Oudezijds Voorburgwal, Canal and street in central Amsterdam, Netherlands

Oudezijds Voorburgwal is an old canal and street that runs through the center of Amsterdam, lined by narrow houses with stepped gables and small stone bridges. Its waters reflect the old facades, while the quays and cobbled paths lead past shops, bars, and quiet corners.

Dug in the 1300s as a moat to protect the medieval town, this waterway later became a busy route for trade and wealthy homes. After the Reformation, hidden Catholic worship spaces appeared in buildings nearby, leaving traces still visible today.

Along the water you will notice old merchant houses with decorated stonework and gables that show the wealth of past residents. Today the street mixes daytime cafes, small shops, and the open nightlife for which this part of the city is known.

You can walk along the full length of the canal on foot, crossing the small bridges to switch sides whenever the view changes. Morning hours tend to be quieter, while later in the day the narrow pathways fill with people, so give yourself extra time to move through.

A standard deck of Dutch playing cards shows this canal on one of its ace cards, a small detail many walkers never notice. Some houses along the water lean noticeably to one side, a visible reminder of the soft ground beneath the old foundations.