Dam Square Tours

Dam Square showing a square or plaza, a city and street scenes
Dam Square featuring a square or plaza, outdoor eating and heritage architecture
Dam Square featuring heritage architecture and a city
Dam Square showing a city, landscape views and heritage elements
Dam Square which includes heritage architecture, street scenes and a square or plaza


Amsterdam’s iconic square, with its cobbled stones and grand historical buildings, is a lively gathering place and venue for protests and celebrations.

Amsterdam’s origins lie on Dam Square and you’ll get a sense of this history as you look at the structures here. Today the square is also a venue for mass events, fun fairs and pantomime artists. Join the locals and relax at the base of the National Monument while listening to street organs. Chase the pigeons and dodge the many cyclists when you cross the square to go shopping or explore some of the historical buildings.

The most imposing building is the 17th-century Koninklijk Paleis (Royal Palace), where Napoleon's brother Louis ruled the Netherlands during French occupation. King Willem van Oranje made this building the City Hall, but today it’s used for royal and national events. On any day except Mondays you can pay to take a self-guided or private tour. See the ornate rooms with interiors painted by Rembrandt and other master painters.

You can’t miss the white obelisk, a National Monument built in 1956 to commemorate World War II veterans. On May 4, the Dutch gather here to observe a minute of silence for war victims, followed by a joyful Liberation Day celebration the next day. On the birthday of the King, in April, and during soccer championships, Dam Square is flooded with revelers wearing the national color, orange, and drinking celebration beers.

Situated next to the Royal Palace is the Gothic-looking Nieuwe Kerk, with massive stained glass windows, an intricately carved pulpit and two impressive organs. The historic church is now a venue for cultural exhibitions and concerts.

Whether you’re window-shopping or ready to spend, there are major department stores around the square, such as De Bijenkorf (Beehive). Treat yourself to coffee with cake in the store’s café overlooking the old stock exchange, the Beurs van Berlage. Shop for the latest fashions or visit the wax statues of Madame Tussauds in the Peek & Cloppenburg building.

Dam Square is a short walk from Central Station along the street of Damrak and many trams and buses stop here. If you are driving, consider leaving your car at one of the park-and-ride lots at the edge of the city. There are parking lots in the city center, but spaces are limited.

Plan a trip to see Dam Square

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Reviews of Dam Square

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
911
5 - Excellent 45%
4 - Good
854
4 - Good 42%
3 - Okay
233
3 - Okay 12%
2 - Disappointing
22
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
6
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Great landmark to help me get around

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Lots of street players. Go to watch, interact only if you wish to be engaged.

3/5 - Okay

Laura

Very busy, very touristy.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

THe place to go for all the POLITICAL action in AMsterdam- this is the only place we went that I didnt feel safe...

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Be sure to visit the Magna Plaza near the Dam transit junction, in a very old and beautiful (completely refurbished) 4 floors of shopping and the food offerings are great. Awesome! I happened to be there during Gay Pride week and the inside of the building was all decked out in rainbow flags. Very much upmarket targeted to younger demographics.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

The Dam square used to be charming, now it is just unbelievably crowded.

Popular places to visit


Best Lodging Options Near Dam Square

Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam

Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam

4.5 out of 5
Damrak 1-5, Amsterdam
Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam
Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam City Center

Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam City Center

4.5 out of 5
Rusland 17, Amsterdam
Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam City Center
Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam by IHG

Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam by IHG

4 out of 5
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 5, Amsterdam
Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam by IHG
CS Hotel

CS Hotel

2 out of 5
15 Martelaarsgracht, Amsterdam, NH
CS Hotel
Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam

Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam

5 out of 5
Prins Hendrikkade 108, Amsterdam
Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam
ibis Amsterdam Centre

ibis Amsterdam Centre

3 out of 5
Stationsplein 49, Amsterdam
ibis Amsterdam Centre
Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam

Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam

5 out of 5
Dam 9, Amsterdam
Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam
Die Port van Cleve Hotel

Die Port van Cleve Hotel

4.5 out of 5
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 176-180, Amsterdam
Die Port van Cleve Hotel
Eden Hotel Amsterdam

Eden Hotel Amsterdam

4.5 out of 5
Amstel 144, Amsterdam
Eden Hotel Amsterdam
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.