Amsterdam has more than 100 kilometres of canals, 1,500 bridges that cross them, and about 90 islands, earning it the nickname "Venice of the North."

The city is encircled by three major canals, the Herengracht, Prinsengracht, and Keizersgracht, which were constructed in the 17th century during the Dutch "golden age." There are many monuments along these canals.

2010 saw the inclusion of this city's section from the 17th century, bordered by the Singelgracht canal, on the Unesco list of World Heritage Sites as the "17th-century circular canal area defined by the Amsterdam Singelgracht."

The canal system in Amsterdam is largely the consequence of thoughtful city planning. As immigration grew in the early 17th century, a comprehensive plan was created that formed four concentric semicircular canals, the ends of which led to the IJ Bay. Three of the canals, the Herengracht or Lords' Canal, the Keizersgracht or Emperor's Canal, and the Prinsengracht or Prince's Canal, collectively known as the Grachtengordel (Canal Belt), were primarily designed for residential development; the fourth canal, the Singelgracht or Peripheral Canal (today's Nassaukade and Stadhouderskade), was built for defence and water management. They are constructed with rammed earth or brick banks or borders that are always strengthened for strength with elm or ulmus, two trees with particularly strong taproots that serve as piles. The plan also called for connecting the canals along the radii, building a series of parallel canals in the Jordaan neighbourhood (primarily for the transportation of goods like beer), repurposing the Singel, an existing inner perimeter canal built for defensive purposes, for residential and commercial development, and building more than a hundred bridges. The Nassaukade and Stadhouderskade's defensive goal was accomplished by building an earthen dyke and a moat, with gates at key intersections but no masonry superstructures.

Geert Mak, a historian, describes the building as being done from west to east like a big windscreen wiper rather than from the centre outwards as is commonly believed. The northwest part was built beginning in 1613 and was finished about 1625. Construction on the southern sector started after 1664, but slowly because of a downturn in the economy. It took a while before the eastern portion of the concentric canal design, which included the region between the Amstel River and the IJ Bay, was put into action. The majority of the area was unplannedly used for rivers, parks, the botanical garden, homes, theatres, and other public amenities throughout the ensuing centuries. 9 Aalsmeer, Bijlmermeer, Haarlemmermeer, and Watergraafsmeer are just a few examples of the polders in the city and surrounding area. These names end in -meer, which means lake, making them easy to identify.

The mediaeval city of Amsterdam was encircled by the Singel. Between 1480 and 1585, when Amsterdam grew past the Singel, it acted as a moat around the city. From the IJ Bay, next to the Central Station, to Muntplein Square, where it meets the Amstel River, the canal runs the length of Amsterdam. In Amsterdam's semicircular ring of canals, it is currently the innermost canal. The Singelgracht, which was the city's outermost boundary during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, should not be mistaken with this canal.

The first of Amsterdam's three principal waterways is the Herengracht (Lords Canal). The heren regeerders, who ruled the city in the 16th and 17th centuries, are honoured by the canal's name. The Gouden Bocht (the Golden Bend), which has numerous large double residences, inner gardens, and carriage houses on the Keizersgracht, is considered to be the most desirable area. During his second trip to Amsterdam, Peter the Great stayed at house number 527 while Samuel Sarphati (1813–1868) resided in residence no. 598.

Between the Herengracht and the Prinsengracht, the Keizersgracht (Emperor's Canal) is the second and largest of Amsterdam's major canals. Maximilian I of Habsburg, the Holy Roman Emperor, is honoured by its name. Peter the Great stayed at house number 317 during his first visit to Amsterdam, John Adams lived in house number 529, Heinrich Schliemann spent nearly three years working in home number 71, Daniel Fahrenheit in houses 463 and 465. (1693). Here is where the Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk (Our Lady's Church) is situated.

Principal part: Prinsengracht

The fourth and longest of Amsterdam's major canals is the Prinsengracht (Prince's Canal). It bears William of Orange's name. The majority of the homes along its length were constructed during the United Provinces of the Netherlands' Golden Age. The Prinsengracht canal and the Jordaan's streets are connected by bridges. The Noorderkerk (North Church), Noordermarkt (North Market), the Anne Frank House, and the Westerkerk are notable structures along the Prinsengracht (West Church, the tallest church in Amsterdam).

The Grachtengordel's external border is marked by the Singelgracht (peripheral canal). The Houfmankade, the Naussaukade, the Stadhouderskade, and the Mauritskade are located on its outer bank. It follows the Houfmankade, Marnixkade, Leidsekade, Nicolaas Witsenkade, Sarphatikade, Spinozastraat, and Alexanderkade on the inner side.

The Paradiso concert venue, the Heineken Experience, the Netherlands Bank building, and the Tropenmuseum among the area's top attractions.