World's greatest canals you can take a ship through
These canals are impressive in real life as they appear in photos.
1. Panama Canal, Republic of Panama
The granddaddy of them all, the Panama Canal is the most famous man made waterway in the world. Construction began in 1881 but was not completed until 1914. The canal underwent a major expansion in 2016 and can now accommodate some of the largest ships in the world. It joins the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through a series of locks that are an engineering marvel. There’s nothing else like it on earth.
2. Suez Canal, Egypt
Less famous than its Central American cousin, the Suez is no less impressive. Dating back to the 1860s, the canal links the Mediterranean and Red seas, stretching for around 160 kilometres through the desert. There are no locks here, as the two bodies of water are at roughly the same level, and ships pass through slowly for a transit time of around 11-16 hours.
3. Gota Canal, Sweden
Dating back to the early 19th century, the Gota Canal winds its way between two lakes in the west of Sweden. Though it runs for less than 200 kilometres, in that time it covers 66 locks and can take up to six days. The canal can only be accessed by very small ships and many have been operating on the route for decades. Because the pace is so slow, passengers can hop off and cycle alongside the canal for a while before reboarding the ship.
4. Kiel Canal, Germany
The Kiel Canal is the world’s busiest artificial waterway, though you’ve probably never heard of it. It links the North Sea with the Baltic Sea and cuts around 400 kilometres off the journey around the Jutland Peninsula. It’s slow and sedate, essentially passing through small farms and the backyards of villages along the route. The cruise gives a glimpse into the daily life of this part of the world.
5. Cana du Midi, France
This iconic French canal was built in 1680, meaning it was carrying passengers some 100 years before the First Fleet arrived in Australia. It runs for just under 250 kilometres through the south of France past medieval villages, ancient chateaux and rolling vineyards. It’s open to small barges carrying just a handful of people, meaning you can create your own slow-moving itinerary.
Have you visited any of these canals? Let us know in the comments below.