Filming in Amsterdam

Filming in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is our home town. It is also one of the most photogenic cities in Europe, and one of the busiest.

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Canal houses on the Damrak in evening sun, reflected in the water

A good shoot here is mostly about preparation: the right permit, the right time of day and good contact with the neighbours.

The practical side

A drawbridge over a canal next to a café terrace

Do you need a permit?

Yes, for almost anything in public space. The municipality handles film permits per district. A small crew on a pavement needs less than a shoot that closes a street or a bridge, but both need permission. Plan for at least 10 working days for a standard permit and longer for road closures, drones or shoots on the water. We apply for you and deal with the district.

A wide street with parked cars in an Amsterdam neighbourhood

Parking and crew vehicles

Parking in the centre is scarce and expensive. Trucks and crew vans need parking permits or reserved spaces, which we arrange with the permit. Where possible we keep the base camp just outside the canal ring and shuttle in.

Canal houses and modern architecture in Amsterdam

Shooting on and around the canals

Shooting from a boat needs extra permission and a licensed skipper. Bridges are popular, so expect passers by and cyclists. Early mornings are the quietest time for canal shots.

The Stedelijk Museum on the Museumplein under an evening sky

Restrictions to know about

The red light district and parts of the old centre have extra rules for filming people. Schiphol's controlled airspace covers most of the city, so drones need extra clearance. Residents have to be informed for larger shoots; we write and deliver the letters.

A drawbridge over a canal next to a café terraceA wide street with parked cars in an Amsterdam neighbourhoodCanal houses along the water in AmsterdamThe Stedelijk Museum on the Museumplein under an evening sky

Where to shoot

Grachtengordel

Canal ring

The classic Amsterdam image.

West

Jordaan

Smaller canals, cafés, fewer tourists in the morning.

East and north

Eastern docklands and NDSM wharf

Water, warehouses, modern housing.

South

Zuidas

Glass offices and business looks.

Across the IJ

Amsterdam Noord

Industrial, creative, Eye Film Museum and the IJ.

Green

Vondelpark and Amsterdamse Bos

Green, open space.

Damrak
A row of tall narrow canal houses on the Damrak, reflected in the water
Valley, Zuidas
The stacked terraces of the Valley building on the Zuidas
Bloemgracht, Jordaan
Canal houses and a bridge with bicycles on the Bloemgracht
Zuidas by night
Lit office towers on the Zuidas at night
NDSM wharf
A warehouse covered in graffiti at the NDSM wharf
Vondelpark
An iron footbridge under the trees in the Vondelpark
Canal ring at dusk
Canal houses with lit windows and houseboats at dusk
Groenburgwal
The Groenburgwal canal with the Zuiderkerk tower
Eye and A'DAM Tower
The Eye Film Museum and the A'DAM Tower across the IJ
NDSM street art
Painted containers and street art at the NDSM wharf
Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum seen across the pond on the Museumplein
Vondelpark avenue
Cyclists on a tree lined avenue in the park
Canal houses
Narrow canal houses with a tree in front
Zuidas skyline
The Zuidas towers behind a football pitch

Our Amsterdam work

Nivea Crème, shot on the Amsterdam canalsNivea · Crème

Nivea: Crème was shot on the Amsterdam canals for German production company Black Pearl Film. We have produced many other shoots in the city, including drone shoots.

View the project→

Questions

Yes. Filming in public space in Amsterdam needs permission from the municipality, and larger shoots also need parking and traffic arrangements. Plan for at least 10 working days. We Are Will applies for film permits, parking and drone clearances on behalf of its clients and coordinates with location owners and residents.

For a very small crew without lights, tripods on the street or blocked pavements, the rules are lighter, but check first. For anything commercial, a permit avoids trouble on the day.

Next step

Planning a shoot in Amsterdam?

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