Best Amsterdam Canal Photoshoot Locations

Why direction matters

The three main canals of the ring (Herengracht, Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht) curve in a horseshoe around the old centre. On the western side of the ring they run roughly north–south; along the southern stretch, between Leidsestraat and the Amstel, they run roughly east–west. Smaller canals such as Brouwersgracht, Bloemgracht and Egelantiersgracht also run roughly east–west.

That matters because:

• On north–south canals, the low morning and evening sun comes across the water and lights one bank of houses while the other stays in shadow. Stand on the shaded side and you get soft light on faces with a bright row of gables behind.
• On east–west canals, the sun at the start or end of the day sits at one end of the canal. Facing it, you get backlit hair and glowing water; with it behind you, the whole canal is lit front-on.
• Midday in summer puts the sun high above the rooftops and the narrow canals into hard contrast. Tree-lined stretches help; the open river does not.

Around the March and September equinoxes the sun rises and sets close to due east and west, so the east–west canals line up with it. In June it rises in the north-east and sets in the north-west (around 22:00); in December it stays low in the south and sets around 16:30.

The ten best canal spots

1. Reguliersgracht at Herengracht

From the bridge where the two canals cross, look south down Reguliersgracht and you see a line of arched bridges one after another, the view usually sold as "seven bridges". Turn around and you have the Herengracht in both directions. Several angles within 20 metres, which makes it efficient for a short session. The bridges are lit after dark, so this works at blue hour too. Moderately busy from mid-morning; quiet before 09:00.

2. Brouwersgracht

The north edge of the Jordaan, lined with old warehouses (many with their hoist beams still in place) and houseboats. Less retail than the ring, so fewer people even at noon. The canal runs roughly east–west, so in the evening you can shoot towards the setting sun. Wide pavements on both sides mean you are not squeezed against parked cars.

3. Bloemgracht

"The flower canal" in the heart of the Jordaan: tall elms, stepped and bell gables, and a few bridges with good height for a looking-down shot. Residential and calm. Keep the camera off people's front windows.

4. Egelantiersgracht

A narrow canal a few streets north of Bloemgracht, with small bridges at each cross street, bicycles on every railing and plants on the steps. It feels more intimate than the main ring. Good for couples and for portraits where you want the background busy with texture but not with people. The corner with Prinsengracht is the busiest part; move west for quieter frames.

5. Leidsegracht

A short radial canal connecting the three main ring canals near Leidseplein. The crossing with Keizersgracht gives a double bridge view and the houses are well kept. It runs diagonally (north-east to south-west), so the afternoon sun comes along it. Busier than the Jordaan, quieter than Leidseplein itself.

6. Herengracht Golden Bend

The stretch of Herengracht between Leidsestraat and Vijzelstraat, where the 17th-century merchants built double-width mansions with stone façades. It runs roughly east–west, is wide, and has fewer trees than the western ring, so it feels grand rather than cosy. Suits formal portraits, engagement photos and anyone wearing something dressy.

7. Groenburgwal

South of Nieuwmarkt, with a white drawbridge and the Zuiderkerk tower closing the view. Monet painted it in 1874 and it hasn't changed much. A few steps away the Staalstraat bridge gives another angle. Far fewer visitors than the western canals.

8. Prinsengracht by the Westerkerk

The Westerkerk tower over the canal is one of the city's signature views. Go before 09:00: the Anne Frank House queues start soon after and stay all day. The bridges on Prinsengracht at Leliegracht and at Bloemgracht give you the church without the queue in frame.

9. The Western Islands

The canals around Prinseneiland, Realeneiland and Bickerseiland are harbour water rather than a ring canal: wider, with working boats, old warehouses and small wooden drawbridges like the Drieharingenbrug. You rarely see tourists. It is about 15 minutes' walk from Centraal Station, just past the Haarlemmerdijk.

10. The Amstel and the Magere Brug

Technically a river, not a canal, but it belongs on the list. The Magere Brug is a white drawbridge with lights along its frame; the quays at either end give clean side views. The open water gives a sense of space the canals can't. Best at blue hour.

Light and timing at a glance

Things that will be in your photos

• Tour boats. They pass every few minutes on Prinsengracht, Herengracht and the Amstel from mid-morning onwards. A patient photographer times the frame between them; the Jordaan's smaller canals see far fewer boats.
• Bikes. Thousands of them, chained to every railing. They are part of the look, but the one in front of you may belong to someone who wants it back mid-shoot.
• Cars and vans. Most canal quays have parking along the water. Photographers shoot from bridges and angle past them, or pick a stretch without parked cars.
• Rubbish collection and deliveries. Early mornings bring bin lorries and delivery vans. They move on quickly.

Getting there

Nearly all of these spots are within walking distance of each other. From Centraal Station, Brouwersgracht is about 10 minutes on foot and the Western Islands about 15; Reguliersgracht is about 20 minutes south, or a short tram ride to Rembrandtplein. Groenburgwal is 5 minutes' walk from Nieuwmarkt metro station, and the Magere Brug about 10 minutes from Waterlooplein. If you are covering more than two canals in a session, stay within one area (Jordaan and Western Islands, or Reguliersgracht and the Amstel) rather than crossing the whole ring; walking between opposite ends takes time out of your shoot.

Safety at the water's edge

Most canal edges have no railing. Don't back up while posing, keep children's hands held near the water, and don't sit on the edge of a quay in heels or when it is wet. Houseboat decks and gangways are private property, so ask the owner, don't just climb on.

Seasons on the canals

In spring, the elms come into leaf in late April and blossom appears on a few trees along the Jordaan canals. Summer has the longest days and the most boats. Autumn turns the canal trees yellow from mid-October, with soft, low light all day; see our autumn photoshoot guide. In winter, the bare trees reveal more of the façades, and during the Amsterdam Light Festival (usually December to January) art installations appear along the canals.

Booking a canal shoot

A canal photoshoot in Amsterdam starts from €150 for a short session; the final quote depends on duration, number of people and date. If you want the whole centre, not just water, read our full list of Amsterdam photoshoot locations. If you are after the evening glow on the bridges, compare sunrise and sunset sessions first. Couples should also read the couple photoshoot guide, and anyone visiting for a few days can start at our Amsterdam city page.