Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug)

The Basics

Pass directly beneath the bridge’s low arches on a cruise, opting for an evening tour to see the light display, with some cruises including drinks or dinner for laid-back sightseeing. Alternatively, spend time studying the drawbridge on a city tour, choosing between Segway, coach, or hop-on hop-off transfer for a seamless sightseeing experience. City tours offer stop at multiple locations and may include skip-the-line entry to other top attractions.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Remember your raincoat and comfy shoes when exploring the city’s outdoor attractions, especially in fall and winter.

• Optimize your time by seeing the bridge as part of a wider sightseeing tour.

• The bridge is popular with photographers, especially around sunset.

• Skinny Bridge is accessible for wheelchair users.

How to Get There

The Skinny Bridge connects Kerkstraat with Neuer Kerkstraat and is a short walk from Waterlooplein, which is served by lines 51, 53, and 54. For ease, take advantage of tours that offer round-trip transfer for hassle-free sightseeing, whether by water or land.

When to Get There

The bridge’s 1,200 lights are turned on at dusk, so opt for a late afternoon or evening excursion for the most romantic vistas. See decorated ships pass beneath during the annual Amsterdam Light Festival in December and January, come in summer for Grachtenfestival classical music festival or Pride, or ring in the new year on the bridge for the best views of the city’s firework show.

A Bridge by Any Other Name ...

The origins of the bridge’s name are debated. Some believe the name Skinny Bridge or Magere Brug derives from the difficulty pedestrians had passing one another on the narrow 17th-century structure. Another legend claims that two sisters, who lived on opposite sides of the river, built a small bridge to visit one another. Or perhaps it was named by sailors who had to navigate its low-hanging arches. Ask your guide or other locals for their tales.

Ways to explore

Many canal cruises pass through the Skinny Bridge’s low arches, and this is the most popular way to discover it. Opt for an evening tour to see the light display; many boat trips include drinks, snacks, or even dinner, and offer a laid-back sightseeing experience. Alternatively, a range of city tours stop at the drawbridge: options include Segway trips and outings by bike, rickshaw, pedicab, minivan, or luxury car. The Skinny Bridge is also a popular location for professional photo shoots.

Accessibility

The bridge is wheelchair accessible.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Whatever the season, a raincoat and comfortable shoes never go amiss.

What to wear

Bring a layer if you’re planning to see the lights, as the temperature can drop significantly at night.

Not allowed

Smoking anything on board your boat will bring your trip to a rapid end (unless it’s explicitly stated that you can).

Amenities

Plenty of restaurants, cafés, and shops are within easy walking distance of the bridge.

Address

The Skinny Bridge crosses the Amstel River, connecting Kerkstraat with Neuer Kerkstraat, about a 1.5-mile (2.5-kilometer) walk south of Amsterdam Central station.

Driving

Driving in central Amsterdam is a terrible idea: There’s hardly any parking, and what there is typically costs almost €8 per hour.

Public transportation

The bridge is less than a 10-minute walk from Waterlooplein metro station (lines 51, 53, and 54). The station is on the Amstel River, so follow it south until you see the bridge.

Best times to visit

The bridge’s lights switch on at dusk, so opt for a late afternoon or evening excursion for the most romantic vistas.

Best days to visit

As with any Amsterdam attraction, midweek is less busy than weekends.

Best months to visit

The Amsterdam Light Festival from late November to mid-January is a great time for a canal cruise—light installations sparkle along the canals and sometimes on the bridge, too.

Special events

The bridge is a fabulous spot to watch Amsterdam’s New Year’s Eve fireworks on December 31.