Venice is a beautiful city in Italy, where millions of tourists come every year to look at the famous canals. This legendary place is loved and they try to protect it from flooding, which is increasingly threatening the city. Over time, the name of the Italian city has become a household name, because beautiful cities in different countries of the world, pierced by a network of canals, are already habitually called "the local Venice."
Amsterdam, Netherlands
A network of waterways entangles Amsterdam, turning it into an amazing city nicknamed the "Venice of the North". The main lines of the four major canals – the Singel, the Herengracht, the Keizersgracht and the Prinsengracht – form rings around the historic center.
The history of the first canal dates back to 1428, when it served as a defensive moat on the western borders of the city. Two centuries later, the architect Hendrik van Keiskr carried out an ambitious project, creating a unified architectural space for the city. Traveling along these canals is a real pleasure thanks to the many bridges, each of which is unique. During the holidays, the canals are filled with a variety of floating platforms, each of which is decorated in an original style - this turns the canals into a bright and festive location.
Annecy, France
The "Venice of the Alps", as this city is called, is famous for its unique tranquility and harmony, incomparable with its Italian counterpart. Here, among the majestic mountain landscapes, there is a picturesque medieval city: its cozy streets, shrouded in legends, make their way along the canals, winding around the ancient castle of Lord Annecy, an ancient and attractive place.
Suzhou, China
The ancient city of Suzhou, a place with a rich history of 1400 years, is also decorated with a network of canals. It is not quite correct to compare it with Venice, since the city is not located on sea islands: a huge water moat envelops the historical part of the city, creating an atmosphere of grandeur in this rather large space, the dimensions of which are 3.3 by 4.5 km.
Kerala, India
Kerala is the pearl of the southwest coast of India, surrounded by the waters of the Malabar coast. This state is famous for its unique waterway system, including canals and lakes known as backwaters. These routes have become the basis for business in the region: tourists often buy cruises on houseboats, which once served as rice barges. In this version of Indian Venice, canals are actively used to connect parts of cities and suburbs, creating an extensive network of waterways.
Milan, Italy
Few visitors to Milan pay attention to the canal district, despite its proximity to the city center! But the locals proudly call it their Venice. There are only a few canals dotted with cafes, but the real magnet for visitors is the patisserie, where various sweets and pastries are presented and where it is always crowded. Here, people socialize and enjoy gourmet treats: arancini, crostini, and canolli.
Colmar, France
Colmar seems to be a miniature version of Venice, with only a few small canals with a total length of about 5 km. These places are often crowded with tourists, mostly from China and Japan, who then head to local cafes and restaurants. Therefore, if a tourist wants to visit Colmar, it is better to choose a time outside of peak season.
St. Petersburg, Russia
The cultural capital of Russia always captivates travelers from all over the world with its atmosphere of tsarist times. The city's drawbridges are a special attraction, and the stone sculptures that adorn them complement the cityscape. The canals of St. Petersburg run throughout the city, creating a network of waterways about 300 km long (this number includes artificial channels).
Bruges, Belgium
Bruges is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, where antiquity is intertwined with modernity - new buildings harmoniously blend into the historical landscape of the city. The city is known for its chocolate workshops, which attract with their delicacies. The water canals of Bruges actively offer boat trips, during which you can enjoy the views of ancient houses and bridges imbued with the spirit of history.
Aveiro, Portugal
Aveiro, a city steeped in history founded in 959, has a unique water system. Canals connected to the lagoon and the city's port fill the city with life, making it known as the "Venice of Portugal". Local boats, decorated in a special way, used to be used to transport salt and seaweed, and today they invite tourists on excursions to reveal to them all the flavor of the city's canals.
Utrecht, Netherlands
Utrecht is a Dutch town where canals serve as berths designed to dock boats and unload cargo. These piers turn into traditional basements, which have been converted into residential buildings, shops and restaurants.
Hamburg, Germany
The Hamburg canals do not exude Venetian romance or the coziness of Bruges, but compensate for this with a variety of bridges of various designs and sizes. Crossing them, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and each time choose between continuing along the canal or exploring the alleys and streets of the city on your own.
Wuzhen, China
Wuzhen aims to outgrow comparisons with Venice by making the city the cultural capital of the region. It hosts one of the most significant theater festivals in China, contemporary art exhibitions, international conferences on digital development, and celebrations dedicated to traditional children's games.
