Dam

Landmarks & Historical Buildings · Centrum

Dam

Landmarks & Historical Buildings · Centrum

2

Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Highlights

Dam Square is Amsterdam’s vibrant heart, alive with historic charm, bustling shops, street performers, and iconic sights like the Royal Palace and National Monument.  

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Aug 2, 2025

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@afar

"The central hub of downtown Amsterdam is Dam Square, and it’s been at the heart of the city’s history since the 13th century. Today, the open-air public space is ringed by shops and restaurants and packed with people, including street performers and tourists en route to nearby attractions like the Royal Palace, the National Monument, and the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), where you can catch a horse-drawn-carriage tour of the city."

The Perfect Weekend in Amsterdam
View Postcard for Dam
@afar

"The central hub of downtown Amsterdam is Dam Square, and it’s been at the heart of the city’s history since the 13th century. Today, the open-air public space is ringed by shops and restaurants and packed with people, including street performers and tourists en route to nearby attractions like the Royal Palace, the National Monument, and the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), where you can catch a horse-drawn-carriage tour of the city."

The Perfect Day in Amsterdam
View Postcard for Dam
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Jason R.

Yelp
I stumbled on the square by accident. I received directions of where the mall was, where Louis. Hutton was located and stumbled upon the square. It's a huge wide open area, in which, it's heavily populated with tourists and people shopping. All the touristy places are here and they had a large monument which I was told was a memorial for their fallen heroes after the World War. I would definitely say this should be an essential stop on your trip to Amsterdam and get some photos!
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Purpose T.

Yelp
Dam Square during the day looks totally different than Dam Square at night. It is obviously the heartbeat and nucleus of the city. I am glad that my hotel was located not far from it, as it is convenient to most, if not all attractions surrounding the canals. Many times during my exploring and wandering, Dam Square served as my compass, so I was never lost (not that I minded). Any time of day there is always a crowd. However, at night Dam Square is more vibrant and noisy. On one end there may be a protest and another side, music glaring from the speakers of locals performing. Filled with walk-up eateries, dine in restaurants, shops, vendors, etc. there's no lack of entertainment at any turn. It's the epicenter of it all! I love Amsterdam!
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Andrea U.

Yelp
This important & large square is in front of the palace, Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) and the Madame Tussauds Amsterdam Wax Museum. The attractions here make it feel like Times Square, a tourist area. The National Monument, a white stone pillar was erected in1956 to memorialize the victims of WWII. On the plaza are the NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky & De Bijenkorf Department Store. It's called Dam Square because in 1544, an actual dam in the river Amstel was constructed here. It was disappointing to see anti Israel protesters with posters & megaphones here.
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Ken O.

Yelp
I'm glad I was able to locate this square while I was getting to know the city. The square is made up of several iconic buildings such as the Dior Store, Nieuwe Kerk, the Palace, and of course, the National Monument. There's even a bronze tablet with all of the main buildings that make up the Dam Square. It was just a cool place to hang out before heading to the Red Light District or to one of the many incredible restaurants in the area.
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Ana P.

Yelp
This is a very popular tourist area that is a must. You will find Tussauds wax museum, a major church here and the Dutch version of wall street here. There are also a handful of tour companies with booths trying to get tourist to go on a tour with them. Lots of cafes along the way to stop and eat are abundant here. There is also no shortage of souvenir shops so no need to worry. Lots and lots of people coming by so as a word of caution I would suggest watch your pockets for thief's. If you love architecture like me then this is a truly wonderful place to sit down and enjoy the architecture and do some people watching as well. The main street here has lots of busses running by frequently along with the tram system. Like some other yelpers have mentioned, there are many bikes here so that is also an option should you want to just bring a bike instead of walk. It is easy to get to the other parts of the city from here and if you keep going from this square you can find yourself in the red light district with all the bars and nightlife happen.
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Aaron S.

Yelp
Dam Square is one of the most recognisable points in the city, it's famous for housing many of the city's most notable and iconic buildings, it's just a short walk down Damrak from Centraal Station. This huge open plaza is the heart of Amsterdam. It does get very busy with tourists, so might not be the most comfortable place to hang around during the peak of summer, as tourists and locals alike love to come here and hang out, using it as a meeting point. There are several benches here where you can sit, the benches are especially handy if grabbing fries from Manneken Pis nearby, with the nearest location on Nieuwendijk, so you can sit down and enjoy your fries, but beware of the vicious and hungry pigeons! The Royal Palace is the most iconic of the buildings here, which has hosted historic events, more recently including the coronation of King Willem-Alexander in 2013, it also includes the likes of Madame Tussauds and Nieuwe Kerk, as well as other places to eat and drink, and stores including the flagship De Bijenkorf department store. It's a place up there with the city's canals, Centraal Station and De Wallen as the main places to visit while in the capital of The Netherlands. Due to the size of the square, it can also be used for large gatherings and protests, not all of them good, during my December 2023 trip, there were many hostile anti-Israel protestors. The city should certainly invest in better policing and security to make sure it doesn't get out of hand to keep everyone safe. 4*
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Tyler L.

Yelp
Dam Square is the heart of the city where all the action is. Each time I was in Amsterdam, I would take the train from the airport to the Central station and walk down from there. Yes, it is extremely crowded here but you can find anything here. It is a great spot to meet up and hang out. There are cafes, souvenir stores, supermarkets, restaurants, canal boat cruises, hotels, and the square is also a short walk to the red light district. All of the major street tram lines that go to the other important parts of the city also conveniently converge around here.
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Sunil R.

Yelp
This is in the heart of the city and you have the WWII monument on one side and the imposing Royal Palace on the other side. There are tons of tourists, cafes, stores, and great people watching here. Sitting on the steps by the WWII monument, soaking in the sights and sounds and people-watching is a nice way to spend a little time.
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Alexander H.

Yelp
All roads lead to Rome. And almost all roads in Amsterdam lead to this square. The big heart of the busy city. Besides lots of (fashion) shops and endless souvenir shops there are some important sights here and around: - the Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam (which looks very dirty) - De Nieuwe Kerk - Magna Plaza Shopping mall (nothing really interesting, but an impressive building) - Nationaal Monument For these sights it's definitely worth coming to the square. But it's a very busy place. Lots of traffic, it's not a place to find some calm and quiet. But it's a must-see nonetheless. For some bathrooms (there aren't many) go to the Magna Plaza Mall. From this square here it's an easy stroll to the shopping streets and of course the Redlight District. Amsterdam is very walkable. You won't really need public transportation, except for the outer neighbourhoods.
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Jonathan C.

Yelp
Dam Square is an open area in front of the Royal Palace of Amsterdam. Not that important in and of itself, but it's a major landmark. It's often considered the center of the city. Travel sites list points of interests in terms of distance from Dam Square. There are many buses, many trams, and a few metro stations in this area. Lots of businesses catering to tourists. This is not a place where locals like to spend their time; some of them complain that there are so many tourists that the bike paths are often blocked.
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Sanjay G.

Yelp
It's the main square of Amsterdam and very noisy and should I mention the crowd? I did not find it much attractive but again it has historic importance. It is home to some of the most popular attractions in Amsterdam names New Church (Nieuwe Kerk); Madame Tussaud's wax museum; and the National Memorial Statue which is dedicated to Dutch soldiers who lost their lives in World War II. It's just 5 min walk from Central station. You walk in and chances are you would see some event going on. Its heartbeat of the city. This square is lined up with cafes shops and full of vendors. Entertainment options- it's plenty which ranges from street performers to annual music festivals. It's laid back feeling along the canals but when you come here, suddenly you find chaos and feel live. Amsterdam you are amazing.
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Nancy G.

Yelp
There are 52 other reviews that say the same thing I'm going to say...this is the heart of Amsterdam. It's a huge open plaza ringed by tram tracks, a palace, an old church, hotels, shops, restaurants and a very tall monument to Dutch soldiers. It really is a great spot to meet up because of it's central location to everything. Walking down Damrak street will take you to the Amsterdam Centraal Train station, so you really can't get lost. Turned around? Yes. Lost? No. Not necessarily a destination spot in Amsterdam, but an area you will probably find yourself in while there..... 36/2019
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Gail U.

Yelp
On our walk through Amsterdam we proceeded down a path of cafes and cool shops. Every now and then we would ask someone for directions. Seemed the consensus was go left then right to get back to the river to get back to our ship. Of course even though we had a map we were WAY off course and going in the opposite direction. Nevertheless we arrived at Dam Square full of a European lover's dream. Horse drawn carriages for hire, people in the late afternoon walking their dogs dressed in coats and boots appropriate for the weather of the end of October. Cobblestone streets, old architecture, the feeling of Old World charm that arouses an exhilaration that is not present to me in Asia or Hawaii. I asked again at the Palace for directions to the river. Again we headed to the left then right towards the central train station. Our guide had not taken us on this route so it was exploring blindly as darkness arrived. Soon we were walking where very few people remained. Once you leave Dam Square the heaviness and thickness of the familiar smell pervades the air. It's one of those smells like skunk that your nose and brain recognize immediately.
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Isao S.

Yelp
When I visited this square for the first time, it was New Year's Eve event. Maybe, many people of the Netherlands in Amsterdam gathered at here when opening New Year's Eve event. So, as foreign tourists I was very interested in here and went to here. In general, we sends a firework display high into the sky. But a Dutchman isn't send them into the sky. They set off fire works to various directions. This is old tradition of Amsterdam when New Year's Eve event. This is probably the best known square in Amsterdam. Here you'll find the Royal Palace, which welcomes visitors. Take a look at how the royals used to live. Another must is Madame Tussauds, the world-famous wax statue museum. Several living statues can be found on the square itself. Take a picture with them for a few coins. The National Monument commemorating the victims of WWII is located on the other side of the Square. The National Commemorative Ceremony occurs on 4 May every year, remembering all the victims of WWII as well as those of wars around the world. The King and Queen place flowers and wreaths here together with other authorities and living relatives. Two minutes' silence honor the dead at 8pm.
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Anton K.

Yelp
Amsterdam is the capitol of the Netherlands and Dam Square is the historical center of Amsterdam. Named after the location of an actual dam on the Amstel river created in 1270, Dam Square became the public plaza and governmental headquarters of the city. The Amstel river river changed it's original course and the dam expanded it's sediment over the centuries so that today there is little evidence of the original dam. Dam Square id a rectangular plot that is 650' west to east and 350' feet north to south. On the west side of the square is the neoclassical Royal Palace which once served as the city hall from 1655 until its conversion to the Royal residence in 1808. Beside the Royal Palace is the Gothic Nieuwe Kerk (new church) and Madame Tussands Amsterdam Wax Museum. The National Monument, a stone pillar designed by J.J.P. Oud, memorializes the victims of World War II and stands opposite the royal Palace. Overlooking the square are the DH Grand Hotel Krasnapelsky and the upscale department store De Bijenkerf built in 1914. The square has been the scene of many demonstrations and events. On May 17, 1945 the citizens of Amsterdam gathered to greet the Canadian troops two days after the Germans capitulated. To their surprise German Kriegsmarines shot into the crowd injuring 120 and killing 22 Amsterdam citizens. Today, Amsterdam Square is still the focal point of the city. It is only 2500' from Central Station and trams, sightseeing cruise boats and public buses have a stop here.
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Kanchan B.

Yelp
Oh my gosh!! When I checked in to this Square on Yelp, saw didn't have a review and honestly could not believe had not reviewed this square previously, as many times as I've visited Amsterdam before!! So am rectifying my mistake with this review. Honestly, Dam Square is the heartbeat of Amsterdam city. It's a massive wide square, just under a quick 5-7 min walk straight down from Centraal Station, and very well serviced by a multitude of trams. There's lots of events that take place here as well as marches, fun fairs and festivals. The National Monument is located in the Dam Square off to one side, and it's a spot that serves as a meeting point for a lot of walking tours. The other side of Dam Square is the palace, and the Nieuwe Kerk (aka New Church which is a converted exhibition and event space) as well as touristic places like Madame Toussards, lots of hotels and an extremely posh local store called De Bijenkorf, which is always nice for a wander thru with EU designs and clothes styles prominent. Overall this whole area is great for people watching too, if that's what you'd rather do. I'll end with a piece of trivia I learnt on my first visit to Amsterdam - the walking tour guide told our group that it's called "Dam Square" as this is where the original dam was built on the river Amstel! And that's it folks - have a great time at Dam Square! Yelp 44/ 2019
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Neluta G.

Yelp
I love this square in Amsterdam, it is such a touristy attraction, also a fun place to be. This is were the first stock exchange ever in the world took place and it is still going. The square is so versatile in winter and summer. You can see from nuns walking around to peep shows, live statues of all sorts and people dressed up in movies characters. In the summer the BIG wheel and other rides are installed here, also a variety of food vendors selling from Dutch baked goods, like apple pie to ice cream and cotton candy. Around the square there is a large variety of places from retail stores, restaurants, fast food places to weed ice-cream and other novelties.
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Sepideh Z.

Yelp
Dam Square is the heart of Amsterdam. There are loads of restaurants, shopping stores, bakeries, smoke shops, and gift shops. There usually are some street performers and some are pretty cool! It's only about a 5 minute walk from Centraal Station off the Damrak (city train). It's a good starting spot if you're meeting people. It's crowded but not overly, depending on the time of year, so it's rather easy to find people. We chained our rented bikes together and left them here for a few hours so we could go explore by foot. The Royal Palace is a beautiful sight to see. Across from the Palace, the Hotel Krasnapolsky is also very pretty. Beware of the pigeons though, they are everywhere! The H&M in this square (right of the Palace) is huge and had some great sales and finds! Ugh, European style and stores are just so much better than US in my opinion so take advantage.
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Dewan A.

Yelp
Excellent spot. 1) If you are in Amsterdam, this is a great meeting point. 2) There are shots and tons of places to eat like FEBO. 3) It is also close to the Red Light district.
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Chris E.

Yelp
Really great open space town square smackdab in the heart of the city. It's especially great for photo opportunities with all of the huge buildings and structures surrounding it, such as, the National Monument with the Hotel Krasnapolsky in the background, the hugeeee Royal Palace to the west and Madame Tussaud Wax Museum. Besides the great photo ops here, the square also serves as sort of a passageway to many different shopping areas and De Wallen (aka the Red Light District). The square basically leads to all different directions and there are great shopping options in the north and east directions. As for how to get here, walking and biking are two options, but there are multiple trams that run thru the square as well. If you're a tourist in Amsterdam, it's definitely a must-visit stop and one of the more important areas of the city center.
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Sofia D.

Yelp
So happy we stayed in the famous Dam Square. It's an ideal central area to stay, especially as a first time visitor not familiar with the areas because it's footsteps from the trams that take you to and from Amsterdam Centraal Station (10 min walk otherwise) and to all other parts of the city. We were in walking distance to the Joordan, Dewallen and Red Light districts. It's also where many of the walking tours meet. It was full of street entertainment and a lot of shopping, restaurants, bars and cafes to enjoy a drink while you people watch and take in views of the amazing architecture, such as the Royal Palace and a 15th-century church. I would 100% stay in this area again.
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Katrina P.

Yelp
Dam Square is the center of Amsterdam. You'll find various performers, horse drawn carriage rides, pigeons, pigeons, pigeons and did I mention pigeons! This is the epicentre of this amazing country, it's like Pans Labyrinth, there are so many streets that veer off of the square, each leading you to a different adventure. Whatever adventure you choose.. you won't be sorry. The people are warm, friendly and mischievous, much like myself. Most countries where tourism fuels the economy you'll find peddlers selling their wares and they are Uber pushy! Not here! Maybe it's that they are an herb loving, country. There are coffee shops at every turn so choose whatever Labrinth path you want, you want be pressured to make a purchase and you might even end up parting with them later in the evening. Amsterdam is BEAUTIFUL. The people, the history, the architecture, the drag shows, canals and lets not forget the red light district. I suggest everyone add this magnificent country to their bucket list. If you're with a crowd and wanting to go separate ways. Make the big white penis in Dam Square your Meetup spot. It can't be missed.
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Erika C.

Yelp
We spent NYE 2012 here. We went through the Red Light District to get to De Dam. Not much to see except what happy anarchy would look like. Fireworks were being set off in the middle of crowds, bottles were being smashed and mid-twenties guys were eying high schoolers. Drunk people climbed up on a concrete platform. When they sober up, they'll wonder how to get down. NYE mayhem!
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Jennifer K.

Yelp
Even De Dam is not on your list of MUST go place when you are in Amsterdam... you will walk through it, walk by it almost everyday even a few times a day. The numerous National Monuments all makes good photo opportunities. At least, it is a great meet up place as everyone knows about it locals and tourists alike. Please don't feed the pigeons... why are there bird poo everywhere?!
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Jeremy S.

Yelp
An absolutely beautiful location right in the center of downtown Amsterdam. De Dam is pretty much one of those must see structures if you're in the Netherlands. This location is actually pretty cool as it pretty much acts as a meeting point for a lot of folks and there is a bunch of mingling centered around the main structure. Overall, it's a great visual and something Nicole to take a picture of...
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Aleksandr F.

Yelp
This place is where city begins. The dam on Amstel river was constructed here some centuries ago. In there times here was a market where fishermans and merchants sold their stuff. Now this square is Amsterdam icon. There are lot of actions and performances here in front of king palace. If you are in Amsterdam you must to visit this square. There are lot of main streets starts from Dam Square.
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Sam L.

Yelp
Dam Square is a great open space for people to sit and drink coffee, have a smoke, take a break or have a snack while sitting on one of the benches, sitting around the monument or sitting at one of the cafes along it's edges. It's definitely a great place to people watch as there are people coming from Central Station, people passing through to other districts like China Town or people being offloaded from the many tourist buses. Tour groups often meet up there, usually by the monument. It's an easy to find area for most people to meet other people. When I have guests from out of town who don't know their way around I often tell them to meet me at Dam Square. If you get lost there most people know where it is and can give directions to it. There are always people milling about. Walking out of Central Station you just walk straight ahead heading southwest down Damrak. That takes you to it in just a few minutes. Occasionally, there is an event going on to celebrate or commemorate some special thing that might be seasonal, related to the King and his family or some holiday. So far I've seen a huge ferris wheel, a carnival related to Halloween or some demonstration of some sort. There are frequently street performers commanding the attentions of the many people passing through. The Royal Palace is on one side with the Nieuwe Kerk next to it. Directly across the street is the War monument. On the other side is Madame Tussauds exhibit with Kalverstraat next to that funneling the many shoppers into the square. On the far side are a few department stores and restaurants. The east west street Damstraat takes you to China Town and the Red Light District if you head east. The history behind the area and the name of the area is interesting. Dam Square gets it's name from actually having been a dam on the Amstel river which also is how the town got it's name. The dam connected the settlements on the two sides of the river. Over time the dam got built up and grew wider creating enough room for a square. Around this square the town grew and developed. I come here occasionally to watch the hustle and bustle of the people walking or riding by or to meet up with out of town guests.
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Michael F.

Yelp
If you are a tourist and looking for Madame Tussaud's Museum or the Royal Palace, you're more than likely to end up here. De Dam also called the Dam Square is located in the center of Amsterdam. Surrounding the square are historical buildings with different styles from the neoclassical palace to the Gothic Nieuwe Kerk church. The National Monument is also located here. This is a tourist zone, and you are bound to see lots of interesting characters including mimes, street performers, and pigeon feeders! There's tons of shopping and places to eat around this area, and a short distance is the Red Light District if that is your thing.
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Diego M.

Yelp
The center of Amsterdam. Quite busy during the day, but beautiful and easy to stroll thru at night.
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Bruce K.

Yelp
Dam Square is the main gathering for the tourists, the tour buses and the street performers. A great place to hang out and eat your frites while people watching, the National Monument is on a raised dais so there is plenty of easy seating if it's a dry day. It's called Dam Square because this was literally the historical center of the city where the first dams where initially built. Today, it's a big market square where you can expect to find vendors and street performers. Several of the tram lines go through the Dam, so you can pick up your transportation from here to the usual sites in the city. Note: Please, please, please don't feed the damned pigeons. Sky rats!
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Karim H.

Yelp
Gorgeous city, vibrant and very liberal. Just what the world needs. Just walk as much as you can you will be surprised what you end up finding out
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Sadie M.

Yelp
Dam square is pretty much the centre of Amsterdam, bringing the necessary pros and cons with it. Pros; great connectivity to all must see attractions and everything touristic. Museums are a short walk away to museum square, Central is a short walk North, red light district is pretty much around the corner. Cons: it is extremely crowded, no locals will be found here. Also, on its own it doesn't offer anything special except for the standard living statues to be found in every city, and a statue resembling a... You decide. Nothing special really. There are no places to chill, everything is made for the rushing tourist. Take a quick look at this square and move on.
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Raoul O.

Yelp
Dam Square is like the Times Square of Amsterdam, minus all the crappy traffic and people. It's a gorgeous, wide open area with several popular places such as Royal Palace, Madame Tussauds, and Bijenkorf. There are many shops and places to eat/drink. There is also easy access to a lot of the major trams that spreads throughout the city. This is a great place to walk in the middle of and just take it all in. The people, the birds, and sometimes performances (even soccer games!) are just brings a great vibe and gives you that "I'm Here" feeling.
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Jason H.

Yelp
Dam Square is a lively and bustling area in from of the royal palace. It's teaming with tourist coming and going. Locals spending time with each other's. Some food vendors. The random clarinet player. Lastly, the artist body painting his model in a g-string. It's very eclectic.
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Priyanka R.

Yelp
A must see while in Amsterdam! It is the center of the city in all its glory. Surrounded by the Koninklijk Palace, Madame Tussauds, Bijenkorf and the National Monument, it is a sight to behold. 360 degrees of architectural beauty. It will take your breath away. Girls, do a swirl, you're welcome. For the guys, you can swirl too (just not when anyone's watching). There are few cart vendors in the square as well if you nee a cheap quick bite to eat. A lot of the tours and meeting points are in this square too so the traffic is very come and go! But come sit for a a while and people watch or take a 5 minute detour from your final destination. Put it on your list, and definitely don't skip it!
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Amanda S.

Yelp
Great location to stay! In the heart of Amsterdam with lots of coffee shops, souvenir shops, cheese shops, and basically so many kinds of small shops ranging from clothing to souvenirs to food! Definitely recommend staying around here if you're visiting for the first time :)
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Jocelyn W.

Yelp
This is such a nice square with amazing buildings! How did all these giant building beasts just spring up around each other like at the same time? It's weird! So cool! Anonymous was there demonstrating something but if you see crowds of people demonstrating stuff scram outta there man! Sheesh! Just be safe. Stop by and see the cool buildings and then. OK that's all.
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Sar P.

Yelp
Its the perfect place to start your day in Amsterdam with one of the walking tours to get your bearings of the city and decide what you wanna do during your stay! Many restaurants, shops and the backdrop of the palace make it a tourist attraction!
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Teddy B.

Yelp
Really cool place to visit so much going on so much culture lots of places to eat watch out for the buses they will hit you
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Nick F.

Yelp
A big square right in the middle of Amsterdam. It's always cool to stop and see what is going on here. There are always all kind of random events so you never really know what to expect. Sometimes there may be a carnival with ride and games while at other times beach football with real sand! Even on the days when nothing is going on you can see a variety of different people from all over the world who are touring the city. Looking around at the buildings that surround De Dam isn't bad either.
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Jessica C.

Yelp
I like Dam Square! It's a prime people-watching spot. It seems that there is always something going on from a pop-up carnival to an event in the Royal Palace. For those who want one of those places where they can just stand, twirl in a circle and think (or say) "I'm in Amsterdam!" or " I can't believe I'm actually here!" From someone from the U.S., the most baffling thing about Dam Square are the trams. I mean, there's people EVERYWHERE and trams come on through. But also for somewhere that is so public, so open, and that the Palace is just there, in the middle of it all, it pretty awesome. It's just a cool spot in the city to take it all in.
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Kim S.

Yelp
What comes to mind when I think of De Dam square is a center point for the tourist zone. The Dam is not my cup of tea because it has just too much going on in that vicinity. It is a true "tourist trap" that can't be missed among the chaos. If you are looking for an environment that screams out tourist then this is the place to be. Although, it's a tourist trap, I guess it's popular for a reason. The Dam offers every type of scenic, adventurous and historical experience. The Dam is a historical town square in the middle of Amsterdam. It is a short distance from all the various attractions. For example, the Central Station, Red Light District, Sex Museum, Vodka museum neoclassical Royal Palace, 15th century Gothic Nieuwe Kerk ( New Church), Madame Tussaud's Wax museum, Amsterdam Medieval Torture Museum, Department Store De Bijenkorf, Plenty Souvenir shops, Fast Food Spots and the National Monument which is a white stone pillar dedicated to the victims of World War II.
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Jake K.

Yelp
Ahhh the 900th review. How fitting it would be for an item in a city that I haven't returned to in nine years. De Dam square is the central tourist gathering spot as many have mentioned. It's a tad dirty, but it's a nice spot to meet your group while munching on frites and curry ketchup. You could go north to see the marred face of Centraal Station (the construction blots out the beauty) or go east to see the throngs of weed and vagina seeking tourists in De Wallen. Or go south to De Pijp for another side of Amsterdam. Either way, all points leading out of De Dam will take you somewhere that won't disappoint depending on your interests!
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Diana R.

Yelp
As everyone has said already, tourist gathering place. Literally. This is where a lot of walking tours start. I'm not sure why people are saying frites and ketchup, though...it's all about the mayo in Amsterdam! Surrounded by souvenir shops (a pretty good one that sells things for about 5 Euros or less). If you need a meeting point, make it the National Monument (known as the big, white penis). The Palace is located here as well. The palace was built when the French were in control of the city. The Dutch aren't into the idea of royalty and no one lives there. It looks dirty and apparently they just finished washing it for like 5 years.

T J.

Yelp
Great area to walk around and great Instagram spots here but very crowded in July. This is the main area beside several tourist attractions.
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Jasmine X.

Yelp
To be honest, the square itself is kind of boring. The history is absolutely very rich as this is pretty much why it became Amsterdam. I do agree with a lot of the other reviews though, the square is very much alive and it does feel like the center of Amsterdam and like where everything is happening. Definitely a lot of people lounging around and relaxing and an easy meeting point. But the square itself is nothing exciting because there's really not much to see. There's quite a number of different places around it though and a lot to do in the area, so that's cool I guess. A lot of the restaurants in the immediate area are definitely on the overpriced side though. It's a nice center connecting the Red Light District and Jordaan and I passed by it a lot when I was walking around Amsterdam.

Stanley S.

Yelp
Not much to see here, go anyway. Check out the architecture and see the busiest part of Amsterdam. Also it is a short walk to Central Station, just be careful of the bikes and the Tram. We went basically as a pass through to other areas we wanted to see and check out the shopping, etc. We also wanted to see the changes in The Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, where we had stayed 35 years ago; I don't know whether the rooms are still old school but the lobby certainly was very modern compared to the tiny concierge that was there. Dam Square leads off into some touristy, trappy streets/sights so know where you are going. The area leading to the Red Light district reminded me of the pre-cleanup of Times Square without the sleaze. There is a lot of shopping in this area and mixed locals and tourist souvenir variety. Go just to say you were there, see the statue and check it off your list (BTW, we went through one day and it was Memorial Day so many areas were blocked off and foot traffic was a nightmare...oops. Oh well, it gave us an excuse to stop for more Stroopwaffels.
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Samantha M.

Yelp
I was here the day before Kings Day and it was absolutely alive! People everywhere, an exciting carnival and food stores... The atmosphere was great. Definitely worth a look
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Puebla G.

Yelp
Sit and watch people, see how alive city is Amsterdam