The Best Photo Spots in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a photography lover’s dream. Whether you are a full blown professional or just love taking pictures on your phone, you’re bound to leave Amsterdam with a bunch of amazing shots. This guide to the best photo spots in Amsterdam will help you find all the best places to take those Instagram worthy shots.

There’s a mixture of photos with people, with props, and just the scenery, so whether you like to be in your photos or you think the view is more important, you’ll find great spots to head to for your photos.

You might think that you have to get up with the sun to get shots without any people in it. Luckily, Amsterdam is quite a sleepy city in the mornings, probably because visitors have been enjoying the party scene the night before. It’s probably not always the case, but I headed out just before 9 am to start taking photos, and found an almost deserted city.

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Armbrug

First up in our guide to the best photo spots in Amsterdam is Armbrug. This bridge has everything you could want in a photo of Amsterdam. There’s a bit of greenery, a canal, canal houses, and a church tower peeking in the background. The church in question is the Basilica of Saint Nicholas.

Photo Location: Armbrug, 1012, AS, Amsterdam

What3Words Code (Exact spot of the photo): ///disputes.brain.laying

Best Photo Spot in Amsterdam for Houses: Rokin

Amsterdam is full of cute houses that line canals, but this spot is one of my favourites. The roofs of these buildings are so cute, and it’s really easy to get a clear shot over the canal.

Photo Location: Rokin 158-174, 1012 LE Amsterdam

What3Words Code (Exact spot of the photo): ///patrol.asteroid.burn

Bonus Photo Tip: Use Props In Your Photos

Some of the cutest souvenirs you can buy in Amsterdam are these magnets of the canal houses. There are many different styles and designs, and they cost just a couple of euros each. If you want to take a picture with a cute magnet at the Rokin canal, you can buy one at the Bloemenmarkt flower market.

If your photography skills and camera are a little better than mine, you can line the magnet up so it looks like it sits within the terrace, but even just holding it looks great.

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Damrak

I couldn’t make a guide to the best photo spots in Amsterdam without including this! The canal houses at Damrak is one of the most famous photo spots in the city. It’s not as easy to get a shot of these terraces as there are loads of canal boats and queue ropes around, but it’s still a great spot.

You’ll also want to get there early, as it’s always busy at Damrak during the day. There are canal tours leaving frequently and it’s also right next to the train station. The photos below were taken around 9 am.

Photo Location: Damrak 21, 1012 LG Amsterdam, Netherlands

What3Words Code Left Photo (Exact spot of the photo): ///seat.barefoot.dabbing

What3Words Code Right Photo (Exact spot of the photo): ///frames.provide.user

If you want to get a clearer shot, you can try playing around with different angles here! This shot below from Olivia is taken on a bridge just next to Damrak. As you can see, you can get a much closer shot and still see some of the buildings in the background.

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A post shared by Olivia | Awestruck Traveler (@liv.in.awe) on Feb 12, 2020 at 3:32pm PST

Photo Location: Oudebrugsteeg 1012 JN Amsterdam

What3Words Code (Exact spot of the photo): ///pleasing.jotting.enacted

Best Photo Spot in Amsterdam for Canal Views: Staalmeestersbrug

Another bridge with an amazing view, this spot looks right down to Zuiderkerk, an old 17th century church. This is a great photo spot all year round. In the summer, the pop of colour from the trees look great, and in the winter when the leaves have fallen, you can see more of the church peep through.

Staalmeestersbrug is fondly known as Amsterdam’s love lock bridge, and you can just see some padlocks on the chains in the right of the photo above. However, most of the locks have been removed so I imagine, like most places, it’s not encouraged to put padlocks on the bridge anymore.

Photo Location: Staalmeestersbrug, Groenburgwal, 1011 HS Amsterdam

What3Words Code (Exact spot of the photo): ///status.faster.kebabs

Bonus Photo Spot: The Streets around Staalmeestersbrug

If you head down the Groenburgwal canal towards Zuiderkerk, you’ll find loads of nice doors and facades. They make for a great spontaneous photo in Amsterdam.

Photo Location: Groenburgwal, 1011 HS Amsterdam

What3Words Code Left Photo (Exact spot of the photo): ///voice.snitch.headset

What3Words Code Right Photo (Exact spot of the photo): ///wisdom.betrayed.benched

Best Photo Spot in Amsterdam for Art: MOCO Museum

There are many museums to explore in Amsterdam, but the MOCO museum in Museumplein is the best for some cool Instagram-worthy photos.

This light exhibition is called Studio Irma. It’s all about digital art, using mirrors and lights to create these amazing effects. They remind me a little of pictures I’ve seen of the Art Science Museum in Singapore. The room in the photos below was my favourite, but there are several rooms with really cool art pieces.

There are other cool exhibitions, including a large collection of Banksy works. When you head outside, the MOCO garden has some other cool sculptures. I love this palm tree bed, it looks so stylish! You’ll also find a giant rocking horse which you can climb on, and some cool deckchairs and beanbags.

Photo Locations: MOCO Museum, Honthorststraat 20, 1071 DE Amsterdam

What3Words Code (Exact spot of the photo): ///flap.pricing.modules

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Book your Moco Museum tickets to get these amazing Insta shots!

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Best Photo Spot in Amsterdam for Instagram: Wake Me Up When I’m Famous Mural

This is definitely one of the most Instagrammable spots in Amsterdam. I’m a huge fan of street art, and I’ve completed many mural trails, but this is one of the coolest I’ve come across.

You’ll find this mural in the De Pijp area of Amsterdam. I didn’t explore too much, so I don’t have any more recommendations for this best photo spots in Amsterdam guide, but this felt like a very hipster, stylish area. It’s full of brunch spots, and the streets are lined with plants. I’m sure if you wandered a bit more you’d find loads of great photo spots here.

Photo Location: Frans Halsstraat 64, 1072 BT Amsterdam

What3Words Code (Exact spot of the photo): ///colder.caged.glides

Dam Square

Dam Square is the centre of the city and is one of the best photo spots in Amsterdam. The square is surrounded by the Royal Palace, a medieval church, the ever-popular Madame Tussaud’s, and some shops.

Dam Square is always busy so if you want to easily get a shot without anyone in it, you’ll want to make this your first stop of the day. We managed to take this shot of a nearly empty Dam Square just after 9am on a weekday.

Photo Location: Dam, 1012 JS Amsterdam

What3Words Code (Exact spot of the photo): ///jetting.cashier.froth

Best Photo Spot in Amsterdam on a Budget: Free Views Over Dam Square

The views over Dam Square are just as epic as those on the ground. You’ve probably seen the shots from that circular window in Madame Tussaud’s, but if don’t fancy forking out the €20 entry fee, here’s how you can get amazing views over Dam Square for free! That’s right – you don’t have to pay to see one of the best photo spots in Amsterdam!

If you head across to the other side of Dam Square, you can get into H&M. On the top floor you can see the views over Dam Square in the left photo. On the floor below, there’s a window seat that makes for an adorable photo spot. It looks out onto the edge of the Royal Palace and the medieval church.

Photo Location: H&M, Dam 4, 1012 NP Amsterdam

What3Words Code (Exact spot of the photo): ///palaces.router.gushes

Best Photo Spot in Amsterdam for Foodies: Van Wonderen Stroopwafels

Stroopwafel are one of Amsterdam’s most popular street foods, and the ones from Van Wonderen Stroopwafels are both delicious and photogenic. The store itself is a wonder, decorated with hot air balloons and intricate details.

The stroopwafels are decorated with chocolate and a topping of your choice. We took ours to the nearby Rokin canal to snap this adorable shot before scoffing them!

Photo Location: Doelensluis, 1012 WX Amsterdam, Netherlands

What3Words Code (Exact Location of the photo): ///baked.fondest.folders

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So that’s all the spots in this guide to the best photos spots in Amsterdam! If you’re on the hunt for more Instagrammable places, why don’t you check out The Best Instagram Spots in Bruges. If you’re visiting Amsterdam soon and want to keep planning your trip, then Amsterdam: The Ultimate Guide is for you.

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