Sun path · Amsterdam
Sunrise & sunset direction in Amsterdam
See which way the sun rises and sets in Amsterdam, with the full arc showing elevation against compass direction. Dashed curves show the June solstice, equinox and December solstice for comparison.
Drag the timeline to see where the sun will be in the sky.
Sun path in Amsterdam on Sun, Nov 8
The sun rises at 117°, ESE and sets at 243°, WSW in Amsterdam, reaching a peak elevation of 21° at solar noon. Day length is 9h 10m, measured from sunrise to sunset.
The chart above plots the full arc of the sun across the sky. The horizontal axis is compass direction, the vertical axis is elevation. Dashed reference curves show the June solstice, equinox and December solstice so you can see how the arc shifts through the year.
Use the scrubber to walk through the day and read the sun's compass bearing and elevation at any moment. For photography, check which direction light will come from at your planned shoot time and whether your subject will be front-lit, side-lit or backlit.
Sunrise and sunset direction in Amsterdam
Bearings are measured clockwise from north and calculated from the sun path for this location.
| Date | Sun rises | Sun sets |
|---|---|---|
| Today | 117°, ESE | 243°, WSW |
| June solstice | 48°, NE | 312°, NW |
| Equinox | 89°, E | 271°, W |
| December solstice | 129°, SE | 231°, SW |
Shooting the light in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s flat horizon and northern latitude make low light a city-scale event. In summer the evening fades slowly across the canals; in winter the sun stays low enough to rake brick facades and cross streets for much of the short day.
The semicircular canal plan keeps changing the relationship between water and sun. A bridge that looks along one canal can hold backlight while the next crossing receives warm sidelight, and still water repeats both the sky and the narrow canal houses.
Where photographers go
Brouwersgracht
Curving water, warehouses and houseboats give several bridge angles for late light and blue hour.
Magere Brug
Shoot along the Amstel as evening light leaves the river and the illuminated bridge begins to reflect.
NDSM Wharf
The broad IJ waterfront gives more open sunrise and sunset sightlines than the enclosed canal ring.
Staalmeestersbrug
A compact canal-house composition that works when soft light keeps detail across the brick facades.
Frequently asked
- Which way does the sun rise in Amsterdam?
- On Sun, Nov 8, the sun rises in Amsterdam at 117°, ESE (east-southeast).
- Which direction does the sun set in Amsterdam in December?
- At the December solstice, the sun sets in Amsterdam at 231°, SW (southwest).
- How high does the sun get in Amsterdam?
- On Sun, Nov 8, the sun reaches about 21° above the horizon at its highest point in Amsterdam.
