Amsterdam Photo Spots

With its sparkling canals and colourful rows of 17th-century homes, Amsterdam is picture-perfect. As the most populated city in the Netherlands, Amsterdam is a vibrant place full of diverse cultural experiences. Explore its charm by bicycle or on foot and you will become intimately acquainted with all the city has to offer. From tiptoeing through the tulips to exploring history and arts to enjoying Dutch delicacies, this capital city has so much to explore! Consider this your travel guide for this captivating city, including the best places to take photos in Amsterdam.

Photo: Flytographer in Amsterdam. Mark and partner capture their couples trip together in Amsterdam at the The Jordaan with a couples photoshoot.

1. The Jordaan

Take a moment to picture Amsterdam in your mind. You likely imagined rowhouses, canals, and cobbled streets – this is The Jordaan in a nutshell. Known for classic views of Amsterdam, it’s no wonder this neighbourhood is one of the most-visited spots in all of the city. Its winding streets and sparkling canals are lined with specialty shops, restaurants, galleries, and boutiques. With all of this to offer, the Jordaan neighbourhood is seriously instagrammable.

For the best photo opportunities, head to Brouwersgracht, also known as Brewer’s canal. This is a beautiful waterway located at the North end of The Jordaan. Unlike Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, and Leidsegracht, it sees fewer tourists, resulting in an atmosphere that is more laid back. And you know what that means – fewer crowds means better photo opportunities! 📸

Photo: Flytographer in Amsterdam. Mark and partner capture their couples trip together in Amsterdam at the The Jordaan with a couples photoshoot.

2. De Pijp

Formerly a working-class neighbourhood, de Pijp is now known as one of Amsterdam’s most trendy areas, filled with cozy cafes, hip restaurants, and upbeat bars and clubs. The bustling energy of this area will charm you immediately upon your arrival.

Outside of the vibrant nightlife, de Pijp is home to the Netherlands’ largest open-air market, the Albert Cuypmarkt. This market hosts a vast variety of vendors, carrying anything from cheese, clothes, seafood, produce, and much, much more. In our opinion, one of the best ways to get to know a city is by experiencing the market scene. We highly recommend taking a stroll through the market to taste local favorites such as herring, stroopwafels, and famous Dutch cheese. 🧀

Photo: Tania in Amsterdam for Flytographer. Hilary and partner start a new chapter together in Amsterdam at De Pijp with a couple photoshoot.

3. Haarlem streets & Adriaan’s Windmill

Looking to venture a little off the beaten path? Consider a visit to nearby Haarlem. Located about 30 minutes west of Amsterdam, this charming town is one of the most beautiful places in all of Holland. The narrow streets are lined with fabulous shops – if you’re on the hunt for unique finds, Haarlem is the place to be! Wander through de Gouden Straatjes (the Golden Streets), where you will find a variety of local shops ranging from vintage stores to artisan studios and more. The Golden Streets surrounded Grote Markt, the bustling square located in Haarlem’s city centre. 

If you venture out this far, do not miss a chance to visit Adriaan’s Windmill, located on the scenic Spaarne River. Dating back to 1779, it is the only working windmill in this region and has been returned to its original state with all of its original machinery still intact. The interior boasts an authentic look and feel – you can even see the wheat being ground into flour through a viewing window! For a stunning panoramic view of Haarlem city, climb the windmill to the top for a view you won’t soon forget. 🌆

Photo: Tania in Amsterdam for Flytographer. Christine and family capture their family trip to Amsterdam in the Haarlem streets & Adriaan’s Windmill with a family photoshoot.

4. Leidseplein & Museumplein

If you’re looking for Instagrammable shots of the city, this is where you want to be! Home of the iconic ‘I Amsterdam’ sign, along with the most famous city squares and architecture, this is one of the best places to take photos in Amsterdam.

Leidseplein is one of the busiest places in Amsterdam with numerous options for nightlife, entertainment, and shopping, and is a central location for public transport. It is located at the southern end of Amsterdam’s central canal ring, only a few footsteps away from the main entrance of the amazing Vondelpark, one of Amsterdam’s best parks perfect for watching street performers and enjoying lush greenery. 🌿

Nearby Museumplein is the cultural hub of Amsterdam, home to world-renowned museums like Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, as well as iconic arts buildings, including Concertgebouw. You can also find historical monuments, such as Anne Frank House.

Pro tip: This area of the city gets incredibly busy, so visit first thing in the morning to beat the crowds and snap some iconic shots. Then, hop on a canal cruise for a scenic journey through the city. 😍

Photo: Flytographer in Amsterdam. Jil and family capture their family trip in Amsterdam at the Leidseplein & Museumplein with a family photoshoot.

5. Keukenhof Tulip Garden

Perhaps one of the most iconic Amsterdam images is endless rows of colourful tulips. If that’s up your alley, you won’t want to miss a visit to Keukenhof Tulip Gardens. Keukenhof is a nature reserve and botanical garden located between Amsterdam and Haarlem. Known as the ‘Garden of Europe’, Keukenhof is one of the world’s largest flower gardens, and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the Netherlands. Over 1 million people visit every year! No wonder it is one of the very best places to take photos in Amsterdam.

With over 7 million tulips planted and 800 varieties spread throughout the gardens, this is one of the absolute best places to take photos in Amsterdam. 🌷

Photo: Flytographer in Amsterdam.  JC and family capture a family trip in Amsterdam with a family photoshoot.

6. De Negen Straatjes

De Negen Straatjes (the Nine Streets) is a shopping area in Amsterdam, located in a beautiful part of the city center, right in the middle of the canal belt. De Negen Straatjes is known for its high-quality antique shops that sell everything from jewelry to art pieces from all over Europe at reasonable prices. 🛍️

It’s also a great place to visit if you are looking for some unique photo opportunities. It is a pedestrian-only area which means you can wander freely without worrying about cars or bikes while taking photos of the beautiful architecture around you.

Photo: Elina in Amsterdam for Flytographer. Lauren and family capture their family trip in Amsterdam at the De Negen Straatjes with a family photoshoot.

7. Magere Bridge

Arguably the most famous bridge in all of the Netherlands, Magere Brug (or Magere Bridge) is set across the Amstel River, which runs through the city center. Known as “Skinny Bridge,” this narrow bridge provides a truly unique setting for travel photography that you won’t find anywhere else and is one of our favourite places to take photos in Amsterdam.

For an extra-magical experience, we recommend visiting Magere Bridge at night as well. Illuminated by sparkling lights, the bridge provides the perfect vantage point to take in glittering night-time views of Amsterdam – a truly magical experience! ✨

Nearby, you’ll find the famous flower market, Bloemenmarkt. This is a one-of-a-kind floating market on barges in Amsterdam’s canals. Vendors sell a vast variety of flowers from tulips to geraniums and everything in between. The vibrant colours and textures found throughout the market make it one of the most instagrammable spots you can find in the city. It’s truly a delightful and unique experience that you do not want to miss! 💐

Photo: Tania in Amsterdam for Flytographer. Godwin and partner capture their engagement in Amsterdam at the Magere Bridge with a proposal photoshoot.

8. Oud Zuid

Oud Zuid is one of Amsterdam’s most elegant neighbourhoods, where you will find gorgeous homes, lush greenery, and chic boutiques in addition to Museumplein and Vondelpark, two iconic Amsterdam locations. For a lovely day well spent, start your day early at Musemplien to beat the crowds, then stroll through Vondelpark, and finally, wander along the serene streets of Willemspark. 🌿

Photo: Flytographer in Amsterdam. Melany and captures her trip to Amsterdam with a solo photoshoot.

9. Nieuwmarkt Neighbourhood

One of the oldest neighbourhoods in Amsterdam, the historic district of Nieuwmarkt has been a commercial and social hub since the 17th century. Today, the Nieuwmarkt neighbourhood hosts weekly farmers’ markets and Nieuwmarkt Square is now surrounded by lively bars, cafés, and restaurants. ☕

The Nieuwmarkt district is also a fantastic place to explore Amsterdam’s cultural diversity, as it is home to the old Jewish quarter and the city’s bustling Chinatown, and the infamous Red Light District is just a short walk away. Nieuwmarkt is also located only minutes away from Damrak, Amsterdam’s main street that runs between Amsterdam Centraal Station and Dam Square.

Photo: Elina in Amsterdam for Flytographer. Roy celebrates a trip to Amsterdam in the Nieuwmarkt Neighbourhood with a solo photoshoot.

10. Westelijke Eilanden

You’ve probably never heard of the Westelijke Eilanden, also known as the Western Islands, in Amsterdam. These man-made islands just outside of the city centre hold a gorgeous off-the-beaten-path neighborhood that rarely sees tourists. Here you can find iconic views of Amsterdam including rows of canal houses situated alongside sparkling canals. And if you want the absolute best view of Amsterdam, just across the water is A’DAM Lookout, an observation deck with an unrivaled panoramic view of Amsterdam. 👀

For a unique cultural experience, take the ferry over to NDSM, a unique cultural centre situated in an old shipyard. This area of the city is host to pop-up concerts, open-air cinema, and trendy outdoor dining. Street art can be seen throughout the entire area, providing the perfect opportunity to get a pop of colour in some of the best places to take photos in Amsterdam. 🎨

Because fewer tourists gather in this area, we think it makes for one of the best places to take photos in Amsterdam! Plus, what’s more fun than hanging out amongst the locals to get a feel for the city?

Photo: Elina in Amsterdam for Flytographer. Jillian and friend enjoy a day in Amsterdam at the Jordaan and Westelijke Eilanden with a vacation photoshoot.

Capturing memories in Amsterdam

There’s no doubt about it – Amsterdam is a vibrant and fun-filled destination. No matter what you choose to do, the capital city of Holland will leave you in awe with its gorgeous views, fascinating historical sites, lively neighbourhoods, and captivating culture. From wandering through the markets to cruising along the canals, you will find there are many things to do and places to take photos in Amsterdam. Book a Flytographer shoot to capture your memories in this vibrant city full of unique opportunities. ✨