Wondering where the best photo spots in Amsterdam are located? Look no further than this post for the down-low on all the best places throughout the city to capture stunning photos! From the orange-hued buildings to the vast canals to the unique locations, the city of Amsterdam is bursting with places to take photos that will look like something out of a magazine.
It can sometimes be overwhelming when arriving in Amsterdam because most of the streets look similar and the amount of places to take photos is in abundance. After living in Amsterdam for two years I think I have branched out and found some secret and not so secret places to capture beautiful photos. Most of which are in the Jordaan, because I am obsessed with this area and I find it has the best photo opportunities.
If you like these photo spot recommendations be sure to follow me on Instagram @samseesworlddd to see all my most recent Instagram photo hot spots.
Feel free to use this map for exact locations of where all these photos were taken. And check out my Instagram presets if you like the way I’ve edited my photos!
Best Photo Spots in Amsterdam
In This Post
Street with Westerkerk
This is one of the best photo spots in Amsterdam! Mainly because of the stunning Westerkerk building in the background but also because very few people are walking down this little side street. That makes taking photos with few people in the frame very easy and photos without people in the background are always better.
If you go here, standing in the middle of the street is best for a symmetrical and stunning photo. Just be careful! This is still and road and bikes and cars will be coming by.
Het Brillenpalais
The is a stunning secret place hidden in the Jordaan area of Amsterdam. Throughout the year this building has had greens growing all over it which creates a stunning sight to see. This is one of the best photo spots in Amsterdam during the fall season because the leaves start to change color and they look even more magical. However, during any time of the year, this spot is perfect.
Read More: Most Instagrammable Places in Amsterdam Part 1
Keizersgracht
Keizersgracht is a stunning street in Amsterdam that is lined with beautiful Amsterdam buildings and houses. Amsterdam’s buildings are usually brown and orange-hued, which is why this vivid white building on the Keizersgracht is so special!
Finding a white background in the city is hard and this is one of the few places you will find a full white background that still shows the city. This is a great place to snap a photo if you want your outfit to pop against the stark white background.
Herengracht (1)
Herengracht as a whole is the street with the best photo spots in Amsterdam. It is full of places to take photos and if you just walk up and down it, I’m sure you will find a ton of places to snap some pictures. However, that is easier said than done. I always find that when I am looking for a photo spot I can’t find any, so I will share not one, but two exact places on Herengracht that are great for photos.
This first one is located at the top of the street near Central station. In the area of the city, the streets are much less crowded and getting nice photos is much easier. Simply standing on one side of the canal and getting the other side’s buildings in the frame will result in a beautiful shot.
Read More: Amsterdam Vegan Restaurant Guide
Herengracht (2)
This is the other photo spot on Herecegracht that is quite unique. Here the buildings are curving with the small bend in the road which gives the unique perspective of seeing the orange-colored buildings in the background.
This spot is great because you can also sit on the stairs, and posing while sitting is much easier than posing while standing!
Amsterdamdam Gingerbread Houses on Damrak
The gingerbread houses near the central station are one of the most iconic places to take photos in Amsterdam. Standing in front of the canal with the multicolored houses in the distance results in a stunning photo spot in Amsterdam that you do not want to miss.
Bam Boa
Bam Boa is not a place on the streets of Amsterdam, but it is an extremely aesthetically pleasing restaurant in the city. Every inch of the restaurant is cream colored and bohemian styled and it is beautiful. If you are looking to get something tasty to eat, but also want to snap a few photos this is the place for you.
Read More: Amsterdam Weekend Guide
De Pijp
De Pijp is one of the cutest areas in Amsterdam! Although it has no canals there are a ton of super cute streets, shops, and restaurants. Spend some time exploring this area and you will surely stumble upon more than one instagrammable spot, however, some guidance is always nice!
This street pictured above is perfect because it is quiet and not at all crowded. Therefore, you can take a ton of pictures without those awkward stares.
Brouwersgracht
This photo is taken in the upper Jordaan area of the city on street Brouwersgracht. The street and area of the city is quite local and really holds the authentic Amsterdam vibe. Standing on the corner of the street offers a great view of the houses that line the street.
Just beware, this intersection can get pretty busy with people and bikes so be sure to watch out.
Read More: Where to Find Tulips in Amsterdam – ALL YEAR
Eerste Leliedwarstraat
Street art is always fun to take photos with because it offers a unique and interesting backdrop to a photo. There is street art all around the city of Amsterdam, but this one takes the cake. It is subtle yet cute, and is located on the same street as the Westerkerk photo!
Egelantiersgracht
This is another lovely street that is great for photos of authentic Amsterdam houses. It is located very near to the Anne Frank house too, so if you’d like to see this famous and touching museum this is the perfect time to do so! This street is relatively quiet so you have time to take a few photos before being interrupted by a bike or people walking by.
Read More: 20 Best Cafes in Amsterdam
Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam
@maitaneezarate
The botanical gardens are not only one of the best photo spots in Amsterdam, but also one of the most historic botanical gardens in Europe. They were established in the 16oo’s as a garden for medicine, and are today open to the public (for a small fee) to walk around and explore.
Capturing unique and eyecatching photos are very easy here.
Classic Amsterdam Bridge
Amsterdam is full of canals, and there are quite a few bridges crossing them. But there are very few as old and authentic as this! Finding a white drawstring bridge is pretty rare, but they are very beautiful and unique to the city of Amsterdam.
This is one of the best photo spots in Amsterdam because it is quite different than all the others and shows the unique bridging system from the old days of the city. This bridge is very similar looking to the famous Magere Brug but much less crowded.
Read More: Where to Find the Best Brunch in Amsterdam
Rembrandt Canals
The canals in Rembrandt near Magere Brug offer some lovely views of canals and Amsterdam houses. The outskirts of this area are much less frequented than the inner areas of the city, but still very close to the center. Walking around here is not only beautiful but offers a ton of unique photo spots.
Rokin
This photo spot is one of my favorites in the city. From here you can sit on the cement bench and capture a photo of yourself and the stunning orange-hued buildings in the background. However, this spot can get pretty busy as the day goes on, so try heading here in off-hours to ensure there aren’t people walking in the background.
Rijksmuseum Library
The museum inside the Rijksmusme is a magical photo spot in Amsterdam! It is one of the most unique in the city and will give you a shot like no other. However, you do have to go to the museum to get into the library – but the Rijksmuseum is amazing and this is something you should be visiting while in Amsterdam anyways.
As you can see there are a ton of unique and beautiful photo spots in Amsterdam! The city of Amsterdam is one of the most photogenic places on earth and finding beautiful streets and canals to take photos on is a breeze. Use this post for some inspiration, and if you take any photos in these spots please tag me on Instagram! I would love to see.
More Amsterdam:
Like this post? Pin it for later!
Love,
SSW
The handy map provides quite the reference for all of these photo ops and your orange presets add to the Dutch allure. I never would have expected the library or botanical garden would have been so photogenic, yet they are very beautiful.
I like Amsterdam and been there several times (and come away with Open Wallet Surgery). However when the streets are quiet then the city is a great place for photography but when it hits 7am, the place is buzzing with commuters and tourists. Then it sucks. 😀 (In a good way I suppose, but for a photographer, it sucks). Love your photos.
You make every photo more instagrammable!!!
Well not sure I could pull off the poses apparently required for all those photos. And we always visit libraries … often some of the best photo opportunities.
I think your photo editing can make any location in the city picture-worthy!! I still haven’t been to Amsterdam but it looks like such a beautiful city. Thank you for the great tips!
My favourite spot is the Rijksmusme Library, it looks like a magical place, actually whole Amsterdam does.
These are amazing suggestions. The best part is there are no tourists in all these places.. lol.. I have many photos of the places you have suggested, without me in them.. Instagram was not so popular when i visited almost years ago! I would love to go back though 🙂
The fall scene at Het Brillenpalais really is beautiful! The gingerbread houses are also such a classic photo op and I love botanical gardens too. Seems like I gotta plan a visit to the Netherlands next! Bookmarked <3
Oh lovely, such a unique blog. I thought I am the only one to search for good photo spots before heading for a trip. I definitely want one of my pics with Westerkerk and Amsterdam bridge.
These are all such beautiful spots! I love that you included some of the city’s most famous as well as your own lesser-known favorites. By the way, you are an expert at getting awesome pics without other people in the background!