Much of The Netherlands is flat. Very flat. The same can be said of its capital, and my hometown, Amsterdam. The city of Amsterdam also lacks an iconic skyline, which makes it hard to find spots for the kind of sunset photos you would take in, say, Hong Kong or New York. But help is on its way. In this post, I’ll share three of my favourite sunset spots in Amsterdam with you.
1. NEMO Science Museum
Nowhere will you get a better view over the city then from the roof of the NEMO Science Museum. It is, hands down, my favourite spot to take sunset photos of Amsterdam. That’s not to say that #2 and #3 on this list don’t offer wonderful views, too. In fact, you’ll be able to look much further into the distance from these two locations.
What makes the roof view from the NEMO Science Museum stand out for me, is that it allows for more dramatic compositions during late spring and summer – with the iconic Basilica of St. Nicholas silhouetted against the setting sun. Add a few clouds to the scene, and Amsterdam will unveil its beauty right before your eyes.
You don’t have to buy a ticket or sneak up a ladder to get views such as these. Just climb the stairs that start at street level – they will take you right to the museum’s roof terrace. Please note that the terrace closes at 5.30 p.m. – well before sunset during the spring and summer months. Don’t worry though. If you take out your camera somewhere halfway the stairs, you’ll still get a superb sunset view (provided it’s not one of those grey or rainy days in Holland, of course).
How to get there
NEMO Science Museum is within walking distance from Amsterdam Central Station. When you leave the main entrance of the station (on the city center side), turn left and follow the signs for ‘Route Oosterdok’. NEMO Science Museum is a copper-green building with a distinctive shape that you’ll easily recognize.
2. DoubleTree Hilton Sky Lounge
A close number two on this list is the Sky Lounge of the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel, located right next to Amsterdam Central Station. The Sky Lounge has an outside area where you can easily sneek in for a photo or two. Just respect the fact that this is a bar – not a place where you want to intrude on a couple’s romantic night out by blocking their view with a tripod.
How to get there
DoubleTree Hilton Sky Lounge is located at Oosterdoksstraat 4. It’s a 5-minute stroll from Amsterdam Central Station (turn left when you leave the station). If the bar is too crowded to your liking, just walk a bit further, to the NEMO Science Museum, the #1 spot for sunset photos of Amsterdam on this list.
3. Amsterdam LOOKOUT at Amsterdam Tower
Finishing off this list is the Amsterdam Tower, which offers a 360 degree view of the city from its sky deck, called ‘Amsterdam LOOKOUT’. At almost 100 meters, the Amsterdam Tower ranks among Amsterdam’s highest buildings. It used to be the headquarters of Dutch oil company Shell, but it was refurbished completely before opening to the public in 2016.
Visit Amsterdam LOOKOUT with the right expectations. Like I said: Amsterdam is flat, and although it’s hard to get tired of its iconic canals and historic architecture, the city lacks a true skyline. In fact: the higher you go in Amsterdam, the flatter it feels. Still, on a warm and windless summer evening, the sky deck is a great place to relax and take a few sunset photos of Amsterdam.
If you’re a daredevil, you’ll be glad to hear that you can also swing back and forth over the edge of the tower with Amsterdam below your feet. Yes, that’s right. For an additional ticket price, you can enjoy an adrenaline rush on Europe’s highest swing. Just don’t drop your camera.
How to get there
You can reach the Amsterdam Tower by taking the free ferry to Buiksloterweg which departs every few minutes from the IJ side of Amsterdam Central Station. When you get off the ferry, turn left and you will see the Amsterdam Tower. For current opening hours and ticket prices, visit the website of Amsterdam LOOKOUT.
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