Koninklijk Paleis op de Dam and other Amsterdam, Netherlands Things to Do Tips

The Royal Palace building opened as a city hall when it was built in the 17th century. The building you see now is actually the new city hall. The old city hall stood on the same place, but consisted of many smaller buidlings. The rooms in the palace are now named after the names of these old buildings that burned down to the ground.
At the time the current buidling was finished Amsterdam was the most important city for business of the world.
In 1808 the brother of the French emperor took the building to use it when he was the King of Holland. King Wlhelm I gave the building back to the city, but it was never used as the city again. In 1936 the '8th Wonder of the World' got in possession of the State of the Netherlands.
In the building you can see a lot of art from Jacob Campen, Artus Quellien among others. It is very fascinating to see and it looks a bit like the Palace of Versailles only a lot smaller.

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Address: Dam Square

Th Koepelkerk was the first round Reformed Church in the Netherlands. It was built in 1671 but burned down in 1882. Only the walls of the church remained. It was rebuilt again. The roof was replaced with a copper dome. In 1935 the church was closed because hardly anyone visited it anymore. Nowadays the church is part of the banqueting facilities of the Renaissance Hotel. At Sunday mornings concerts take place.
If you want to visit the church you can call the Renaissance Hotel to make an appointment.

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Phone: 020-6212223
Address: Kattengat 2
Directions: From central station turn right and then left into the Singel. Church is on your right.

This is a small square 'hofje' right in the middle of the city, where you will find some peace and quiet. It is reallt nice here, you just got to experience it. It is some sort of small community within the city. On the Begijnhof you will also find the last wooden house, which is also the oldest house in Amsterdam and 2 churches opposite eachother.

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Directions: Somewhere in the main shopping street Kalverstraat take a right turn and you will find it!

The Wooden House in Begijnhof is the oldest house in the city and also one of the last two wooden houses in Amsterdam. The other wooden house, I believe, is on Zeedijk.

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Directions: The house is located in Begijnhof.

The Amsterdam Historic Museum tells you all about the history of Amsterdam. It is quite a big museum with many different sections that focus on many different subjects. Interesting parts are the Schuttersgallerij (Civic Guard Gallery), the part where the painting De anatomishe les van dr. Jan Deijman by Rembrandt hangs as well as many other places.
Please also check out the travelogue if you want to see more pics.

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Phone: +31-20-5231822
Address: Kalverstraat 92
Directions: Walk from Dam Square into the shopping street Kalverstraat. Turn right at the Amsterdam Historic Museum.
Website: http://www.ahm.nl

The Jordaan was built at the west side of the canals as a place to live for the members of the working class. Later immigrants started living here too. Highlights in the area are the Anne Frank House, Westerkerk and simply stolling around the canals.

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Anne Frank, daughter of Otto and Edith and sister of Margot, is probably the most famous person of World War II. Everyone knows the story, and almost everyone read her diary. The Museum that bears her name tells the whole story of the family Frank....
The family Frank moved from Germany to Amsterdam when Hitler took control in Germany. The whole family moved to the Merwedeplein in Amsterdam, but in 1942 Otto Frank, Anne's father, decided it was no longer safe to live where they lived. They thought they were easy to find for the nazi's and thought it better to hide.
So on July 6, 1942 the family moved to the Prinsengracht 263, where they hid for little over two years. August 4, 1944 they were arrested by the Gestapo and they were transported to the German concentration camps.
The museum displays many letters and documents as well as Anne's diary. Miep Gies, one of the helpers tells some memories about the Franks, that have been captured on film...

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Phone: +31-20-5567100
Address: Prinsengracht 267
Website: http://www.annefrank.nl/

Everyone knows the story of Anne Frank, she even has a museum named after her, the Anne Frank House, which is a must see, whenever you get to Amsterdam.
Anne also has her own monument, which is now standing next to the Westerkerk.

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Directions: Follow Raadhuisstraat, the street behind the Royal Palace, and turn right at Prinsengracht.

The tower of the Westerkerk is the highest in Amsterdam. On top of the tower stands the crown of emperor Maximilian. It is bright yellowish gold with some red details. It looks beautiful, especially from a far distance! Every hour you have the possibility to climb the tower for only a few euros.

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Phone: 020-6247766
Address: Prinsengracht 28
Directions: Follow Raadhuisstraat, the street behind the Royal Palace, and turn right at Prinsengracht.
Website: http://www.westerkerk.nl/

Inside the Westerkerk is not very much to see, but it was designed by Hendrick de Keyser, who died in 1621, a year after the church was finished. Inside the church is the biggest of Protestant churches in the Netherlands.
There is a beatiful and big organ in the church and almost everyday its been played on. While we were visiting they were playing it too and we could also hear a trumpet.
The Westerkerk is probably most famous because Rembrandt is buried here. His grave was never found though.

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Phone: +31-20-6247766
Address: Prinsengracht 28
Directions: Follow Raadhuisstraat, the street behind the Royal Palace, and turn right at Prinsengracht.
Website: http://www.westerkerk.nl