30 Beautiful Towns Where the Streets Are Made of Water

This historic Chinese city in the Jiangsu province is covered in canals, ranging from large ones that serve as the main pathways for locals to narrow ones that lead to residential neighborhoods.

Many call this town the "Venice of the Alps," because of its extensive waterways and mountain-side location. The canals were purposefully built around the former castle of Lord Annecy, which is why all the canals circle the tower.

Perhaps the most famous canal city of all, this popular Italian destination is built on more than 100 small islands in the Adriatic Sea. Anyone who visits Venice should consider a gondola ride past the iconic Bridge of Sighs a must-do.

There's a little slice of Italy right in sunny California thanks to the Venice Canals in Los Angeles. Visitors can walk along the water or bring their own boat to take in the extravagant houses and gorgeous views.

This west African village of approximately 20,000 people is a city that stands on stilts in the middle of Lake Nokoué. It's located several miles away from the nearest shoreline, so boats are essential here.

With over 15 miles of canals, Empuriabrava is the largest residential marina in Europe. The nearby Aiguamolls de l'Empordà Natural Park and all of the incredible water sport offerings make this city fit for an adventure seeker.

This port town has a narrow central canal that's lined with traditional homes and stone bridges—but it's the willow trees along the water's edge that are the real stars.

A visit to this capital and largest city in the province of West Flanders isn't complete without a boat ride down its famous canals to take in the cobbled streets and medieval buildings.

This city is known as the "Venice of the East" thanks to the canals that feed off of the Chao Phraya River. The best way to take in the vibrant culture and history of this Thai town is by boat, of course.

The capital of Sweden is made up of more than 14 islands and 50 bridges. The busiest canal is the Djurgårdsbrunnskanalen, which is basically made for tourists, since it'll take you all the way to the Vasa Museum.

It doesn't get more romantic than moonlit waters in Milan. The canals are lined with restaurants, artist studios, and shops that ensure you'll never get bored while in town.

You might be surprised to find out that this German city is known as the City of Bridges, boasting more than 2,500—more than London, Amsterdam, and Venice combined. Many tourists take to the water to float under these famous structures.

It only makes sense that a fishing village would be built on stilts directly above the water, right? Locals stay afloat financially by serving as a popular tourist lunch stop for people staying in nearby Phuket.

This city in the Sunshine State contains more than 300 miles of canals—and, yes, you can take a gondola ride on them. Some lucky residents have these calm waters and picturesque views in their backyard.

The Oudergracht is a curved canal (also known as the "old canal") that runs through the center of town. While the water used to be lined with warehouses, most have since been converted into restaurants and cafes for visitors.

This city's extensive canal system was built during the Industrial Revolution, but today it's mostly used for tourist purposes. Either way, you've got to admire a water system that understands the power of a well-placed roundabout, like this one.

March to May is the best time of year weather-wise to visit this city, which is one of the six famous ancient water towns on the Yangtze River. During this time of year, people say the mist and drizzle of the weather makes the town even more beautiful.

This Mediterranean island is separated from Coatia's mainland and the island of Ciovo by small canals. Its historic buildings and Venetian architecture are made even better by the bright blue water that surrounds it.