locals call them the “bike fishermen” and one of the boats has a large claw to sweep the waterways, while the other one collects all of the bikes.
5. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
In 2010, the Amsterdam canals were officially recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which include the four main canals: Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht. If you look at a bird’s eye view of the canals on a map, they almost represent the spokes of a bicycle wheel (how ironic), or a horse shoe. However, they weren’t originally made to be a charming tourism hub, but instead a way of transporting food and goods in the 17th century.

Image source:Contiki
6. Houseboats can cost 10,000 euros per square metre!
Houseboats were first used in the Amsterdam canals in the 17th century for traders who sold their goods, which were sometimes referred to as the “dog houses”. However, after World War Two there was a housing shortage so it became a new way of life. Nowadays, this has become quite trendy in Amsterdam, but at a cost! You must pay a harbour fee which is dependent on the size of your boat and motor size, as well as mooring and parking fees. There are over 2,500 houseboats in Amsterdam’s canals currently. Buying a houseboat in the city centre can set you back 10,000 plus euros per square metre!
7. 2 billion euros in revenue each year
Despite the canals being originally built for functional purposes, it has had an enormous impact on the Dutch economy. The canals have created an average of 50,000 jobs and create over 2 billion euros in revenue each year! Not to mention all of the canal cruises, canalside bars, restaurants and water taxis.

Image source:Contiki
8. Ice skating on the canals
During the winter, the canals sometimes become frozen (which is happening less and less these days). However, when freezing weather is expected, parts of the canals are closed off to allow for ice skating on the icy canals. This is all weather dependent, therefore does not happen every year. But when it does, expect to see the locals out taking advantage of this rare winter magic!
9. King’s Day celebrations
Every year the Dutch have an annual event on the 27th of April to celebrate the King’s birthday – which turns out to be the biggest event in the Netherlands! This celebration includes huge flea markets lining the streets and music festivals. Netherlands National colour is Orange because of the House of Orange – stemming from the Dutch Royal Family. The Amsterdam canals become a SEA of orange, with people celebrating and partying in the canals on boats.

10. 35% of Amsterdam is water!
When you think of cities built on water – our minds usually turn to Venice. Amsterdam has even been given the nickname “Venice of the North”. However, water covers 35% of Amsterdam’s surface area, giving it the name “the City of Water”. This low-lying country has created tourism paradise with their picture perfect canals and water activities.
Overall, the Amsterdam canals are one of the most iconic sights in the Netherlands, and the Dutch love to embrace their culture and share it with visitors from all around the world.