Amsterdam’s landmarks tell the story of a city shaped by trade, art, conflict, and innovation. From centuries-old churches and a royal palace to hidden courtyards and world-class museums, each site offers a window into the Dutch capital’s layered past and ever-evolving identity.
Whether you're here for a short visit or as part of a longer itinerary exploring the Netherlands, these Amsterdam landmarks are essential starting points for understanding the city and for seeing what makes it unlike anywhere else in the world.
Below are some of the most iconic and culturally significant Amsterdam landmarks to explore; each offering its own perspective on the city’s history, architecture, and daily life.
Start with a heavy hitter and my favorite museum anywhere in the world: the Rijksmuseum. The Rijksmuseum isn’t just one of the most important Amsterdam landmarks, it’s one of the most prestigious art museums in the world. Home to masterpieces by the Dutch masters (also called Dutch Golden Age painters) like Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Frans Hals, this neo-Gothic building blends grandeur with quiet, reflective spaces.
Don’t miss:
Tickets for the Rijksmuseum should be purchased directly from the museum website, in advance of your visit. Please keep in mind that the museum is cashless, so if you plan to purchase anything on-site, you will need to pay with card.
The Anne Frank House is easily one of the most famous Amsterdam landmarks. Step into the Secret Annex where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II, and experience one of the city’s most important stories from the inside. The atmosphere is heavy, honest, and essential.
Visiting the Anne Frank House is not easy and that’s the point. Sometimes, the most uncomfortable experiences are the ones that deepen our understanding of the world. Standing inside the Secret Annex, reading Anne’s words, and placing faces to the horrors of the Holocaust is a sobering but essential reminder of the past. It’s a powerful call to remember, to reflect, and to never forget. At Jetset Seeker, we believe this is one of the most important reasons to travel: to confront history, to listen with empathy, and to carry those lessons forward.
Jetset Seeker Pro Tip: Book your tickets six weeks in advance via the Anne Frank House website. Tickets become available on Tuesdays at 10:00 AM CET six weeks in advance. Time slots go fast, and walk-ins are not accepted.
Just a few minutes’ walk from Amsterdam Centraal Station is Dam Square. It’s also home to Koninklijk Paleis, the Royal Palace of Amsterdam. Once a city hall in the 17th century, this stately structure now functions as one of King Willem-Alexander’s official residences.
While the square itself can be crowded, it’s a great central point to also admire:
Plus, the Royal Palace opens to the public when there are no royal receptions, typically from mid-June through October. For additional information and to book a tour, check out the Royal Palace Amsterdam website.
On the same street as the Anne Frank House, Westerkerk is one of the tallest and most iconic churches in the city. Westerkerk was one of the first Protestant-built churches in the Netherlands, dating to the 1620s. The 297-foot (85-meter) tower, known as the Westertoren, features a large clock and is mentioned in Anne Frank's diary a number of times. A statue of Anne Frank is located outside of the church.
Additionally, Rembrandt is buried here, though his exact grave site is unknown since he was buried as a poor man.
One of the most photographed sights in Amsterdam is the row of narrow, leaning canal houses along Damrak, just a short walk from Amsterdam Centraal Station. While these buildings aren’t technically the “Dancing Houses,” their dramatic tilt and striking reflections in the water make them a favorite photo op, especially for first-time visitors looking to capture that classic Amsterdam landmark photo.
The true Dancing Houses are located further south along the Amstel River, near Hotel de L’Europe and Korte Vijzelstraat. This distinctive row of buildings appears to sway over the canal, earning its nickname thanks to the way the buildings lean at different angles, almost as if they’re mid-waltz.
In fact, tilted houses like these can be found all over Amsterdam. Some have shifted naturally over time, due to the city’s soft, marshy soil and the wooden pilings that support most of the buildings. However, many homes were also intentionally built to lean forward, a clever design choice. The tilt made it easier to hoist goods into upper floors using pulleys, helping to prevent cargo from damaging the building’s façade on the way up.
Looking for a quiet pause? Begijnhof is a medieval courtyard tucked behind the shopping streets near Spui. Originally home to a religious sisterhood, this tranquil enclave features:
Begijnhof is one of those Amsterdam landmarks that feels like a true hidden gem.
Windmills and Amsterdam? Not as common of a pairing as you might think, but De Gooyer is the exception. This towering wooden windmill is the tallest in the country and sits next to Brouwerij ’t IJ, a craft brewery beloved by locals.
Come for the photo op, stay for the beer flight and an order of bitterballen. The beer is good, trust me! 🍻
Spanning the Amstel River, Magere Brug, also known as the Skinny Bridge, is one of the city’s most photographed canal bridges. Lit up by hundreds of white bulbs at night, it’s a favorite among photographers, couples, and filmmakers.
Legend has it, if lovers kiss while passing either over or under the bridge on a boat, their love will last forever. (I'm not saying it’s true…but I'm also not saying it isn’t!)
The Skinny Bridge isn't the only picturesque bridge in the city, nor is it the only cute wooden drawbridge in Amsterdam (there are eight). With 165 canals and more than 1,200 bridges, there are plenty of scenic bridges to see in the city. Similar to the Skinny Bridge and located just a few blocks away is the Walter Suskindbrug, pictured below. The bridge is named after Walter Süskind, who helped hundreds of Jewish children escape from Amsterdam during WWII.
Once the headquarters of Shell Oil (Royal Dutch Shell), the A’DAM Tower is a striking symbol of Amsterdam’s transformation from industrial port city to creative capital. Today, this 22-story tower in Amsterdam Noord has been reimagined as a cultural and entertainment hub. It’s home to an observation deck, a rotating rooftop restaurant, and the Over the Edge swing, Europe’s highest.
If you want a thrill with your city views (or just a sunset cocktail while overlooking the city), this is where old-world Amsterdam meets modern design and creativity.
Shaped like a ship’s hull rising from the water, the NEMO Science Museum is hard to miss amongst the top Amsterdam landmarks and it is also easily one of the most family-friendly Amsterdam landmarks. Across five interactive floors, NEMO explores topics like renewable energy, the human body, chemistry, engineering, and digital technology, all through exhibits that encourage you to touch, test, and try.
Whether you're traveling with children or simply curious about science, NEMO is a fun, refreshing break from traditional museums. Plus, it's a great way to engage with Amsterdam’s forward-thinking spirit.
Located along the Singel Canal, the Bloemenmarkt has been brightening up Amsterdam since 1862 and holds the title of the only floating flower market in the world. While the stalls are permanently moored on houseboats, the experience is anything but static. Expect bursts of color, rows of tulip bulbs, and a mix of fresh flowers and plenty of stereotypical souvenirs.
While parts of the market have become more tourist-focused in recent years, it’s still worth a visit, especially if you’re curious about the Netherlands’ deep-rooted connection to flowers. Tulips may be the main attraction, but you’ll also find narcissus, amaryllis, and other seasonal bulbs packaged and ready to take home (just double-check customs rules if you’re flying internationally).
Whether you’re drawn to Amsterdam’s history, architecture, or cultural scene, visiting these top Amsterdam landmarks offers essential context for how Amsterdam transformed into the vibrant city it is today. These Amsterdam landmarks aren’t just tourist stops, they’re sites that reveal the deeper forces that have shaped the Netherlands across centuries.
So take your time. Snap the photo. Read the plaque. Wander the quiet corners of the city. If you’re putting together your Amsterdam itinerary, these iconic sites are the perfect foundation for a memorable stay in Amsterdam.
If you're ready to go explore beyond these Amsterdam landmarks, our Amsterdam Travel Blog has everything you need to build a smarter, more meaningful itinerary, including where to stay, what to eat, things to do in Amsterdam, and more.
What’s your favorite Amsterdam landmark? Let us know in the comments below or tag your travels with @JetSetSeeker on Instagram. We’d love to see where you go!