Legend has it that couples who hold hands and kiss passionately while crossing this bridge will be in love forever.
You’ve met someone who brings you immense joy and happiness. Their presence alone lights up your world, and you find their smile or laughter to be your favorite thing to witness. When you are with them, time feels both fleeting and eternal. You feel safe and comfortable, able to share your thoughts, fears, and dreams without judgment. It feels like being in a sanctuary away from the challenges of the external world. You have a deep intuition that they are the one, and all you want is to spend forever with them. If that’s the case, pack your bags and take them to the beautiful city of Amsterdam. Here you’ll find a drawbridge that holds the power to seal the fate of your relationship–it’s a visit to make your dreams come true.
The Legend and History of Magere Burg (a.k.a., the Skinny Bridge)
Cruising through Amsterdam’s canal ring, which was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2010, is a must-do activity in Amsterdam. It’s the best way to see and admire many of the city’s impressive attractions. And, besides, you can’t confidently claim that you’ve been to a city that’s often dubbed “Venice of the North” if you haven’t experienced a canal cruise.
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I was on one of those cruises when we came into view of a white-patched, visibly old, yet compelling wooden bridge when the captain of the cruise ship (a.k.a. our tour guide) announced, “And now we’re approaching the Magere Burg, also known as the skinny bridge. If you’re here with your partner and you want to be in love with them forever, hold them close. Legend has it that if a couple holds hands and kisses passionately while passing under or over this bridge, they will be in love forever. If you don’t want to be in love with the person you’re with right now, don’t do it.” Couples on my cruise embraced and kissed passionately as we crossed under the bridge, while I watched them longingly as I was traveling solo.
Wouldn’t it be nice to be in love with someone forever?
Stretched gracefully over the Amstel River, the Magere Brug connects Keizersgracht (Emperor’s Canal) and Prinsengracht (Prince’s Canal). Legend has it that the bridge was built by two sisters who lived on opposite ends. They wanted to visit each other every day, so they commissioned the construction of the bridge. However, due to budget constraints, they had to settle for a very narrow bridge that was not suitable for general use. This wooden drawbridge was once so narrow that it was difficult for two pedestrians to pass each other, which was how it got the name “Magere Brug”–Dutch for “skinny bridge.”
As traffic along the river Amstel increased, a wider bridge replaced the narrow one, which was originally built in 1691. While the present–day Skinny Bridge is not so skinny anymore, it’s still slender compared to other bridges. Whereas most other nearby bridges are open to traffic, only pedestrians and cyclists are allowed to cross Magere Brug due to the size of its walkway, creating an air of exclusivity that adds to its historic charm.
Tips for Experiencing the Magare Burg
The history and legend of the Magere Burg is wrapped in a testament of love. It’s no wonder why locals regard the bridge as the most romantic of all bridges in Amsterdam. It’s also one of the most popular bridges in Amsterdam, so popular that it is featured in the James Bond film Diamonds are Forever.
The bridge used to be a love lock bridge like the famous one in Paris, but this practice has since been discontinued and discouraged by authorities, and now, locks are routinely removed as they cause corrosion to the bridges, the potential weight of these love locks weakening the bridges to the point of disaster.
In recent years, couples seeking a romantic backdrop for proposals, as well as visitors to Amsterdam wanting Instagram-worthy shots, have made the bridge a popular destination for photos.
The Best Time to See the Magere Burg
The best time to see the Magere Burg is at night, about one or two hours after sunset. Once darkness falls, the bridge is adorned with 1,200 lights that beautifully illuminate it, creating a stunning reflection in the water below its arches. This captivating scene provides an enchanting backdrop for capturing the perfect Instagram pictures. During this time, you’ll encounter couples strolling hand in hand, as well as photographers capturing the magical ambiance. It’s an ideal romantic spot to steal a kiss from your partner and create a lasting memory.
How to Get to the Magere Burg
The bridge is situated between Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht. Those are also the names of the two closest tram stations, both reachable with tram line 4. Also nearby is the metro station Waterlooplein. See more info here.
How to Best See the Magere Burg
In my opinion, the best way to see the Magere Burg is from a Canal cruise. I wouldn’t advise doing this on the weekends, as the waterways will be crowded. Be sure to sit at the tip or edge of the cruise boat for perfect picture angles.
There are several cruise tours available. I recommend the Flagship Amsterdam, which is an open boat with an onboard bar. The ticket cost approximately 21.50 euros (or about $24 USD). If you prefer not to book in advance, you can always head towards the Anne Frank House, as there are boats departing for cruises from this popular spot every hour.
Take the canal cruise during the day to get a good view of all the highlights of Amsterdam if you can. Then, in the evening or late afternoon, you can take the tram or bike down to the bridge and walk and experience the magic of its enchanting lights. With or without a romantic partner, it’s not to be missed.