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Recommended Reviews - Dam Square

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Dam Square
Mia B.

Nice Architecture a must to visit here in Amsterdam a lot of pigeons around waiting for people to feed them

Andrea U.

This important & large square is in front of the palace, Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and the Madame Tussauds Amsterdam Wax Museum. The attractions here make it feel like Times Square, a tourist area. The National Monument, a white stone pillar was erected in1956 to memorialize the victims of WWII. On the plaza are the NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky & De Bijenkorf Department Store. It's called Dam Square because in 1544, an actual dam in the river Amstel was constructed here. It was disappointing to see anti Israel protesters with posters & megaphones here.

Tyler L.

Dam Square is the heart of the city where all the action is. Each time I was in Amsterdam, I would take the train from the airport to the Central station and walk down from there. Yes, it is extremely crowded here but you can find anything here. It is a great spot to meet up and hang out. There are cafes, souvenir stores, supermarkets, restaurants, canal boat cruises, hotels, and the square is also a short walk to the red light district. All of the major street tram lines that go to the other important parts of the city also conveniently converge around here.

Sunil R.

This is in the heart of the city and you have the WWII monument on one side and the imposing Royal Palace on the other side. There are tons of tourists, cafes, stores, and great people watching here. Sitting on the steps by the WWII monument, soaking in the sights and sounds and people-watching is a nice way to spend a little time.

Alexander H.

All roads lead to Rome. And almost all roads in Amsterdam lead to this square. The big heart of the busy city. Besides lots of (fashion) shops and endless souvenir shops there are some important sights here and around: - the Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam (which looks very dirty) - De Nieuwe Kerk - Magna Plaza Shopping mall (nothing really interesting, but an impressive building) - Nationaal Monument For these sights it's definitely worth coming to the square. But it's a very busy place. Lots of traffic, it's not a place to find some calm and quiet. But it's a must-see nonetheless. For some bathrooms (there aren't many) go to the Magna Plaza Mall. From this square here it's an easy stroll to the shopping streets and of course the Redlight District. Amsterdam is very walkable. You won't really need public transportation, except for the outer neighbourhoods.

the National Memorial Statue which is dedicated to Dutch soldiers who lost their lives in World War II.
Sanjay G.

It's the main square of Amsterdam and very noisy and should I mention the crowd? I did not find it much attractive but again it has historic importance. It is home to some of the most popular attractions in Amsterdam names New Church (Nieuwe Kerk); Madame Tussaud's wax museum; and the National Memorial Statue which is dedicated to Dutch soldiers who lost their lives in World War II. It's just 5 min walk from Central station. You walk in and chances are you would see some event going on. Its heartbeat of the city. This square is lined up with cafes shops and full of vendors. Entertainment options- it's plenty which ranges from street performers to annual music festivals. It's laid back feeling along the canals but when you come here, suddenly you find chaos and feel live. Amsterdam you are amazing.

Palace
Gail U.

On our walk through Amsterdam we proceeded down a path of cafes and cool shops. Every now and then we would ask someone for directions. Seemed the consensus was go left then right to get back to the river to get back to our ship. Of course even though we had a map we were WAY off course and going in the opposite direction. Nevertheless we arrived at Dam Square full of a European lover's dream. Horse drawn carriages for hire, people in the late afternoon walking their dogs dressed in coats and boots appropriate for the weather of the end of October. Cobblestone streets, old architecture, the feeling of Old World charm that arouses an exhilaration that is not present to me in Asia or Hawaii. I asked again at the Palace for directions to the river. Again we headed to the left then right towards the central train station. Our guide had not taken us on this route so it was exploring blindly as darkness arrived. Soon we were walking where very few people remained. Once you leave Dam Square the heaviness and thickness of the familiar smell pervades the air. It's one of those smells like skunk that your nose and brain recognize immediately.

After New Year's Eve event at Dam square, I went to Dam Square again
Isao S.

When I visited this square for the first time, it was New Year's Eve event. Maybe, many people of the Netherlands in Amsterdam gathered at here when opening New Year's Eve event. So, as foreign tourists I was very interested in here and went to here. In general, we sends a firework display high into the sky. But a Dutchman isn't send them into the sky. They set off fire works to various directions. This is old tradition of Amsterdam when New Year's Eve event. This is probably the best known square in Amsterdam. Here you'll find the Royal Palace, which welcomes visitors. Take a look at how the royals used to live. Another must is Madame Tussauds, the world-famous wax statue museum. Several living statues can be found on the square itself. Take a picture with them for a few coins. The National Monument commemorating the victims of WWII is located on the other side of the Square. The National Commemorative Ceremony occurs on 4 May every year, remembering all the victims of WWII as well as those of wars around the world. The King and Queen place flowers and wreaths here together with other authorities and living relatives. Two minutes' silence honor the dead at 8pm.

Royal Palace & Dam Square
Anton K.

Amsterdam is the capitol of the Netherlands and Dam Square is the historical center of Amsterdam. Named after the location of an actual dam on the Amstel river created in 1270, Dam Square became the public plaza and governmental headquarters of the city. The Amstel river river changed it's original course and the dam expanded it's sediment over the centuries so that today there is little evidence of the original dam. Dam Square id a rectangular plot that is 650' west to east and 350' feet north to south. On the west side of the square is the neoclassical Royal Palace which once served as the city hall from 1655 until its conversion to the Royal residence in 1808. Beside the Royal Palace is the Gothic Nieuwe Kerk (new church) and Madame Tussands Amsterdam Wax Museum. The National Monument, a stone pillar designed by J.J.P. Oud, memorializes the victims of World War II and stands opposite the royal Palace. Overlooking the square are the DH Grand Hotel Krasnapelsky and the upscale department store De Bijenkerf built in 1914. The square has been the scene of many demonstrations and events. On May 17, 1945 the citizens of Amsterdam gathered to greet the Canadian troops two days after the Germans capitulated. To their surprise German Kriegsmarines shot into the crowd injuring 120 and killing 22 Amsterdam citizens. Today, Amsterdam Square is still the focal point of the city. It is only 2500' from Central Station and trams, sightseeing cruise boats and public buses have a stop here.

Sepideh Z.

Dam Square is the heart of Amsterdam. There are loads of restaurants, shopping stores, bakeries, smoke shops, and gift shops. There usually are some street performers and some are pretty cool! It's only about a 5 minute walk from Centraal Station off the Damrak (city train). It's a good starting spot if you're meeting people. It's crowded but not overly, depending on the time of year, so it's rather easy to find people. We chained our rented bikes together and left them here for a few hours so we could go explore by foot. The Royal Palace is a beautiful sight to see. Across from the Palace, the Hotel Krasnapolsky is also very pretty. Beware of the pigeons though, they are everywhere! The H&M in this square (right of the Palace) is huge and had some great sales and finds! Ugh, European style and stores are just so much better than US in my opinion so take advantage.

Dam Square is an open area in front of the Royal Palace of Amsterdam. Not that important in and of itself, but it's a major landmark. It's often considered the center of the city. Travel sites list points of interests in terms of distance from Dam Square. There are many buses, many trams, and a few metro stations in this area. Lots of businesses catering to tourists. This is not a place where locals like to spend their time; some of them complain that there are so many tourists that the bike paths are often blocked.

Peep show in the middle of the square and a line for it
Neluta G.

I love this square in Amsterdam, it is such a touristy attraction, also a fun place to be. This is were the first stock exchange ever in the world took place and it is still going. The square is so versatile in winter and summer. You can see from nuns walking around to peep shows, live statues of all sorts and people dressed up in movies characters. In the summer the BIG wheel and other rides are installed here, also a variety of food vendors selling from Dutch baked goods, like apple pie to ice cream and cotton candy. Around the square there is a large variety of places from retail stores, restaurants, fast food places to weed ice-cream and other novelties.

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Dam Square Reviews in Other Languages

Review Highlights - Dam Square

It's a gorgeous, wide open area with several popular places such as Royal Palace, Madame Tussauds, and Bijenkorf.

Mentioned in 11 reviews

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Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam

Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam

(55 reviews)

Centrum

Wow! So much more than I expected. Tour is about 75 minutes. The stonework is, hands down, the…read moremost impressive I've ever seen. Absolutely incredible and worth every penny of the 13.50 euro entrance fee. It was pretty busy and the tour was a little confusing, but don't let that keep you away.

I started my Amsterdam trip with a tour of Koninklijk Paleis. The Palace is located in Dam Square…read more Tickets are €12,50 and I was able to walk up and purchase a ticket at the main entrance. They have a free coat check which was useful. I did the self guided audio tour and I think I spent about 1.5-2 hours. The palace was built in the 17th century and it initially served as the town hall until Louis Napoleon claimed it as his palace. Now it's used for state visits. The palace is one of three residences of the royal family, however their primary residence is in The Hague. The architecture is beautiful. I really enjoyed Citizen's Hall. The self guided tour focused on the art and architecture while giving a history of past monarchs. It was kind of crazy walking through a room where executions were once carried out. I would have liked more information about the current royal family (King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima). I learned on a different tour that he is a pilot and occasionally flies for KLM. I didn't enjoy this tour as much as I thought I would. If you're short on time, I would recommend skipping the Palace.

Leidseplein - "Against All Currents" honors late crime journalist Peter R. de Vries, symbolizing support and justice for the oppressed

Leidseplein

(37 reviews)

Centrum

This is one of many centrally located squares in Amsterdam, a touristy area with many restaurants,…read morebars and some entertainment options, and one of the less significant transit hubs in the city. You can reach it via metro to Leidseplein or various tram and bus lines. Surrounding the square notably are: the Heineken Grand Cafe, the Hirshgebauw (a historic landmark building with shops and offices including an Apple Store), the Amsterdam International Theater, the Diamond Hotel with clear glass facade over the front of the building, and Albert Heijn grocery store. Close by within a couple blocks are Pathé City cinema, the Holland Casino and Hard Rock Cafe. Worth walking or transiting thru and stopping for a look at the memorial sculpture in the center of two hand s touching, called "Against All Currents" a tribute honoring late investigative crime reporter Peter R. de Vries, who reported and contributed to evidence on several very high profile international crimes, including the Natalee Holloway case.

Leidseplein is where I first began my discovery of Amsterdam. I stayed at the Marriott and because…read moreof its central location, the shops, restaurants and Vondelpark, it's a favorite location. I deducted a star because some of the restaurants are very touristy, which is okay, but anytime someone is standing out front trying to lure you inside its a place for me to skip. But this is the best place stay as visitor in Amsterdam in my opinion. I can write for hours about where to go from here, but that is your adventure to learn next time.

Sint-Nicolaasbasiliek - St. Nicholas relic

Sint-Nicolaasbasiliek

(9 reviews)

Centrum, De Wallen

Coming from our hotel we had seen this marvelous cathedral, and I knew we had to stop by on our…read morereturn. Fortunately it was open, as we saw some others going in. The cathedral is gorgeous, awe inspiring. The quiet and reverence here offers a complete escape from the outside world. After soaking up the timeless architecture we were lucky stumble on the choir practicing for their Saturday 5 PM performance - amazing, beautiful voices and music. We only wish we had more time and could have stayed for the complete performance.

This is a stunning church, the Basilica of St. Nicholas, sits across from the Centraal train…read morestation in Amsterdam. One of my favorite things to do while traveling especially Europe is, to randomly walk into an intriguing church-- must be part of my Catholic upbringing, ha! Named after the patron saint of Amsterdam, the basilica was designed by architect Adrianus Bleijs (1842-1912). It's stark somber looking on the outside, stark stunning looking inside. I appreciate the church's use of technology. It's the only church I've seen with electronic confessionals. The church also has a very well designed and branded website. There are 5 churches in this conglomerate and St. Nicholas is the most ornate. The dome of the church is visually awesome, intricately constructed. I had to take photos. St Nicholas is a beautiful work of art and I like it more inside than outside. I very well understand the decades sometimes centuries of toil and pain artisans went through to create Art to please the church's exacting standards. The Sistine Chapel is probably the epitome of that dedication. For these historical reasons, I've come to appreciate pre 1900 churches all over the world. Another really supahcalifragilisticoolthing I discovered was the church holds mass in Gregorian Chant. Wowzah! Now that was amaaaazzzzzzing mass to experience after a long night of debauchery and partying in Amsterdam. Geniusly Sick! Website: http://www.nicolaas-parochie.nl/ Visits: 2

Het Begijnhofkapel - Main altar from the center

Het Begijnhofkapel

(31 reviews)

Centrum

While I hadn't initially known about Het Begijnhof before stumbling upon it on a weekend afternoon,…read moreI'm glad to have visited. It was an insightful glimpse into the hundreds of years of history and thousands of lives impacted by this community, for women seeking religious and economic sanctuary. While it doesn't balance out the inequity of treatment across classes, race, religion and gender back then, it's still quite a progressive undertaking for those times. Since many other reviews have gone into detail about the religious backgrounds, I'll just add a few observations: - walking up to the entrance gate, a security guard is posted at all times, he reminds visitors to respectful of the environment and inhabitants of the neighborhood. The streets around are pretty busy and loud so I'm glad that they're there to maintain a calmer environment. - no walking or stepping on the lawn areas, there are signs with this request posted around the outdoor spaces. - the chapel designed in 1671 within the two townhouses for catholic worship was considered a "hidden" church, since Catholicism wasn't openly sanctioned after the late 16th century. The church building on the courtyard is a Protestant church; both are working church structures. Though the English Reformed Church building isn't always open for visitor access. - there's no tourism photography allowed in the chapel so take note for those who like selfies. Begijnhof is free to visit, hours are 10am-6pm daily. For more info: begijnhofkapelamsterdam.nl

This magnificiently manicured compound is a free attraction in Amsterdam with an interesting…read morehistory. Strictly a female residential commune. Women are on a long list to reside here with certain restrictions: They are over thirty five years old, widowed, no children and poverty stricken. The grassy courtyard is full of beautiful colored trees and two active Protestant churches. Monies are derived from donations and a gift shop.

Homomonument

Homomonument

(14 reviews)

Centrum

As we were walking around Amsterdam, we came across the Homomonument, the first monument in the…read moreworld commemorating gay men and women who were killed by the Nazis due to their sexual orientation. The monument was designed by artist Karin Daan and unveiled on September 5, 1987. The memorial is composed of three pink granite triangles laid in the ground, and each triangle forms the point of a larger triangle. Each point of the triangle is symbolic -- one points towards the National Monument in Dam Square, one points towards the Anne Frank House, and one points towards COC Amsterdam, a Dutch LGBTQ+ rights group founded in 1946. While I love what the monument represents, if it weren't for the sign, I probably wouldn't even have known that I was walking over a monument. The only way to see the entire memorial is from above, but from the ground, you can't see the entire memorial at once or get a good photo. If walking by, stop and take a look, but I would not go out of my way to see it. [Yelp collections: Europe 2024; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Monuments, Memorials, and Historical Markers]

It's not particularly memorable, so it's not worth going out of your way to visit. While the…read moresentiment behind it is meaningful, it's simply a modest sign with a few flowers placed on some steps as a tribute to the LGBTQ+ community, located near the Westerkerk. That said, it's a thoughtful and photogenic stop if you happen to pass by during your walk.

Dam Square - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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