In short
The Royal Palace Amsterdam dominates the west side of Dam Square, but it began as a monument to city government rather than monarchy. Designed by Jacob van Campen, the former town hall opened in 1655; Louis Bonaparte converted it into a palace in 1808.
Today it is an official royal reception palace, open to visitors when ceremonial duties allow. Inside, marble sculpture, floor maps and Empire furniture reveal two very different chapters of Dutch history.
- Citizens’ Hall and its marble maps
- Classical architecture and allegorical sculpture
- Empire furnishings introduced under Louis Bonaparte
- Historic rooms still used for royal receptions
☰ Table of content
Royal Palace Amsterdam opening days and admission
The palace opens to visitors on selected days, generally from 10:00. Royal receptions can change the schedule, so check availability for your exact date and do not assume it opens every day. Admission includes an audio tour; the starting time printed on your ticket is the time to plan around.
Hours
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Selected opening days From 10:00
Check the calendar for your chosen date
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Royal receptions Closures possible
Ceremonial use can change public access
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Entry Timed admission
Follow the starting time on your ticket
Prices
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Adults From €13.50
Standard admission including the audio tour
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Students From €9
Bring valid proof of eligibility
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Free admission €0
Ages 17 and under; eligible Museum Pass and ICOM holders
What to see inside the Royal Palace
Look beyond the ceremonial grandeur: the building combines the visual language of a seventeenth-century republic with rooms furnished for a nineteenth-century king.
Citizens’ Hall Palace highlight
The vast marble hall was the civic heart of the old town hall. Look for the Amsterdam Maiden, Atlas and the floor maps that place the city within a symbolic universe.
Empire interiors Royal legacy
Louis Bonaparte’s palace conversion introduced richly furnished rooms, chandeliers and furniture made in Paris and Amsterdam. These interiors contrast with the building’s earlier civic character.
Floor maps and sculpture
Maps of the Earth and northern sky spread across the Citizens’ Hall floor. Allegories of the elements and planets turn the surrounding architecture into a statement about Amsterdam’s place in the world.
Paintings and decorated rooms
Works by artists including Govert Flinck and Ferdinand Bol connect the palace to seventeenth-century Amsterdam. Follow the audio tour to understand how their subjects relate to civic duties and government.
The façade and royal balcony
From Dam Square, notice the symmetrical classical design. The balcony was added when the town hall became a royal palace in 1808, giving the king a place to appear before the public.
Royal Palace visit at a glance
Set aside time for the Citizens’ Hall, the surrounding rooms and the audio tour. The palace works well as a focused indoor visit within a wider walk through the historic centre.
Best time
Before 11:00 or after 15:00 on opening days; weekdays are often quieter
Crowds
A popular central attraction; allow time for entry checks
With children
Free admission for ages 17 and under, with a family audio tour
Unmissable
Citizens’ Hall, marble maps and Empire interiors
Suggested visit length
Allow around 1–2 hours as a planning estimate
What to expect
Historic indoor rooms in a working royal reception palace
How to visit the Royal Palace Amsterdam
Allow around one to two hours as a practical planning estimate, depending on how closely you follow the audio tour. Start in the Citizens’ Hall, then explore the accessible rooms at your own pace. Choose a date when the palace is open and check what your selected admission includes before booking.
The three options below offer palace entry with an audio guide, a private visit with a live local guide, or palace admission combined with a self-guided city audio walk. The city audio walk has no in-person guide. Compare the individual inclusions and meeting instructions before choosing.
Royal Palace Amsterdam (Koninklijk Paleis): Entry Ticket + Audio Guide
Amsterdam Royal Palace Tour with Private Local Guide
Royal Palace Ticket Audio Tour and City Walk in Amsterdam
Good to know
- Royal events can close the palace; check your date first.
- The standard audio tour is included with admission.
- The I amsterdam City Card is not valid for palace admission.
- A wheelchair-accessible entrance, lift and accessible toilet are available.
Practical tips
- Look down at the floor maps and up at the sculptures in the Citizens’ Hall.
- Bring only a small bag; large backpacks and suitcases cannot be stored.
- Photography is allowed without flash; filming, tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted.
- There is no café inside, so plan refreshments around Dam Square.
How to reach the palace on Dam Square
The palace faces Dam Square in Amsterdam’s historic centre. The visitor entrance is on the right-hand side of the main façade. It is easy to combine the visit with a walk from Amsterdam Centraal or the Rokin metro area.
Use a stop serving Dam Square or the streets beside and behind the palace. Routes and temporary diversions can change, so check the current GVB journey planner.
Take the North/South metro line to Rokin and use the Dam exit, then walk towards the square. Follow signs to the palace visitor entrance on the right of the main façade.
From Amsterdam Centraal, walk along Damrak to Dam Square. Allow roughly 10–15 minutes, depending on crowds and crossings. The palace stands on the western side of the square.
Royal Palace Amsterdam, Dam Square, 1012 NP Amsterdam
Official Transport in Barcelona
From Amsterdam city hall to royal palace
Construction began in 1648, as Amsterdam’s leaders commissioned a new town hall worthy of a powerful trading city. Jacob van Campen’s classical design opened in 1655, although work continued afterwards. Civic offices, courts and ceremonial spaces occupied a building whose decoration presented good government as the foundation of prosperity.
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In 1808, Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland and Napoleon’s brother, took over the town hall. Offices became royal apartments, textiles softened the stone interiors and a balcony was added to the façade. Furniture made in Paris and Amsterdam introduced the Empire style still visible today.
Louis left the throne in 1810, but the palace retained its royal role. It now hosts state visits, receptions and other official occasions, while admitting visitors whenever the programme allows.
The building also deserves a critical reading. Its maps and allegorical decoration celebrate a global trading network whose wealth was connected to colonial exploitation, forced labour and slavery. The palace’s own historical interpretation addresses these connections rather than treating prosperity as an uncomplicated success story.
Details and stories to look out for
- The Citizens’ Hall was originally a public civic space, not a royal ballroom.
- Maps of the Earth and the northern sky are set into its marble floor.
- The city maiden, elements and planetary figures form a symbolic miniature universe.
- The balcony belongs to the palace conversion under Louis Bonaparte.
- Historic Empire furniture is still used for royal receptions.
Palace admission and walks around Dam Square
Find your stay near Dam Square
Staying near Dam Square puts the palace, shopping streets and much of the historic centre within walking distance. This is a busy central district, so compare room location, noise reviews and access before choosing. The map below shows accommodation around the palace rather than the Museum Quarter.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
Was the Royal Palace always a palace?
No. It opened as Amsterdam’s town hall in 1655. Louis Bonaparte converted it into a royal palace in 1808; its civic architecture and royal interiors can both be seen today.
How long should I allow for a palace visit?
Allow around one to two hours as a planning estimate. You may want longer if you follow the full audio tour and spend time looking at the maps, paintings and furniture.
Is the Royal Palace wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The palace provides a wheelchair-accessible entrance, lift and accessible toilet. Wheelchairs and walking sticks can be borrowed; arrange any specific assistance before visiting.
Is the palace included in the I amsterdam City Card?
No. The palace states that the I amsterdam City Card is not valid for admission. Eligible Dutch Museum Pass and ICOM holders have separate free-admission arrangements; check current booking requirements.
Does the Dutch King live in the Royal Palace?
It is an official reception palace, used for state visits and royal occasions. Visitors explore historic reception rooms when the ceremonial programme permits; it is not presented as a tour of the King’s private home.
Can children visit the palace?
Yes. Family audio tours are available and visitors aged 17 and under receive free admission. Check how to reserve the appropriate child ticket with your selected booking method.
Can I take photographs inside?
Photography is allowed without flash. Filming and vlogging, tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed. Follow any additional instructions given in the rooms.
Do I need to book a date and starting time?
Choose an available date and starting time. Tickets are sold online and at the palace desk, subject to opening and availability. Royal events can close the building, so verify the calendar before travelling.
