Amsterdam · Historic square

Dam Square: Amsterdam's Historic Heart

The square where Amsterdam began: the Royal Palace, the Nieuwe Kerk, the National Monument and Madame Tussauds on one cobbled expanse. Here's what to see, the history behind it and how to plan your visit.

By the AllTrips Editorial Team ·

Dam Square in Amsterdam with the National Monument obelisk, stone lions and historic gabled buildings
The National Monument and the stone lions on Dam Square.

Dam Square at a glance

Area: the Dam, at the end of Damrak. Allow: 1–2 hours for the square, half a day with the palace and church. Entry: free (public square). Best time: early morning or floodlit evening. Nearby: the Red Light District, the canal belt, Kalverstraat shopping and Leidseplein.

Why it is famous

Dam Square is where Amsterdam got its name: around 1270 a dam was built across the river Amstel at this spot, and the settlement that grew around it became Amstelledamme — Amsterdam. The dam square became the city's marketplace, harbour and civic centre.

For centuries the square held the city hall, the weigh house and the stock exchange. When Louis Napoleon made the city hall his palace in 1808 it became the Royal Palace, still used by the Dutch royal family for state visits and ceremonies. Today the Dam is the nation's ceremonial heart: the annual National Remembrance on 4 May and the King's Day celebrations both centre on the square.

The Nieuwe Kerk on Dam Square in Amsterdam, floodlit at dusk
The Nieuwe Kerk, floodlit at dusk — royal inaugurations and major exhibitions take place here.

What to see and do

  • Royal Palace (Koninklijk Paleis) — the 17th-century city hall turned royal palace; the grand Citizens' Hall with its marble floor maps is the highlight. Open to visitors when not in royal use.
  • Nieuwe Kerk — the 15th-century "New Church", no longer a working church but the site of royal inaugurations and major art exhibitions.
  • National Monument — the 22-metre white obelisk from 1956 commemorating the victims of the Second World War; the National Remembrance ceremony is held here every 4 May.
  • Madame Tussauds — the wax museum in the Peek & Cloppenburg building, with a panoramic window over the square.
  • Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky — the landmark 19th-century hotel with its famous Winter Garden; its terrace faces the square.
  • De Bijenkorf — the city's grandest department store, on the square's north-east corner.
  • Street life — pigeons, living statues, buskers and, in season, a funfair or carousel on the square.
Aerial view over Dam Square in Amsterdam with Madame Tussauds, the National Monument and the city skyline
Dam Square from above, with Madame Tussauds and the National Monument.

Book ahead

Tickets for Dam Square attractions

Royal Palace entry, Madame Tussauds and canal cruises near the Dam sell time slots that go fast in high season — booking ahead guarantees your slot and usually beats the door price.

Check prices on Tiqets

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Getting there

From Amsterdam Centraal station, walk 10 minutes straight down Damrak — you cannot miss it. Trams stop at Dam and Rokin, and the metro's Rokin station (North–South line) is a few minutes away. The Red Light District begins just behind the square, and the canal belt and Leidseplein are a 15-minute walk through the canals.

Official information

Dam Square — I amsterdam

Events, history and visitor information from Amsterdam's official city guide. The square itself is free to visit at any hour.

Visit iamsterdam.com
Dam Square in Amsterdam at dusk with a passing tram, the National Monument and historic buildings
A tram crosses Dam Square at dusk.

Practical tips

  • Come before 9am for crowd-free photos — by midday the square is packed in season.
  • Check the Royal Palace's opening days before you go: it closes for state events, sometimes at short notice.
  • The square is a pickpocket hotspot in crowds — keep bags zipped and phones out of back pockets.
  • Food directly on the square is tourist-priced; the side streets towards the canal belt are better value.
  • On 4 May (Remembrance Day) and 27 April (King's Day) the square is closed or extremely crowded — plan around it.
  • Combine with a walk down Damrak to Centraal, or through the canal belt towards Museumplein.

See every stop on our Amsterdam attractions map.

Frequently asked questions

Is Dam Square free to visit?

Yes. The square itself is a public space and free at all hours. The Royal Palace, Nieuwe Kerk and Madame Tussauds on the square charge admission.

What is Dam Square famous for?

It is Amsterdam's historic centre, built in the 13th century on a dam across the Amstel river — the origin of the city's name. Today it holds the Royal Palace, the Nieuwe Kerk, the National Monument and Madame Tussauds.

Can you visit the Royal Palace on Dam Square?

Yes. The Royal Palace is open to visitors most of the year when it is not in use for royal events. Check the official website for current opening days, as it closes for state occasions.

How do I get to Dam Square?

It is a 10-minute walk straight down Damrak from Amsterdam Centraal station, and many trams stop at Dam or Rokin nearby. Everything in the canal belt is walkable from the square.

When is the best time to visit Dam Square?

Early morning for photos without crowds, or evening when the Nieuwe Kerk and palace are floodlit. On King's Day (27 April) and National Remembrance Day (4 May) the square hosts major events.

Sources

Reviewed October 2026. Confirm Royal Palace opening days and exhibition times before visiting.