Like any city built on water, it's best seen from a boat. Buildings seen from the water are totally different from dry land. From the water you have a much better view. Canal cruises are the most popular tourist attraction, with over 3 million passengers a year.

The whole area between Warmoesstraat, Nieuwmarkt and Damstraat is the Red Light District, known locally as "De Walletjes". The total area is approximately 6500 square meters. The city's history of prostitution dates from the its 13th-century roots. Amsterdam has always resisted efforts to banish sex as an industry, and the Dutch came to accept the advantage of a more pragmatic approach. Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands, with the exception of street prostitution.