10 Most Instagrammable Places in Amsterdam
Where to Take Stunning Photos of Amsterdam to Impress Your Friends?
The Dutch capital, Amsterdam, offers plenty of photogenic spots to capture your vacation memories. Spring is one of the best times to visit Amsterdam, so bring your camera to get great shots of the rainbow of flowers in bloom and the start of the Dutch tulip season.
In the city center, Amsterdam’s Canal Ring is an impressive sight, with beautifully painted houseboats, quaint gable houses, and medieval buildings aplenty. Fill up your Instagram feed with unique photos by checking out this selection of Instagrammable places in Amsterdam.
1. Royal Palace Amsterdam
The King’s grand residence
Good for: History, Photo
The Royal Palace of Amsterdam is a stunning 17th-century landmark in the city center’s Dam Square. The grand sandstone building has unique, quirky features, such as an impressive domed roof with a weather vane shaped like a ship. Stone sculptures and carvings from Greek mythology, such as Poseidon and Atlas, can also be found throughout the facade of the palace.
Both inside and outside, when visiting the palace you’ll be treated to monumental architecture and opulent decor, making this place the ideal location for enviable photos. Read more
Location: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 147, 1012 RJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Phone: +31 (0)20 522 6161
Royal Palace Amsterdam
2. Westerkerk
The burial site of Rembrandt
Good for: History, Photo
The historic Westerkerk (Western Church) towers over Amsterdam’s city center with its bell tower, which stands at 85 meters. Step inside this exquisite 17th-century church, and you’ll see a grand organ above the entrance, with panels painted by Flemish painter Gerard de Lairesse.
There are original architectural features all around offering great photo opportunities. The church serves the local Protestant community, with religious services taking place on Sundays from 10.30 am till noon. Outside of this time, visitors are free to explore at their leisure and take pictures to their hearts’ content. Read more
Location: Prinsengracht 279, 1016 DL Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Monday–Friday from 11 am to 3 pm (closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
Phone: +31 (0)20 624 7766
Westerkerk
3. Oude Kerk
The oldest church in the city
Good for: History, Photo
Founded in 1213, Oude Kerk in the De Hallen district is the oldest church in Amsterdam. It spans 3,300 sq meters, and features stunning stained glass windows and a large wooden roof dating back to medieval times. As a fascinating juxtaposition between old and new, this ancient church regularly contains exhibitions of modern art, meaning even more photo opportunities.
Explore the Oudekerksplein square to see quirky sculptures dedicated to prostitution in Amsterdam, including a bronze relief of a hand holding a female breast. These photos will definitely light up your Insta feed. Read more
Location: Oudekerksplein 23, 1012 GX Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday from 1 pm to 5.30 pm
Phone: +31 (0)20 625 8284
Oude Kerk
4. Prinsengracht
The picturesque prince’s canal
Good for: History, Photo
Amsterdam is famous for its many picturesque canals, and the Prince’s Canal (Prinsengracht) is arguably one of the most photographed spots in the city. Set your camera up on the beautiful pedestrian bridge to take photos down the water of the canal itself.
Along the water’s edge, there are also so many opportunities for great photos, as the canal is lined with quirky traditional buildings, luscious trees and plants, and beautifully decorated houseboats. This canal is also renowned with photographers for being a particularly beautiful area for catching sunset shots.
Prinsengracht
5. Damrak
Colorful gable houses galore
Good for: History, Photo, Unusual
Damrak is a lovely, scenic street between Centraal Station and Dam Square in central Amsterdam. It overlooks the gorgeous Amstel River, with beautiful views of Amsterdam’s multicolored gable houses. The best time to take photos is during the afternoon, as you get to shoot a mirror-like reflection of the colorful homes on the river’s surface.
If looking for even more exciting subjects to make your photos pop, then Damrak also hosts both the Medieval Torture Museum and the Sex Museum. Read more
Damrak
6. Zevenlandenhuizen
Seven European architectural styles
Good for: Budget, History, Photo
Built by Dutch architect Tjeerd Kuipers in 1894, Zevenlandenhuizen is a charming and unique row of 7 houses showing the architectural styles of 7 different European countries. These homes stand out from each other with their distinctive features, such as Spain’s Granada-inspired villa, the Loire-valley chateau of France, and Germany’s 18th-century arched windows and tower.
This area offers peace and escape from busier, crowded areas, and it certainly provides lots of material for eye-catching photos. It’s also just a short walk away from the beautiful Vondelpark, another photogenic location, so you can combine a trip to both. Read more
Location: Roemer Visscherstraat 37-1, 1054 EX Amsterdam, Netherlands
Zevenlandenhuizen
7. Keukenhof Gardens
An explosion of colorful flowers
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
Head a little outside the city for a daytrip to Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse. Although only open between March and May, these gardens are worth a visit as you’ll be wowed by the sight of 7 million colorful tulips in full bloom.
One of the world’s largest flower gardens, Keukenhof has over 800 varieties of tulips, which are all laid out in beautifully manicured flower beds, making for some truly stunning photos.As well as the iconic Dutch flowers, Keukenhof features unique art installations as well as a spacious pavilion that often hosts flower shows.
Location: Stationsweg 166A, 2161 AM Lisse, Netherlands
Open: March–May: daily from 8 am to 7 pm
Keukenhof Gardens
8. NDSM Werf
Modern art in a trendy industrial setting
Good for: Photo, Unusual
NDSM Werf is an artsy waterfront complex where you get to enjoy quirky art installations and workshops by local artists. Occupying a former shipyard in Amsterdam-Noord, NDSM now covers 100,000 square meters, so an entire day can be spent wandering around and snapping all the incredible sights.
The NDSM Foundation was founded in 2009 with the aim of giving a voice to local artists, those pushing the boundaries, and counter-culture movements of every kind. From impressive wall murals, to artistic gardens, to super-sized sculptures made with recycled materials, there’s always something new to see and do in this trendy public space. Read more
Location: NDSM-Plein 90C, 1033 WB Amsterdam, Netherlands
NDSM Werf
9. Sint Olofssteeg
An optical illusion of floating buildings
Good for: History, Photo, Unusual
The corner of the Sint Olofssteeg housing development is unique among the many canal scenes in Amsterdam as the buildings don’t have an automobile road or pedestrian street around them. This means that the edges of the buildings are right next to the water of the Oudezijds Voorburgwal canal.
This unique architectural feature results in the illusion of the buildings seemingly floating on the water. This, of course, makes for some stunning photos, where friends and family will be both dazzled by the beauty of the place and baffled by the remarkable optical illusion.
Location: Vredenburgersteeg 9, 1012 DZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Sint Olofssteeg
10. De Zaanse Schans
Iconic windmills in a lovely country park
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
The De Zaanse Schans country park, located roughly 9 miles northwest of Amsterdam, is where you’ll find some of the country’s most iconic windmills, many of which date back to the 18th century. The country park contains a heritage village that dates back to medieval times and is the site of traditional crafts and industries which still continue today.
As well as the beautiful windmills and picturesque, traditional Dutch houses along the banks of the Zaan River, there are also museums aplenty here, so there’s tons of great photo opportunities. The village can be visited any time of the year, but you should come between April and October if you want to explore the windmills.
Location: Schansend 7, 1509 AW Zaandam, Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0)75 681 0000
De Zaanse Schans
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