The Most Instagrammable Places in Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam has to be one of the most Instagrammable places I’ve ever been. It’s basically impossible to take a bad photo there. The city is stupidly  picturesque — think endless canals lined with flower boxes, the cutest little houses, and so many delicious snacks.

The Netherlands is a small country but there’s so much to do and see. In my three visits I still feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface! I’ll definitely be back, but in the meantime I’ve put together a list of my favorite Instagram worthy spots in Amsterdam. A little inspiration never hurt anyone 🙂 Happy shooting!

Most Instagrammable Landmarks in Amsterdam

Zevenlandenhuizen

This is one of my personal favorite Instagrammable spots in Amsterdam! Zevenlandenhuizen (aka “houses of seven lands”) is a row of houses in southern Amsterdam which are each inspired by the architectural style of a different country. I’m standing in front of Spain here, which is definitely the most photogenic. 

Zevenlandenhuizen is far enough from the city centre that many tourists don’t make it out there, so it never gets too crowded. It’s also right around the corner from the beautiful Vondelpark (and my fave hostels Flying Pig Uptown & StayOkay Vondelpark), so I suggest spending a day or two in the area!

Damrak Houses

This is one of the most iconic and best photo locations in Amsterdam! These quaint, narrow houses are the most famous example of classic Dutch architecture. They are BEYOND beautiful in person and unbelievably photogenic. 

 If you catch them in the right lighting, they’ll make a perfect reflection in the water! The houses are located right next to Amsterdam’s main train station (Centraal), so they make an easy and convenient stop no matter where you’re headed.

Bloemenmarkt

This is a literal FLOATING FLOWER MARKET and it’s just as cute as it sounds. The market is actually super small and you can walk through it in like, under a minute, but the entire area nearby is full of shops & stalls. There are lots of vendors selling tulip bulbs and trinkets! It’s very touristy but pretty cute regardless. Depending on the time of year you visit, the selection/quality of flowers will vary, but even during off-season it’s packed with pretty blooms.

Negen Straatjes

Literally translated to “nine streets”, the Negen Straatjes are a cluster of streets right in the middle of Amsterdam’s city centre. They are the prettiest streets in the city and they definitely look the most quintessentially Amsterdam. Find yourself a spot with flower pots and a bike (it won’t be hard, trust me lol) for the perfect shot!

The entire area is SUPER cute and full of cafes, shops, and restaurants. It’s a great area to people-watch and wander around for an afternoon. Just make sure not to get hit by any bikes 😉 

De Pijp Mural

De Pijp is an adorable neighborhood of Amsterdam which is super walkable and a lot more laid-back than the inner city. It’s best known for the WAKE ME UP WHEN I’M FAMOUS mural, which is so popular it even has its own Instagram geo tag! An ode to Instagram if I’ve ever seen one.

Dam Square

Dam Square is the old town square in the centre of Amsterdam, and the architecture is seriously magnificent! There’s a cluster of historical buildings in the area including the former Royal Palace (pictured), the National Monument, and New Church (a gorgeous 15th-century Gothic-style church).

Unfortunately as you can see in this photo it tends to get PACKED with tourists and it’s really difficult to get a clean shot. I’d suggest waking up early and catching golden hour if you’d like a photo here alone.

Rijksmuseum

Rijksmuseum, the most famous of Amsterdam’s museums, is a must-visit. It’s massive and has so much beautiful art and architecture! You might have heard about the famous IAmsterdam sign outside, but this is actually no longer there! The sign was removed in 2019 after an ongoing debate about its implications for the tourist-clogged city (there’s still one at the airport, though).

Rijksmuseum is a fantastic museum – one of the best I’ve ever visited – so it’s definitely worth a stop anyway. And the architecture is spectacular. Still Insta-worthy in my opinion, even without the sign.

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Most Instagrammable Restaurants & Cafes in Amsterdam

Van Wonderen Stroopwafel

Stroopwafels are a Dutch staple. They’re basically two thin cookies pressed together with sugar syrup in the middle. It doesn’t sound like much, but they are seriously ADDICTING – chewy, unctuous, and the perfect amount of sweetness. The best basic stroopwafels are at Albert Cuypmarkt, but if you want to take it to the next level — get a chocolate-dipped, candy-coated version here. Outrageous.

Polaberry

This is, by far, the most Instagrammable cafe in Amsterdam. It is SO CUTE. The outside is adorable. The inside has an adorable flower wall. The chocolate-covered strawberries are adorable, they make absolutely scrumptious chocolate bars shaped & decorated like little Dutch houses, and it’s one of those rare places that manages to be both totally Instagram-oriented but still extremely high quality. It’s GOOD chocolate. This one is a must-visit.

MaMa Kelly

MaMa Kelly is THE Instagram brunch spot for the ages, it was basically designed for Instagram. The all-pink interior features luxurious pink leather booths, pink tables, and an all-pink bar. The food isn’t anything to laugh at either. Their specialty is actually LOBSTER so they have a variety of lobster dishes including lobster bisque, half or full lobster Thermidor, lobster croquettes, and more, plus standard brunch fare like chicken + waffles or avo toast. Yes. YES!!

Ree7 Amsterdam

If dieting & living a healthy life aren’t that important to you, head on over to Ree7 for a very Insta worthy sugar bomb. This is a brunch spot but they’re best known for their decadent freakshakes – milkshakes topped with obnoxious extras like donuts and chocolate bars, amongst other things.

 

Sticky Fingers

Yet another stupidly cute millennial pink location. This bubblegum pink café was basically made for Instagram. The decor is adorable and the coffee/pastries are just as good! Expect to see a lot of other Instagrammers shooting here. If you’re looking for a cutesy pic and something sweet, this is your spot 🙂

Foodhallen

This converted tram depot is now home to dozens of food stalls where you can sample everything from bao to bitterballen. The entire food hall is bright, airy, and beautifully designed. I visited specifically to get the bitterballen at De Ballenbar because I’d heard this was THE SPOT to try them, and they did not disappoint.

De Ballenbar offers the traditional beef bitterballen, but I got the sampler and would DEF recommend it. Mine included options like truffle, bouillabaisse, and goats cheese and they were all amazing. Don’t forget the truffle + mustard mayo dip, then grab a beer from another stall nearby to wash it down 🙂

Brouwerij ‘t IJ

This brewery is located inside a windmill – how much more Dutch can you get? Still don’t know how to pronounce it, but they make a damn good beer. I had a tasting flight of 5 beers for only 10 euro and all the beers were amazing!

Since the brewery is a bit outside the city, there’s a good mix of locals and tourists. It’s a really good spot for an afternoon pick-me-up, very laid-back. This was one of my favorite stops of my entire trip!

Pancakes! Amsterdam

I visit this little pancake shop every single time I’m in Amsterdam because it’s SO FREAKIN’ GOOD. It’s always buzzing and there’s usually a wait but it’s so, so worth it. They offer American-style pancakes and Dutch pancakes, which are similar to crepes & come in sweet or savory varieties.

I DEF suggest getting the Dutch pancakes, they are amazing. I get the savory pancake every time lol – it comes with spinach, pine nuts, and goats cheese and I add bacon. It is absolutely DIVINE. They make great coffee too, and the coffees are always served with a mini stroopwafel. Amazing.

Most Instagrammable Places Near Amsterdam

Lisse

From April to mid-May, the Dutch flower fields erupt into a beauuutiful bloom of rainbow tulips. This is probably the most Instagrammable place in the Netherlands! You CAN walk in certain fields however PLEASE confirm directly with the farmer before heading in. Please also be careful not to damage or touch any of the flowers.

There is no convenient train route to Lisse. The easiest transport option is to take the train to Schiphol Airport, where there are direct buses that head to Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse. You can choose to visit the Gardens or explore the flower fields independently, but I def suggest the fields for better photos.

Yayoi Kusama Room @ Museum Boijmans van Beuningen

Legendary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama has an infinity room in the Netherlands! This one is located in Rotterdam at Museum Boijmans van Beuningen. Unfortunately the museum has recently closed for renovations, but keep an eye on its progress here for future trips!

Cube Houses Rotterdam

These houses are probably one of the trippiest pieces of architecture I’ve ever seen. Located near the Markthall food market in Rotterdam, this weird ass architectural masterpiece is actually… an apartment complex! Yep, people live here!

The Cube Houses have become an Instagram legend and at pretty much any hour of the day you’ll find people shooting here. They are VERY cool and make an amazing backdrop for photos.

Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans is a neighborhood in a little town near Amsterdam that is known for looking… extremely Dutch. Traditional Dutch houses line the canals and the whole town is honestly sooo so cute. It’s basically picture-perfect, there are tulips, windmills, and wooden clogs — what more could you want?

It’s super easy to get there by train, too. Take a short ride from Amsterdam Centraal to Zaandijk – Zaanse Schans, and then it’s just a 15-minute walk over.

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Hope you guys enjoyed this list of the most Instagrammable places in Amsterdam! Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for more inspiration!