Amsterdam · Royal palace

Royal Palace Amsterdam: The City Hall That Became a Palace

Amsterdam's grandest building: a 17th-century city hall built to rival the palaces of Europe, later turned royal palace. Inside, the marble Citizens' Hall is one of the most impressive rooms in the Netherlands. Here's what to see, when it's open and how to get tickets.

By the AllTrips Editorial Team ·

The classical sandstone facade of the Royal Palace of Amsterdam on Dam Square
The Royal Palace on Dam Square — built as Amsterdam's city hall in the Dutch Golden Age.

Royal Palace at a glance

Area: Dam Square, old centre. Allow: 1–1.5 hours. Entry: ticketed, timed slots; under-18s free. Best time: first slot of the morning. Nearby: the Nieuwe Kerk, Madame Tussauds, the canal belt and Dam Square itself.

Why it is famous

When Amsterdam's merchants built a new city hall in 1648, at the height of the Dutch Golden Age, they wanted a building that proclaimed the city's power to the world. Architect Jacob van Campen delivered a classical sandstone palace — the largest non-religious building in Europe at the time — celebrated as the "Eighth Wonder of the World".

In 1808, Louis Napoleon — Napoleon's brother, made King of Holland — took over the city hall as his palace, and it has been a royal palace ever since. Today it is one of three palaces at the disposal of the Dutch King, used for state visits, royal award ceremonies and official receptions. The rest of the time, it's open to visitors.

The domed tower and sculpted pediment of the Royal Palace of Amsterdam against a blue sky
The palace tower and pediment sculptures — the building was designed to rival the palaces of Europe.

What to see inside

  • The Citizens' Hall (Burgerzaal) — the vast central hall, lined with marble and lit by chandeliers, with two enormous maps of the world and the heavens inlaid in the floor. One of the grandest rooms in the Netherlands.
  • The Tribunal (Vierschaar) — the chamber where death sentences were once pronounced, decorated with grim allegorical sculptures.
  • The council chambers — the former mayor's and aldermen's rooms, with ceiling paintings by pupils of Rembrandt, including Ferdinand Bol and Govert Flinck.
  • The Empire collection — one of the world's finest collections of Empire-style furniture, left by Louis Napoleon when he fled in 1810.
  • The balcony — the famous balcony over Dam Square where the royal family appears on state occasions (viewed from the square below).
  • Temporary exhibitions — the palace regularly hosts exhibitions on its history and the royal collections.

Tickets and opening days

Entry is by timed ticket with a free audio guide included (available in several languages, English included). Children under 18 enter free. The palace closes whenever it is needed for royal events — state visits, receptions and ceremonies — sometimes at relatively short notice, so always check opening days before planning around it.

In high season, popular morning slots sell out. Booking ahead online guarantees your entry time and lets you skip the ticket desk.

Book ahead

Royal Palace tickets

Timed-entry tickets with audio guide included. Booking ahead secures your slot — morning entries sell out first in season.

Check prices on Tiqets

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Getting there

The palace stands on the west side of Dam Square — a 10-minute walk down Damrak from Amsterdam Centraal station. Trams stop at Dam and Rokin, and Rokin metro station (North–South line) is a few minutes away. The entrance for visitors is on the square side.

Official information

Royal Palace Amsterdam — official site

Current opening days, closures for royal events, exhibitions and official tickets from the palace's own website.

Visit paleisamsterdam.nl
The Royal Palace of Amsterdam floodlit at night across an empty Dam Square
The palace floodlit at night — Dam Square is at its quietest after dark.

Practical tips

  • Book the first morning slot for the quietest visit — tour groups arrive from late morning.
  • Check the official site the week before your visit: royal events can close the palace with little warning.
  • The audio guide is included and genuinely good — allow the full 60–90 minutes it suggests.
  • Large bags must be left in the free lockers; travel light.
  • In spring, Dam Square in front of the palace fills with tulips for National Tulip Day in January and flower displays into spring.
  • Combine with the Nieuwe Kerk next door and a walk through the canal belt — see our Dam Square guide.
A sea of red and yellow tulips in front of the Royal Palace on Dam Square, Amsterdam
Tulips on Dam Square in front of the palace — a spring tradition in Amsterdam.

See every stop on our Amsterdam attractions map.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the Royal Palace in Amsterdam?

Yes. The palace is open to visitors most of the year, whenever it is not being used for royal events. It closes for state visits and ceremonies, sometimes at short notice, so check the official website before you go.

How much does it cost to visit the Royal Palace?

Admission is ticketed with a timed entry slot; a free audio guide is included. Children under 18 enter free. Check the official site or a trusted reseller for current prices.

How long do you need at the Royal Palace?

Allow 1 to 1.5 hours for the audio-guide route through the Citizens' Hall, the council chambers and the Empire-style rooms.

Does the King live in the Royal Palace?

No. The palace is one of three palaces at the King's disposal and is used for state visits, award ceremonies and official receptions — the royal family lives at Huis ten Bosch in The Hague.

Where is the Royal Palace in Amsterdam?

On Dam Square, in the very centre of the city — a 10-minute walk down Damrak from Amsterdam Centraal station, with tram stops at Dam and Rokin nearby.

Sources

Reviewed October 2026. Confirm opening days before visiting — the palace closes for royal events.