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Most scenic canal in Amsterdam

In one of Rick Steve's videos. He mentioned Urdam? Not sure of the spelling and can't find anything on it. He said it was the nicest of all the canals? Does anyone know what this is?

Thanks,
Kris

Posted by
520 posts

Are you sure he didn't say Jordaan? Which IMHO is a very scenic and nice area of Amsterdam.

Posted by
2487 posts

From the script:
Rolinka: The most important one was the Gentleman's Canal, Herengracht, and then there is the Emperor's Canal, Keizersgracht, and then there's the Prinsen Canal.
Rick: This has got to be the most beautiful canal in town.
Rolinka: It's my favorite canal, Rick.

You indeed confused it with »Jordaan«, which is a neighbourhood and not a canal.

Posted by
15679 posts

Yep, Prinsengracht is great but asking our RS gang to pick their "most scenic" canal is nearly akin to asking a mom to choose her favorite child! How photogenic/scenic any of them can be can also depend on the light, the weather, the crowds, boat traffic.... My own favorite was Oudezijds Achterburgwal in the early-ish morning. Yes, it's in the infamous R.L.D. but it's also one of the oldest canals in the oldest part of the city, and had almost no cars cluttering up the sides. These are not my shots but for a preview...

https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/photo/oudezijds-achterburgwal-canal-royalty-free-image/587925171

https://www.123rf.com/photo_77944458_the-canal-houses-along-the-junction-of-the-canals-oudezijds-voorburgwal-and-oudezijds-achterburgwal-.html

https://www.123rf.com/photo_77120888_amsterdam-netherlands-june-23-2013-lively-street-oudezijds-achterburgwal-in-the-heart-of-red-light-d.html

https://www.printsprintsprints.co.uk/amsterdam/bicycles-bridge-oudezijds-achterburgwal-canal-12282164.html

Go in the morning, when "business" is almost non-existent and the night crowd is catching ZZZZ's in their respective hotels and hostels. Take a look at Oudezijds Voorburgwal, which parallels Oudezijds Achterburgwal, as well? De Oude Kerk, the oldest church in Amsterdam, is on this canal and worth a look. Rembrandt’s wife, Saskia, is buried here, and although it was largely looted of its treasures during the 16th-century Iconoclasm, it still has some really interesting misericords.

Posted by
6 posts

Thanks for all those who replied. I think my neighbor, Derek figured it out for me. He was probably saying Jordaan, which is very near where we are staying anyway. I am thrilled! Of course I will check out all the canals everyone sent me also.

Kris

Posted by
2281 posts

hey hey kris
you'll have a fun time on any canal cruise. the canals are beautiful with all there is to offer and see. been to amsterdam twice, first time we did private cruise in a classic saloon boat, welmoed, with captain rheinard. (privateboat.amsterdam) it's pricey and we divided it by 4 of us friends. he had appetizers and drinks for us, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours ride around canals and open water. it was a gorgeous sunny day early june. he was very good with returning our emails and what we wanted, and telling us about the history and areas of netherlands.
second cruise was a nighttime cruise from getyourguide.com. 4 friends again and really enjoyed seeing it at night time with the lights. there are a few companies that do the canal cruise, up to you to decide what you want. how long will be spending in amsterdam and what else are you interested in? so much to see and do, if you want more info, you can ask.
have a great time and enjoy amsterdam, it is a busy and crowded town and be careful of the bikes bikes bikes.
aloha