About the Royal Palace
Completed in 1665 and designed by Jacob van Campen, the Royal Palace on Dam Square is one of the three palaces in the Netherlands at the disposal of the Dutch royal family. When King Willem-Alexander is not in residence, the palace is open to the public and reveals one of the most lavishly decorated interiors in Europe.
Built when Amsterdam was the richest city in the world, the palace was originally the new City Hall and was considered the Eighth Wonder of the World by contemporaries. Its grand Citizens' Hall — a marble-floored room spanning the full width of the building — was designed to represent Amsterdam's place at the centre of the world.
Highlights
- Citizens' Hall — monumental marble hall with inlaid maps of the Eastern and Western hemispheres
- Sculptures by Artus Quellinus — Amsterdam's greatest 17th-century sculptor decorated every room
- Empire furniture collection — Louis Napoleon's lavish furnishings from 1808
- Royal apartments — used by the Dutch royal family for State visits and receptions
- Facade & tower — crowned by an allegorical Atlas holding the globe, visible across the Dam
Getting There
The palace is on Dam Square, a 10-minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal. Trams 4, 14, and 24 stop on the Damrak, a 2-minute walk away. No cycling through Dam Square — use the bike racks on nearby Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal.
Tips for Visiting
- Buy tickets online to skip the queue at the door — the palace is often fully booked on summer weekends
- The palace occasionally closes for royal ceremonies; check the website before your visit
- Allow 1–2 hours — the audio guide (included) is well worth using
- Combine with the Amsterdam Dungeon and Madame Tussauds, both on Dam Square
- The Dam itself is free — the National Monument obelisk is a great photo stop