Water canal towns like Venice

20.07.2020.

The magic of Venice takes you to the wonder of finding the similar places and „Little Venice“ appears too often in the world. Filled with flowers and unusual boats the magic is just stronger. In my homeland Croatia the most known is island Hvar with its picturesque villages and towns permeated with canals. What about your homeland? I contributed with more than 15 travel bloggers to find the most charming water canal towns in the world, the Venice-like towns.

Uros Floating Islands, Peru by Audrey Berger from That Backpacker

Floating on the waters of Lake Titicaca, you’ll find the reed islands of Uros. As you approach by boat, the sight almost appears like a mirage; what would cause people to create an archipelago of man-made islands on the highest navigable lake in the world? Well, the reason was safety. The Uros built on the water so that if a threat ever arose, they’d be able to make their escape by simply relocating their islands.
The islands, golden in colour from the reeds, fluctuate in size and in the number of people they hold. Some islands are connected together by bridges, while others require a boat to reach them. Our guide explained that several families can live on one island, however, if disagreements arise, the families may sometimes choose to cut their island in half and drift apart. That’s one way to solve a disagreement! 
Today, this community mainly depends on tourism. When you visit the floating islands of Uros you’ll hear from a local resident who’ll share about their way of life, give you a tour of the various structures on the island, and explain the amount of work that goes into keeping these islands afloat – turns out the reeds need to be replenished quite often because as they take on moisture they begin to rot! You’ll also have the opportunity to purchase handicrafts, have a snack, and get a Lake Titicaca stamp in your passport.

Getting to the floating islands of Uros is relatively easy if you plan in advance. You’ll have to travel to the city of Puno, which sits on the shores of Lake Titicaca and once you arrive in town, there are numerous tour operators offering day tours and overnight visits that also include stops in Amantaní and Taquile. It is also possible to arrange a homestay with a local family on some of the islands.

Strasbourg by Chrisoula Manika from Travel Passionate

The city of Strasbourg lies on the border between France and Germany and is, therefore, a crossroad of cultures, religions, languages, and traditions. This crossover was made even more pronounced by the fact that Strasbourg features many canals and waterways that have allowed people to travel to and for centuries.

Today, the canals running through the city (Canal du Rhone au Rhine, Canal de la Marne au Rhin, and Grand Canal d’Alsace) offer not only trade but also water tourism activities, as well as being an area in which to relax while enjoying the city.

Travelers can meander along the waterways, stopping off to witness the impressive Strasbourg Cathedral, stroll-through the timber houses of La Petite France, photograph the Barrage Vauban and Ponts Couverts and explore some of the many sights and museums.

Taking a cruise along the canals of Strasbourg is a peaceful way to spend an evening, allowing you to discover the beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Strasbourg-Grand-Ile, lit up by night with golden lights.

Strasbourg can be easily reached by plane from around Europe and is also well connected to Paris via the TGV and to various cities in Germany via regular train services.

Bruges, Belgium by Veronika Primm from Travel Geekery

Bruges belongs to one of the most famous canal towns in Europe and the world. Its compact Old Town is crisscrossed by water canals. The beautiful medieval feel of Bruges has granted it its UNESCO listing and attracted crowds of visitors for decades.

The no. 1 thing to do in Bruges is to take a boat ride on its canals. It’s a beautiful way to see the city, just expect long lines.

The historical center is extremely picturesque. Photograph the colorful houses on the Grote Markt Square and climb to the top of Belfry Tower to get a good overview of the Square and its surroundings.

Don’t forget to visit the Burg Square just a few steps away. It houses impressive Gothic buildings including Bruges City Hall.

Strolling into a chocolate shop is another must. A few shops even feature a chocolate fountain, where you can dip a marshmallow.

You can get to Bruges by taking a train from Brussels, it’s only an hour away.

If you’re looking for a less touristy alternative to Bruges, I can highly recommend nearby Ghent. Ghent is located halfway between Brussels and Bruges and is serviced by the same train as Bruges.

Annecy, France by Gabrijela Zec from Under Flowery Sky

In the mountainous area of the french Alps lies lovely Annecy, only 45 minutes from Lyon and the same from Geneva. It’s decorated not only by water canals, but also the lake of the exquisite green colour.

Love bridge takes the special place with its canal and the view of the boats just near the gardens of Europe. Imposant building at the river Thiou was once the prison but now it’s a local history museum.

Just walking by the lake offers also the view of the castle above.

Colourful streets of Annecy are specially busy on Sunday when it’s a market day. Not only Annecy is worth exploring but also the mountains that shelter the town with the splendid views. Gorge du Fier is a delicacy made by canyons, 20 minutes from Annecy.

Annecy is the most popular by the International Animated Film Festival in the summer.

With its picturesque canals and the lake surrounded by the mountain Annecy is a dream come true.

Alappuzha, Kerala, India by Madhurima from Orange Wayfarer

Backwaters of Alappuzha are world-famous for their idyllic houseboats made of bamboo and cane material. They sail for days on the water and guests come to live and have first-hand experience of the waterborne economy of this ancient town.

It is one of the cleanest cities in India. Not just canals and lagoons, Alappuzha also boasts of a beach and a lighthouse. The beach has a century of the pier and stages some of the most beautiful sunsets of the world.

You may choose to stay overnight on the houseboats or hire a boat for a few hours sail on the Vembanad lake, witness some of the ethereal sunsets of Asia and proceed for the nightlife in Alappuzha. You may also hire a cycle and explore the paddy fields dotting the backwater. This place is also famous as the rice bowl of Kerala.

The snake boat race of Alappuzha is one of the most exciting sports in the region, with thousands rowing the elongated wooden boats towards victory.  Besides Alappuzha, you may also find similar waterborne economy in the backwaters of Kumarakom and offbeat interiors of Goa.

Munroe island, Kerala in India by Soujanya Rai from The Spicy Journey

Munroe island is a sleepy island village located in the state of Kerala in India. The island is surrounded by the Ashtamudi lake on two sides and the Kallada river on the other two sides. The island is famous for the sunrise canoe ride which takes visitors through the Ashtamudi lake to see the sunrise and then through tiny canals that pass through the village. While sitting on the canoe, guests get a glimpse of mangroves, duck their head while passing through low hanging bridges, farms and the simple life on the island.
Munroe island has very few hotels or resorts but plenty of home-stay options. Most home-stays are beautiful properties along the water, where the hosts prepare fresh local food and hand out bicycles that the guests can use to ride around the island.
My lovely home-stay owner also recommended a tiny shop called ‘Munroe Mocktail’ where the shop owner made the most delicious mocktails I’ve ever tasted, even better than the ones I’ve had at upscale restaurants.
All in all, Munroe island is the perfect place to enjoy a secluded vacation and experience the slow life, surrounded by water. Moreover, despite being close to Alleppey, which is famous for the Kerala backwaters, Munroe island is still relatively lesser known and thus continues to be a charming place to explore.

St. Petersburg, Russia by Ellis from Backpack Adventures

St. Petersburg is often called the Venice of the north, because of its network of water canals and bridges lined with the beautiful palaces and mansions from the 18th and 19th century Russian elite. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Russia.

It does indeed look a bit like Venice sometimes, but then of course a lot colder. In winter the canals are solid frozen and covered under a thick blanket of snow. Tsar Peter the Great who founded the city actually got his inspiration from Amsterdam in the Netherlands. He even brought Dutch engineers to St Petersburg to help him.

St Petersburg grew into a thriving city and even became the capital of Russia. It was a city where the tsars and the rich showed off their wealth and built extravagant palaces and luxurious mansions. The opulence makes it easy to understand why this was also the place where the Russian revolution happened.

The lavish buildings were left intact and some have become museums such as the hermitage and the faberge museum. The most beautiful architecture is along the Nevsky prospekt where you will also cross some of the city’s most historic bridges over the canals.

Leiden, Netherlands by Maartje from The Orange Backpack

If you’d like to visit a canal city in the Netherlands without any tourists crowds, the historic city of Leiden is the hidden gem you are looking for. Because famous Amsterdam is not the only city in the Netherlands with historic brick houses, picturesque bridges and beautiful canals.

Leiden is a beautiful historic city with historical monuments, characteristic canals and hidden courtyards. Strolling around the charming streets feels like walking around an open-air museum. If you like picturesque canals and charming monuments, visiting the ancient fortress is a must-do. It offers great views of the Leiden rooftops from the heart of the city. Entrance is free.

Leiden is also packed with museums and cool hotspots, making you forget about the crowded Amsterdam at once. Our favorite museums are Naturalis for natural history, Rijksmuseum voor Oudheden for mummies and Roman statues or Corpus for a tour inside a human body. The best hotspots are Chummy for coffee, ROOS for pretty breakfast dishes and Logica for vegetarian and vegan food.

The best way to enjoy Leiden is a boat ride along the canals. If you rent the boat for the entire day, you can also head to the beautiful Vlietlanden nature area close to Leiden.

Amsterdam by Sydney Richardson from A World in Reach

The beautiful city of Amsterdam is one of the most famous and magical canal cities in the world. There are over 100 kilometers of canals that snake around the city, each one just as photogenic as the next.

There are two main ways to explore Amsterdam’s canals: on foot, which allows for beautiful photos from the bridges around the city, and on a canal cruise, which is a must to have on your Amsterdam bucket list. You’ll be able to cruise around, seeing the canals up close and personal while learning more about the history of the canals and the city of Amsterdam. If you’re visiting Amsterdam in the winter, you might get lucky and be able to see the canals frozen over, full of ice skaters – this is truly a magical experience! Other top things to do while visiting Amsterdam include exploring the city’s iconic Red Light District, taking a step back in history at the Anne Frank House, and exploring the city’s many wonderful museums including the Rijksmuseum.

Amsterdam is a major city that’s easily accessible from various places around the world. The Amsterdam airport is served by most major airlines, and the city is also easily accessible from other European cities by train.

Suzhou, China by Paul from The Two That Do

Boasting over 80 kilometres of picturesque canals the Chinese city of
Suzhou in the Jiangsu Province 100 kilometres north west of Shanghai is
rightfully dubbed the ‘Venice of the Orient’.

With its network of waterways and simple stone bridges a world away from
the country’s modern metropolises Suzhou is understandably one of
China’s most photogenic destinations. There is no better way to explore
them than a serene boat trip on the still waters followed by a stroll
along the banks.

Despite a population of over 11 million Suzhou has no airport of its
own. Visitors will therefore arrive in the city either by coach trip
from Shanghai or on one of the frequent 30 minute bullet train services
between the two.

Founded in 514 BC Suzhou also boasts over two millennia of history. The
cultural centre of China’s Ming and Qing dynasties visitors also come to
see the city’s UNESCO World Heritage listed classical gardens and sample
the many silk products for which Suzhou is famed.

Hamburg by Joanna from The World In My Pocket

Not many people would think at Hamburg when it comes to cities with beautiful canals. Hamburg however is the city with the most bridges in the world, over 2,300, more than Venice and Amsterdam combined!

Hamburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, with the old and new architecture blending in together to create the city’s character. Hamburg is easily accessible by air, road, or rail from all over Europe. With its airport practically 20 minutes away from the city centre, it’s so easy to travel here for a weekend trip.

One of the most beautiful parts of Hamburg, where you can observe the canals best, is Speicherstadt, the city’s warehouse district, the largest in the world actually. Here, old warehouses standing on oak logs have been transformed into houses, busines headquarters, cafes, even museums. It is one of the trendiest parts of town and it can be best seen from a cruise, on the canals. At the end of the warehouse district you will find the Elbphilharmonie, a gem of modern architecture with a one of a kind acoustic, which houses different types of concerts, from classic performances to alternative shows during the city’s Reeperbahn Festival.

L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue, France by Nadine Maffre from Le Long Weekend

One of the prettiest towns in Provence, L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue literally translates to “the island on the Sorgue” in English. The Sorgue being the stately river that gently glides throughout the town’s canals and slowly turns the moss-covered waterwheels. Nicknamed the “Venice of Comtat”, it’s always been an important centre in trade; first in fish, later in textiles, and these days it’s the epicentre of antique dealing in Provence. Regular brocantes (antique markets) are held in the town, including one of Europe’s largest antique fairs. If antiquing isn’t your thing, the weekly food markets are just as fun and the restaurants serve up delectable dishes on sunny terraces. Don’t miss the yearly ‘floating market’ in August for a unique insight into the town’s heritage, and be sure to pop into the Brun de Vian-Tiran museum which honours the art of woolworking.L’isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a quick day trip from Avignon by car or an easy half-hour ride by train. It also makes an excellent base for exploring the nearby villages of the Luberon.

Colmar by Elisa Subirats from France Bucket List

Colmar is a pretty town in the historical region of Alsace, in Eastern France. The town is a must-stop along the Wine Route of Alsace but it is also a good destination for a weekend getaway. Colmar is known for its beautiful and colorful architecture of half-timbered houses and pretty canals which earned him the nickname of Venice of the East.

What to do in Colmar? Explore the old town with its cobbled narrow streets and pretty facades. Visit the covered market where it is also possible to have lunch. Visit the museum dedicated to Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty who was born and raised in Colmar. Rent a bike for a ride to Riquewihr, another pretty Alsatian village along the Wine Route. Taste the regional cuisine bathed with some of the best Alsatian wines. It is possible to reach Colmar by train from Strasbourg or Paris.

Giethorn, Netherlands by Lara Hartog from Both Feet On The Road

When thinking about magic water canals in The Netherlands, I am sure that Amsterdam was the first place that popped into your mind.

But what if I told you there’s a canal city in the Netherlands that’s even more picturesque than Amsterdam? And what if I told you that the nickname of this town was Venice of the north? Or as the Dutch like to say, Venice is the Giethoorn of the South.

Yes, that’s right, there’s more to The Netherlands than Amsterdam and this cute little canal town is called Giethoorn.

As you may expect from a town nicknamed after Venice, it’s a beautiful town filled with canals. So one of the best things to do in Giethoorn is a boat tour through the town. Alternatively, you could go for the real Dutch experience and bike around. Or try some real Dutch Cuisine at one of the local restaurants, such as Witte Hoeve, Geythorn, or De Sloothaak.

Getting to Giethoorn from Amsterdam takes about 2 hours by public transport (plan your trip through the 9292 website or App and I guarantee you will find The Venice of the North!

Venice Beach, California by Erin McLaughlin from The Gal On The Go

Los Angeles, California is home to the historic Venice Canals lined with million-dollar homes and a walkway driving masses of tourists each year. Developer Abbot Kinney built the canals in 1905 after being inspired by the gorgeous waterways of Venice, Italy. The unique architecture of the houses and beautifully landscaped gardens are a spectacle to see in addition to the canal. Originally there were 13 canals, but with the popularity of cars in the 1920s some of them had to be filled to make way for paved roads.

To find the canals, start at the corner of Washington Blvd. and Pacific Ave. then walk towards Strong Street and turn left to follow the canal through the gorgeous neighborhoods. Take a stroll on the various bridges that connect the Venice Canals and admire the palm trees that line the water. Be sure to check out Muscle Beach and the Venice Beach Boardwalk a short walk from the canals! 

Aveiro, Portugal by Wendy Werneth from The Nomadic Vegan

Aveiro is a small town that sits about halfway between Porto and Coimbra and is easily reached by train from either city. It’s surrounded by an estuary, and several canals run through the town. Before it became a tourism destination, its main industries were ceramics, fishing, salt production and the collection of seaweed for use as fertilizer.

Along the canals, you’ll see a type of traditional boat called a moliceiro. It looks similar to the gondolas of Venice, but it was actually used to collect a type of seaweed, called “moliço” in Portuguese. Of course, nowadays moliceiros are used mainly for taking tourists on short boat rides around the canals.

Aveiro is famous for its art nouveau architecture, and some of the most beautiful art nouveau buildings are right next to the main canal, making an ideal photo opportunity. There’s also some great street art scattered around town. Many of the murals depict fishermen and workers in the salt pans. Rua do Marnoto is a good place to look for street art, and just outside the train station, you’ll find an incredible work by Vhils, who is probably the most famous of the Portuguese street artists.

Canal du Midi of Toulouse by Pauline Vergnet from Beeloved City

If you want to discover one of the most beautiful canals in France, Toulouse will be the best place to do so. The city is home to the canal du midi. This 240km long canal is classed as an UNESCO world heritage site.The best way to see it is by going on a walk along the canal from the city centre. You can also opt to go on a cruise or for dinner on one of the canal boats. It’s a very unique experience!If you want to push it further and go dancing on a canal boat! Yes there are canal nightclubs! However, you will need to head to the Canal de Brienne, the other canal in Toulouse, in order to do that.
Although Toulouse is inland, it was built around the water. There are 2 main canals and one of the biggest rivers in France: the Garonne. 
The city centre is also a great place to visit. There are many things to do in Toulouse city centre. You can go shopping in St Georges, take a picnic to La Daurade, visit the museums in St Cyprien and eat a delicious “cassoulet” in Rue du Taur.
The best way to get there is by air or train. Toulouse Airport is connected to all the main cities in Europe. If you’d rather take the train, that’s possible too. There are direct services to Paris, Bordeaux and Barcelona!

Bangkok by Noel Morata from Travel Photo Discovery

Not many would expect a canal town or even a city based in Asia but Bangkok, Thailand is just one of those cities. With a major river, the Chao Phriya river intersecting the city, there are many other rivers, tributaries and smaller canal areas around the city and leading to areas connecting the city by water and emptying into the Gulf of Thailand. Many rivers connect from the central plains of Thailand and passing through Bangkok and then into the gulf and commercial shipping routes plied through the many rivers in the area connecting commerce, people and various towns and cities. Many man made canals were built along the river to bypass the curving nature and a create a direct route to the ocean along with many smaller river communities connected to a water lifestyle. You can even hop on any typical long tail boats to explore many of the river communities in Bangkok to get a different vibe of the smaller and unique neighborhoods worth visiting around the city. It’s fun to explore the areas of the city by boat and seeing from a different vantage point, you can even go to over six floating water markets around the city of which the most popular is called Damnoen Saduak which was used in a James Bond Film – The Man with the Golden Gun. This lively and colorful market is localed about 100 Km from the capital and more touristy than other markets closeby to the city that you can also explore.

Ijevan, Armenia by Megan C. Starr from Absolute Armenia

One of the most spectacular places to visit in Armenia is the city of Ijevan in Tavush region. The city is a frequent stop on the way from Tbilisi to Yerevan and it will ignite curiosity in those passing by because of its lush, fir trees and gorgeous canals and bridges.

Ijevan is divided by the Aghstev River and its streams. Connecting both sides of the city are a series of bridges… some for cars and some that are merely for pedestrians. The best way to reach Ijevan is to come from the capital city of Yerevan (or on the way from Tbilisi, Georgia).  It is about a 2 hour drive from Yerevan and you will go through renowned Dilijan National Park and Lake Sevan on the way. 
There are several things to do in Ijevan from admiring the rapidly flowing river to taking a stroll around the Ijevan Dendropark.  There are also some remarkable displays of Soviet architecture throughout the city such as the WW2 Memorial and the abandoned cinema building high above the hills.  If you’re looking for things to do in the area, you can head to Yenovakan’s Yell Extreme Park for some adventurous activities or you can go hiking and camping in Dilijan.  
Ijevan is also famous in Armenia for its pork and its wine.  The wine is made locally in Ijevan and exported throughout the country (and beyond!).  If you’re a person who loves canal cities, definitely check out Ijevan, Armenia!

Matanzas, Cuba by Ayngelina Brogan from Bacon is Magic

Many travelers come to Cuba to stay at a resort in Varadero, which has one of the best beaches in the world. However, just 45 minutes outside the resort zone is one of the most interesting cities in Cuba. 

It has been called the Venice of Cuba for its colourful buildings and waterways. But it’s not just a pretty city to visit, locals actually live here but tourists rarely go here. So Cuban food is authentic, and you can eat alongside locals in restaurants instead of other tourists.

Culturally it is known as the city of poets, Afro-Cuban folklore and it is home to the only original 19th century pharmacy in the world.

You can spend the day wandering the streets filled with art deco and colonial buildings or more active travelers also like to explore the surrounding area, which has caves and great snorkeling in Las Cuevas de Bellamar.