Prinsengracht in Amsterdam

What are the highlights and features of the Prinsengracht?

A fascinating highlight of Prinsengracht is the Westerkerk, with its 85-metre-tall bell tower. This 17^th-century church functions as a beacon for the Prinsengracht and Jordaan neighbourhoods. Visit on Tuesdays from midday to 1 pm to enjoy free carillon concerts.

The iconic Anne Frank House Museum is at the tail end of Prinsengracht. The 17th-century home was the hiding place of German-born Anne Frank, who wrote her famous diary during WWII. It’s one of the busiest landmarks in Amsterdam, so it’s a good idea to book tickets in advance.

One of Amsterdam’s most popular shopping spots, De Negen Straatjes, stretches over to Prinsengracht. This is where you’ll want to go if you’re hoping to bring home some Dutch souvenirs during your visit. Many tourists would do their window-shopping along this vibrant shopping street as it has more local stores than big brand chains.

Thanks to the high number of canals across Amsterdam, many locals have opted to live in houseboats – most of which are seen moored across canals of the city. These houseboats are mostly private residences. If you’re curious to know what life would be like on the waters, check out the Amsterdam Houseboat Museum on the Prinsengracht canal.

After exploring the canals, you can unwind at one of many coffeeshops and cafés along Prinsengracht. A must-visit is Winkel43, where you can enjoy one of the city’s best Dutch apple pies with fresh, homemade whipped cream.

One of the oldest, most traditional cafés in Amsterdam is Papeneiland, which lies on the opposite side of the Prince’s Canal and atop a tunnel that was kept secret for Catholics to evade trouble. Since 1641, the café has been known for its internationally famous homemade apple pie and has outdoor seating.

Good to know about the Prinsengracht

Every Saturday, an organic farmers' market opens at the large square of Noordermarkt along Prinsengracht. You'll find fresh flowers and other knick-knacks for sale, as well as local delicacies like herring with raw onions and pickles. There is a small playground behind the Noorderkerk where kids are free to explore while parents take a break by the benches.

The annual Prinsengrachtconcert takes place on a pontoon in front of Hotel Pulitzer. The free concert has been held every August since 1981, with musicians playing familiar Dutch folk songs.

Because of the drastically cold winters in the Netherlands, there may be a chance for you to see the Prinsengracht completely frozen. When this happens, you’ll often find Dutch residents busting out their ice skates to whizz across the canal.

The Prinsengracht is within a 20-minute walk from the Amsterdam Centraal railroad station. While this may sound like a long stroll, you can take in the beautiful sights and streets of Amsterdam. Alternately, you can hop on either streetcar 1, 2, or 17 to get to the canal.