Royal Palace Amsterdam (Koninklijk Paleis): The Complete Visitor Guide

Why Visit the Royal Palace?

The palace stands at the heart of Amsterdam, on Dam Square, and it is one of the best places to understand how proud and wealthy the city felt in the 17th century. It was built to show the world that Amsterdam had arrived.

Inside, you move through grand marble halls and richly decorated rooms. The scale and detail are impressive even if you do not usually visit palaces, and the audio guide makes the story easy to follow.

It also sits in the middle of the old centre, so it is convenient to include on almost any walking day.

A Short History of the Palace

The building was constructed between 1648 and 1665 as Amsterdam's city hall, at a time when the city was among the richest in Europe. It was designed by Jacob van Campen and stands on thousands of wooden piles driven into the soft ground.

In 1808 the building became a royal palace under Louis Napoleon, who had been placed on the Dutch throne by his brother, Napoleon Bonaparte. The royal family still uses it for official receptions, state visits and other formal occasions, which is why it sometimes closes to the public.

Top Highlights

What to Expect Inside

Your ticket includes an audio guide that leads you through the main rooms. Groups are kept small, with a maximum of 15 people listed on the Tiqets ticket, which helps the visit feel unhurried.

Visitor Information

• Address: Dam, 1012 RC Amsterdam, on Dam Square.
• Opening hours: Open most days but subject to closures for official events. Check the booking page for the dates you want.
• Ticket price: Entry tickets with audio guide are typically in the range of €12–15 for adults, with lower rates for students and free entry for young children. Confirm the current price on the booking page.
• Audio guide: Included in the Tiqets ticket.
• Group size: Groups of up to 15 people, according to the listing.
• Accessibility: Check the palace's accessibility information before your visit.

Best Time to Visit

Early morning is usually the calmest time, before Dam Square fills with tour groups. Winter and rainy days are quieter than summer afternoons. Check for closures if you travel around national events or royal occasions.

Visit during the day: the square outside is lively at night, but the palace is a daytime attraction.

How to Get to the Royal Palace

The palace is on Dam Square, about a 10-minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal along Damrak. Trams stop at Dam, including lines 4, 14 and 24, so check your journey planner for options.

Cycling is possible, but Dam Square is busy and bikes are best parked on the edges.

Local Insider Tips

• Check for closures before you leave your hotel.
• Look down: the marble floor in the Citizens' Hall is a world map in inlaid stone.
• Pair the palace with the Nieuwe Kerk next door, which often hosts exhibitions.
• Visit early to enjoy the Citizens' Hall with fewer people.
• Combine with a canal cruise for a relaxed second half of the day.

Choosing the Right Ticket

The standard ticket with audio guide suits most visitors. The canal cruise combination works well on a first day. The Old Church combination appeals to history lovers, and the Moco combination mixes the old and the new.

Visiting With Children or With Limited Time

Half Day

Royal Palace in the morning, coffee on Dam Square and a stroll to the Nine Streets.

Historic Centre Day

Royal Palace at opening, Our Lord in the Attic late morning, lunch in the centre and a canal cruise in the afternoon.

Rainy-Day Plan

Royal Palace, then the Moco Museum or the Rijksmuseum, with a café stop between them.

First-Time Visitor Itinerary

Palace and canal cruise on day one, Rijksmuseum on day two. See our 3-day Amsterdam plan for the full schedule.