The Bega Canal runs east-west through the southern edge of central Timisoara, a slow shallow waterway lined with parks, plane trees, footpaths and bike lanes. The canal is the result of one of the Habsburg empire's largest 18th-century engineering projects — the canalisation of the wild Bega River into a stable, navigable channel — and the city's southern half was effectively built around it.
The full waterfront from the Iron Bridge in the east to the Decebalus Bridge in the west takes about two hours to walk and is the city's main green corridor. A summer river-tram service runs short scheduled cruises from the central pier at the Mihai Viteazul Bridge. The Roses Park and Continental waterfront are the most attractive sections; in the eastern Fabric district the canal banks are wilder and quieter.