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Magere Brug: Amsterdam's Skinny Bridge

The Magere Brug crosses the Amstel between Kerkstraat and Nieuwe Kerkstraat. Its white wooden structure and traditional drawbridge design make it one of the most recognisable bridges in Amsterdam.

The name Magere Brug translates as "Skinny Bridge", which explains why it is often referred to as the Amsterdam Skinny Bridge in English. The original crossing was narrower than the bridge seen today. A wider replacement was built in 1871 to accommodate increasing traffic.

The banks of the Amstel provide some of the best positions for photographing the bridge. From here, it is possible to include the complete white structure, the river and the surrounding architecture in one image. The bridge itself also provides views along the Amstel towards Royal Theatre Carré.

After dark, the illuminated bridge is reflected in the water. This evening view has helped make the Magere Brug perhaps the most famous bridge in Amsterdam.

The bridge can also be seen from the water, making it a popular sight on many canal cruises in Amsterdam.

Staalmeestersbrug and the Zuiderkerk view

The Staalmeestersbrug is bridge 227 and crosses the Groenburgwal at Staalstraat. Although considerably smaller than the Magere Brug, it provides one of the most characteristic canal views in central Amsterdam.

Looking north along the Groenburgwal, the Zuiderkerk tower appears above the canal houses. The combination of water, historic buildings and the church tower makes this a useful location for visitors interested in architectural and city photography.

Staalmeestersbrug is also associated with Amsterdam's love locks. In the past, visitors attached padlocks to the bridge, leading to descriptions such as the Amsterdam bridge with locks and love bridge Amsterdam Netherlands.

Locks have been removed at different times, so visitors should not expect to see the bridge completely covered with them.

The 15 bridges view in Amsterdam

The intersection of Reguliersgracht and Herengracht provides one of the most unusual bridge views in Amsterdam. From this location, bridges can be seen in several directions along the surrounding canals.

The location is commonly called the 15 bridges viewpoint because it is possible to count 15 bridges from around the intersection when looking in different directions.

The bridges are not all visible in one straight line from street level. Instead, the best-known view looks along Reguliersgracht, where several arched bridges appear one behind another.

The location is particularly photogenic after sunset. Lights along the canal highlight the arches and create reflections on the water.

The Seven Bridges of Reguliersgracht

Reguliersgracht is one of the best canals in Amsterdam for seeing traditional canal bridges. It crosses the Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht, creating a sequence of arched bridges along the canal.

The famous Seven Bridges view is easiest to appreciate from water level, where the arches appear aligned in the distance. A canal cruise through Amsterdam is one way to see this perspective, while visitors who prefer to explore independently can also rent their own boat in Amsterdam

Visitors travelling by bike can instead follow Reguliersgracht and stop at different crossings to see the bridges from street level.

The area is compact and can easily be combined with a visit to Magere Brug and Staalmeestersbrug.

Torensluis: Amsterdam's oldest original bridge

Torensluis crosses the Singel and is noticeably wider than most bridges in the historic canal belt.

Completed in 1648, it is the oldest bridge in Amsterdam that remains in its original state. Its unusual width is connected to the Jan Roodenpoortstoren, a defensive tower that once stood at this location.

Parts of the former prison beneath the tower can still be recognised by the barred openings below street level.

The bridge provides open views along the Singel and is a useful stop for visitors interested in the history of Amsterdam's canals and former city defences.

Pythonbrug in the Eastern Docklands

The historic canal belt contains Amsterdam's best-known bridges, but more recent neighbourhoods provide examples of modern bridge architecture.

Pythonbrug, officially called the Hoge Brug, connects Sporenburg and Borneo Island in the Eastern Docklands. Its bright red colour and curved shape make it immediately different from the traditional bridges in central Amsterdam.

Completed in 2001, the bridge is best photographed from a distance. This makes it possible to capture its complete wave-like shape together with the surrounding waterfront architecture.

The Eastern Docklands can easily be reached by bike from central Amsterdam, making Pythonbrug a practical destination for visitors who want to explore beyond the canal belt.

Visitors particularly interested in contemporary buildings and urban design can also follow our Amsterdam architecture bike route.

Nescio Bridge and Amsterdam-Oost

Nescio Bridge is a cycling and pedestrian bridge connecting Amsterdam-Oost with IJburg across the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal.

The bridge is 780 metres long and was designed specifically for cyclists and pedestrians. Its long, curved approach creates a very different setting from the short canal bridges in central Amsterdam.

The surrounding open space also provides wider views than those found in the canal belt. Nescio Bridge is therefore better included in a longer cycling route through eastern Amsterdam rather than as a short sightseeing stop in the centre.

Visitors planning to explore this part of the city by bike can use Black Bikes Amsterdam East as a convenient starting point for a longer ride towards Amsterdam-Oost and IJburg.

Best Amsterdam bridges for photography

Different bridges work well for different types of photographs.

Magere Brug is the main choice for a traditional white drawbridge over the Amstel. Staalmeestersbrug provides a classic canal view towards the Zuiderkerk, while Reguliersgracht is known for its repeating bridge arches.

Visitors interested in modern architecture can head to Pythonbrug. Torensluis is more suitable for photographs showing the historic Singel and surrounding canal houses.

Early morning is generally useful for photographing bridges in the historic centre with fewer people around. After sunset, Magere Brug and Reguliersgracht are particularly interesting because lights from the bridges and surrounding buildings are reflected in the canals.

Visiting Amsterdam's bridges by bike

Several of the most notable bridges can be combined into one cycling route. If you do not have your own bicycle, read our guide on how to rent a bike in Amsterdam before setting off.

Magere Brug, Staalmeestersbrug and Reguliersgracht are all located in or close to the eastern part of the canal belt. From Reguliersgracht, a route through the centre can continue towards Torensluis on the Singel.

For visitors starting near the centre, Black Bikes Rembrandtplein is conveniently located for reaching Reguliersgracht, the Amstel and many of the historic bridges in this guide.

For a longer ride, cyclists can travel east towards the Eastern Docklands to visit Pythonbrug. Nescio Bridge can then be included by continuing towards Amsterdam-Oost and IJburg.

When stopping at a famous Amsterdam bridge for photographs, park away from cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings. Many historic bridges remain important traffic routes, and stopping on the cycle path can obstruct other road users.

Together, these bridges provide an interesting cycling route through different periods of Amsterdam's development, from the 17th-century canal belt to the modern architecture of the Eastern Docklands and IJburg.