Most Beautiful Bridges in Amsterdam – Torensluis, Magere Brug, Blauwbrug and More

Amsterdam has thousands of bridges, from chunky harbour crossings to slender wooden drawbridges. Choosing just a few favourites is impossible – but also irresistible.

Think of this article as a photographer's shortlist: five headline bridges, plus three bonus views you should not skip.

Quick overview of the stars

1. Torensluis Brug – the broad classic on the Singel

Torensluis – literally "tower lock" – sits on the Singel, once Amsterdam’s outer defensive canal. Today it is one of the widest and oldest bridges in the city.

• Its width hints at the watchtower that once stood here, guarding the city gate.
• Under the brick arches there were once small cells – a reminder that this peaceful spot had a much harder past.
• On sunny days, the top of the bridge becomes an open-air terrace filled with chairs, café tables and cyclists weaving past.

From a canal cruise, look for the deep, rounded arches and the unusual width compared with nearby crossings.

2. Magere Brug – the "skinny" Amstel showpiece

The Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) is perhaps Amsterdam’s most famous drawbridge.

• It is a classic wooden bascule bridge with two lifting sections that open for taller boats.
• Its white silhouette and string of lights make it a favourite evening-cruise highlight.
• Over the centuries it has been rebuilt and reinforced, but the elegant outline remains.

Many locals still see this as the bridge of romantic gestures – from quiet proposals to simple sunset kisses.

From a boat, watch how it frames the Amstel, with canal houses stretching away on both banks.

3. Blauwbrug – Amsterdam with a touch of Paris

The Blauwbrug (Blue Bridge) does not look particularly blue today, but it does look grand.

• Its ornate lamp posts, stone railings and decorative details feel closer to Paris than to the simple brick arches seen elsewhere.
• It spans the Amstel near the theatre and city hall, a busy crossroads of tram lines, boats and pedestrians.

From your cruise, it often appears after or before Magere Brug depending on the direction. Notice how the curves and decoration contrast with the more restrained Dutch architecture around it.

4. Lekkeresluis Brug – the postcard townhouse view

The stone arches of Lekkeresluis Brug are lovely on their own, but what makes this spot legendary is the backdrop of canal houses.

• Just behind the bridge, a row of tall, narrow façades creates one of the most photographed street scenes in Amsterdam.
• When people imagine the "classic" Amsterdam townhouse, this is often what they have in mind – even if they don’t know the bridge’s name.

This is a place where it’s worth seeing the scene twice:

• Once from the boat, watching the façades slide by.
• Once from the quay, standing on or beside the bridge with your camera ready.

5. Drieharingenbrug – a tiny wooden neighbour favourite

In the Haarlemmerbuurt area, a short walk from Central Station, Drieharingenbrug (Three Herrings Bridge) feels almost like a secret.

• It is a narrow wooden drawbridge where two people can cross side by side – but just.
• The surroundings are quiet and residential, with studios, family homes and a slower rhythm than the busy centre.
• Its neat paintwork and proportions mirror the cosy, village-like feel of the neighbourhood.

From a cruise that ventures this way, you’ll sense the city relaxing a little – fewer crowds, more everyday life.

Bonus: three honourable mentions you shouldn’t skip

The list above easily could have been ten bridges long. These three don’t fit neatly into the main five, but they’re too good to ignore.

Aluminiumbrug – a solid ex-drawbridge with character

Aluminiumbrug is named after the aluminium deck added in the 20th century.

• It once functioned as a working drawbridge, complete with gears and counterweights.
• Today its mechanics are more for show than daily use, but the structure remains a handsome example of Dutch bridge design.

It is surrounded by classic canal houses – an ideal spot to understand how infrastructure and architecture meet.

Waalseilandbrug – where canals meet the harbour

The Waalseilandbrug links the historic inner city with the IJ waterfront.

• Its heavy, almost block-like form is different from the delicate arches of the canal belt.
• Stand or sail here and you can look one way towards old warehouses and houses, and the other towards ships and modern buildings.

It’s a perfect place to feel Amsterdam as both port and city.

The 15-bridges view – a cheat that’s worth it

Our final "bridge" is not one bridge at all, but a famous perspective: the view where you can see a chain of arches one after another.

• Stand near the junction of Herengracht and Reguliersgracht and look carefully along the canal.
• With the right angle (and a little patience), you can spot a long run of bridges lined up in sequence.

From an open boat, ask your captain if they can slow slightly – this is one of Amsterdam’s most magical canal moments.

Bonus visual: under-the-bridge magic

For an extra dramatic angle, capture bridges from below as you pass through.

The transition from shadow to light, plus the curve of the arch, makes these some of the most satisfying photos you’ll take on the water.

How to fit these bridges into your trip

Here’s one way to combine canal cruise + walking:

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1. Take a classic 1-hour cruise to "meet" the main bridges.
2. Afterwards, walk to Torensluis and Lekkeresluis for townhouse views.
3. Head towards the Amstel for Magere Brug and Blauwbrug.
4. Finish near the 15-bridges view at Herengracht/Reguliersgracht.

Bring this list and see how many you can spot from the boat first, then return on foot for slower, carefully framed photos.

Bottom line

With over a thousand bridges, Amsterdam makes almost any crossing photogenic. But these eight spots – five main bridges and three honourable mentions – offer a ready-made highlight reel.

Let your canal cruise introduce them, then follow up on land. The more you pay attention to the bridges, the richer your mental map of Amsterdam becomes.