Work started on the Canal Ring 400 years ago to augment Amsterdam. It created the present-day framework for the city, which is basically a collection of islands divided by a ripple of concentric canals and united by bridges.
The focus of the ring of semi-circular canals is Centraal Station (3), on the south bank of the broad IJ river. The main tourist office (00 31 20 702 6000; iamsterdam.com; open 9am-7pm daily) and public transport office (weekends 10am-6pm, weekdays 7am-9pm,) share a building opposite the station's main entrance.
The original medieval city straggles south from here to scruffy Dam Square, presided over by the Royal Palace (4). West from here is the former Huguenot district of Jordaan; going south you reach the Museum Quarter.