Spui: the square of books and the Lieverdje

Updated on October 8, 2026

The Spui is a square in central Amsterdam, between the Rokin and the Begijnhof, about ten minutes' walk from the Dam. Its name comes from a former sluice (spui) of the city. It has long been the district of bookshops, University of Amsterdam students and journalists, with brown cafés and terraces all around. The square is open to everyone, at any hour, free of charge. It also hosts two weekly markets: old books on Friday, art on Sunday.

Highlights

Het Lieverdje

This small bronze statue of a street boy, by Carel Kneulman, was installed in 1960, paid for by a tobacco manufacturer. In the mid-1960s the Provo movement made it a gathering place: happenings were held there on Saturday evenings. It has been damaged several times, notably by vehicles, and restored.

The entrance to the Begijnhof

A discreet door opens onto the courtyard of the Begijnhof, an enclave of old 14th-century houses. It is a residential place: enter quietly.

The Friday Boekenmarkt

Every Friday, about 25 booksellers sell old, rare or second-hand books from 10:00 to 18:00. Titles are mostly in Dutch, but there are also English books, maps and prints.

Art Plein Spui

Every Sunday, artists show paintings, sculptures, jewellery, ceramics and prints. Prices vary from stall to stall; talk to the artists.

The addresses around the square

The bookshops, including Athenaeum Boekhandel next to the Lieverdje, and Café Hoppe, a brown café open since 1670 at number 18-20, are worth a stop. The Kalverstraat, where the entrance to the Amsterdam Museum is, starts a few steps away. To the west, the Singel leads to the Krijtberg church.

Practical info

Tips

The Friday market is mainly of interest to book dealers and lovers of old books; if you want art, come on Sunday. The Spui is quiet in the evening compared with the Leidseplein: see the Dam Square and our guide around Dam Square for a walk through the district. Bikes move fast here: stay alert.

How to get there

Spui, 1012 Amsterdam (centre). GVB tram stop Spui (lines 2 and 24); stop Rokin (lines 4 and 14) and metro 52, Rokin station, about 5 minutes on foot. On foot, allow about 10 minutes from the Dam and 20 minutes from Central Station.

Opening hours

Best: Friday (books) or Sunday (art)

Monday-Sunday 00:00-24:00 (square open freely, no charge; Boekenmarkt on Friday 10:00-18:00; Art Plein Spui on Sunday, hours vary by season; cafés and bookshops set their own hours)