There’s nothing quite like enjoying a calm, relaxed boat ride down a canal. Thankfully, many cities around the world are completely dependent on intricate canal systems for trade and transportation. We’ve cherry-picked five of the best cities from around the world where the streets are made out of water.
Bruges, Belgium
Many tourists flock to this quaint city just to marvel at its adorable canals. While there are many other Belgian cities with even more canals, Bruges has the most beautiful ones.
Often referred to as the “Venice of the North,” Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with countless gardens that connect to the canals and iconic bridges that are perfect for Instagram moments.
Suzhou, China
Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Jing-Hang Grand Canal, Suzhou is a stunning city that thrives in and around water. Stretching from Beijing to Hangzhou, Suzhou’s canal is among the world’s longest.
Its Pan Gate is noteworthy for being the only city gate allowing entry via both water and land. The city is laden with both big and small canals, meaning that many residents use them to commute.
Allapuzha, India
Formally called Allepey, Allapuzha is often called the “Venice of the East,” and for good reason. This city in the Indian state of Kerala is full of rivers, deltas, and islands, making it perfect for water transportation.
Not to mention the 900 miles worth of canals and backwaters that this city possesses. Houseboat tours are very popular here.
Tigre, Argentina
Sitting along the estuary of the Parana River, Tigre is aptly named after the jaguars that once inhabited the region. Covered in small, enchanting islands, this small city is just a stone’s throw away from Buenos Aires, making it a fun day trip for locals and tourists alike. Tigre is home to a bustling riverfront market, museums, restaurants, and plenty of opportunities to go on boat tours.
Venice, Italy
There’s a reason why beautiful canal cities around the world are always compared to Venice. This city in northeastern Italy has been one of the most important centers of trade for many centuries. These days though, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet.
With its many small canals, gondolas, bridges, narrow side streets, lagoons, and neighboring islands, there’s just so much to do and explore in this part of the world. Also, the Carnival of Venice is a must.
Notable Mentions
Other canal cities worth visiting include Giethoorn (Netherlands), Hamburg (Germany), El Gouna (Egypt), (Birmingham, United Kingdom), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Stockholm (Sweden), Bangkok (Thailand), Cape Coral (Florida), and Fort Lauderdale (Florida).