Blauwbrug
4
About
Connects Rembrandtplein area with the Waterlooplein area
Duration: < 1 hour
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The area
Neighbourhood: Centrum
Amsterdam’s buzzing hub, with its sprawling network of tram rails and a seemingly constant flow of tourists and commuters, yields convenient access to some of the best sightseeing, shopping, and street life in Europe. Closest at hand are the Royal Palace, the quaint shops of Haalremmerdijk, the pedestrianized zones Kalverstraat and Dam Square with popular neighborhoods such as the Red Light District, and the Canal Ring hardly more than a moment’s stroll away. With the well-connected Centraal Station as Centrum’s base, it's easy to travel farther afield via one of the city’s iconic trams.
How to get there
- Waterlooplein • 2 min walk
- Nieuwmarkt • 8 min walk
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Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
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5,262 within 3 miles
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1,241 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
76 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
40
Average
14
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Herbert C
1,791 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
Literally translated as the Blue Bridge, there is nothing blue about this historic bridge in Amsterdam spanning the Amstel River, connecting the Rembrandtplein and Waterlooplein areas. Its name stems from the original wooden blue bridge that precedes the current stone bridge prior to 1883. Inspired by the architecture of the romantic Parisian bridges over the Seine, this richly decorated bridge, with its ornate street-lamps topped by imperial crowns, is a tribute to the city's seafaring history. Together with the Skinny Bridge (Magere Brug), these are probably the most famous bridges in Amsterdam and should therefore be part of your instagram story. One thing is for certain….. you won’t feel blue after crossing the bridge.
Written 23 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK186,264 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
The Blauwbrug is one of many bridges over the River Amstel runs through Amsterdam from where the city gets it's name. The bridge is painted in a dull grey, but is ornate compared most of the bridges over the canals of Amsterdam. The many lamps on the bridge have sculptures of a clog ship and topped with the royal crown of Netherlands. The bridge is at the northern end of the Amstel and provides fine views of the Stopera, National Opera House, Amstelhof and the Hermitage Amsterdam museum.
Written 2 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands5,807 contributions
Jul 2021
For leftist militants this bridge will forever be linked with battle. During the coronation of a new queen -30 April 1980- the bridge was the scene of confrontation between special police units (ME) and protesters who tried to make their way to Dam square. At the time the adjacent Stopera area was just a bare lot of land suitable for both mounted police and youngsters to fight it out.
For lovers of city architecture it is just another monumental bridge. Built in 1883, the design inspired by Pont Neuf across the Seine river in Paris.
For lovers of city architecture it is just another monumental bridge. Built in 1883, the design inspired by Pont Neuf across the Seine river in Paris.
Written 11 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China175,183 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
There are too many canal and river crossings in Amsterdam to begin to count. One that I particularly like is the late 19th-century Blauwbrug (Blue Bridge) crossing of the Amstel River linking Rembrandtplein to Waterlooplein.
Originally a wooden bridge in the early 1600s blue in colour, Blauwbrug was replaced with this decorative three arch bridge in 1883. The bridge was designed with elements of several Seine River crossings in Paris, including the lamp posts fashioned after those along Pont Alexander III.
The lamps are very interesting, they marble pillars with ships that serve as arms. Topped by the Imperial Crown of Austria, which ruled over the Netherlands in that time and age, they are beautiful to look at. I also enjoy the decorative ship bows which form part of the bridge pillars.
In the end, Blauwbrug is one of the many interesting bridges in Amsterdam. If you enjoy architecture and viewing bridges, this is one worth making time for during visits to the city.
Originally a wooden bridge in the early 1600s blue in colour, Blauwbrug was replaced with this decorative three arch bridge in 1883. The bridge was designed with elements of several Seine River crossings in Paris, including the lamp posts fashioned after those along Pont Alexander III.
The lamps are very interesting, they marble pillars with ships that serve as arms. Topped by the Imperial Crown of Austria, which ruled over the Netherlands in that time and age, they are beautiful to look at. I also enjoy the decorative ship bows which form part of the bridge pillars.
In the end, Blauwbrug is one of the many interesting bridges in Amsterdam. If you enjoy architecture and viewing bridges, this is one worth making time for during visits to the city.
Written 25 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China175,183 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
The Blauwbrug (Blue Bridge) is a beautiful late 19th-century bridge that crosses the Amstel River, linking Rembrandtplein to Waterlooplein in Amsterdam.
Historically, there was a wooden bridge at this location that was painted blue. That bridge dated back to around 1600 but was replaced in 1883 by decorative stone bridge which includes three opening to allow boat traffic to pass underneath.
The new bridge design was inspired by the architectural or ornate features of Pont Alexander III bridge in Paris. This can be seen specifically in the railings and lamp posts which decorate Blauwbrug.
Interestingly, the lantern poles also bear the the Imperial Crown of Austria while the bridge bases have large carvings of ship bows, which both add to the beauty and appeal of the bridge. To best see Blauwbrug's decorative features, just walk up the Amstel River a handful of metres and look back.
In the end, Blauwbrug is an attractive structure that is worth seeing if you are a fan of bridges, architecture and enjoy seeing these type attractions during your travels.
Historically, there was a wooden bridge at this location that was painted blue. That bridge dated back to around 1600 but was replaced in 1883 by decorative stone bridge which includes three opening to allow boat traffic to pass underneath.
The new bridge design was inspired by the architectural or ornate features of Pont Alexander III bridge in Paris. This can be seen specifically in the railings and lamp posts which decorate Blauwbrug.
Interestingly, the lantern poles also bear the the Imperial Crown of Austria while the bridge bases have large carvings of ship bows, which both add to the beauty and appeal of the bridge. To best see Blauwbrug's decorative features, just walk up the Amstel River a handful of metres and look back.
In the end, Blauwbrug is an attractive structure that is worth seeing if you are a fan of bridges, architecture and enjoy seeing these type attractions during your travels.
Written 23 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenny W
Birmingham, Alabama, United States3,822 contributions
Oct 2019
Although this bridge is stone, it takes its name from the old wooden blue painted bridge that stood in this location in the 17th century. This bridge was erected in 1883 and is more ornate than other Dutch bridges. The bridge has more of a French design as seen on bridges crossing the Seine in Paris. The sculptures are of medieval boats, fish and the imperial crown of Amsterdam - check out the lamp stands. We admired the bridge from the water level on a canal boat tour.
Written 29 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bdon257
Morpeth, UK5,447 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
This major bridge is interesting and attractive it crosses a wide section of water and links the city. Good views of it and from it and canal tours travel under it too.
Written 15 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chrisinkingwood2
Houston, TX5,608 contributions
Oct 2019
As some others have said this bridge is better seen from down on the water from a tour boat. If the boat is open or has an open area to stand you can get some good pictures. The bridge is quite large and goes over the Amstel River.
Written 14 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pandamedic
Lichfield, UK5,730 contributions
Sept 2019
We walked across this bridge numerous times during our stay. From the top you get some good views of the canals, but to get a good view of the bridge you really need to see it from the water.
Written 4 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
George
Nicosia, Cyprus1,899 contributions
Sept 2019
One of the most majestic bridges that span the river that gave Amsterdam her name, the Amstel River! The "Blue Bridge" is best viewed from a distance and/or a water approach.
Written 18 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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