Amsterdam from a plane window. It’s a view I’ve always wanted to capture on camera but the chances of flying directly across the centre of Amsterdam on a commercial airliner are quite small considering that Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has five runways fanned out in different directions. Then you have to take the weather into account and you have to have a camera ready when all these factors come together in your favour! I’ve seen this view quite a few times before (your chances get better the more you fly out of or into Amsterdam) but I never had a camera with me. My dream came true on a recent flight from Amsterdam to Valencia. It was a late-afternoon flight and the plane took off in a northerly direction before quickly banking to the east. The sun was already way in the west (perfect!) and there wasn’t a single cloud to obstruct my view from row ‘A’. The views of the Amsterdam city centre (a UNESCO World Heritage site) were phenomenal!
A broad view of the Amsterdam Ij Harbour & rings of canals
The concentric ring of canals that are so characteristic of the historic city centre can clearly be seen. The body of water in the upper left is the Ij Harbour.
The concentric canal rings are a UNESCO World Heritage site
In the photo above, you can clearly see the city’s famed Vondel Park in the bottom right.
The city centre
In the photo above, you can see the famous Rijksmuseum and the Museumplein (Museum Square) in the bottom right. Many other landmarks such as the Leidseplein (Leidse Square), the Maritime Museum, the city’s Central Station, Nemo (Science Museum) can also be seen if you know where to look!
A close-up of the Amsterdam city centre
The photo above shows the Amstel River (the wide body of water that stretches horizontally across the photo from the right) that flows into the heart of the city and from which Amsterdam derives its name. The river makes a sharp bend as it enters the city centre. Amsterdam’s City Hall (Stopera), the white curvy building, is located in the bend. The park in the centre of the photo is the city’s Artis Zoo.
I’m thrilled that I finally managed to capture these views! Hope you enjoyed them as much as I have! 
See other views from my ‘Plane Views‘ series.
Thanks Jeff! I was lucky that day.
Awesome photography my friend!! Wow, and the day is absolutely superb!! This article is a definite keeper!!
It sure did feel good! Thanks Brock! There are many more places I’d love to photograph from a plane. Fingers crossed, all the factors will come together when I visit some of these places (like Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong) in the future.
Cheers,
Keith
Awesome shot! It must feel good that all the factors finally came together to get that photo!
Thanks! Cheers Deej!
Awesome shots Keith!