The waterways play a crucial role in transportation throughout the history. Still today, the cities like Venice, Birmingham and Giethoorn globally known for their stunning canal system. The followings are 10 most beautiful canal cities in the world.
10 Can Tho, Vietnam
The large Vietnamese city of Can Tho located in Mekong delta, in the center of networks of canals and rivers. The total water traffic length of the city is 1157 km. The Hau River, the biggest branch of Mekong River run along the Northern side of the city.
Apart from immense networks of canals the floating markets are the main attraction of Can Tho city. The merchant boats down the river offers you all varieties of goods. The famous Cai Rang market is the largest floating market in Can Tho city. Touring floating markets is the best way to get local goods and cultural aspects of the city.
9 Cape Coral, Florida, U.S
The Cape Coral city in Florida is known for its 400 mile long waterfront. It is longer than the canal system of any other city in the world. The city has both freshwater and saltwater lakes. The long waterfront gives a unique look to the city. The 400 mile long man-made canals of Cape Coral were dug back in 1970s. The canal system also provides enough water for irrigation and protect the city from flood.
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8 Bangkok, Thailand
The canal system has been an integral part of Bangkok city since the 18th century. The first waterways of the city were dug to protect its borders. Throughout the 19th century the canal system in Bangkok got expanded rapidly for irrigation and transportation. Today, many of those canals were drained. Still the canal system plays an important role in the transportation of the country.
The canal system in Bangkok is generally called as Klongs. The 18 km long Khlong Saen Saeb is the main remaining canal in the Bangkok city. It run across east to the western part of the city. The boat ride in Khlong Saen Saeb is the best way for sightseeing. It connects you to important historical places and shopping centers.
The floating markets are another important part of Bangkok waterways. A large number of colorful merchant boats selling the local items down the canals truly create an enjoyable experience. Damnoen Saduak, Amphawa, Taling Chan, Khlong Lat Mayom, Bang Nam Pheung are the main five floating markets in Bangkok city.
7 Bruges, Belgium
The large, medieval city of Bruges is famed for its beautiful canals and centuries-old fortifications. The waterways of Bruges also referred as ‘The Venice of North’. The canal tour is the best way to see the city. The dreamy canals of Bruges connect all major parts of the city. You can access the boat services in the city from different locations. Normally the excursion is last for 30 minutes. From waters you will definitely get a different and an amazing view of Bruges city.
6 Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden built on 14 islands in Lake Malaren. The vast Stockholm archipelago also connects the city to Baltic Sea to the east. Connecting more than 30000 small and large islands Stockholm archipelago is the largest archipelago in Sweden.
Boating is the best way to experience the Stockholm city as it connect many beautiful islands. The sparkling blue waters of Stockholm archipelago are also very clean. So that you can enjoy swimming and fishing in the city. Stockholm is also one of top greenest cities in the world. The city includes 12 large parks and known for its reclining processes.
5 Alleppey, Kerala, India
Alleppey city of Kerala State of Southern India is known as ‘Venice of East’. The picturesque city contains a network of lagoons, rivers and lakes. It is a part of great Kerala backwaters, 1500 km long network of canals, lakes and freshwater rivers.
The Vembanad backwater is the one of the beautiful part of Kerala backwaters located in Alleppey city. In addition to large Vembanad Lake the backwaters of Alleppey also include a network of canals. With a surface area of 2033 square kilometers the Vembanad Lake is the largest lake in Kerala state.
You can hire houseboats and speed boats to cruise through the canals of Alleppey city. It brings a different aspect of culture and breathtaking natural beauty of the city.
4 Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
The historic Chinese city of Suzhou is admired for beautiful gardens and canals. The city is crisscrossed by 15 small canals. The Suzhou city also has proximity to the Grand Canal, the 1200 miles long waterway in China. It is the longest man made waterway in the world, built between 581 and 618. Both the Grand Canal and minor canals of Suzhou pass through many beautiful parts the city.
3 Giethoorn, Netherlands
Giethoorn is a beautiful canal village located in Overijssel province of Netherlands. The land of this village is separated by canals and connected by small bridges. There are more than 180 bridges in Giethoorn village. This canal village is also known as ‘Venice of the Netherlands’.
It is a car-free village. Sailing the cycling is the only way to get around the village. You can access noise-free boats to cruise through the canals of Giethoorn. The boats in this village are known as ‘whisper boats’. These boats are installed with silent electric motors instead of noisy petrol engines. So you can enjoy a peaceful rise through the dreamy canals of Giethoorn village.
2 Birmingham, England
With 1.9 million inhabitants the Birmingham is the second most populous city in England. Apart from the busy side of this metropolitan city, there are 100 miles of pretty, navigable canals. By overall length Birmingham city has more canals than that of Venice.
The first canal of Birmingham city was dug back in 1769. It is to connect Birmingham city with Wednesbury town. Back in the 18th century, there were 174 miles of canal in Birmingham city. Only 100 miles of navigable canal left today in the city. Although, the existing canals pass through many important parts of the city. A peaceful cruise through canals of Birmingham bring you the magical view of the city.
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1 Venice, Italy
Venice is a wonderfully unique city that situated on a group of 118 islands separated by canals. The islands of Venice are connected together by bridges. There are 170 canals and more than 400 foot bridges in Venice. This geographically unique city can be termed as the most beautiful canal city on the planet. Venice is truly deserves that title. Everyday this picturesque city receives more than 50000 visitors.
Venice is the largest car-free city in Europe. The traditional, rowing boat called Gondola is the main mode of transportation in Venice. Today the city has more than 350 gondolas. Your visit to Venice become never complete without a gondola ride.
The 3800 meters long Grand Canal is the main waterway in Venice. The gondola cruise through Grand Canal and other small canals can be very scenic. In addition to peaceful ride you can enjoy the beauty of fascinating palaces and other historical buildings of Venice City.
