Dam Square & Royal Palace
Dam Square is Amsterdam's historic heart — the literal site of the city's founding dam on the Amstel River. It is flanked by the 17th-century Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis), the WWII National Monument, and the Gothic Nieuwe Kerk. The Royal Palace, King Willem-Alexander's official reception palace, is open to visitors most of the year with a paid ticket.
Key facts
| Hours | Daily 10:00–17:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Tram stop 'Dam' served by lines 2, 4, 12, 13, 14, 17, and 24; nearest metro station Rokin (5-min walk). Amsterdam Centraal Station is a 5–7 min walk down Damrak. |
| Time needed | 30 min for the square and National Monument (free, no ticket); add 1–1.5 hrs for the Royal Palace interior. |
| Best time to go | Weekday mornings for the Royal Palace (fewer crowds); avoid late afternoon on summer weekends. Note: Palace closes for royal state visits — always check the online calendar. |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Locals Score
- Value6.0
- Freshness5.9
- Crowd level5.5
- Authenticity6.0
- Accessibility9.0
Frequently asked questions
- What are the Royal Palace opening hours?
- The palace is open daily from 10:00, typically closing at 17:00 (last admission 16:30), with extended hours until 18:00 during summer months (July–September). In 2026 it is open for more than 230 days. Always verify the exact date on paleisamsterdam.nl, as closures for royal events are unannounced.
- What else is there to see on Dam Square besides the Royal Palace?
- The square is also home to the 15th-century Gothic Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), which now hosts major art exhibitions and royal ceremonies, and the Madame Tussauds Amsterdam wax museum. The NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky and the De Bijenkorf department store also overlook the square.
- How much does it cost to visit the Royal Palace on Dam Square?
- Adult admission is €13.50, students with a valid ID pay €9, and children under 18 enter free (a ticket is still required for under-18s). Museumkaart (Dutch Museum Pass) and ICOM card holders enter free. The ticket includes a complimentary audio guide in 8 languages.
- What is the National Monument on Dam Square?
- The National Monument is a 22-metre-high white travertine obelisk designed by architect J.J.P. Oud, unveiled on 4 May 1956 by Queen Juliana. It commemorates Dutch civilians and soldiers who died in WWII and subsequent conflicts. Every year on 4 May (National Remembrance Day), the royal family leads a ceremony here with a two-minute silence.
- Do I need to book Royal Palace tickets in advance?
- Online booking is strongly recommended to secure your preferred time slot and skip the queue, especially during peak season. Tickets can also be bought at the palace door, and there is no price difference. Note that the palace only accepts cashless (card) payments on-site.
- Can the Royal Palace be closed when I visit?
- Yes. Because it is King Willem-Alexander's active official reception palace, it closes on days of state visits, New Year's receptions, gala dinners, and other royal ceremonies. Check the live calendar at paleisamsterdam.nl up to six months in advance before booking travel.
- How do I get to Dam Square by public transport?
- Multiple tram lines stop at 'Dam': lines 4, 14, and 24 on the Rokin side, and lines 2, 12, 13, and 17 on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal side. The nearest metro station is Rokin (a few minutes' walk). Amsterdam Centraal Station is a straight 5–7 minute walk down Damrak.
- What is the history of the Royal Palace building?
- The palace was built between 1648 and 1665 as Amsterdam's grand new City Hall, designed by Jacob van Campen in Dutch Classicist style and resting on 13,659 wooden piles driven into the city's soft ground. In 1808 Louis Napoleon Bonaparte converted it into a royal residence. It has been the official reception palace of the Dutch Royal House ever since.
Nearby in Ask Amsterdam
- Royal Palace AmsterdamAttraction0.1 km · 1 min walk
- Café BelgiqueBar0.14 km · 2 min walk
- De Wallen (Red Light District)Neighborhood0.26 km · 3 min walk
- De Wallen (Old Centre)Neighborhood0.36 km · 5 min walk
- In de WildemanBar0.43 km · 5 min walk
Where to stay near Dam Square & Royal Palace
Compare hotels & stays on Booking.com · doesn’t affect the Locals Score