Dam square, Amsterdam
 Just a five-minute walk down the Damrak from Centraal Station takes you into this jam-packed square, jostling with locals and tourists day and night. It was created in the 13th century when a dam was built around the river Amstel to prevent the Zuiderzee sea from swarming the city. During the sixties, the square was renowned for its Dam Square hippies, and the laid back and relaxed character of this densely pigeon populated square lives on.
There are food stalls, restaurants and shops galores, including the trendy Bijenkorf, Magna Plaza, Bonneterie and the Amsterdam Diamond centre. Such is the popularity of Dam Square that you might even have to wait for a seat at one of the many cafés and bars. Whatever the weather, there is always something going on here so expect lots of entertainment. In spring, there may be a carnival on or you can have a go on the colourful Ferris wheel. In the summer months, mimers and other street performers come out to surprise unexpected onlookers.
But without doubt, of all the attractions in Dam Square, Royal Palace (Koninklijk Palace) is quite literally the jewel in the crown. Although no longer home to the Dutch Royal family, this grand 17th century Royal Palace is still used to hold official receptions. Opposite the Royal Palace you will see hotel Krasnapolsky and on the south side of Dam Square stands the controversially phallic National Memorial statue, erected in memory of Dutch soldiers and members of the resistance who died in World War 2. Unveiled in 1956, the monument stores soil from all of Holland’s provinces as well as from the Dutch East Indies and if you go to the back of the obelisk tower, you'll find the provinces' crests.
Other must-sees in Dam Square are Madame Tussauds, the world famous wax works museum, the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk) often used for important art exhibitions and Beurs van Berlage, an old Stock Exchange building now used as a concert hall and an exhibition space (located behind the Bijenkorf departement store).
Locate the Dam square on the interactive map of Amsterdam.
Hotels near Dam Square include:
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