Magere Brug

The Magere Brug ('Skinny Bridge') is a white-painted wooden double drawbridge spanning the Amstel between Kerkstraat and Nieuwe Kerkstraat.

A bridge has stood here since 1691; the current version dates from a 1934 reconstruction. By night it is lit with 1,200 bulbs that outline its frame and reflect on the river — the classic Amsterdam postcard view.

It is a working drawbridge: roughly twice an hour the bridge keeper raises it for passing boats. Pedestrians and cyclists cross freely; it has no car traffic.

The bridge’s name is generally linked to the narrow crossing that originally stood here. Its traditional design belongs to a broader Amsterdam story: movable bridges allowed busy waterways to remain navigable while connecting the streets on either side. Look beyond the familiar silhouette and the setting becomes just as interesting. The Amstel offers a wider, more open perspective than the canals nearby, with riverside houses, moored boats and the Royal Theatre Carré contributing to the view.

Make the bridge a pause in a walk along the Amstel rather than a destination to rush through. From the riverbanks, you can take in its profile and watch boats moving through the city. Nearby, H’ART Museum offers an art-focused stop, while a detour towards Utrechtsestraat brings independent shops, cafés and restaurants into the route. Continue towards Amstelveld for a quieter canal-belt setting, with the wooden Amstelkerk overlooking the square.