The Gouden Bocht (Golden Bend) in particular is known for its large and beautiful canal houses.

The Herengracht therefore still has a kink at Driekoningenstraat, where the outer moat was routed around a stronghold at that height.

Many of the houses were inhabited here by regents, mayors and traders who earned their fortunes in trade with South America or the Dutch East Indies.

There are many monumental canal houses on Herengracht, such as: There are also historic gardens such as: Herengracht begins in the north at the Brouwersgracht in the West Indian house bridge and Milkmaid Bridge, parallels bends on the Singel and the Keizersgracht gradually towards the southeast, and flows into the Amstel.

There are also Herengrachts in Drimmelen, Leiden, Muiden, Middelburg, Purmerend, Terneuzen, Weesp and even in Cape Town and other places in South Africa.