There is something undeniably magical about cities where waterways replace roads and boats glide past centuries-old buildings. The canal cities around…
1/10Venice, Italy | This floating city is built across 118 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon, connected by over 400 bridges. Famous for its canals instead of roads, it relies on boats and walking for transportation. The 3.8-kilometre Grand Canal is the largest artery, cutting a reverse-S shape through the centre. (Image source: Wikimedia)
2/10Amsterdam, Netherlands | Amsterdam features 165 scenic canals spanning over 100 kilometres. The iconic concentric ring system, the Grachtengordel, was built during the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The four main waterways are the Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht. (Image source: Wikimedia)
3/10Suzhou, China | Often dubbed the “Venice of the East”, this city’s intricate canal network forms a 1,400-year-old section of the UNESCO-listed Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. This ancient waterway features historic stone bridges, classical gardens, and traditional Jiangnan architecture. (Image source: Wikimedia)
4/10Alleppey, India | Renowned as the “Venice of the East”, the city features a labyrinthine network of tranquil, palm-fringed backwaters, lagoons, and canals that connect to the expansive Vembanad Lake. You can enjoy a peaceful stay on houseboat cruises or opt for activities like kayaking. (Image source: Wikimedia)
5/10Stockholm, Sweden | Stockholm’s canals and waterways weave through the city’s 14 islands, connecting Lake Malaren to the Baltic Sea. Iconic routes like the hand-dug Djurgarden Canal and Karlbergskanalen offer unreal urban views and historic architecture. (Image source: Wikimedia)
6/10Bruges, Belgium | This city’s canal network is fed by the river Reie and features stone bridges, ivy-draped merchant houses, and tranquil green spaces. You can take a 30-minute guided boat cruise ride to explore the beauty of the city. (Image source: Wikimedia)
7/10St Petersburg, Russia | This city features over 300 km of interconnected waterways. The most prominent include the Griboedov Canal, famous for the Church of the Saviour on Spilt Blood, and the Winter Canal, a picturesque waterway connecting the Neva River to the Moyka River. (Image source: Wikimedia)
8/10Annecy, France | Annecy’s canals weave through the mediaeval Vieille Ville or Old Town, earning the city its nickname, the “Venice of the Alps”. The waterways are fed by the crystal-clear Lake Annecy and flow via the River Thiou. Lined with pastel-coloured houses and vibrant, flower-draped bridges, they offer a highly picturesque setting. (Image source: Wikimedia)
9/10Hamburg, Germany | Hamburg’s expansive network of over 2,500 bridges spans 22 unique canals. The most iconic areas to explore are the Speicherstadt, a UNESCO-listed warehouse district intersected by the Zollkanal and Nikolai Canal, and the idyllic Alster canals that weave through lush green, villa-lined residential areas.
10/10Giethoorn, Netherlands | Known as the “Venice of the Netherlands”, it is a car-free village famous for its idyllic canals, 176 wooden bridges, and 18th-century thatched-roof farmhouses. Located in Overijssel, roughly a 1.5-hour drive from Amsterdam, the city is best explored via guided canal cruises or self-driven electric whisper boats.
