Dam Square
About
All roads lead to Dam Square, the real heart of Amsterdam, where The Royal Palace, the Nieuwe Kerk and the War Memorial overlook this vast and bustling open space.
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Top ways to experience Dam Square
The area
Neighbourhood: Burgwallen-Nieuwe Zijde
How to get there
  • Nieuwmarkt • 8 min walk
  • Centraal Station • 10 min walk
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • Chief1797
    Poway, California166 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great meeting spot and a center for other attractions
    The Square itself is not so much an attraction, but a place to see where many other parts of the city come together. The main shopping center, the Red Light District, The Royal Palace and many souvenir stores. It also can be a meeting place for you and your group. It's large and can be very crowded and the time we were there, quite trashy. It's a people watch mecca if that's your thing with a lot of cafes and restaurants around the area.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 26 March 2023
  • docrogers423
    Cleveland, Tennessee21 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must see
    Our tour guide Sebastian, explained the different statues and the meaning of the poses. It certainly makes you think of what it was like and how Amsterdam evolved. If you venture out, please pick up something explaining the meaning of the statue, you will be moved.
    Visited May 2023
    Written 19 May 2023
  • Leonhkny
    Hong Kong, China14,495 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Heart of Amsterdam
    This huge, encompassing square is the heart of Amsterdam. A typical national gathering place with the royal palace at the center, it is always busy and popular among both locals and tourists. This is also the best option to people-watch.
    Visited June 2023
    Written 4 June 2023
  • Melyssa L
    11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very cool!
    This area is a great place to visit as there is always something going on - from food trucks to street performers! Plus you are just steps away from lots of restaurants and shopping. Also, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum is just off the square and it is a must visit, especially if you have a teenager like myself! In conclusion, if you are coming to Amsterdam, take a sec to stroll through Dam Square and see what is happening!
    Visited June 2023
    Written 28 June 2023
  • Tin_Manila
    Manila, Philippines379 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A great place to appreciate beautiful architecture and people watch
    We walked from Amstel all the way to Dam Square. Did a little window shopping along the way, and stayed in the Square to do a picnic while admiring the architecture and watching tourists. It's a busy place but worth the visit.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 6 July 2023
  • gfsc5
    Perth, Australia1,479 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    The heart of Amsterdam
    Dam Square is almost the heart of Amsterdam. Full of tourists, full of pigeons, full of action, surrounded by some great buildings (The Royal Palace is the best), close to shopping, a stepping-off point for an array of other tourist destinations. A must see if visiting this lovely city.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 1 August 2023
  • dg2014jg
    Magnolia, Texas920 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Keep looking up to see the beauty of this square
    I suppose at one point in time this was a beautiful area for people to gather. Unfortunately, the litter destroyed the atmosphere for me. The crowds and pigeons were expected but not the litter. Again, best to look up when in Amsterdam in order to admire the beautiful architecture.
    Visited July 2023
    Written 15 August 2023
  • Coryy20
    Port of Spain, Trinidad4,837 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The main square of Amsterdam
    This square is quite picturesque. It is the.melting pot of all visitors to Amsterdam. Whether hanging around or just passing through, it a full of vibrancy. I got my feel and smell (weed-filled) of the city at this square. Because it was the first place I visited in the city.
    Visited November 2022
    Travelled solo
    Written 23 August 2023
  • NICHOLAS T
    Dubai, United Arab Emirates5,917 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice central space
    This is an impressive sized square surrounded by lots of large imposing buildings and adorned with monuments. As well as the Royal Palace, there is a huge Madame Tussaud’s. The square links lots of the main tourist areas of Amsterdam.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 7 September 2023
  • MKTBE
    Topeka, Kansas3,053 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    It Is a Dam Large Square!!
    Dam Square and Dam Palace lie in the heart of Amsterdam, at the original location of the dam in the Amstel River. It is a large, bustling square where people gather, and there are numerous shops and cafes that line the square. There is also a National Monument an important memorial to World War II. Dam Palace, Dam Square, Dam pictures and YES, my husband had to make some dam jokes!
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 2 November 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles15,472 reviews
Excellent
5,686
Very good
5,672
Average
3,297
Poor
615
Terrible
203

Ron
Savannah, GA892 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
Large square full of tourists. Nothing was happening there when we visited. Not as exciting as main squares in Brussels, Madrid or Cracow.
Written 2 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vadim
Murmansk, Russia26,794 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Solo
In the XIII century, there was no square here, but there was an empty place where freshly caught fish were sold. Around 1270, local fishermen built a dam and a lock on the Amstel, and a fishing village of a dozen houses was named Amsteledamme. Now it is the symbolic center of Amsterdam. The square has two dominants facing each other - the Royal Palace and the national monument in honor of those killed in World War II. Despite the name, King Willem-Alexander does not live here, his residence is in The Hague. However, official events with his participation may take place here. But the weddings of the monarchs take place in the neighboring building- the Nieuwe Kerk, facing the square from the side. On the opposite side, where the national monument is located, there is a large department store De Bijenkorf, the Madame Tussaud Museum, the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky and Hotel Twenty Seven. All these buildings were built at different times in different styles, but strangely enough, such eclecticism doesn`t spoil the Dam Square...
Written 28 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

D R
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Family
Had an amazing 4 nights here and am looking forward to returning later this year. Such a beautiful city.
Written 3 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Noraatc
Sudbury, MA35,558 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
Always busy, always crowded, but iconic nonetheless. The facade of the Royal Palace is impressive as well as the grand dame of Amsterdam hotels, Grand Hotel Krasnopolsky, facing the National Monument, which is not exactly a masterpiece. My favorite corner in Dam Square is the beautiful austere 15th-century Gothic revival masterpiece, the Nieuwe Kerk, which is one of the oldest churches in Amsterdam.
Written 31 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

adrian w
San Francisco, CA3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
Dam Square is like the Times Square of Amsterdam, minus all the crappy traffic and people. It's a gorgeous, wide open area with several popular places such as Royal Palace, Madame Tussauds, and Bijenkorf. There are many shops and places to eat/drink. There is also easy access to a lot of the major trams that spreads throughout the city.

This is a great place to walk in the middle of and just take it all in. The people, the birds, and sometimes performances (even soccer games!) are just brings a great vibe and gives you that "I'm Here" feeling.
Written 16 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tammyBaltimore_Md
Baltimore, MD2,350 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Solo
Amongst the palace, church, museums, Madame Toussaint, and tons of shopping, interesting place to check out, easy walkable from Central Station
Written 4 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

paul19602013
Brighton, UK932 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
Very busy square in the centre of Amsterdam with lots of bars and restaurants. Lots of places to visit and sights to see including the Royal Palace, National Monument and Madame Tussards.
Written 15 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Leanneastridge
Eastbourne, UK346 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Friends
A great place , with some very good bars , restaurants and shops . Located centrally in the middle of everything . We used all the bars on the square and some of the shops .
Written 10 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MKTBE
Topeka, KS3,053 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
Dam Square and Dam Palace lie in the heart of Amsterdam, at the original location of the dam in the Amstel River. It is a large, bustling square where people gather, and there are numerous shops and cafes that line the square. There is also a National Monument an important memorial to World War II. Dam Palace, Dam Square, Dam pictures and YES, my husband had to make some dam jokes!
Written 2 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

michael w
Heywood, UK1,437 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
Fantastic square central Amsterdam always something going on has a real buzz about the place central to bars and restaurants
Written 18 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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DAM SQUARE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Dam Square

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