Tourists and locals alike have made a boat tour of Amsterdam's canals a sightseeing must -- one that frequently tops the list of most popular tourist attractions in the Netherlands.

The sights certainly are worth it: tree-lined canals; buildings dating as far back as the 17th century; monumental bridges; benches and canal-side terraces filled with flirtatious girls, gorgeous women and handsome young office workers on their lunch break...

However, until recently that idyllic boat ride through Amsterdam's picturesque canals sounded a bit less romantic once people knew that many of the city's 3.050+ houseboats were not yet connected to the sewer system.

That means waste water -- from the sink, the shower, the dishwasher and, yes, the toilet -- was unceremoniously dumped into the canals.

But the city has been working hard to change that.

Project Clean Ship

In 2005 a law was adopted that made it illegal to dump untreated waste water. But houseboats were -- for the time being -- exempted.

This was due to the fact that each and every houseboat would need a different ship-to-sewer connection, involving mandatory custom adjustments made to the private vessels.

Two years later the City of Amsterdam said it would provide those ship-to-sewer connections. A study was commissioned as to how to go about doing so.

As a results, various federal and local public waterworks departments set up Project Schoonschip -- Project Clean Ship -- with the intention to see every houseboat connected to the sewage system by June 2017. Eventually the target date was postponed until January 1, 2018.

A pilot project involving 145 vessels was successfully completed in December 2008.

Since that time, the vast majority of houseboats have indeed been connected to the sewer system. The complicated, time-consuming process.

The process

Technicians of Project Schoonschip visit each houseboat to determine the best approach, which among other things involves determining where in the boat the pump should be installed.

They then issue an advisory, as well as calendar of dates by which each step of the mandatory project must be completed.

That is not as easy as it sounds, because installation of the pumps -- and switching over to the new system -- must be coordinated with work on the wall.

As part of the project, sewer and quaysides are adapted and repaired as needed.[ref]This explains why, throughout Amsterdam, you see entire stretches of canals that have been renovated -- with most of the old trees replaced with young ones.[/ref]

Since the boat owners are themselves responsible for their part of the connection, they are provided with a €1250 subsidy each -- to be paid upon successful completion of the ship-to-sewer connection.

Cleaner water in the canals

Combined with other approaches Project Schoonship has already led to measurable results. Over the years, the quality of the water in Amsterdam's canals has gradually improved.

As a result the ecosystem has benefit greatly. Many types of fish have returned -- anything from crayfish to pike and Sander (pike-perch), and from carp to eel.

Zebra mussels filter the water, while cladocera (water fleas) eat the algae, and are in turn eaten by the fish.

In some of the canals floating platforms sporting a variety of shore- and water plants have been installed, offering shelter to coots, ducks and swans.

Fish lay their eggs between the roots, and the young fish are a source of food for the grebes and herons.

Theoretically you can even drink the canal water -- under certain conditions, of course.

Unfiltered the canal water is actually quite salty.

But while the canals are not going to be a source of drinking water, the ambition of Waternet, Amsterdam’s water authority, is to eventually have the water be clean enough for people to swim in.

Matter of fact, while officially the Amsterdam canals are not designated as swimming water, there is now a yearly Amsterdam City Swim event -- organized as a fund raiser for research into underexposed diseases -- such as Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS), this year's cause.

On September 8, 2.000 swimmers swam the 2 kilometer (1.24 mile) course, and the event collected a total of € 1.716.988,- for research into ALS.

The third edition will take place October 7, 2014. Registration will open some time in April. Subscribe to our newsletter if you want to stay informed.

For reasons that should be self-evident, swimmers are advised to get a tetanus shot, and to make sure they don't ingest the water.

But the fact that the event can take place at all is a testimony to the city's efforts to improve the quality of the water in its iconic canals which, by the way, are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Now if we could only get people to stop dumping their bicycles --- or, more likely, those belonging to others -- in the canals...

Author

This article was written by Anton Hein, shown here with his wife, Janet.

Anton was born on a houseboat in the center of Amsterdam -- right across from the iconic Westertoren and the Anne Frank House.

The post Many Amsterdam houseboats connected to sewer system; many not yet appeared first on Amsterdam Tourist Information.

Amsterdam police was deeply concerned, back in July 2009, about a craze in which vandals tossed parked cars from the Smart brand into the city's canals.

The so-called 'Smart tossing' took place mainly during the weekend, when many youths are out for a night on the town.

According to local newspaper De Telegraaf police has not wanted to publicize this form of vandalism for fear of copy-cat incidents. However, police officers were said to be paying extra attention to Amsterdam's canals, especially during the weekends.

The Smart cars are small enough to be parked with head or tail pointing to the water.

[caption id="attachment_5506" align="aligncenter" width="722"] A Smart car parked along the Leidsegracht in Amsterdam[/caption]

One man who parked his car that way said police woke him up with the message that his car had been pushed into the canal.

"Several weeks ago the same thing happened to my companion's Smart," Casper de Jong said. "In both cases the Smart was declared a total-loss."

Alongside most canals a low guard rail helps prevent cars from taking a dip, but this type of car is small enough to be lifted and tossed.

It is not clear how many of the cars have been vandalized this way, but an employee of a local dealer confirmed the company has recently been confronted with it "a number of times."

Car Tipping - Urban Version of Cow Tipping

Vandals have also targeted other small vehicles, including so-called scoot mobiles and tiny cars from the Canta brand -- both used primarily by people who are disabled and have limited mobility.

Not all these vehicles end up in a canal. In an urban version of cow tipping, yobs apparently derive fun from tipping over these types of vehicles.

In recent years we haven't heard much about this particular form of insanity, but in June 2015 a microcar was found upside-down in a boat moored along Geldersekade.

[caption id="attachment_5508" align="aligncenter" width="722"] Microcar tossed into a boat in an Amsterdam canal [By the way: that green color? Algae. But the water is quite clean][/caption]

No official word on what happened.

Bicycle Tossing

Bikes aren't safe from vandals either.

In a city with more bicycles than citizens, parking your bike can be a problem.

Not just because we're running out of space, but also because you may find your bike re-parked like this:

[caption id="attachment_5509" align="aligncenter" width="722"] Bicycles tossed into a pile by yobs[/caption]

That's only slightly better than discovering your bicycle has been stolen.

The post Amsterdam version of Smart car tipping: into the canals appeared first on Amsterdam Tourist Information.

Amsterdam Canals, a Top Tourist Attraction

Ask tourists what they like best about Amsterdam, and the city's canals are bound to be high on the list.

Amsterdam has 165 canals, but tourists and locals alike are especially fond of the prominent ones in the city's medieval center.

Lined by 17th and 18th century houses, these canals form a half circle around the center of town. Amsterdammers refer to it as the grachtengordel — literally, the 'belt of canals.'

The grachtengordel gives the old center its iconic look. On a map the canals, crossed by streets and bridges, make the city look like the lower half of a spider's web. Others think it looks like half a bicycle wheel.

[caption id="attachment_6065" align="aligncenter" width="722"] The tree-lined, concentric belt of canals give the old center of Amsterdam its iconic look[/caption]

These canals chronicle Amsterdam's growth during the 17th century, the city's Golden Age.

They are, as seen from the center outward: Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht.[ref]Amsterdammers remember the correct order by use of a Dutch mnemonic: Piet Koopt Hoge Schoenen (Pete buys tall shoes). The first letter of each Dutch word corresponds to the first letter in the name of each canal.[/ref]

The Singelgracht is not part of the canal belt. It was dug in 1872 for water management and defense purposes. At the time it was Amsterdam's outer city limit. By the way, at 6,29 kilometer (3,9 miles), Singelgracht is Amsterdam's longest canal.

Singel is Old Dutch for ‘encircle.’

It was not until the last quarter of the 19th century that the city expanded beyond the Singelgracht.

Best Way to see Amsterdam: by boat

The Role of the Canals in Amsterdam's Early City Planning

By the end of the 16th century century trade in Amsterdam was growing in spectacular fashion, turning the city into one of the world's most important centers of commerce. Goods and merchants flowed into the city from around the world, and a map worked into the floor of the Royal Palace (which at the time was the Town Hall), places Amsterdam at the center of the universe.

As more and more people wanted to live in Amsterdam the town engaged in an expansion project in 1582. Between 1610 and 1620 Amsterdam doubled in size, and by 1650 the population shot past the 200,000 mark.

As early as 1613 town planners had already decided to eventually extend the three canals around the perimeter of the city. The canals, the Herengracht (Gentlemen's Canal), Keizersgracht (Emperor's Canal) and the Prinsengracht (Prince's Canal) initially only went as far as today's Leidsegracht.

[caption id="attachment_6068" align="aligncenter" width="722"] Map of Amsterdam, drawn by city architect Daniel Stalpaert and printed in 1662[/caption]

In 1662 the three canals were extended, giving Amsterdam's canal belt the famous half-moon shape.

The Canal Belt includes Singel (not to be confused with Singelgracht) which encircled the medieval city of Amsterdam and served as a moat from 1480 until 1585.

How the canal belt grew along with the city

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvsHvfs3G1M

Amsterdam canals featured on UNESCO's World Heritage List

In August, 2010 UNESCO added the 'Seventeenth-Century Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam inside the Singelgracht' to its World Heritage List.

Unesco writes:

The historic urban ensemble of the canal district of Amsterdam was a project for a new "port city" built at the end of the 16th and beginning of the 17th centuries.

It comprises a network of canals to the west and south of the historic old town and the medieval port that encircled the old town and was accompanied by the repositioning inland of the city's fortified boundaries, the Singelgracht.

This was a long-term programme that involved extending the city by draining the swampland, using a system of canals in concentric arcs and filling in the intermediate spaces.

These spaces allowed the development of a homogeneous urban ensemble including gabled houses and numerous monuments.

This urban extension was the largest and most homogeneous of its time. It was a model of large-scale town planning, and served as a reference throughout the world until the 19th century.
- Source: Seventeenth-century canal ring area of Amsterdam inside the Singelgracht

[caption id="attachment_6066" align="aligncenter" width="722"] Amsterdam's four main canals, with Singel closest to the center of town[/caption]

UNESCO Controversy and Congratulations

Amsterdammers initially viewed the Unesco listing as a mixed blessing. The city council appeared to be interested mostly in a possible influx of tourists -- but saw its enthusiasm not shared by many locals who live in the historic canal district.

Some critics feared that official UNESCO rules and regulations covering the care, presentation and and preservation of World Heritage sites would hamper Amsterdam's ambition to grow the city into a creative metropolis.

Others were concerned that those rules douse Amsterdam's free-wheeling spirit, pointing to renewed efforts by the city to further regulate -- or outright ban -- such things as unofficial mini-gardens next to houseboats, or additional canal-side terraces. Many were -- and are -- afraid such rules will turn Amsterdam into a 'sleepy village.'

At the same time many people commenting on news about the listing on local news websites expressed the hope that the strict Unesco rules will help preserve the historic inner city by preventing further destruction of monuments.

Many Amsterdammers feel that certain elements in successive city councils have butchered and defaced the city with silly projects, ill-advised demolitions, and a near wanton disregard for the city's monuments. To-date, this is an ongoing problem.

[caption id="attachment_6069" align="aligncenter" width="722"] The canals are lined with many 17th and 18th century monuments, such as here at Prinsengracht[/caption]

Walther Schoonenberg, secretary for the association Friends of the Amsterdam Inner City, tells Radio Netherlands:

"The inner city's status as a World Heritage Site on the one hand signifies international recognition, while on the other hand it shows appreciation for the efforts made by many generations of Amsterdam citizens who fought to preserve their city. Amsterdam has about 8,000 monuments, nearly all of them in private hands. The owners can take credit for restoring and maintaining these houses."

"The activists who fought to preserve the city's monuments in the 1960s and 1970s also played a vital role. Without their struggle we would never have come this far. Amsterdam had a narrow escape in view of the demolition plans proposed by the then city councils. The fight was not won until the 1980s, which culminated in the inner city's nomination as protected cityscape in 1999. Its nomination as a world heritage site is the final step in this process." - Source: Amsterdam inner canals on UNESCO World Heritage List, Radio Netherlands, Aug. 1, 2010. Archived at the Internet Archive.

Map of Amsterdam's Canal Belt

Amsterdam's prettiest canal: Prinsengracht

Many Amsterdammers say that the Prinsengracht is the city's prettiest canal. It is picturesque indeed.

[caption id="attachment_6632" align="aligncenter" width="722"] View of a row of houses along Prinsengracht, Amsterdam, with a houseboat in the foreground.[/caption]

Are the bridges and quays in Amsterdam safe?

More than half of Amsterdam's 850 traffic bridges are overloaded. Incredibly, 750 of those bridges do not meet current legal requirements. In addition at least 10 kilometers of the 200-kilometer brickwork quay walls in the city run an increased risk of collapse. That requires a major and expensive city-wide repair project, traffic councilor Sharon Dijksma informed the city council. Her letter, in February 2019, follows a shocking investigative report from external investigator Pieter Cloo, previously the highest official in the Ministry of Security and Justice.

Keep in mind that the quays along the canals in the old city were meant for use by horse and carriage. However, nowadays and never-ending parade of heavy trucks, delivery vans, coaches, and other traffic has taken its toll.

Way back in 1985 the city council already determined that more should be done to maintain the bridges and quays. At the time plans were drafted and money was allocated. But according to Dijksma that money was eventually spent on other things, largely because "maintenance is not a sexy subject."

Now it is clear that necessary repairs will take years and possibly billions of euros to complete.

Work has already started on high priority projects. At least 10 kilometers of quays are in very poor condition with an increased risk of subsidence. Six bridges are in such poor condition that immediate measures have been taken.

Therefore you will see repair projects in and along the canals throughout the city. In some canals you will see sections where the quays have been shored up.

You'll also see sections of canals that have already been renovated. Among other things you'll note the much younger trees lining the quays.

Wherever possible monumental bridges will be renovated or replaced in such a way that their exterior appearance remains unchanged.

How many canals and bridges are there in Amsterdam?

Trivia buffs, take note. Here are some facts and figures. (Mind you, there is a lot of misinformation both online and offline. Many travel websites and tourist guides publish and republish incorrect numbers. We fact check our numbers extensively. That's no mean feat because even the city's official websites contain some glaring errors and contradictions.)

• Amsterdam has 165 canals, with a combined length of 100 KM (60 Miles). It follows that there are 200 kilometers of brickwork quay walls.
• The city has 1916 so-called 'numbered' bridges, 80 of which are within the belt of canals (grachtengordel). There are an additional 2250+ less significant bridges. Many of the numbered bridges are named as well.
• The municipality of Amsterdam is responsible for 1600 bridges, 600 kilometers of quays (including 200 kilometers of brickwork quay walls lining the canals, plus the quays along the river IJ, and throughout the Port of Amsterdam) and river banks, and 5 traffic tunnels.
• The Oudezijds Voorburgwal was dug in 1385, which makes it Amsterdam's oldest canal.

The post The Canals of Amsterdam appeared first on Amsterdam Tourist Information.

Before the winter of 2018, the last time we were able to ice skate the canals of Amsterdam was in February 2012.

This year, the ice never really got thick and strong enough to be officially declared 'reliable.'

Nevertheless, thousands of people took the to canals. The fact that dozens of people broke through the ice did not seem to discourage anyone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd2thin-bZ8

But now the skates can be greased-up and stored again:

Talk to old locals in Amsterdam and you hear stories about winters the likes of which we haven't seen in recent memory.

Weather is always a topic of interest, especially in a country of which it is said -- more or less jokingly -- that you can experience four seasons a day.

[caption id="attachment_7315" align="aligncenter" width="722"] Ice skating on the canals of Amsterdam. [ref]The photo of Keizersgracht is © Amsterdam Toerisme & Congres Bureau. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. Used by permission.[/ref][/caption]

The weather in the Netherlands isn't really all that fickle, but fact is that the climate has been changing over the past years. Noticeably so.

Whether or not it is due to global warming, we don't know. But we've had quite few relatively mild winters these past few years.

Then again -- as we say in our February Amsterdam Weather article -- the weather in just about any given month can be quite different from year to year.

In February 2012 a big freeze kicked in. I can assure you that we had not seen weather that cold in a long, long time -- even though February usually is the coldest month of the year.

And yes, the canals froze over with ice strong enough to safely carry lots of skaters (and walkers, and bicyclists).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM7C3bfMEdM

Come we now to February 2018. Will we be able to skate on the canals again?

The weather forecast does seem promising.

How Amsterdam's Water Company facilitates ice skating on the canals

When it looks like its going to be freezing long and strong enough for a while, the Amsterdam city council instructs Waternet -- the Water Company for the area of Amsterdam and surroundings[ref]Waternet is the municipal organization responsible for drinking water, waste water, surface water and safety behind the dikes[/ref] -- to put into action the so-called IJsnota (literally, Ice memo).

This 'ice protocol' enables Waternet to set in motion various processes that may, if the weather cooperates, eventually make it possible for people to skate the canals.

Waternet would shut a number of locks -- and stop or slow down pump stations -- in and around the city. That causes the flow of water through the canals to slow down, facilitating the formation of ice. Normally fresh water from the river Amstel flows through the city's canals into the river IJ.

The company would also issue a sailing prohibition for certain canals. Boats are then not permitted to sail through (sections of) these canals in the center of Amsterdam, including Prinsengracht, Leliegracht and Keizersgracht.

The sailing prohibition knows two phases:

• Phase 1
  At the first sign of a layer of ice, along with weather forecast promising night frost, a sailing ban is issued for a limited number of canals. (Magenta lines on the image below, with the canals listed below it)
• Phase 2
  Starts when there is a prediction of at least 5 days of moderate to severe night frost -- while daytime temperatures may not be above 0° Celsius (32° Fahrenheit). In that cases, more canals will be closed to boat traffic. (Dark blue lines on the image below)

[caption id="attachment_7325" align="aligncenter" width="722"] Canals on which boat traffic is prohibited in order to allow ice to form[/caption]

These Amsterdam canals will be allowed to freeze over during Phase 1

In the center of Amsterdam, most of these canals are located within the Jordaan area.

• Brouwersgracht from Lijnbaansgracht up to and including Keizersgracht
• Prinsengracht from Brouwersgracht up to Leidsegracht
• Keizersgracht from Brouwersgracht up to Leidsegracht
• Leliegracht from Prinsengracht up to and including Keizersgracht
• Lijnbaansgracht from Brouwersgracht up to and including Passeerdersgracht
• Passeerdersgracht from Lijnbaansgracht up to and including Prinsengracht
• Looiersgracht from Lijnbaansgracht up to and including Prinsengracht
• Lauriergracht from Lijnbaansgracht up to and including Prinsengracht
• Bloemgracht from Lijnbaansgracht up to and including Prinsengracht
• Egelantiersgracht from Lijnbaansgracht up to and including Prinsengracht
• Korte Prinsengracht
• Westlandgracht
• Postjeswetering
• Admiralengracht
• Erasmusgracht
• Burg. Tienhovengracht

Mind you, Waternet reminds people that a boating ban does not mean it is safe to venture onto the ice just yet.

Details for Phase 2 will be posted when it happens :)

Here's what else happens when Amsterdam's canals are frozen

A lot more happens on the frozen canals than just ice skating. You'll see people strolling -- some carrying shopping bags, bicycling(!), or enjoying hot chocolate, hot dogs, and whatever else is on sale.

Some house boat dwellers see the ice as a window of opportunity, and sell hot drinks and other goodies from their canal-facing kitchen windows.

Here's what that looked like in February 2012:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UR6etDJO4c&rel=0

Video: ICE Amsterdam

The video below is titled 'Ice Amsterdam' -- a playful reference to Amsterdam's marketing slogan, I Amsterdam

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KZtgWoARsw&rel=0

This beautiful video was shot by Jaap van den Biesen and Justin Knaven, using a Canon 7D and Glidecam HD2000.

The song is called 'To Build A Home' by Cinematic Orchestra.

We discovered that Knaven is the Managing Director of Provide Media and the Online Production Manager of Wefilm

Video: Ice skating in 'Old Amsterdam' style

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-792HpKdj9A&rel=0

This video, produced by Yoran Staas of YESimages, is shown in 8mm retro style - like an old 20's movie.

Staas says he was inspired by the black-and-white Dutch TV commercials for Old Amsterdam cheese. Those ads featured a song by Flemish artist Kris de Bruyne. Click the link to view those commercials -- along with a translation of the song's lyrics.

Keep an eye on the weather in Amsterdam

The post Ice skating on Amsterdam canals – Winter of 2018 appeared first on Amsterdam Tourist Information.

One Quarter of Amsterdam consists of water

[caption id="attachment_5786" align="aligncenter" width="722"] Girls relaxing alongside the Kloveniersburgwal, a canal in the center of Amsterdam[/caption]

Some 400 times a year ambulances are called out for someone who fell into a canal.

In most cases there is no lasting harm. However, according to the latest statistics, on average 18 people a year drown in Amsterdam.

Of the 88 drownings that occurred between 2011 and 2015, 19 -- nearly twenty percent -- involved suicide.

Peeing into the canals can be dangerous

The Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD) says that nearly twenty percent of the drowning victims had indications of drug- or alcohol addiction, were homeless, or suffered from mental confusion.

Alcohol and/or drug use played a role in forty percent of the drownings.

In many cases men, unstable of their feet due to the effect of drugs or alcohol, fell into a canal while attempting to relieve themselves.

Attempting to balance yourself at the edge of a canal while inebriated is difficult — more so when it is dark. You also just came out of a warm pub into the cold of the night. Often something called micturition syncope happens, the name given to the human phenomenon of fainting shortly after or during urination.

Alcohol causes your blood vessels to expand (hence the red cheeks). Less blood flows back to your heart. This causes your blood pressure to drop, which in turn can cause dizziness.

Once someone has fallen into the water it is difficult to get out -- even if the unlucky person is not inebriated.

Most quays are quite high, and there are not many ladders or jetties. In addition, many canals are free of house boats, sloops and dinghies that someone would be able to hold or climb onto.

In the past there used to be life saving equipment -- such as swimming hooks, lifelines and lifebuoys -- attached to bridges, but vandalism and theft made an end to that.

Stairs, Ropes and Grabbing Stones

In an ongoing effort to reduce the number of drowning incidents, the city has installed more public toilets in a number of hot spots.

Now further measures are being taken. An information campaign is being developed to alert tourists and vulnerable people to the danger of falling in the water.

The municipality is also installing vandal-proof ladders, stairs, lifeline ropes and grabbing stones.

In addition, the 20 centimeter high iron fences that for years prevented cars from inadvertently driving into the canals are being removed so that people won't accidentally stumble over them.

[caption id="attachment_5793" align="aligncenter" width="722"] Amsterdam includes 100 kilometers (60 miles) of canals[/caption]

Crime of Accident?

Note: This article was last updated on Friday, March 17, 2017. Older, but pertinent information:

in 2012 it was reported that between 2009 and 2011, 51 people drowned in the canals of Amsterdam.[ref]This article was first published January 9, 2012. It is updated on a regular basis.[/ref]

Local daily De Telegraaf noted that only one of those casualties occurred as the result of a crime.

The other 50 drownings were ruled accidents. The vast majority of them involved men, and according to the newspaper ostensibly 'most of them were drunk' when they fell in while trying to pee into a canal.

Varying statistics: Drowning deaths in Amsterdam

"Why do we not warn tourists of the dangers of the canal?" Amsterdam daily Het Parool asks, in an article headlined 'Sluipmoordenaar' - Assassin.

[caption id="attachment_5788" align="aligncenter" width="722"] ‘Assassin,’ Amsterdam newspaper Het Parool headlines (February 6, 2016) [ref]Maarten van Dun, Waarom waarschuwt niemand? (Why does no one warn?), Het Parool, February 6, 2016[/caption]

But how many people -- both locals and tourists -- actually drown in Amsterdam's canals?

In 2015 Tobias van Dijk, a researcher with the Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD), studied drowning incidents in the city.

He reports that each year more than 30 people drown in Amsterdam's open water (including not just the canals, but also lakes, rivers, ditches, swimming pools, and garden ponds).

About ¼ (7.5 if you take 30 as an average) -- say, seven or eight -- drown in a canal.

But on average 'only' 3 people a year are presumed to have drowned while peeing into a canal. That conclusion is usually based on the state of the victim's clothes (e.g. open zipper or pants undone).[ref]Drownings are no laughing matter. However, the initial report about the number of people who fell into a canal while attempting to relieve themselves led someone to create a satirical video: 'Safe ways to pee into the canals of Amsterdam.'[/ref]

Van Dijk notes that forensic research into the actual circumstances surrounding a drowning is complicated.

Note: various media outlets recently reported that, according to figures provided by the police, 'some 15 bodies a year' are found in the canals.

However, the Parool article mentioned above says

Every year police finds about ten 'water cadavers' in the canals.

Police usually do not have to take long to determine the cause. The drowning victims are sometimes found with their fly still undone.

"People who pee into the canals usually are not Amsterdam locals."

Police spokesman Rob van der Veen is well-informed regarding the drowning cases. "Often the victims are intoxicated when they leave the warm pub and get out into the cold. When you then go and pee, your blood pressure drops, making you dizzy. That can easily result in a fall."
- Source: Maarten van Dun, Waarom waarschuwt niemand? (Why does no one warn?), Het Parool, February 6, 2016

So we've got three different numbers when it comes to how many people a year drown in Amsterdam's canals:

    7 or 8 (GGD)

    'some 15' (news media citing numbers 'provided by the police')

    'about 10' (Het Parool, citing a police spokesman)

There may not be that much difference between these statistics, but each drowning death is one too many.

'10' is probably the most reliable number, given that Van Dijk's numbers are based on a percentage of 'more than 30 people' who drown in all of Amsterdam's open water.

By the way, online forums -- such as the ones provided by TripAdvisor -- often perpetuate incorrect information. In what essentially is an game of 'Chinese Whispers' facts and other details of a news story often get changed or embellished. The only remedy is to to trace the story back to a reliable source.

On a lighter note...

Speaking about safety measures -- or the lack thereof -- police spokesperson Rob van deer Veen says there is one solution that always works: "People should not pee into a canal."

And Australian comedian Steve Hughes explains why Amsterdam's canals do not have fences:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAnGYfnFz9I

See also the tongue-in-cheek, Safe ways to pee into the canals of Amsterdam

Canal swimming not recommended

Swimming in the canals of Amsterdam -- while not illegal -- is discouraged.

For one thing, there is there quite a lot of boat traffic on most canals.

For another, those who'd like to swim a few rounds should realize that a few hundred of Amsterdam's houseboats are yet to be connected to the city's sewer system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITFJuuehR1s

Hence, people rescued from the canals are always strongly encouraged to get a tetanus shot.

That said, the ambition of Waternet -- the Water authority in Amsterdam and surroundings -- is to someday have the canal water of Amsterdam clean enough for people to swim in.

What to do if you fall into a canal

Do not panic, but yell 'HELP!' as loud as you can! This is no time for pride.

The record shows that, yes, you will attract plenty of morons who will capture your predicament on their smartphones. But there will also be people who will try and rescue you.

The post How many people drown in Amsterdam’s canals? appeared first on Amsterdam Tourist Information.

Tour the canals of Amsterdam

Whether you are here on a layover, a few days in between other places, or for an extended vacation, no visit to Amsterdam is complete without a canal cruise. Providing a unique view of the city, a boat tour of the canals is one tourist attraction that is popular with both locals and tourists, old and young folks alike.

[caption id="attachment_3351" align="aligncenter" width="1100"] Amsterdam canal cruise: The best way to see the city[/caption]

In fact, 5.5 million people a year take a 'Rondvaart'[ref]Currently that represents 28% of all visitors. The popularity of these cruises keeps growing. Between 2011 -- 2016 the number of people who took a canal boat tour increased by 64%. Source: Amsterdam Marketing, as cited in Nota Varen, Deel 1, Inspraakversie (Public participation version). Subtitled: Aanpak drukte en overlast op en aan het water en vergunningenbeleid passagiersvaart (Approach to pressure and nuisance on and along the water and passenger shipping licensing policy) November 2018, Municipality of Amsterdam[/ref] (which literally translates to 'circular cruise').

By comparison, Amsterdam's top three museums -- Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House -- in 2018 drew a combined total of 5.7 million visitors.

So... visiting Amsterdam? Get off the beaten path — and take to the water!

Amsterdam Canal Cruise Tickets

Many people book more than one boat tour.

A daytime cruise provides an excellent introduction to the city.

Also on offer: special experiences -- such as candlelight dinner-, wine and cheese-, or pizza cruises.

Combination tickets are popular as well: for instance, a cruise plus a museum visit.

Note: The traditional, glass-topped tour boats are very popular indeed. But nowadays you have other options as well, such as private- or small group cruises on smaller vessels. Check the verified customer reviews to help you choose the right tour.

Your GetYourGuide Ticket Advantage:
Authorized Ticket Seller
Verified legal tour operators
Printed or Mobile Voucher Accepted [ref]Where applicable. See full details.[/ref]
Instant Confirmation
Easy Cancellation [ref]Where applicable. See full details.[/ref]

Amsterdam and Water go Hand in Hand

When you visit Amsterdam for the first time, you'll soon realize the important role water plays in this city.

The city's very name refers to the fact that the town expanded around a dam in the river Amstel.

Currently, Amsterdam -- sometimes referred to as 'Venice of the North' -- has two rivers (the Amstel and the IJ) and 160 canals, creating 90 artificial islands which are connected by 1281+ bridges.

In Amsterdam's early history, the centuries-old canals -- in what is now the historic city center -- served a dual purpose:

1. As moats that were useful in defending the expanding town from attacks.
2. As transportation venues for the goods that flowed in an out of Amsterdam.

[caption id="attachment_3353" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Many people book more than one boat tour[/caption]

Sailing through Amsterdam's history

Nowadays, the 17th- and 18th century warehouses you see along some of the old canals have been turned into luxury apartment buildings.

Damrak -- now the main street leading from Central Station to Dam Square -- was once Amsterdam's harbor (then known as Buitenrak), which in turn was directly connected to what was then the open sea (via an inlet now known as the river IJ).

The docks were lined with ships carrying -- among other things -- coffee, tea, wood, spices. And yes, slaves.

Water from the river Amstel flowed into the harbor via a sluice at Dam Square.

The square long sported a weigh house, where goods were weighed, taxed, and from there further transported to warehouses or markets. At the time the Kalvertraat -- the world-renowned shopping street that runs from Dam square to Munt -- was a cattle market (kalf = young cow).

Amsterdam Canal Touring Boats

A small section of the early harbor has survived at Damrak near Central Station. (Note that the houses of Warmoesstraat arise directly out of the water.)

The tour boats you see here, at docks in front of Central Station, and at several other locations throughout Amsterdam, provide a hugely popular tourist attraction.

There are several options to sail the canals, including a Water Taxi, The Canal Bus, and various cruise + museum entry combinations.

There are a number of canal cruise tour operators. They are all fairly similar, in that each will give you a good ride through the canals and part of the harbor. The boats do take slightly different routes, and sailing times may vary as well.

[caption id="attachment_3354" align="aligncenter" width="680"] Canal cruise companies located further away from Central Station often provide a longer -- or less expensive -- tour[/caption]

What does a canal tour cost?

In general, expect a 1-hour basic tour at rates of €12 -- €22.

Many tourists take at least one basic tour, plus one or more combination tours (e.g. cruise + on-board dinner, or cruise + museum entry ticket). These are available at a wide range of prices. There are many canals cruises to choose from.

Our recommendation? When we, the DutchAmsterdam team members, have guests we treat them to a daytime City Canal Cruise, and if possible also an Evening Canal Cruise (the latter is one we'd have to use the term 'enchanting' for, right?).

Should you tip the captain?

On most rides tips are solicited: when you exit, look for a saucer or captain's cap primed with some coins. But don't feel obligated to contribute.

In the past, most boats had on-board tour guides -- often students -- describing and explaining the sights. Never mind that historical facts and figures were sometimes made up on the spot and were subject to change from one ride to the next. Purists prefer the old way over the current approach in which a multi-lingual presentation is played over the sound system. [ref]Even the taped versions often include information that is not true. Listen for references to how many cars a year fall into the canals. Then check the real figures here.[/ref]

That said, in our experience on some rides the captain will at times turn off the sound track and instead provide on-the-spot commentary himself (which, in our estimation, is indeed worthy of a tip).

[caption id="attachment_9715" align="aligncenter" width="722"] On the River IJ, an Amsterdam canal cruise boat is dwarfed by seafaring cruise ship Eurodam, of the Holland-America Line[/caption]

More Boats and More Rules

For decades, the status quo was that the entire Amsterdam canal cruise industry was run by just a handful of companies.

The municipality is in the process of breaking up those monopolies. It is trying to get a better grip on how the waterways are used by an ever-growing number of vessels.

In short, Amsterdam strives for sustainable, balanced use of the waterways in and around the city, by all Amsterdammers and visitors.

Currently -- we're talking 2019 -- the canals are traveled by over 471 vessels licensed to carry passengers for a fee. That includes anything from sloops to saloon boats, and from water taxis to the classic glass-topped tour boats.

There are at least 300 unlicensed boats that illegally ferry paying passengers around the canals. 80 of these boats are consistently rented out to large groups.

The city wants to reduce the illegal passenger traffic by strict enforcement of existing rules. This will create more 'free space' on the water. At the same time it expects to increase the number of licenses by 80 to, rounded up, 550 vessels cleared for commercial passenger tours.

Anyway, none of this will affect you as a visitor. One word of advice, though: Stick with verified tour operators. Often so-called 'proppers' try and entice tourists to an on-the-spot purchase of a 'private' (but illegal) canal boat tour. You have no recourse whatsoever if the tour turns out to be much shorter and far less impressive than promised.

[caption id="attachment_3356" align="aligncenter" width="680"] Their outboard motor out of gas, two girls try to get out of the way of a canal tour boat.[/caption]

Amsterdam canal cruise booking and boarding tips

You can purchase tickets for common canal tours on the spot. Most tour boats leave at 15-30 minute intervals.

However, most visitors prefer to book a canal tour ahead of time -- particular where it concerns special boat tours: for instance, an evening cruise, a dinner cruise, a pizza cruise, or a cheese and wine tour.

Also popular: combination tours, providing the boat ride with a visit to a museum.

Good to know: if a window seat is important to you don't feel obligated to board a boat in which none are available. Simply wait for the next one. [ref]This works unless you have a timed-entry ticket (for a specific day and time). In that case, show up as early as possible to get the best seats.[/ref]

Note that the configuration of tour boats differs somewhat from operator to operator, and even within the same company.

Photography / Filming Tip:

Many of the glass-topped boats are completely covered, while some sport an open roof and/or open deck -- something to keep in mind if you are planning to film or take pictures.

What to Avoid

In between stretches of overcast grey, Amsterdam weather is feast or famine -- often all within the same day.

The boat trips are at their best when the sun is shining. Avoid canal trips during rainy days.

That said, during the winter a tour of the tree-lined canals provides a unique experience. With the trees bare, you'll be able to see much more of the gabled houses.

A word of caution: If your boat has an open roof, or if you sit on an open deck, keep an eye on anybody leaning over the bridge. Not because -- as one correspondent suggested -- you might get to peek up a short skirt, but because an occasional lout might spit at you.

The post Amsterdam’s most popular tourist attraction: Canal cruise appeared first on Amsterdam Tourist Information.

7 bridges? 15 bridges? More? Fewer?

Amsterdam is sometimes referred to as the "Venice of the North." That's because the city is criss-crossed by 165 canals, creating hundreds of small 'islands' that are connected by well over 1900 bridges.

Many tourist guides and travel websites claim there is even a spot in the center of Amsterdam from which you can see 15 bridges at once!

However, that is an urban legend of sorts. Or rather, it's a half-truth at best.

Mind you, it is a great spot to visit, and you do get to see many bridges. It's just that there is a catch most websites and guidebooks don't mention. More about that in a moment.

Map: 15 Bridges viewpoint

How to get to the '15 Bridges Spot'

The easiest way to get here is to head for Rembrandtplein.

Public Transport

Trams 4 and 14 to and from Central Station have stops at the square. (Three stops from Central Station, or two stops from Dam Square.) [ Public Transport Tickets]

Yes, there's a statue of Rembrandt, and yes, he is surrounded by a collection of more-or-less gaudy statues meant to depict the Night Watch. These statues are in turn surrounded by hordes of tourists. Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to try and take a photo of Rembrandt and the other statues without including any tourists.

Now walk to Thorbeckeplein. When you face Rembrandt — and the Booking.com logo in the distance — Thorbeckeplein is behind you and to the right.

By the way: Drinks at any of the pubs lining these squares are consistently among the most expensive in the Netherlands.

Keep your money in your pocket for when you encounter neighborhood cafés and restaurants — such as the ones at nearby Amstelveld.

Thorbecke — and why you want to take a photo of his statue

At Thorbeckeplein head for the statue, at the far end.

Johan Rudolf Thorbecke ( Dutch Statesman, January 14, 1789 — June 4, 2872) had a liberal bent. As Wikipedia explains, he was "one of the most important Dutch politicians of the 19th century. In 1848, he virtually single-handedly drafted the revision of the Constitution of the Netherlands, giving less power to the king and more to the States General, and guaranteeing more religious, personal and political freedom to the people."

So it's quite fitting that a statue of Thorbecke is located in the center of liberal, tolerant Amsterdam. Do take a photo. It will impress the folks back home.

That said, the story goes that the statue once had Thorbecke staring across the square -- as you'd expect. However, when the square became home to an increasing number of more-or-less 'salacious' night entertainment spots, the city turned the statue around so the Statesman would be staring across the canals instead.

As far as we can determine that's an urban legend as well.

Seven Bridges Amsterdam

Anyway, now turn your back to the statue. Look across the Herengracht canal straight down the Reguliersgracht.

That canal is crossed by seven bridges. The claim goes that you can see these bridges lined up. They would then make up 7 of the 15 bridges in total you're supposed to be able to see at this point.

Here's the catch: In order to see the bridges of Reguliersgracht line up, you'd have to be on stilts (or perhaps, like the statue behind you, on a pedestal).

But notice the steady parade of tour boats sailing by. They all slow down here, because from their vantage point just above the water, their passengers do see the 7 bridges all lined up. [ref]You'll often see private and commercial vessels jockeying for the best position. During peak hours in the busy summer months July and August some 120 boats a day pass this spot. According to Nota Varen Deel 1 2019 — a report by the municipality of Amsterdam detailing the effects of growing tourism on the city's canals — during those months 8-10 (near) collisions a day occur here.[/ref]

It helps if the weather is clear. By the way, at night the bridges are illuminated — a magical, romantic sight. Understandably, this is one of Amsterdam's most photographed spots.

Tip: if you do take a canal cruise, ask the captain which side of the boat to choose in order to see this view. [ref]Also, cruise boats come in many versions. If possible, make sure you sit next to a window that opens, or select a boat with an open area.[/ref]

6 Bridges or 7 Bridges?

Some travel guides claim Reguliersgracht has seven bridges. Others insist it has only six bridges.

What do you think? You can count the number of bridges on OpenStreetMap, starting at Tante Saarbrug in the middle of the screen.

You count seven, right? The confusion about the right number stems from the fact that bridges are considered to be part of the street in whose extension they lay. So while the first bridge you see crosses the Reguliersgracht, geographically speaking it is part of Herengracht.

But that's quibbling, really. As for us, seven is the correct answer.

Tante Saarbrug
Incidentally, that bridge has only recently been officially named. Formally known as Bridge 31, on November 20 , 2019 it was officially baptized as Tante Saarbrug. Sara Bacharach (1887-1982). [ref]In Amsterdam Tante (aunt) or Oom (uncle) were often used as terms of endearment. [/ref] sold flowers on Rembrandtplein for more than sixty years.

On the occasion of her 35th anniversary as a flower seller on the square a newspaper declared, "Aunt Saar is not simply an aunt. Aunt Saar has become a monument. Rembrandtplein without aunt Saar is not Rembrandtplein and aunt Saar without her Rembrandtplein is not as it should be. "

Video: Seven Bridges of Reguliersgracht

The other bridges

Next, looking down the Herengracht to the left, where you can supposedly see another 6 bridges. That makes 13.

Finally, to your right, two more bridges are said to be visible for a total of 15 bridges.

That's the official story, anyway. Or one of the stories, because there are several versions and inconsistencies. Read on below the photo:

'Bridge of 15 Bridges'?

As mentioned, you can only see all seven bridges of Reguliersgracht lined up under specific circumstances.

When you stand in that spot, there is a bridge to your immediate left. (Incidentally, most Amsterdammers won't be able to tell you the name or number of that bridge. Bridge number 32 is called 'Kaassluis' -- literally, 'cheese lock.' Earlier it was known as Kaasmarktsluis, in reference to the cheese market that used to be held at the square behind you. A butter market was held at the square adjacent to it. In 1876 both squares were renamed, as Thorbeckeplein and Rembrandtplein respectively).

Some travel guides and tourist information websites refer to this bridge as the 'Bridge of 15 bridges.' And some say that bridge, Kaassluis, is itself the 15th bridge.

Thing is, if you stand on Kaassluis, you will still not be able to see all seven bridges across Reguliersgracht. The line of sight just does not allow for it. Even if it would have, the trees along the canal line up in such as way as to block your view.

So why should I visit this place?

It's a nice place from which to start a walk down Reguliersgracht to Amstelveld — for brunch, lunch, or the flower- and plant market. You've to plenty of choices from there on out.

Face it: you're in a historic area, surrounded by 17th, 18th, and 19th century monuments — buildings with a rich history. The canal belt is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. There's plenty to see and do. You won't be bored.

Reguliersgracht?

Where to go next

Any direction
Regardless of exactly how many bridges you can spot from here, you can walk in any direction to serendipitously discover more of Amsterdam.

Reguliersgracht and Amstelveld
Our suggestion is that you walk along the picturesque Reguliersgracht. Stop over at the huge Amstelveld square, where you can enjoy food and drink (and one of Amsterdam's best terraces) at Brasserie Nel (€€) or at Café Marcella (€).

The brasserie is located in a pinewood building that was erected in 1668 as a makeshift church, the Amstelkerk. Want more history? During the French occupation Napoleon used the building as a stable for his horses. On Sunday June 3, 1877 Vincent van Gogh heard his uncle Johannes Paulus Stricker deliver a sermon at the Amstelkerk.

Every Monday from March through October there is a flower- and plant market at the square — 9:00 - 15:00 (9 AM - 3 PM). It is 100% more enjoyable than the floating flower market tourist trap on the Singel canal.

After brunch or lunch, continue down Reguliersgracht till the final bridge. Turn right onto Lijnbaansgracht. At the end you'll find Metro Station Vijzelgracht, from which you can further explore the city.

Alternatively, check out the houseboats on Prinsengracht, which borders Amstelveld. Walk East along the Prinsengracht to the river Amstel, or to Utrechtsestraat, where you'll find many shops and eateries.

Museum of Bags and Purses
Just a few houses east of the 15 bridges spot you'll find the Museum of Bags and Purses. It is one of the eight most important fashion museums in the world. Not only will you get to see the world's largest collection of handbags, but the museum is housed in a 17th century former mayor's canalside residence.

A visit takes only about an hour, but there's also a nice café offering sandwiches, soups, salads and delicious cakes.

The post Fact Check: Can you really see 15 of Amsterdam’s bridges at this spot? appeared first on Amsterdam Tourist Information.