My first trip out of the United States was to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. We visited a handful of cities in the Netherlands including Haarlem, Leiden, The Hague, Gouda, and Delft. If you visit Amsterdam I recommend getting on a train and visiting smaller towns as well.
After exploring Amsterdam I can safely say just about every street and canal is stunning. You’ll have no problem finding places to photograph in Amsterdam.
If you’re looking for some of the more popular canals here is my list of the best places to take pictures in Amsterdam:
1. 7 Bridges (Reguliersgracht/Keizersgracht)
Boat passing under 7 bridges at night
This way by far my favorite place to shoot from my short time in Amsterdam. The canals, bridges, and houses all are just classic Amsterdam. I could have spent all night here if I didn’t have time restraints. You’ll get moments without boats passing through but I liked the streaks the lights made.
The ideal place to shoot here is where Reguliersgracht and Keizersgracht intersect. Arrive about an hour early if you plan on shooting sunset. While I was shooting a lot of photographers started showing up for sunset.
Damrak canal houses near the Amsterdam train station
Right when you leave the train station in Amsterdam you’ll be greeted by a group of houses that overlook a small canal. Unfortunately on my visit many of the houses were under construction so I wasn’t able to get my ideal shot.
To get the perfect shot I’d recommend stopping by whenever you head in/out of the city via central station. There are also tour boat companies that have boats blocking much of the reflection so getting those out of your photo is ideal.
The Hortus Botanicus is the botanical garden of Amsterdam and is one of the oldest in the world. Founded in 1638 the garden was originally made for doctors and apothecaries. It cost a few euro to get in but it’s well worth it if you have a green thumb.
Closer to the train station you’ll find Lekkeresluis which is a popular place to photograph in Amsterdam. The way the townhouse lines up with the bridge and docks is a classic Amsterdam sight.
If I had more time in Amsterdam I would have tried to visit Leidsegracht at night since it has light up canals. But you can see the Leidsegracht canal is one of those iconic looking Amsterdam spots.
Outside of the Rijksmuseum used to be home of the giant “Iamsterdam” sign but that has been moved to the airport reduce tourism to the museum. You can still get a stunning reflection of the museum from the water feature in the back.
In addition to my photos I also created a video of my trip to the Netherlands. By far the best time to visit the Netherlands is when the tulips are blooming.
I hope this list is helpful for you, there is plenty to see in Amsterdam so be sure to explore as much as you can and enjoy your trip!
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