Discover the best along, on, and by the canals
Alongside businesses, residents, and museums, there is much more to explore along the canals. From unique social initiatives to festivals. Below, we highlight some of these initiatives that we warmly support.
Amsterdams Grachtenhout
Amsterdams Grachtenhout is dedicated to giving discarded materials from the city’s canals a second life. They craft high-quality products from wood that are often lost during the renovation of Amsterdam’s bridges, quays, and canal houses. What makes their work even more special is that it is partly conducted by people who find it challenging to find their place in society. In short, the social mission behind Amsterdams Grachtenhout is just as inspiring as the craftsmanship itself. For the Grachtenmuseum, they even created two beautiful wooden planters, which can be admired at the entrance.
Plastic Whale
Plastic Whale’s Dutch motto is “not talking but doing.” The foundation encourages people to come together and actively remove plastic waste from Amsterdam’s waterways. This effort not only keeps the canals clean but also yields substantial amounts of collected plastic. What truly sets Plastic Whale apart is that they do not create a new waste problem with this material. Instead, they transform discarded plastic into a valuable resource, using it to build boats and office furniture. By doing so, they make a tangible contribution to a more circular Amsterdam.
Canal Parade
The colorful boat parade along the Prinsengracht has grown into a worldwide phenomenon. The Canal Parade has a rich history, originating from the gay rights movement. Today, the parade is known as a day where love and celebration take center stage. The dancing and elaborately dressed participants, spread across 80 boats, are an unmistakable sight along on the canals. Each year, the festival attracts around 300,000 visitors.
De Poezenboot
At first glance, De Poezenboot looks like an ordinary houseboat, but it soon becomes clear that it also serves as an animal shelter. It is a familiar sight to Amsterdammers, as the history of this unique rescue dates back to 1966. Since then, the non-profit organization has been dedicated to helping cats in need. They provide care by nursing, neutering, vaccinating, and much more. You can even adopt a sponsored cat when its owner is no longer able to contribute financially. De Poezenboot offers a safe haven for every cat.
Bijzonder Amsterdams
The name says it all: the shop at Bijzonder Amsterdams is truly one of a kind. It is filled with handmade items created by Amsterdam locals brimming with creativity and drive. These are individuals who showcase their talents, regardless of age, intellectual ability, or mental health challenges. Behind every product is a maker forging their own path, given the opportunity to further develop their craft in the ateliers of Bijzonder Amsterdams.
Flowerbike Man
The Flowerbike Man leaves a visible mark on the city. His real name is Warren, but his iconic alias speaks for itself. It is all about the colorful bikes that brighten up the streets of Amsterdam. Behind this initiative is the inspiring story of his wife, Michelle. Health issues sometimes caused Michelle to lose her way. Warren’s solution? A bike that you can always recognize. Today, there are over 100 of these bikes, each bringing a little more joy to the city.
Prinsengrachtconcert
The Prinsengrachtconcert brings together thousands of people in boats, on the quays, and in front of their TVs. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the performances for free on the floating stage on the Prinsengracht. The classical concert was initiated in 1981 by Hans Duijf of Christofori Historical Instruments and Theo Inniger of Hotel Pulitzer. As has long been tradition, the program concludes with by ‘Aan de Amsterdamse grachten’ by Wim Sonneveld.
Rederij Lampedusa
A tour with Rederij Lampedusa is a personal and inspiring experience. They view Amsterdam’s waterways from a unique perspective: immigration. The company emphasizes that immigration is an inseparable part of Amsterdam’s identity. That is why their canal tours take place aboard an actual refugee boat that once reached the Italian island of Lampedusa. Onboard, you learn about the power of immigration; a topic that gains extra significance thanks to the diverse team, with roots in many different countries. In short, Rederij Lampedusa truly has something for everyone.
Amsterdam Light Festival
You immediately know when the Amsterdam Light Festival has begun as you cycle through the city. The organization uses the city itself as its museum floor, creating a route of light installations. The idea is to give different artists a platform during the dark winter months. Visitors can view the various works on foot, or by taking a boat or even bike tour.
Black Heritage Tours
If you listen closely, Amsterdam’s canal district has many stories to tell. One essential part of this heritage is the hard-won legacy of the early Black community in the city. Black Heritage Tours brings this story to life, offering deeper insight into Amsterdam’s hidden history. The tour also provides a more accurate and complete perspective on the Netherlands’ colonial past. Much of this history is not immediately visible, but with the right guidance, the buildings reveal their full stories.
Wheelchair Boat van Blue Boat Company
Amsterdam’s canals are meant to be explored together. From the water, you see the city in a whole new way: the lively quays, the stately buildings, and the unique rhythm of Amsterdam. At Blue Boat Company, they believe this experience should be accessible to everyone. That is why the company offers wheelchair-accessible canal boats, allowing everyone to enjoy the beauty of the canals. After all, true Amsterdam hospitality means welcoming all visitors on board.
Amsterdam City Swim
The annual Amsterdam City Swim is a highlight of the city’s waterways. The goal of the swimming event is to raise as much money as possible to support ALS research and patients. Every swimmer makes a direct contribution to recognizing and fighting this relentless disease. In this way, Amsterdam’s canals become a symbol of courage, solidarity, and hope.
Pieremachocheltocht tijdens SAIL
SAIL originally began as a sailing festival to celebrate Amsterdam’s 700th anniversary. Thanks to its remarkable success, it was decided to repeat the event every five years. The city shows itself at its finest as the impressive ships sail through Amsterdam’s waters. A highlight of the festival is the beloved Pieremachocheltocht along the canals, where participants are challenged to build their own imaginative floating creations.
Huis van de Buurt het Claverhuis
Huis van de Buurt het Claverhuis is by and for all locals from the neighborhood. Elandsgracht would not be the same without it. This non-profit organization serves as a central hub in the Jordaan, where people can meet, get creative, stay active, learn, hold meetings, and contribute to the neighborhood. Activities range from yoga and sewing classes to support with well-being, health, housing, work, and income. Het Claverhuis is a place for everyone and sometimes it all starts with just a cup of coffee.
The Great Bubble Barrier
Plastic waste frequently ends up in Amsterdam’s canals. This not only pollutes the city but also eventually makes its way into the North Sea. To tackle this problem, the Great Bubble Barrier has developed an innovative air bubble system that prevents plastic from flowing from the canals into the IJ. This project marks a global first in the fight against plastic pollution.
Grachtenfestival
The entire city transforms into a stage during the Grachtenfestival. The festival encourages young talent to perform for a wide audience and professionals from the music industry. This not only provides a valuable platform for emerging musicians but also supports their mission to bring classical music out of the concert halls. The result is a festival featuring both free and ticketed performances that put jazz and classical music on the map.
Tiny Library Boomstraat 67
At Boomstraat in the Jordaan district, an old phone booth now serves as a tiny library. Thanks to the initiative of writer Hetty Kleinloog, book lovers can bring, take, or swap books here. On the shelves, we found titles like ‘The Gentleman from Peru’ or ‘Wonderland Avenue,’ but the real charm lies in the ever-changing nature of the selection. Over time, this little library has become a familiar point of connection in the neighborhood.
LGBTour
Amsterdam has become a little more colorful thanks to city guide Sanne. Her main focus is creating space to celebrate the differences between us. These differences come fully to life on the LGBTour, which offers everything from queer city tours to team-building activities. Sanne now welcomes thousands of LGBTQI+ visitors, who listen to her stories that you will not find in any books. Through her tour, the historic city center transforms into a vibrant map full of personal stories and queer history.
