Top 10 Most Beautiful Canal Cities in The World
10. Can Tho, Vietnam
Can Tho is a city within the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam. Set on the Hau River’s southern side, it is renowned for its canal network and floating markets close by. The new, 2.75-km Can Tho Bridge cable-stayed stretches across the river. The busy waterfront Ninh Kieu is a center for boat excursions on nearby waterways. Can Tho’s waterfront, illuminated at night, is host to floating restaurants, bars and hotels.
Aside from immense canal networks, the floating markets are Can Tho City’s main attraction. The merchant ships down the river supply you with all kinds of goods. The popular Cai Rang market is Can Tho town ‘s largest floating market. The best way to get the local goods and cultural aspects of the city is to tour floating markets.
9. Cape Coral, Florida
Cape Coral, known for its many canals, is a city in southwestern Florida. Sirenia Vista Park, home to manatees, has kayak routes to Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve, where birds wade through mangroves. Cape Coral Historical Society & Museum tracks down the city’s planning. Yacht Club Community Park is on the Caloosahatchee Shore, with a beach and pier. Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve draws herons and ibis towards the north.
Florida’s Cape Coral city is known for its 400 mile coastline. This is longer than any other city in the world’s canal network. There are both freshwater and saltwater lakes in the area. The long coastline lends the city a distinctive feel. Cape Coral’s 400 mile deep, man-made canals were dug back in the 1970s.
8. Bangkok, Thailand
Since the 18th century the canal network has been an integral part of the city of Bangkok. The city’s first waterways were dug to guard its borders. The canal network in Bangkok was rapidly extended for irrigation and transportation in the 19th century. Today, it has drained several of those canals. But the canal system plays a major role in the country’s transportation.
Yet another important part of Bangkok waterways is the floating markets. A large number of colorful merchant boats selling the local goods down the canals are truly creating a wonderful experience.
7. Bruges, Belgium
Bruges, the capital of West Flanders in northwest Belgium, is characterized by its canals, cobbled streets and historic houses. Its port, Zeebrugge, is an significant hub for fishing and European trade. The 14th-century Stadhuis (City Hall) has an ornate carved ceiling at the Burg square in the city centre. Nearby, Markt square features a belfry dating from the 13th century with a 47-bell carillon and 83 m tower with panoramic views.
Bruges’ waterways also referred to as ‘North Venice.’ Touring the canal is the best way to see the area. Bruges’ dreamy canals link all major parts of the town. The boat services can be accessed from different locations in the area. The excursion is usually last for 30 minutes. You’ll certainly get a special and beautiful view of the city of Bruges from the seas.
6. Stockholm, Sweden
As well as in Scandinavia, Stockholm is the capital and most populous urban area in Sweden. 972,647 people live in the county, about 1,6 million live in the urban area and 2,4 million live in the metropolitan region. The city extends across 14 islands, where Lake Mälaren flows into the Baltic Sea. The island chain of the Stockholm archipelago is situated outside the city to the east, and along the coast. The region was settled in the 6th millennium BC after the Stone Age, and was founded in 1252 by Swedish statesman Birger Jarl as a city. It is also the Stockholm County county seat.
Boating is Stockholm City’s best way to see it, because it links several beautiful islands. Stockholm archipelago’s sparkling, blue waters are also very clean. To enjoy swimming and fishing in the area. Stockholm is one of the world’s top greenest cities, too.
5. Alleppey, Kerala, India
Alappuzha (or Alleppey) is a town in the south Indian state of Kerala on the Laccadive Sea. It’s best known for houseboat cruises along the backwaters of rustic Kerala, a network of quiet canals and lagoons. Alappuzha Beach is the location of Alappuzha Lighthouse dating from the 19th century. The Mullakkal Temple in the town features a traditional architecture. Snake boat races at Punnamada Lake are a well known annual event.
Backwater Vembanad is one of the beautiful backwaters of Kerala, located in Alleppey city. Alleppey’s backwaters also include a network of canals, in addition to the large Vembanad Dam. With an area of 2033 km2 the Vembanad Lake is the largest lake in the state of Kerala.
4. Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
Suzhou is renowned for its canals, bridges and classical gardens, a city west of Shanghai. Dating from 1513, the Humble Administrator’s Garden includes zigzag bridges over linked pools and islands. The Remaining Garden features ornate viewing pavilions and a striking limestone rockery, the Crown of Clouds Top. At its peak, Tiger Hill is home to the 7-story, leaning Cloud Rock Pagoda.
Fifteen small canals crisscross the town. The city of Suzhou also has access to the Grand Canal, China’s 1200 miles long waterway. Established between 581 and 618, it is the world’s longest man made waterway.
3. Giethoorn, Netherlands
Giethoorn is a mostly car-free village in Overijssel in the northeastern Dutch province. It is known for its boat-filled waterways, footpaths, bicycle trails and hundreds of centuries-old roofed houses. It borders on a part of the Weerribben-Wieden National Park, a once common marshy area for peat and reed harvesting. Museum Giethoorn ‘t Olde Maat Uus is a farm museum next to the park which illustrates the history of the area.
It is a village which is free of vehicles. The only way to get around the village is by sailing the biking. Noise-free vessels can be used to sail via the Giethoorn Canals. The boats are known as ‘whisper ship’ in this village. Instead of noisy gas engines these boats are fitted with silent electric motors.
2. Birmingham, England
Birmingham is a major city in the West Midlands region of England, with numerous landmarks of the Industrial Revolution period that refer to its past as a growing powerhouse in the 18th century. It’s also home to a canal network, many of which radiate from Sherborne Wharf and are now lined with trendy cafes and bars. The Birmingham Museum and Gallery of Art is known for pre-Raphaelite masterpieces in the city centre.
Birmingham City’s first Canal was dug back in 1769. It is to connect the city of Birmingham to Wednesbury. Back in the 18th century Birmingham city had 174 miles of canal. Just one hundred miles of navigable canal remains in town today. Though, many important parts of the city pass through the existing canals.
1. Venice, Italy
Venice, the capital of the Veneto region of northern Italy, is built on over 100 small islands in an Adriatic Sea lagoon. It has no roads, just canals lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces-including the Grand Canal thoroughfare. The central square, Piazza San Marco, contains St. Mark’s Basilica, tiled with Byzantine mosaics, and the Campanile bell tower, which provides views of the red roofs of the region.
Venice is Europe’s largest automobile free city. The typical, rowing boat called the Gondola is Venice’s main mode of transport. The Grand Canal, 3800 meters long, is Venice ‘s principal waterway. Cruising the gondola through Grand Canal and other small canals can be very scenic. Besides a quiet trip you will admire the beauty of Venice City’s fascinating palaces and other historic buildings.
