Venice and Amsterdam have become cautionary tales of overtourism. Venice introduced an entry fee for day-trippers on peak days in 2024, with rates currently between €5 and €10, though there are calls to raise it to €50. Amsterdam, meanwhile, has launched several campaigns to encourage better visitor behaviour, but with numbers still climbing, residents resorted to suing the city last year.
If you want to avoid contributing to the problem and enjoy a more authentic experience, consider these lesser-visited European canal cities that rival the famous ones in beauty and character.
Hamburg: industrial grandeur on the water
Despite having more canals than both Amsterdam and Venice, Hamburg rarely tops the list of romantic canal destinations. But as Europe's third-largest port after Rotterdam and Antwerp, this is a city where waterways have always served practical purposes. The industrial beauty of its canals is striking, especially in the historic warehouse district of Speicherstadt, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Though half of the warehouses were destroyed during the Second World War, their grandeur endures. A walk or boat tour here is a must.
Stockholm: a city of islands and bridges
Sweden's capital sits on an archipelago of fourteen islands, crisscrossed by canals and rivers and connected by more than 50 bridges. The historic Old Town was originally called 'Staden Mellan Broarna' – 'the town between the bridges'. In the city centre, the Djurgårdsbrunnskanalen Canal is one of the quietest and most picturesque waterways. Stretching 5km between attraction-heavy Djurgården and the mainland, its tree-lined path is a favourite for walkers.
Birmingham: from industrial arteries to canal-side bars
Birmingham in the UK also boasts more kilometres of canal than Venice – over 160km of navigable waterways. Since their industrial heyday, they've undergone a significant transformation. The buzzing bars and cafes at Gas Street Basin showcase the canals at their most vibrant, while the gently curving towpath down to the University of Birmingham offers a bucolic escape from the city centre.
Copenhagen: Nyhavn's colourful charm
With the 17th-century waterfront district of Nyhavn at its heart, Copenhagen is one of Europe's most charming cities for a canal cruise. Famed for its brightly coloured townhouses and old wooden ships, Nyhavn is perfect for a summer stroll or a boat tour. But it wasn't always so refined – in its early years, from around 1670, it was a notorious haunt for hedonistic sailors. In the 19th century, Hans Christian Andersen lived here, and in 1980 the area was pedestrianised, sparking its revival as a tourist destination.
St. Petersburg: Russia's canal capital
Built across the marshlands of the Neva River delta, St. Petersburg is crossed by around 100 tributaries and canals totalling 300 kilometres, with more than 800 bridges. The Winter Canal, at just 228 metres, is one of the shortest but most picturesque, with its granite embankment and elegant bridges. As the world's northernmost city with over a million residents, it's best visited in spring or summer unless you're a fan of the cold.
These alternatives offer the charm of Venice and Amsterdam without the crowds. For more ideas on dodging mass tourism, check out our guide to Europe's second cities or these crowd-free alternatives to popular hotspots. And if you're still drawn to Venice, consider exploring its artisan quarter away from the main tourist trails.
