![Amsterdam's Iconic Love Lock Bridge Location [2025 Update]](/en/content/images/size/w1280/format/webp/20250807232215_love-lock-bridges-in.jpeg)
Amsterdam's Iconic Love Lock Bridge - Its Location unchanged since 2025
In the heart of Amsterdam, two iconic bridges, the Staalmeestersbrug and the Magere Brug, have long been popular spots for couples to leave their love locks. However, these aren't officially designated "love lock bridges"[2][4].
The Staalmeestersbrug, affectionately known as the "Love Lock Bridge," is a romantic spot where people leave locks on its chains, but this is more of an informal tradition rather than an officially permitted activity[2][4][5]. Unfortunately, the love lock tradition is not always welcomed. In fact, leaving a love lock is often considered an act of vandalism[1].
As of now, there is no official love lock bridge in Amsterdam where adding locks is formally allowed or encouraged by the city[5]. This means that lovers who wish to participate in this tradition should be aware that their locks may be removed to protect the bridge structures and aesthetics[1].
In May 2012, all the love locks on the Staalmeestersbrug bridge were removed[6]. More recently, lovers have been adding locks to a small bridge in the center of the Vondelpark, but these too are not officially permitted[1].
Similar issues have arisen in other cities, such as Venice and New York, where historic bridges have been damaged by the weight of love locks[7]. In Paris, the Pont des Arts was once covered in thousands of padlocks, with over a million locks at one point[3]. However, when there are more than 13 padlocks on the Staalmeestersbrug Bridge, they will be removed[1].
The idea behind love locks is that the couple locks the padlock onto the bridge and throws the key into the water, symbolizing their promise to love each other forever. However, the general consensus around the world is that love locks are largely unsafe, especially on historic bridges[7].
Locals in Amsterdam generally dislike love locks and the council routinely removes them[1]. In Chicago, the local council regularly removes locks from bridges due to potential damage to boats[8].
Despite the challenges, the tradition of love locks persists. If you plan to visit Amsterdam and want to add a lock, you should check local regulations or recent updates. But as of now, there isn't an official love lock bridge designated for that purpose.
The Staalmeestersbrug bridge crosses the Groenburgwal Canal and is a popular photo spot with the Zuiderkerk in the background. The bridge in Vondelpark may escape notice for longer as it's small and no boats are in danger, but adding padlocks to this one is still not officially permitted[1].
References:
- Amsterdam love locks: The city's unofficial love lock bridges
- Amsterdam’s Love Lock Bridge: A Guide to the Staalmeestersbrug
- Pont des Arts: The Love Lock Bridge in Paris
- Amsterdam Love Locks: Where to Find Them and What to Know
- Amsterdam Love Locks: A Brief History and Where to Find Them
- Amsterdam's Love Lock Bridge Cleared After Five Years of Clutter
- The Dangers of Love Locks on Bridges
- Chicago Love Locks: A Look at the City's Love Lock Trend
The Staalmeestersbrug, colloquially named the "Love Lock Bridge," is a popular yet unofficial site for leaving locks, albeit an activity not formally endorsed by the city due to potential structural and aesthetic damage [2][4][5]. Despite the removal of all love locks in May 2012 from the Staalmeestersbrug and the lack of an official love lock bridge in Amsterdam, lovers continue to add locks to a small bridge in Vondelpark, yet this practice too is not officially permitted [1].
