Amsterdam > Dam Square

Things To Do At The Dam Square Amsterdam

Dam Square Amsterdam is one of the places in Amsterdam not to be missed and not possible to miss. There are many things to do in Amsterdam, but you cannot miss the Dam. It is called the heart of Amsterdam and when you walk, bike or ride, you will certainly pass it on the go.

Amsterdam Dam square is not the most beautiful place in Amsterdam to visit, still there are interesting buildings surrounding the Dam and you can get a nice impression of the traffic in Amsterdam. We will give you travel information about the Dam Monument and the surrounding buildings.

To get to the Dam Square is very easy. It is a straight walk for about 10 minutes from the Central Station. You go over the Damrak. This was once a canal, but is later paved.

National Monument at the Dam

On the east side of the Dam Square Amsterdam you will find the National Monument. It is a remembrance for the fallen soldiers and members of the resistance who died during WWII. The white obelisk features 12 urns with soil from the 11 Dutch provinces and the 12th urn contains soil from the Dutch East Indies.

dam square amsterdam, things to do in Amsterdam

May 4th is the national "Remembrance of the Dead" Day in the Netherlands and the main ceremonies are held here at the Monument at the Dam Square Amsterdam. Members of the government and royal family are observing the ceremony and put down flowers at the bottom of the monument. The ceremonies consist of a two minute silence at 8 p.m. All the traffic is stopped and there is a complete silence, followed by the National Hymne "Wilhelmus" and speeches.

The Monument is a friendly gathering place or a place to rest and look around. The Dam Square is surrounded by impressive buildings and lots of active street life.

Royal Palace Amsterdam

On the west side of The Dam Square Amsterdam you can find the Dutch Royal Palace. An impressive building, build on more than 13K wooden piles in the 17th century.

It is an interesting building and there are daily tours to visit it. Originally build as the town hall for Amsterdam, but it became state property in 1936 and is used sometimes by the Royal Family. The building has been on the list to become the eighth wonder of the world, because it was for a long time the largest administrative building in Europe.

Visit the Royal Palace

This palace is definitely worth your time. During your visit you can walk all over the first floor and visit the beautiful decorated halls, with paintings, sculptures and the famous collection of Empire furniture left by Louis Napoleon.

The palace is sometimes used for Royal events and is closed around those days. But in general it is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 12 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The ticket price for adults is 7,50 Euro and for children 5 - 18 years: 3,75 Euro.

Guided tours must be booked more than two weeks in advance, but this can conveniently be done online at the website of the Palace: Book your guided tour online.

Hotel Krasnapolsky

On the opposite site of the Royal Palace, you will find the famous Hotel Krasnapolsky. This hotel has been there since 1866 and has grown larger and larger. It is situated on a beautiful spot in Amsterdam and is known for its good service and comfort.

It is the largest five star hotel in the Netherlands and it has a restaurant, brasserie and grand-cafe. Although it has five stars and it is very huge, it still gives you a warm and welcome feeling and a lot of people like coming in just to drink coffee or tea in the Grand-Cafe, enjoying the view on the Dam. The coffee and tea is also served with lots of chocolates or candies on the side.

Madame Tussaud's Scenerama

On the south side of the Dam Square Amsterdam you will find the famous Madame Tussaud's Museum. This museum is well known for its wax figures of celebrities, world leaders, cultural figures and more.

The first Madame Tussaud's Museum was in England, and the second site became the one here in Amsterdam. Now there are sites all over the world of the famous wax figures.

You can read more practical information about your visit on the page about the Madame Tussauds Museum.

Nieuwe Kerk (New Church)

The church is especially known for its exhibitions. Every winter they have different themes.

December 2012, until April 2013 they present an exhibition about the artistic traditions of American Indians. More than 200 works of art and artifacts from seven different regions of America will be displayed.

In the summer there are organ concerts on the second organ in the church.

Visit the New Church

You can take a guided tour or a audio tour through the church and the focus is on the architecture and history of the building.

There is a royal tour, tombs tour and VIP tour to choose from.

Open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The admission to the church is 5 Euro.

The Iamsterdam card gives you free entrance.

On the north side of the Dam Square Amsterdam you will find the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church). This impressive church is built in the 14th century, but several times destroyed by fires.

The most part of the church has been beautifully restored to the Neo-Gothic style and the pipe organ is still original from 1645, but not in use anymore.

The church itself is well worth a visit. Highlights of the visit are the stained glass windows, the altar and the old organ. A lot of Dutch Monarchs are inaugurated here in this church. And the wedding of the Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima took place in this church.