Royal Palace and Dam Square: the town hall of a republic
The Dutch built this as a town hall, at the height of their power, and made it as grand as any king's palace in Europe. Napoleon's brother turned it into one, and it still belongs to the crown, though the city it was built for stands outside its doors.
- What it is
- Monument
- Time to allow
- 1 to 2 hours
- Cost
- Ticket for the palace, the square is free
- Best time
- A weekday morning, after checking that the palace is open
Amsterdam this week
Why the Royal Palace is worth it
Amsterdam's burgomasters ordered a new city hall in the 1640s, and the old one burned down in 1652 while it was being built. Jacob van Campen designed it, and it was opened in July 1655. It stands on more than thirteen thousand wooden piles driven into the marshy ground.
Inside, the sculptures and paintings tell the story of the city as the centre of the world, with justice and peace on its side. Its great hall was meant to be open to every citizen, and it was.
In 1806 Napoleon made his brother Louis king of Holland, and in 1808 the city hall became his palace. Today it is one of three palaces at the disposal of the Dutch monarch, and is used for state visits and royal receptions.
What to see
The Citizens' Hall
The great hall at the centre of the building, with maps of the two hemispheres and the heavens inlaid in its marble floor, and a figure of Atlas carrying the heavens high above it.
The Tribunal
The marble court on the ground floor where death sentences were read, its walls carved with scenes of famous judgments.
The Empire furniture
The rooms are furnished with the clocks, chandeliers and chairs Louis Napoleon brought in when he moved into the building.
The Nieuwe Kerk
The church beside the palace, where Dutch kings and queens are sworn in. It is now used for exhibitions.
Dam Square
The square where the first dam was built across the Amstel, with the National Monument to the dead of the Second World War on its east side.
How to do it well
- The palace closes on days when the royal house uses it, sometimes at short notice. Look at its calendar before you go.
- An audio tour comes with the ticket, and it is worth taking: the paintings and sculptures tell a story the rooms alone do not.
- Look up in the Citizens' Hall, then down at the floor: the maps are under your feet.
- Dam Square is the busiest place in the city. Come early if you want a photograph of the palace without the crowds.
Where it is
Address
Dam Square, in the centre of the old town
Nearest station
Dam tram stop, a minute on foot. Rokin metro (line 52) is four minutes away
Museums and sights nearby
- Our Lord in the Attic600 m
- Rembrandt House Museum800 m
- A'DAM Lookout1.4 km
- Rijksmuseum1.5 km
Distances are in a straight line.
Tickets and tours: Royal Palace and Dam Square
Royal Palace and Dam Square: common questions
- Can you visit the Royal Palace in Amsterdam?
- Yes, on most days of the year, when the royal house is not using it. The palace publishes the days it is open on its own site.
- Does the king live in the Royal Palace in Amsterdam?
- No. It is one of the palaces at the disposal of the Dutch monarch, used for state visits and receptions, but the king lives in The Hague.
- How long does a visit to the Royal Palace take?
- About an hour with the audio tour. Add time for the Nieuwe Kerk next door, if it has an exhibition.
- How much time do you need for the Royal Palace?
- Allow 1 to 2 hours. That is this site's estimate for an unhurried visit.
What visitors say about the Royal Palace
Rating from Google
Things to do near the Royal Palace
The nearest of this site's best things to do in the city. Distances are in a straight line.
- 10Step through a doorway into the Begijnhof450 m awayWalk, 20 to 45 minutes, free
- 13Visit the Oude Kerk and walk the old red-light quarter450 m awayChurch, 1 to 2 hours, free to walk, a ticket for the church
- 3Climb to the Secret Annex at the Anne Frank House550 m awayMuseum, 1 to 1.5 hours, ticket sold only on the museum's own site
- 8Climb to the hidden church in a canal house600 m awayMuseum, 1 to 1.5 hours, ticket
Artists to see near the Royal Palace
The museums nearest to here, and the most famous artists on show in each.
Rembrandt House Museum, 800 m away
Rijksmuseum, 1.5 km away
Where to eat near the Royal Palace
The nearest of the famous tables this site lists in Amsterdam. Distances are in a straight line.
- De Drie Fleschjes4.8Tasting room, Nieuwe Kerk150 m away
- Wynand Fockink4.7Tasting room, Dam Square300 m away
- Lucius4.4Fish restaurant, Spuistraat300 m away
- Café De Dokter4.8Brown café, Spui450 m away
Hotels near the Royal Palace
The five-star hotels closest to it, of those this site lists in Amsterdam. Distances are in a straight line.
- Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky4.6Five-star hotel, Dam Square200 m away
- Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam4.7Five-star hotel, Oudezijds Voorburgwal400 m away
- Pulitzer Amsterdam4.6Five-star hotel, Prinsengracht550 m away
- Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht4.7Five-star hotel, Prinsengracht800 m away