Amsterdam Through a Photographer’s Eye: The Best Photo Spots and Insider Tips
- Inbal Tur-Shalom ענבל טור-שלום
- Dec 29, 2025
- 6 min read
Amsterdam: A Photographer’s Dream City
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is often described as beautiful — but not in the grand, monumental way of other European capitals. Its charm lies in the details. The narrow streets, quiet canals, shifting light, and everyday scenes create an endlessly rich environment for photography.
For photography enthusiasts, especially those drawn to street and urban photography, Amsterdam is a rewarding destination. The city offers a rare mix of historic canal houses, bold modern architecture, industrial spaces, markets, bicycles, and people from every walk of life. Add to that the distinctive Dutch light — soft and painterly when the sun is out, moody and dramatic on gray days — and you have a city that constantly invites you to slow down, observe, and frame.
As a photographer and guide who calls Amsterdam home, I’d like to share some of my favorite photography locations and perspectives — the kind you rarely find in standard travel guides.
Looking for more Amsterdam photography inspiration? Follow along on Instagram: Inbal Tur-Shalom
See Amsterdam From Above: A’DAM Lookout
Amsterdam is beautiful from every angle, but few places allow you to photograph the city from above. One of the best is A’DAM Lookout, located just across the IJ river in Amsterdam North.
At nearly 100 meters (328 feet) above ground, the observation deck offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the historic city center, the port, the canals (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the surrounding Dutch landscape. For photographers, it’s an excellent place to capture Amsterdam’s layout, scale, and geometry.
💡Pro Tip: Plan your visit around sunset, when Amsterdam’s light turns soft and cinematic. The golden glow over the IJ is unforgettable—especially from above. Arriving prepared makes all the difference. Buy your A’DAM Lookout entry ticket including a drink here.
Street Photography at Dam Square | Photos: © Inbal Tur-Shalom
Dam Square: Street Photography at Its Rawest
Dam Square is the historical heart of Amsterdam. It’s home to the Royal Palace, the New Church, and the National Monument — but visually, it’s not conventionally “pretty.” What makes it interesting is life.
Pigeons taking flight, street performers, tourists, locals passing through, and the occasional eccentric character make Dam Square a compelling location for street photography. If you enjoy capturing human behavior, movement, and spontaneous moments, this is a place to linger and observe.
💡Pro Tip #1: For elegant interior photography, book your Royal Palace entry ticket with the audio guide in advance. This guarantees access during quieter hours, allowing you to capture grand halls and refined details without rushing—or crowds.
💡Pro Tip #2: Every summer, The New Church hosts the World Press Photo Exhibition, a must-see for serious photography lovers. Add to that a rotating calendar of thought-provoking exhibitions throughout the year, and this becomes an essential stop.
NDSM Wharf
NDSM Wharf: Street Art and Industrial Grit
If street art and raw urban landscapes appeal to you, head to NDSM Wharf in Amsterdam North. Once a major shipyard, the area has transformed into a creative hub filled with massive murals, graffiti, old industrial structures, and wide open spaces.
The textures, colors, and scale make it a fantastic photography location — very different from the postcard image of canal houses. This area is best explored with context, and it’s one of the locations I often include in my private street photography workshops, where we focus on composition, storytelling, and finding strong visual narratives.
💡Pro Tip: Take your photography further by booking a Private Photography Workshop. Not into a photography workshop? Book my Street Art Walking Tour. Spots are limited and highly sought after—reserve your private experience in advance.
👉 Purchase your ticket to the largest Street Art Museum in the World in advance.
A Different Angle: Amstel Church
One of the most rewarding photography habits is learning to look at familiar landmarks from unexpected angles. For example, to photograph the Amstel Church in a more interesting way, I recommend standing on the west bank of the Reguliersgracht, just north of the church.
From there, you’re positioned slightly lower than the bridge and the church, which creates depth and layering. On some days, a local woman feeds the seagulls nearby — a small human element that can turn a simple architectural photo into a memorable scene.
💡Pro Tip: While the Amstel Church is not open to visitors, Our Lord in the Attic Museum is a hidden gem photographers often miss. Once a secret church, today it offers dramatic staircases, intimate light, and layers of history—perfect for atmospheric interior shots.
Bicycles: The Soul of Amsterdam in Motion
Amsterdam has around 880,000 residents — and more than 3 million bicycles. Locals ride everywhere, in all weather, at all hours. Photographing cyclists is essential if you want to capture the rhythm of the city.
Instead of freezing motion, try slowing your shutter speed to blur either the cyclist or the background. This technique adds energy and emphasizes movement, turning an everyday scene into a dynamic image.
💡Pro Tip: Although many guides recommend biking to “live like a local,” I usually advise against it. Why not? You can read about it here.
If you do choose to ride, rent your bike near Vondelpark and keep it within the park’s scenic photography worthwhile paths.
👉 Book your Regular Bike or E-Bike rental in advance to ensure comfort, safety, and the right fit.
Bridges of Amsterdam | Photos: © Inbal Tur-Shalom
Canals and Bridges: Especially After Dark
With 165 canals and 1,281 bridges, Amsterdam offers endless canal compositions. During the day, reflections and symmetry dominate. At night, the city transforms.
Streetlights cast a warm yellow-orange glow, creating star-like reflections on the water. Long exposures after dark are especially rewarding and are a favorite topic during my evening photography sessions.
💡Pro Tip: Before chasing your perfect shot on foot, take a canal boat ride. It’s one of the best ways to scout locations, understand the city’s layout, and spot reflections, bridges, and façades you’ll want to return to later—with the added bonus of slowing down and resetting creatively.
👉 Book a daytime or golden-hour cruise in advance for effortless inspiration and a relaxed start to your photography day. Book here Canal Cruise from Central Station and book here Canal Cruise from Leidseplein.
Amsterdam The Red Light District during COVID pandemic | Photo: © Inbal Tur-Shalom
A Note on the Red Light District
If you walk through the Red Light District during working hours, it’s important to know that photographing the windows or their immediate surroundings is strictly forbidden. This rule exists to protect the privacy and safety of sex workers and their clients.
Ignoring it can result in serious consequences — including having your camera confiscated or worse. Respect and awareness are essential parts of responsible photography in Amsterdam.
💡Pro Tip: Book your Private non photography Red Light District tour today and uncover the stories behind one of Amsterdam’s most talked-about districts.
Why Photograph Amsterdam With a Guide
Amsterdam is photogenic at any time of day, in any season, and in almost any weather. Each condition brings its own challenges and rewards. The key is knowing where to be, when to be there, and how to see beyond the obvious.
In my private photography workshops, I work one-on-one or with your private group, tailoring each session to your interests and skill level. Whether you’re focused on street photography, architecture, night photography, or simply learning to see differently, I help you make the most of your time in the city — while enjoying it at a relaxed, personal pace.
And yes, if your travel partner isn’t into photography, and they don’t want to tag along, Amsterdam also offers excellent cafés and shopping streets where they can happily wait 😉
🧭 Ready to explore Amsterdam? Discover my unique Photography Workshops and tours now!
🧳 Planning a trip to the Netherlands? Let’s plan your perfect vacation!
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