Are you planning to visit Amsterdam? Chances are you won’t have time to find all the best photo spots in Amsterdam. Finding the most instagram worthy places just happens to be one of my favorite things to do. I’ve compiled a list of Amsterdam photography locations to help you out, because sometimes when you’re in a place for a few days you just don’t have time to explore everything. That’s why I made a list of my own favorite photo locations in Amsterdam. I’ve divided this post up into iconic spots for your trip and the best photography spots for portraits. Most of them are in the city center so you can walk to almost all of these!

Looking for more things to do in Amsterdam? Here I wrote 50 tips! 

Best Photo Spots in Amsterdam

Iconic Canals:

Armbrug

While exploring the red light district you might walk across this bridge. I absolutely love this part of Amsterdam. Just make sure you don’t take any pictures of the ladies of the night. It will not be appreciated.

Brouwersgracht

This spot has one of the best canal views in the city. The bridge and the charachteristic canal houses are the perfect embodiment of Amsterdam. Walking along the canals will give you many more lovely spots, but this is my favorite.

Melkmeisjesbrug

This is one of my favorite spots as this bridge looks good from so many angles. From the side you get a great view of the Amsterdam houses. From a bit further away you can create a romantic image of the bridge seen from between the leaves of the tree.

Damrak

This is not really a hidden spot as it is right by central station. It is however easily overlooked. Sometimes the best spots are hidden in plain sight.

Corner of Reguliersgracht and Keizergracht

The only place in Amsterdam where you can photograph a bridge with 3 lighted arches on the left and one on the right.

Spiegelgracht

Gingerbread houses, the ‘rijksmuseum’ and lights lighting the canal, does it get any better than that?

Duifburg (bridge) on the corner of Prinsengracht and Reguliersgracht.

This bridge gets really lovely light in the evening as the sun sets over the canal it’s overlooking.

Insider Tips for great shots:

Skylounge/Luminair-Doubletree Hilton

One of the most Scenic spots in Amsterdam and a great place to have a drink.  Even though it is a tad expensive, if you’re on a budget you can just come up here for the view. Especially during sunset is has one of the best views overlooking the city! It used to be called sky lounge, but these days the restaurant is called Luminair.

Rooftop of the W-Amterdam Hotel

You will find a cocktail bar on level 6 in the building opposite the main hotel building. You can go up to enjoy a nice gin tonic while watching the sunset across the rooftops of the city. From the rooftop you have a view of some iconic landmarks in Amsterdam. In the photo below,  you’ll see the Royal Palace on my right. Additionally, on the left you see a neo gothic building now called Magna Plaza, that was designed by famous architect Cornelis Peters.

I wrote an article about all the rooftops in Amsterdam, go here to read more. 

Hortus Botanicus, Botanical garden

Also a beautiful place to visit if you are not into photography. There’s a garden and several greenhouses with plants from different climates. I love using the leaves to create a frame for my photos.

NDSM Wharf

This place is heaven for an urban type of photography shoot. It has an abundance of street art and lots of spots overlooking the water.

Must-Visit Landmarks in Amsterdam for Photos

Dam square/de Dam

The city is full of photo opportunities, but sometimes you have to be creative! Try using the pigeons on Dam Square to get a cool shot!

Photo Spots (just) outside of Amsterdam

The Tulip Fields

Fair enough, this one isn’t actually in Amsterdam, but I couldn’t leave it out. People from all over the world visit the fields during this time of year and it’s only 30 min away from Amsterdam. I’ve written more about it in another post if you’re curious about the best way to see the tulip fields in the Netherlands.

Kinderdijk

The 19 windmills at Kinderdijk are a 1,5 hour drive away by car and 2 hours by public transport. It’s one of the Netherlands most iconically dutch destinations and perfect for beautiful photos of the Dutch countryside.

For my full guide on the Kinderdijk windmills, go here.