Secrets of Amsterdam Canal Houses: A Peek Behind the Gables
Amsterdam canal houses are one of the most recognizable features of the city, standing like narrow sentinels along the waterways. These grachtenpanden are not just homes—they’re symbols of a city that grew rich on trade, resourcefulness, and charm. With their stepped gables, hidden gardens, and clever designs, these houses have stories to tell.
Let’s first take a deep dive into the fascinating world of Amsterdam’s grachtenpanden: their history, unique designs, and the stories they hide behind their iconic facades.
Travelglaze Memory:
Here’s something you might not know: my grandparents actually used to live in a canal house on the Prinsengracht—just a few meters from the Anne Frank House! (And no, they weren’t rich! It was part of my grandfather’s job.) As a child, I have the most magical memories of that house. It had both a front house and a backhouse, connected by this incredible 20-meter-long hallway. Sadly, it’s not like that anymore—these days, the house has been divided into several smaller apartments. If you’re curious to hear more about what it was like, leave me a comment!
Later in life, I had the chance to work in another amazing canal house. This one was home to the Museum of Bags and Purses (Tassenmuseum). Not only was the museum fascinating (so many unique bags!), but the building itself was stunning. It had an enchanting garden and two beautiful style rooms, perfectly preserved to give visitors a glimpse into Amsterdam’s history. (Note: The museum no longer exists, unfortunately)
Canal houses aren’t just buildings—they’re full of life, history, and stories waiting to be told. Who else has their own canal house tale to share? ✨
What makes a Amsterdam Canal house special?
A grachtenpand (canal house) is simply a house built along a canal, and most of them date back to the 17th century, Amsterdam’s Golden Age. The city was booming as a center of global trade, and merchants needed homes that could double as storage and offices for their businesses.
Amsterdam is famously said to be built on wooden poles—and that’s no urban legend, it’s absolutely true! Due to the swampy, soft soil, the city’s houses needed a strong foundation to keep them stable. Wooden poles driven deep into the ground provided the necessary support, and amazingly, this centuries-old system is still holding up today.
To save space (and money), these houses were built tall, narrow, and deep. Why narrow? Because back then, property taxes were based on the width of the house’s facade. The slimmer your house, the lower your taxes—a system that gave rise to some of the skinniest buildings in the world!
The front doors of many grachtenpanden sit high up on the bel-etage (main floor), accessible via a bordes (raised staircase). This wasn’t just for show; it protected homes from the ever-present risk of flooding.
Behind their elegant facades, canal houses were also incredibly practical. They were designed to function as both homes and storage for the bustling trade that made Amsterdam a global powerhouse during its Golden Age. Here’s how they made it work:
- Kelders (cellars): Goods were stored here, safe from sunlight and moisture.
- Pakzolders (storage lofts): The upper floors weren’t just for sleeping—they doubled as warehouses for spices, textiles, and other valuable trade goods.
- Hooistokken (hoist beams): Those quirky hooks sticking out of the rooftops? They weren’t decoration! Merchants used them to hoist goods directly into the upper floors through attic doors, avoiding Amsterdam’s notoriously steep staircases.
This clever mix of functionality and style is characteristically Amsterdam. These houses weren’t just built to look good—they were designed to work hard, making the most of every inch of space while still showing off a little flair.
The Mystery of the Gables
One of the first things you notice about Amsterdam canal houses is their decorative gables—the unique shapes at the top of the facade. Each gable tells a story, whether it’s about the building’s age, the wealth of its owner, or even its purpose.
- Stepped Gables: The oldest style, resembling stairs to the sky.
- Bell Gables: Rounded and elegant, like a soft bell curve.
- Neck Gables: Tall and narrow with intricate carvings, perfect for showing off.
These weren’t just decorative—they served practical purposes too. The steep angles helped rainwater drain quickly, and their height allowed for better use of attic space.
A Peek at Hidden Gardens and Achterhuizen
While the fronts of these houses face the hustle and bustle of the canals, the backs often reveal quiet green oases. Many grachtenpanden have hidden gardens, stretching halfway to the next street or even all the way to another canal. These gardens were places to relax, grow herbs, or escape city noise.
Some homes also had achterhuizen (backhouses), added in the late 17th century. These extensions were built around small courtyards and provided extra living space or storage. One of the most famous achterhuizen in the world is, of course, the Secret Annex behind Prinsengracht 263—better known as the Anne Frank House.
Travelglaze history connection:
Now we come to one of Amsterdam’s most visited—and moving—landmarks. The Anne Frank House may not look like much from the outside, but it holds a world of history within its walls.
During World War II, Anne Frank, her family, and four others lived in hiding in the Achterhuis (Secret Annex) for over two years, concealed behind a movable bookcase. While in hiding, Anne wrote her diary, addressing her entries to an imaginary friend she called Kitty. (Yes, that’s my name too! ) 
Anne’s diary became a symbol of resilience and hope, capturing her dreams and fears in the darkest of times. Today, visitors to the museum can walk through the original Annex, see Anne’s diary, and learn more about the impact of the Holocaust. It’s an unforgettable experience—and one of Amsterdam’s most important stops.
Travelglaze Tip: Tickets to the Anne Frank House are only available online, so book well in advance. Mornings and late afternoons tend to be quieter.
5 Canal Houses You Can’t Miss in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s canal houses are more than just postcard-perfect—they’re full of stories, secrets, and charm. Some of these historic gems are open to the public, giving you a chance to step inside and explore the lives of the people who lived there. From opulent mansions to quirky collections, here are five must-visit canal houses that showcase the city’s rich history.
(ticketprices january 2025)
1. Museum Van Loon
📍 Address: Keizersgracht 672
💸 Admission Fee: €16.00
🛋️ Travelglaze Tip: This 17th-century house once belonged to the influential Van Loon family, one of the co-founders of the Dutch East India Company. Legend has it, the family entertained guests in their lavish garden, which still feels like a secret oasis in the middle of the city.
2. Museum Willet-Holthuysen
📍 Address: Herengracht 605
💸 Admission Fee: €15.00
🛋️ Travelglaze Tip: This house was the extravagant home of Louisa and Abraham Willet, a wealthy 19th-century couple who loved to show off their impeccable taste. Louisa’s flair for hosting is still evident in the glamorous ballroom—imagine the parties that once filled these walls!
3. Het Grachtenhuis (The Canal House Museum)
📍 Address: Herengracht 386
💸 Admission Fee: €17.50
🛋️ Travelglaze Tip: Curious about how Amsterdam’s canals were built? This house has all the answers! Once owned by a prominent merchant, it now features interactive exhibits that reveal the ingenuity behind the city’s famous canal belt.
4. KattenKabinet
📍 Address: Herengracht 497
💸 Admission Fee: €12.50
🛋️ Travelglaze Tip: Built in the 17th century, this house later became home to a wealthy cat lover who turned it into a shrine for feline-inspired art. Even the museum’s current residents—a couple of friendly cats—seem to approve of its quirky collection.
5. Huis Marseille, Museum for Photography
📍 Address: Keizersgracht 401
💸 Admission Fee: €12.50
🛋️ Travelglaze Tip: This stunning canal house was named after a French merchant’s shipping connection to Marseille. Today, it’s a photography museum, but don’t miss the gorgeous wooden staircase and serene garden that still whisper of its 17th-century origins.
Amsterdam’s canal houses aren’t just relics of the past—they’re alive with fascinating stories and hidden treasures. Check out the other Travelglaze blogs about Amsterdam So go ahead, step through the doors and discover what lies behind those elegant facades. Which one will you explore first?
