Southern Canal Belt Walking Tour, Amsterdam

Southern Canal Belt Walking Tour (Self Guided), Amsterdam

The Canal District, known as Grachtengordel in Dutch, is a globally renowned example of urban planning and architectural excellence within Amsterdam. This area has remained remarkably well-preserved for over four centuries, celebrated for its charming small bridges, canal crossings, and 17th-century residences. Encircling the Old City Centre in a horseshoe shape, the Canal Ring encompasses three main canals: Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht, all constructed during Amsterdam's prosperous Golden Era.

Interconnected with charming streets, these three canals provide a wide array of shopping, dining, and drinking opportunities, accompanied by a rich cultural scene. Notable attractions include the Pipe Museum, the Cat Cabinet, the Photography Museum (FOAM), the Mint Tower, and more. Exploring the Amsterdam Canal Belt by foot is an exceptional and unmissable experience when visiting Amsterdam.

Image Courtesy of Flickr and Christian van Elven.

How it works: Download the app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet. The app turns your mobile device into a personal tour guide and its built-in GPS navigation functions guide you from one tour stop to next. The app works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walks in Amsterdam

Map Instructions: (1) Click the "Nearby Sights" button to view the nearby attractions; (2) click a map pin to see sight information.

Guide Name: Southern Canal Belt Walking Tour
Guide Location: Netherlands » Amsterdam (See other walking tours in Amsterdam)
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Sightseeing)
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles

Sights Featured in This Walk

WalkBuilder (customize this walk)

Use the WalkBuilder tool below to customize this walk to suit your interests. Instructions: click

at the upper right corner in the map above to view other sights in the city. To learn more about a sight, click a map pin. Click the “+” or “–” to add or remove a sight from the walk. To reorder the selected sights, simply drag and move them up or down the list in the left column.

Click here to view route map

Enter a name for your custom walk, along with your email address, in the fields below. You will receive the instructions for retrieving your custom walk in the GPSmyCity app by email. The GPSmyCity app offers turn-by-turn travel directions to guide you from one attraction to the next.
Walk Name*:
Email*:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I access my walking tour in Amsterdam?
Save your walking tour on the website. Then download the GPSmyCity app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and sign in to your GPSmyCity account. Next, download “Amsterdam Map and Walking Tours” within the app. Your walk will appear on the Walks screen.

2. How do I view other attractions in Amsterdam?
At the upper-right corner of the map above, click the “Nearby Sights” button to show or hide other sights in the city. Click a map pin to view details about a sight. To add a sight to your walk, find it in the right column of the WalkBuilder tool above and click the “+” button next to it.

3. How do I re-arrange the sight order?
In the left column of the WalkBuilder tool, drag a sight to move it up or down the list. Then click “Click here to view route map”. Repeat this process until the route meets your needs.

4. Can I add my hotel to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add your hotel as the starting point, the ending point, or both (creating a loop route). This feature is currently available only in the GPSmyCity app.

5. Can I add my own sights to a walking tour?
Yes. You can add sightss that are not in our database and include them in your walk. To do so, sign in to your GPSmyCity account on the website or use the GPSmyCity app.

6. How many sights can be included in a walking tour?
For technical reasons, the number of sights in a walking tour is currently capped at 20. This limit may be increased over time.

Walking Tours in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Create Your Own Walk in Amsterdam

Creating your own self-guided walk in Amsterdam is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Red Light District Walking Tour

For centuries, Amsterdam’s Red Light District has been a source of endless intrigue. Its heart and the most historic section, De Wallen, is a fascinating blend of medieval charm and modern-day notoriety. Here, you’ll find timeworn canal houses leaning at curious angles, narrow cobblestone alleys lined with old bars, cozy shops, and a sprinkling of late-night establishments. And of course, the... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles

Amsterdam Cheese Tasting Tour

Cheese has long been woven into the cultural and culinary fabric of the Netherlands, and Amsterdam offers a particularly vivid glimpse into this tradition. Dutch cheesemaking dates back centuries, with records of organized cheese markets appearing as early as the Middle Ages. Farmers in regions such as North Holland and Friesland developed techniques for producing durable, flavorful cheeses—most... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles

Amsterdam Introduction Walking Tour

The Dutch capital, Amsterdam, some say, “dances to its own beat.” Indeed, Amsterdam – where “hipness meets history” – has a rather unusual life rhythm and style, famously manifested in the air of legalized cannabis, coffee shops, and the Red Light District. In large part, this “air of freedom” attracts annually to the city over five million visitors.

As a small fishing village,... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles

City Center Walking Tour

The inner-most borough and historic heart of Amsterdam, known locally as Centrum, is a tightly woven network of canals and overlapping micro-neighborhoods, each with its own distinct rhythm and layered past. Once a largely working-class district, the area developed a reputation for its strong community spirit and a healthy dose of stubborn independence manifested in outspoken politics and enduring... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Jewish Quarter Walking Tour

Welcome to Amsterdam’s Jewish Quarter, a neighborhood rich in history, tracing the ebb and flow of the city’s Jewish community. It all began in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, when Sephardic Jews fleeing persecution in Spain and Portugal found refuge here. With its relatively tolerant atmosphere, Amsterdam quickly became a sanctuary, and before long, Ashkenazi Jews from Central and... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

Amsterdam's Historical Churches Walking Tour

The history of Amsterdam is deeply intertwined with its religious heritage. The city is home to several historical churches, each with its own unique charm and significance. These religious sites serve as both spiritual centers and architectural treasures that provide insight into the city's past.

Our walk starts in the Central Station area and leads you to visit the eight most prominent... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles

View all walking tours in Amsterdam, Netherlands

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