The Dutch Canals

About the Dutch Canals
UNESCO Heritage Sites
Cruise the Dutch Waterways to see Windmills & Tulips in Spring

Ports-of-Call on the Dutch Canals

Here you can find a list of some of the more common river cruise ports along the Canals of The Netherlands as it flows through Northern Europe.  These may be the most common, but there may be others that can be found on select river cruises.  Your River Cruise Artist can provide you with the full itinerary and all ports for any river cruise that you may be interested in, on any river cruise operator. Explore the Dutch Canals further and learn more about it’s ports-of-call.

Amsterdam

The Netherlands

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands with more than one million residents. It is the country’s largest city as well as its financial, cultural, and artistic center. Amsterdam is one of the most popular destinations in Europe attracting over 7 million travelers each year. Amsterdam is colloquially known as Venice of the North because of its enchanting canals that crisscross the city, its historic architecture and more than 1,500 bridges. Visit popular museums like the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and the famous Anne Frank Museum. Take a boat ride through the canals that encircle the city center. Stroll parks for some green or wander the narrow streets of the famed Red-Light District.

Antwerp

Belgium

Although not a Dutch city, Antwerp is often a port as river cruises through the Dutch canals often include canals in western Belgium. The name “Antwerp” is most likely derived from “aan de werpe”, which is Dutch for “at the throw”, referring to a place where the bending river ‘throws’ its sand. In the 16th century, Antwerp was one of the most important financial centers of the world, where traders from all over Europe and Asia sold and bought their goods. After the siege of Antwerp in 1585 by the Spanish, this role as a financial center was taken over by Amsterdam. Due to its long and culturally rich history, Antwerp is home to many historical buildings, as well as numerous museums. Antwerp has become a trendy city, recently attracting a host of Flemish and foreign artists, writers, intellectuals, and actors.

Arnhem

The Netherlands

Arnhem is a medium-sized city in eastern Netherlands along the banks of the Rhine River. It is the capital of the province Gelderland and forms the northern part of the Stadsregio Arnhem Nijmegen metropolitan area. River cruisers on the Rhine and the Dutch Canals often find Arnhem in their list of ports. Don’t miss the popular Openluchtmuseum, a large ‘open air museum’ featuring traditional Dutch housing and customs. You will also find niche museums, pleasant parks, and historic architecture to enhance your visit.

Brugges

Belgium

Brugges is a medieval town in Flanders, the northern province of Belgium. Not right on a cruise navigable canal, Brugges is often a favorite tour destination when in nearby Dutch Canal ports. Now relatively cosmopolitan and bourgeois given its compact size, it is one of the best preserved pre-motorized cities in Europe. Brugges offers the visitor a unique blend of history, quaint town, and bustling city. Brugges is a postcard perfect stop on any river cruise through the canals of The Netherlands and Belgium. Enjoy an outdoor café in the historic town square, climb the bell tower for amazing views, or stroll the narrow shopping streets to find Flemish treasures.

Enkhuizen

The Netherlands

Enkhuizen is a historic town in the province of North Holland, the Netherlands. It is a popular tourist destination for Dutch holidaymakers and International tourists typically from river cruises that are attracted to the picturesque historic center and waterfront location of Enkhuizen. Save time for the popular Zuiderzeemuseum a cultural and historical open-air museum offering an impression of life around the former Zuiderzee in the late 19th and early 20th century and the operation of an historic fishing village.

Ghent

Belgium

Located in Flanders, the north of Belgium, Ghent is a city with a quarter of a million residents with an interesting crossover between open cosmopolitanism and the quiet atmosphere of a provincial town. During the Middle Ages, Ghent was one of the richest and most powerful cities in Europe. It was once considered the second largest city north of the alps, after Paris. This rich past is evidenced in the historic architecture, imposing churches and the grand houses of rich traders. The city center is beautifully restored and still offers the atmosphere of a thriving late-medieval city. The city center is now free of cars, making it a very welcoming, safe and open area to visit.

Hoorn

The Netherlands

Hoorn was founded around the year 1200 and quickly became an important harbor town in the 14th century. Hoorn became one of the most important and wealthiest towns on the Zuiderzee, and it even competed with Amsterdam for regional dominance. Cape Horn was named after the town when two ships from Hoorn were the first to sail around the southernmost tip of South America in 1616. In the 18th century, Hoorn lost its international position and trade from then on focused on agricultural products and cattle. Today, Hoorn is a charming coastal town with a historic city center with buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries. Fingers crossed that your river cruise of the Dutch Waterways takes you to Hoorn!

Keukenhof Gardens

The Netherlands

The town of Lisse is in the Dutch Bulb Region of South Holland a short drive from Amsterdam. Most travelers visit Lisse in Spring to admire the blooming flower fields in the famous park the Keukenhof gardens. With over 800.000 visitors during the short 2 months it’s open each year, Keukenhof is one of the main attractions in the Netherlands and a clear favorite of springtime river cruisers through the canals of The Netherlands. Keukenhof is only open from late March through early May with peak flower blooms during the mid-April weeks. Be sure to plan accordingly as Keukenhof is a don’t miss destination!

Kinderdijk

The Netherlands

Kinderdijk lies in the Alblasserwaard in The Netherlands, at the confluence of the Lek and Noord rivers. Problems with water became in the 13th century requiring the digging of large canals, called “weteringen”, to get rid of the excess water for homes and farming. As water levels continued to rise over the centuries, a series of windmills were built to pump water into the nearby river. Although some of the windmills are still used, the main water works are provided by two diesel pumping stations near one of the entrances of the windmills site. As you sail by Kinderdijk you will see the majestic appearing windmills in a line along the shore. If you are fortunate to be on a river cruise that stops at Kinderdijk, you will have the opportunity to explore these ancient industrial marvels.

Middleburg

The Netherlands

Middleburg is in the capital of Zeeland in the Netherlands. It is a historic city with the center featuring a small canal ring lined with boats and cycleways. Middleburg is very quaint, typically Dutch town with a town center that is dominated by a large square and cathedral where markets are often held in front of the large townhall. All around this pedestrian-only town center you will find shopping, comfortable cafés and restaurants, and a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Many river cruises on the waterways of Holland and Belgium feature port in Middleburg.

Nijmegen

The Netherlands

The largest and oldest city in Gelderland of The Netherlands, Nijmegen has a long and turbulent history, spanning more than 2000 years. During the final years of the World War II, much of the city center was destroyed by bombing and fire. The post-war rebuilding effort from the 1950’s was regarded as a compromise between the traditional and the modern approach to city planning. The essence of the historic street pattern was retained but a modern architectural concept is evident throughout. The Valkhof Museum, at the Kelfkensbos square, has a permanent display of the history of Nijmegen, including artifacts from the Roman era. Enjoy the parks, historic churches, shops and restaurants as you explore Nijmegen on your river cruise.

Utrecht

The Netherlands

The history of Utrecht goes back to 47 AD when the Roman emperor Claudius ordered his general Corbulo to build a defensive line along the Rhine River which was the northern-most border of the empire. One of the strongholds along the river was called Traiectum which means crossing place. In the local language this became Trecht, Uut-Trecht (lower-Trecht) and later Utrecht. On the place where once the castellum stood now stands the Domchurch built in the 13th century. Explore the historic Dom Church and Dom Tower while visiting Utrecht on your river cruise. The ancient architecture, modern museums and vibrant hospitality of Utrecht will surely impress.

Volendam

The Netherlands

Volendam is a historic town in North Holland a short drive north of Amsterdam. Often referred to as “the pearl of the Zuiderzee”, Volendam is a very popular destination for river cruisers through Amsterdam. In Volendam you will see some traditional Dutch including the native dress, wooden shoes, and of course lots of Dutch cheese. Most of them, however, have a lot of historic truth to them. What draws most travelers to Volendam is the typical village center with its old houses, the bustling harbor area and fishermen’s town atmosphere. Just walking around the old center, you will quickly feel the local vibe. The oldest part of the town center is sometimes called ‘the labyrinth’ for its narrow streets and seemingly random plan – be sure to take a map!

Your Dutch Waterways Cruise Awaits!

Are you ready to start planning your Dutch Waterways Cruise Vacation Your Way? A River Cruise Artist at River Cruise Your Way is ready to be your vacation concierge. Contact us today at 1-800-259-7612 or use the form below and let us know when it is most convenient to call you, we will confirm via e-mail, and then reach out at the agreed upon time and date.