Rembrandtplein: Amsterdam's Square of Terraces and Nights Out

Together with the Leidseplein, the Rembrandtplein is one of Amsterdam's two great going-out squares. It lies south-east of the centre, between the Reguliersbreestraat and the Amstel. In the 17th century it was the butter market (Botermarkt); it took the painter's name in the 19th century, when his statue was put up here. Today large terraces surround the statue of Rembrandt, and the cafés, restaurants and clubs on the neighbouring streets stay open late. The square is open to everyone, at any hour, free of charge. By day it is a handy stop between the Munttoren and the Magere Brug; in the evening it is one of the centres of Amsterdam's nightlife.

Highlights

The Rembrandt statue and the bronze "Night Watch"

The cast-iron statue, by the sculptor Louis Royer, dates from 1852: it is the oldest statue in Amsterdam still standing in a public space, and the first in the Netherlands dedicated to an artist rather than a statesman. Around it, bronze figures reproduce the painting "The Night Watch" (kept in the Rijksmuseum). The group, created in 2006 by Russian artists for the 400th anniversary of the painter's birth, returned to the square in 2012. For more on Rembrandt and his places, read our guide to Rembrandt in Amsterdam.

The terraces on the square

Cafés and restaurants set out terraces along the whole length of the square: this is the best place to watch the life of the area. These places are very popular with visitors and prices are higher than in residential neighbourhoods.

The Tuschinski cinema

A few steps away on the Reguliersbreestraat, the Tuschinski cinema (1921) is one of Europe's most beautiful cinemas; its façade can be seen without a ticket.

The Reguliersdwarsstraat and the clubs

This street links the square to the Munttoren and has been the heart of Amsterdam's gay nightlife since the 1970s (see our guide to LGBT Amsterdam). Several central clubs, including Escape, are on the square itself; programmes and closing times are in Amsterdam at night.

Nearby museums

The Willet-Holthuysen house on the Herengracht and the photography museum Foam on the Keizersgracht are a few minutes' walk away.

Nearby

See on the map →

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