• Royal Palace Amsterdam frontal view from the Dam Square on a bright sunny day
  • Royal Palace Amsterdam main hall with marble statues, floors and ceilings
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Royal Palace Amsterdam Dam Square

Royal Palace Amsterdam Dam Square

In the middle of the capital stands the Royal Palace Amsterdam, King Willem-Alexander’s official reception palace. The Palace plays a major role during state visit but also other royal occasions, such as New Year’s receptions, gala dinners and award ceremonies. In addition, the Palace is open to visitors as much as possible. A living building where you can follow in the footsteps of royal guests through its imposing rooms and halls. The Palace is the largest and most prestigious building from the Seventeeth Century, making it one of the Netherlands’ most important monuments. It was originally built, not as a palace, but as Amsterdam’s town hall. Architect Jan van Campen designed a building which would reflect the power and wealth of Amsterdam in the 17th century.

Opening hours

  • 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

How to get there

Dam Square, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 147, 1012 RJ Amsterdam, Netherlands

Prices from

From € 13.50

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Royal Palace Amsterdam – A working palace full of history

The Royal Palace Amsterdam stands on Dam Square in the heart of the city. Originally built as the city hall in the 17th century, it is now one of the three official palaces used by the Dutch royal family.

What to See

  • The grand Citizen’s Hall with its high ceiling and marble floor
  • State rooms with chandeliers, tapestries, and royal furniture
  • Sculptures and paintings by Dutch Golden Age artists
  • Stories about the building’s past as a city hall and royal palace
  • Audio tour with history, art, and architecture insights

Why Visit

  • Step inside one of the most important buildings in the Netherlands
  • Explore the link between Amsterdam’s past and royal tradition
  • Beautiful interior and artworks from the 1600s
  • Central location, easy to visit while exploring the city

The Museum

The Royal Palace was designed by Jacob van Campen and opened in 1655. It served as Amsterdam’s city hall before becoming a royal palace in the early 19th century. Today, it is open to the public when not used for royal events and ceremonies.

Visitor Information

  • Address: Dam Square, Amsterdam
  • Open: Usually daily, 10:00 – 17:00 (check website for closures)
  • Tickets: €12.50 (adults), free for under 18
  • Free with Museumkaart
  • Facilities: Audioguide included, small gift shop

Royal Palace Amsterdam is ideal for visitors who want to explore Dutch history, art, and royal life in a grand setting.

Some Highlights of Royal Palace Amsterdam Dam Square

Citizen's Hall (Burgerzaal):

Is a grand hall located in the Royal Palace Amsterdam, a former town hall and now the official residence of the Dutch king. It's a visually stunning space designed to evoke a sense of Amsterdam's power and prominence. The hall's interior features intricate decorations, including large maps of the world and the night sky, representing Amsterdam as the center of the universe.

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Throne Room

The Throne Room is near the Grand Hall and is lavishly decorated in crimson and gold. As the largest room in the Palace, King Kalākaua held formal audiences, diplomatic receptions and state balls here. The two thrones were for King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani, however they disliked sitting on them and preferred to stand while receiving guests. The trial of Queen Liliʻuokalani occurred in this room, where she was found guilty and imprisoned in an upstairs room in the Palace.

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Elegant banquet setting in the Karl XI Gallery at the Royal Palace, with long decorated tables, chandeliers, and guests attending a formal Nobel dinner.

The Royal Palaces

The Royal Apartments at the Royal Palace is a collective name for the magnificent state rooms that are used at The King and Queen's receptions. In conjunction with His Majesty the King's receptions, an apartment can be completely or partially closed, see Opening hours for eventual closing dates. See The State Apartments used at gala dinners, cabinet meetings, and parliamentary evenings and The Bernadotte Apartments used at medal presentations and formal audiences.

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Other Dutch Museums

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