Amsterdam in days of old levied taxes according to the size of the frontage of houses. The canny and thrifty Dutch overcame this problem by building very narrow houses, some hardly wider than the front door. Today some of these buildings still stand 500 years down the line, even if they do lean at odd angles, and ongoing renovations retain them in habitable condition. Strict City regulations in Amsterdam prohibit any new building in the historic city centre and some of these delightful canal houses are worth millions.

Every city has unique characteristics, but Amsterdam city has more than it's fair share! Amsterdam's Canal Houses are worth the visit, as are the quality Amsterdam hotels.