🎥 Recreate Danny Ocean’s Amsterdam Heist: Your Ultimate Location Guide

Posted on by Iain
a row of houses on Warmoestraat viewed from Damrak in Amsterdam. It is night time with clear skies and the buildings are lit by street lights and the windows are filled with a variety of coloured lights.

Walk in the footsteps of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Catherine Zeta-Jones in the Dutch capital.

Why Amsterdam?
Ocean’s Twelve swapped Vegas glitz for Amsterdam’s Golden Age charm, using the city’s winding canals, cobbled lanes, and elegant architecture as the backdrop for Europe’s slickest heist. While the plot hops between cities, Amsterdam steals the show with iconic scenes you can still visit today.

Key Filming Spots & How to Find Them

(All locations are walkable or bikeable in central Amsterdam!)

The “Hotel De L’Europe” Facade

  • Movie Scene: Tess (Julia Roberts) arrives at the luxurious “Hotel De L’Europe” – but it’s a cinematic trick!
  • Reality: The exterior is actually Huize Frankendael, a 17th-century manor in East Amsterdam (Middenweg 72).
  • Visit Tip: Snap photos of the grand facade (now event spaces). Pair it with breakfast at Café Frankendael next door.
  • Weekend Bonus: Wander Frankendael Park – it’s serene and rarely touristy.

Canal Chase Sequence

  • Movie Scene: Basher’s (Don Cheadle) chaotic boat escape through narrow canals.
  • Location: Primarily filmed along the Singel Canal near Torensluis Bridge (Amsterdam’s widest bridge).
  • Visit Tip:
    • Rent a boat (€50-100/hour) to recreate the chase (sans explosions!).
    • Walk the Singel from Bloemenmarkt (flower market) to Café van Zuylen for canal views.

“Linus Gets Caught” Alleyway

  • Movie Scene: Linus (Matt Damon) trapped in a dead-end alley.
  • Location: Oudezijds Voorburgwal 40 in De Wallen (Red Light District).
  • Visit Tip: Go by day for photos – it’s quieter and photogenic with leaning gables.

Canal House Rooftop Vantage Point

  • Movie Scene: The crew surveilling targets from a canal house rooftop.
  • Location: Any canal house on Herengracht or Keizersgracht captures the vibe.
  • Visit Tip: Book a stay at a canal-house hotel (like Pulitzer Amsterdam) for rooftop access.
  1. Nescio Bridge (Bonus Spot!)

Your Heist Itinerary: 1 Day vs. Weekend

⚡ The 1-Day Blitz (For Master Thieves on a Schedule):

  • Morning: Huize Frankendael → Singel Canal walk → Torensluis Bridge.
  • Lunch: Pancakes at The Pancake Bakery (Prinsengracht 191 – near Anne Frank House).
  • Afternoon: Oudezijds Voorburgwal alley → Bloemenmarkt → 1-Hour Canal Cruise.
  • Evening: Drinks at historic Café Hoppe (Spui 18) – a Dutch staple since 1670.

🎬 Weekend Mission (Live Like the Crew):

  • Day 1:
  • Film locations (above) + Electric Ladyland (glow-in-the-dark museum near the alley).
  • Dinner at De Silveren Spiegel (Michelin-starred 17th-century building).
  • Day 2:
  • Rijksmuseum (see Vermeer’s art, referenced in the heist).
  • Vondelpark picnic (where locals unwind).
  • Brouwerij ’t IJ windmill brewery for Dutch beer.

Insider Tips

  • Bike > Walk: Rent a bike (€10/day) – it’s faster and very Amsterdam.
  • Skip the “Real” Hotel De L’Europe: It’s pricey (€800+/night), but lobby cocktails are worth the splurge.
  • Fun Fact: The crew’s “Amsterdam” bar scenes were shot in Chicago – stick to the real deal!

Final Intel:

“Amsterdam’s beauty isn’t stolen—it’s waiting. Whether you’ve got 24 hours or 48, you’ll leave feeling like you pulled off the heist of the trip.”

Ready to channel your inner Danny Ocean? Grab sunglasses (rain or shine!), a map, and hit the canals. 🕶️🚤 Tag #OceanTwelveAmsterdam to share your heist!

🏨 Where to Stay

🎬 Ocean’s Twelve Trailer

Ocean's Twelve Official Trailer #1 - (2004) HD

🏳️‍🌈 About Cramberts

From our home base in Amsterdam, we frequently explore some of Europe’s most vibrant cities, and we’ve compiled detailed guides to share our insider knowledge. Whether you’re seeking the canals and culture of Amsterdam itself, the sunny beaches of Gran Canaria, the historic charm of Lisbon and Porto, the bustling energy of Barcelona and Madrid, the refined elegance of Paris and Munich, the unique character of Sitges, or the diverse landscapes of the Randstad region, you’ll find comprehensive information and recommendations in the links below.

🔗 See Also

Amsterdam | Barcelona | Chicago | Cologne | Gran Canaria | Iceland | Lisbon | London | Madrid | Munich | Paris | Porto | Randstad | Sitges | Sydney | Washington DC

Note: Some of these links are affiliates which means using them won’t cost you any extra but we do receive a small commission for each referral. You’re not obligated to use them but we appreciate it if you do. Thanks in advance for supporting our site if you choose to use our links.