The Netherlands is one of the prettiest places to visit in Europe, and if you're taking your camera, you can't miss these 30 most Instagrammable places in Amsterdam. Winding canals, colourful tulips and outstanding architecture all contribute to making it one of the most picturesque places in the world. We’ve scoped out the best areas to go in the Dutch capital to make sure you capture the best photos for Instagram on your trip. From local food at Foodhallen, the Red Light District at dusk, street art in De Pijp and pretty windmills, check out the picture-perfect places that will reel in the likes once you press ‘post’ - and at the same time, will also leave you falling in love with the city that never sleeps…
These are the 30 best places to take photos in Amsterdam...
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1. The Nine Streets
The 9 Streets, known to locals as De Negen Straatjes, is a series of nine picturesque streets in Amsterdam brimming with boutique shops, quaint cafes and grand canals. The photo ops are endless in this tree-lined area of Jordaan and it’s well worth a visit for a spot of shopping. Stop for a coffee, have a wander around the small independent shops and have your camera ready to capture the beauty of the Nine Streets.
2. Floating Flower Market Bloemenmarkt
The Floating Flower Market, known in Dutch as 'Bloemenmarkt' is perhaps the most sweet smelling place in Amsterdam (beating out the waffle stands). Hop aboard the boat on the Singel canal and get ready for flora explosion with colours that inject energy and life into photos. This is the world’s only floating flower market and it’s open everyday. This is the best place to buy tulips in the city and what better way to add colour to your Instagram pics than a bunch of bright flowers?
3. Prinsengracht Prince's Canal
The Prince’s Canal (Prinsengracht) in the Jordaan neighbourhood is a beautiful spot to take photos in Amsterdam. This canal is one of the three main canals in the city. A great photo op is at the beginning of the Prince’s Canal, or follow the canal further down as any point is simply stunning.
4. World famous narrow houses of Damrak
Obviously Amsterdam’s famed narrow gable houses had to make this list. It’s on everyone’s photo bucket list when they visit. The best place to head for a great snap is Damrak in the centre of the city, a strip that connects Centraal Station to Dam Square. If you’re lucky, on a cloudy day you can get the reflection of the houses in the water. Did you know that Amsterdam’s narrow houses are like that for a reason? This was because back in the day, you were charged taxes based on the size of the building’s exterior. So, the smaller the facade, the cheaper!
5. Vondelpark
The city’s favourite park, Vondelpark, is truly beautiful during any time of the year. Vondelpark is a 19th century park, the perfect place for a summer picnic, crispy autumn walks when the trees have turned orange or when the pink blossom returns for spring. In the summer, enjoy the free open-air theatre, or check out the rose garden, home to 70 varieties of the flower.
Our overlooks Vondelpark, the perfect location
6. Keukenhof Gardens
Keukenhof Gardens is for sure one of the most Instagrammable spots in the Netherlands that will brighten up your Instagram feed. Just a short journey from Amsterdam is the exquisite Keukenhof Gardens (and it’s well worth a day trip). It’s one of the world’s largest tulip fields and wherever there are colourful flowers there are amazing photo ops. The gardens are only open in Spring when the flowers are in full bloom.
7. Staalmeestersbrug Love Lock Bridge
This love-lock bridge, also known as the Staalmeestersburg, lies in the prettiest location in Amsterdam. The bridge crosses over the romantic Groenburgwal canal and people come from far and wide with their loved ones to lock a padlock on the bridge to signify love.
8. Dutch street food
It's true what they say: you eat with your eyes. Food always reels in the likes on Instagram, especially when it’s well presented and drool-worthy. In the Dutch capital there is more than enough tasty-looking street food to photograph. Whether it’s stroopwafels from Albert Cuypmarkt, bitterballen from Foodhallen or a Dutch pancake, be sure to snap your food.
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9. De Pijp
When you’re in Amsterdam make sure to venture out of the city centre and explore new neighbourhoods. The De Pijp is Amsterdam’s lively Latin Quarter and it’s one of our favourite districts in the city. Known for being trendy, this boho hub is full of quaint, pretty houses, cafes, cool coffee shops and worldwide cuisines. The Insta-opportunities are endless.
10. The Wall Gallery, De Pijp
In De Pijp you’ll also find the ‘Wake Me Up When I’m Famous’ street art which is called The Wall Gallery. You’ve probably already seen this mural all over Instagram because bloggers flock here just to get a photo with it!
11. NDSM Wharf
Amsterdam’s NDSM Wharf is an old industrial shipyard that has been converted into a cultural hub and local hang where you’ll find lively events, street art, foodie stalls and music. Creatives, musicians and hipsters hang out here amongst the vibrant, young atmosphere. There are some really cool restaurants and bars here too. As well as an urban beach, which leads us on to our next Instagrammable spot...
12. Pllek
If you’re looking for an Instagrammable setting to put your feet up and relax with a cold beer, then there’s no better place than Pllek, an urban beach and bar across the river at NDSM Wharf. This is the perfect place to bask in the sunshine and relax with friends. Enjoy beautiful views over the River IJ and capture amazing photos of the sunset. While Amsterdam isn’t a beach city, this little man-made spot comes pretty close to it. To get here, catch a free ferry from Centraal Station and cross over the river to NDSM-Wharf.
13. Zevenlandenhuizen
Zevenlandenhuizen is an impressive little street in Amsterdam that’s well worth a visit because it is where the architecture of seven different nations is represented by seven amazing houses! The houses are lined up next to each other, and each represents an architectural style from a different European countries including Spain, France and Russia. Located in the centre of Amsterdam next to Vondelpark and just 9 minutes walk from the Rijksmuseum, it’s super easy to get to.
14. Hortus Botanicus
The botanical gardens in Amsterdam is one of the oldest in Europe. Essentially an oasis in the middle of the city, enjoy a day amongst nature and don’t forget your camera because you’ll definitely want to take some cool photos of the amazing plants and greenery here. Hortus Botanicus makes for a wonderful day out if you love flowers, cacti and pretty settings. It’s just a 20 minute walk from the hostel and open every day from 10am until 5pm.
15. Herengracht
Herengracht is one of the most important canals in the city. The area that runs along the canal is quite prestigious where you’ll find upmarket hotels and restaurants. The richest merchants and the most influential regents and mayors of the city lived on this canal in the 17th century.
16. Jordaan
The trendy streets of Jordaan lend themselves well for beautiful photographs. This is probably the most famous neighbourhood in Amsterdam and if you take the time to discover the streets you may stumble upon something special. The beautiful houses, markets and restaurants make it worth exploring.
17. Red Light District at dusk
You have to get a photo of the Red Light District at night. When lit up, the lights bouncing off the canal are stunning. You'll also experience the women behind the windows - make sure not to take photos of them as it is illegal. When you walk down the Red Light District at night make sure you're not alone. It's best to be accompanied by a small group or another person.
18. A’dam Lookout
Swing over the edge of the city for the best Instagram opportunity from the sky. The A’Dam Lookout is a 20-story rooftop home to Europe’s highest over-the-edge swing and it isn’t for the faint hearted. How far will you go from the Gram? If you’re not interested in facing your fears and swinging over the edge, there’s an awesome rooftop bar at the A’Dam Lookout where you can get amazing panoramic views from the top.
19. Cafe Thijssen
A picturesque cafe in Brouwersgracht adorned in green leaves and shrubbery. Cafe Thijssen is not only photogenic on the exterior, the traditional Dutch grub is also delicious. From the menu, recommend the traditional Bitterballen so you can get a taste of local flavours. To get to this cafe, just walk 16 minutes from the hostel.
20. Sticky Fingers
All pink everything? Yes please. Sticky Fingers is the perfect place to sip on some coffee and cake while enjoying the perfectly pink interior. The sweet treats at this bakery are also Insta-worthy and so beautifully presented - plus there are delicious vegan options such as plant-based banana bread, tiramisu and cheesecake. We recommend the banoffee tartlet, it’s so tasty! Located at the end of Vondelpark, we recommend cycling to Sticky Fingers so you can burn off some of the cakes on the way back.
21. Sex Museum
The photo says it all really. Head to the Amsterdam Sex Museum if you want a photo with a penis. The Sex Museum is located on the Damrak and it’s the world’s first ever sex museum. For €12.50 you can gain insight into a sensual world through erotic photo collections, objects, statues, photographs and more.
22. Windmills
A trip to Holland isn’t complete without seeing a Dutch windmill. Our favourite windmill in Amsterdam is Molen Van Sloten (pictured), that is still operating as a draining windmill to control the water levels in the west of Amsterdam - the best part is, it’s open for visitors to climb up. Molen Van Sloten is located in Amsterdam West and it’s about a half an hour cycle from our hostel.
23. Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum is an art gallery in Museumplein dedicated to the Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh. Inside the museum, you will find some of his greatest works including the sunflowers, almond blossom, irises, the Yellow House and his own self-portrait of himself. The whole place is Instagrammable. A ticket to the Van Gogh museum is €19 and free for people under the age of 18.
24. Moeders Restaurant
If you want to try traditional Dutch home cooking, then you simply must pay a trip to Moeders. Not only does this place serve up delicious Dutch food, but the whole place is seriously Instagrammable too. Moeders is Dutch for 'Mothers' and the walls in this restaurant are covered in framed photos of fabulous mummies. Known as the 'Mothers Wall of Fame', customers can bring photos of their mum and they'll stick it on the wall. So charming!
25. Rijksmuseum Library
The Rijksmuseum is one of the best museums in Amsterdam to learn more about Dutch art and history. Located on Museumplein, not far from the Van Gogh museum, the Rijksmuseum houses one of the grandest libraries in the world. It's like something out of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
26. Rijksmuseum cycle path
Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum is the only museum in the world to have a cycle path running through it and it makes for one more great Instagram opportunity.
27. The brunch at Dignita
Looking for the most Instagrammable brunch in Amsterdam? Dignita serves beautifully presented food that tastes amazing. With two locations in the city, you can book a table at Dignita at its branch in Vondelpark or Nieuwe Herengracht.
28. Oude Kerk
This medieval church on the Red Light District is one of the most Instagrammable spots in the city. Oude Kerk was built in the 13th century out of wood and was later rebuilt to stone. You can go inside for €10 (or €5 if you're a student) to see how the church looks today.
29. Lanksroon Bakery
The stroopwafels from the Lanskroon Bakery are special because their homemade and baked the traditional way (which makes them super photo-worthy because they look more authentic than other stroopwafels around the city). You have to order the king-sized stroopwafel and dip it into some tea or coffee. You'll love it!
30. The Anne Frank House exterior
If it's your first time visiting Amsterdam, you have to visit the Anne Frank House. This museum is dedicated to the famous war diarist who sadly died due to Nazi persecution. Inside the museum (which is the same building she actually lived in) you will learn more about her life in hiding, plus gain access to her old bedroom in the Secret Annex.