Around Dam Square in Amsterdam: what to see within a 10-minute walk

Dam Square is the historic centre of Amsterdam, and almost everything that matters in the old town is reachable on foot in ten minutes or a little more. This guide sorts what to see by distance, suggests a half-day itinerary and lists a few practical rules. Walking times are rough figures; opening hours and prices for each place are in its own page.

On the square itself

The Royal Palace on Dam Square

The Dam brings together the Royal Palace, the Nieuwe Kerk (an exhibition church once used for royal inaugurations), the National Monument and the wax museum Madame Tussauds. Allow an hour for an outside look, more if you visit the palace or an exhibition at the Nieuwe Kerk. The department store De Bijenkorf closes off one corner of the square.

Within 5 minutes' walk

The Damrak: the avenue towards the station, with the Body Worlds exhibition and the Sex Museum.
The Kalverstraat: the pedestrian shopping street heading south. It leads to the Amsterdam Museum, housed in a former orphanage.
The Nieuwendijk: the other big pedestrian street, to the north.
The Nes: a quiet street of small theatres, parallel to the Damrak.

Within 10 minutes' walk

The Begijnhof: a 14th-century courtyard surrounded by houses, away from the bustle. It opens through a discreet door near the Spui; keep quiet, as people live here.
The Spui: the square of books, with its bookshops, cafés and the Lieverdje statue.
The Oude Kerk: the oldest church in the city, in the heart of the Red Light District. The Our Lord in the Attic museum, a hidden church in an attic, is close by.
The Red Light District: best crossed by day; do not photograph the windows.
The Krijtberg church and the Singel: a quiet canal west of the Spui.

A little further (10 to 15 minutes)

The Munttoren and the flower market, south of the Singel, close the loop; the Nieuwmarkt is to the east. To go deeper into this district, read Amsterdam's historic centre.

A half-day itinerary

9:00: Dam Square, before the crowds, for photos of the palace and the monument.
9:30: the Nieuwe Kerk or the palace, depending on the current exhibition.
11:00: Kalverstraat to the Amsterdam Museum, or the Begijnhof.
12:30: lunch away from the Dam (see where to eat near the Dam).
14:00: the Spui, then the Oude Kerk and the Red Light District through the lanes.

Practical tips

The Dam is the starting point of many trams; most sites in this guide are visited on foot.
Crowds peak on Saturday afternoons; come on a weekday, in the morning if possible.
Trams and bikes cross the square: look before crossing.
For shopping, check the shop opening hours.
For more ideas in the city centre, see the free things to do in Amsterdam and the traps to avoid.