Amsterdam › Places and landmarks
Royal Palace
Koninklijk Paleis
Built as the city hall of the Golden Age, made a palace by Louis Napoleon in 1808.
Jacob van Campen built it as the city hall from 1648, at the height of Amsterdam’s Golden Age, on more than 13,000 wooden piles. Its great Citizens’ Hall has the world and the heavens inlaid in its marble floor.
In 1808 Louis Napoleon, Napoleon’s brother and king of Holland, made it his palace. It still belongs to the royal family, who use it for state visits.
More in Amsterdam
DamThe square on the dam built across the Amstel in the 13th century, which gave the city its name.
Nieuwe KerkThe church on the Dam where Dutch kings and queens are sworn in.
BegijnhofA hidden courtyard of old houses round a garden, behind a door off the Spui.
SpuiA small square of bookshops and cafés, with a book market on Fridays.
Flower marketThe floating flower market on the Singel, selling bulbs and flowers since 1862.
WesterkerkThe church on the Prinsengracht with the tallest tower in Amsterdam, crowned by an imperial crown.
Anne Frank HouseThe canal house where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis and she wrote her diary.
Canal ringThe half-moon of 17th-century canals round the old town, on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
BikesAmsterdam has more bikes than people, and they rule the streets.
TramsThe blue and white trams of the GVB, ringing their way across the Dam and down the Rokin.
Canal boatsThe long glass-roofed boats that take visitors round the canals and under the low bridges.
StroopwafelTwo thin waffles with a layer of warm caramel syrup between them.