Rembrandtplein
Rembrandtplein
4
About
One of Amsterdam's main squares, this is an ideal place to sit on one of the many terraces and watch the world go by.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Centrum
Amsterdam’s buzzing hub, with its sprawling network of tram rails and a seemingly constant flow of tourists and commuters, yields convenient access to some of the best sightseeing, shopping, and street life in Europe. Closest at hand are the Royal Palace, the quaint shops of Haalremmerdijk, the pedestrianized zones Kalverstraat and Dam Square with popular neighborhoods such as the Red Light District, and the Canal Ring hardly more than a moment’s stroll away. With the well-connected Centraal Station as Centrum’s base, it's easy to travel farther afield via one of the city’s iconic trams.
How to get there
- Waterlooplein • 5 min walk
- Nieuwmarkt • 9 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
4,108 within 3 miles
Attractions
997 within 6 miles
See what other travelers are saying
- therichastillStevenage, United Kingdom2,046 contributionsWatering HoleRembrandtplein has a statue of the artist Rembrandt in the centre of the square. Surrounding the square are plenty of bars and there is also a tram stop which will take you to the Amsterdam suburbs in one direction and up to Centraal station in the other direction. It is a close walk to the Amstel canal which is a nice area to sit beside. There are plenty of places to sit within Rembrandtplein. I would recommend visiting during the day when you can appreciate the area. Go in early evening or later and it can be a bit rowdy.Written July 29, 2022
- Jae LLong Island, New York5,904 contributionsA Vibrant Square in AmsterdamRembrandt Plein (Rembrandt Square) is a very popular and vibrant square in Amsterdam with impressive Rembrandt statue placed in the center of the square in 19th century. In commemoration of Rembrandt’s 400th birthday, bronze figures from Rembrandt’s famous painting “Night Watch” were placed in front of the statue in 2006. When I visited the square in 2010, however, I could not see those Night Watch figures, because they were on exhibition tours to New York, Moscow and Oranienbaum until 2012. But when I visited the square in August 2019, the Night Watch figures returned to Rembrandt Square, standing in front of Rembrandt Statue. The Night Watch figures were elaborate and detailed representation of Rembrandt’s master piece. The statue area was crowded with visitors posing for souvenir photos. Rembrandt Statue was not the only magnet drawing countless visitors to the square. The square with many restaurants, cafes, bars, and hotels attracted many visitors, making the square a vibrant place day and night. The square could be easily reached by metro or tram.Written July 30, 2020
- J4k3Ebbw Vale, United Kingdom549 contributionsBustling areaI called by this area and decided to stop to kill and hour before a boat trip. The bars were all bustling and there were still Christmas lights up and a skating rink. There were also pop up food stalls, there is a good mix of pubs and coffee shops surrounding the square. Defiantly a place to call bye and have a drinkTraveled with friendsWritten January 6, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
2,206 reviews
Excellent
870
Very good
1,034
Average
265
Poor
25
Terrible
12
lexi3
136 contributions
Feb 2020
I was surprised how much we liked the area, one block north of the canal. Numerous restaurants and some budget hotels. Very good Thai restaurant just off the canal, before you reach the square hosting the Rembrandt statue.
Written March 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK165,934 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
Rembrandtplein is a major public square named after Rembrandt van Rijn who owned a house nearby. It's a very popular and typical European style square for all the shops, restaurants and cafes around it. The biggest attraction in the square is probably the monument to Rembrandt which is a sculptural ensemble of his most famous painting, "The Night Watch". Many people like to sit around the square and draw the ensemble.
Written July 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ToddWebb
Rockville, MD84 contributions
We stayed in 2 different parts of town, to get a variety. After a few days we moved from the Leidesplein area to Rembrandt Square.
My first reaction: What a dump.
Trash strewn about everywhere. A short sidewalk crossing the (so-called) "park" seemed to be the residence of homeless people. Trashcans absolutely overflowed. It was just ugly.
And after leaving Leidesplein with all its dining and shopping, this place had about pubs (I'm reluctant to call them restaurants) and was a few blocks away from real shopping.
That poor statue of Rembrandt in the middle of all those weeds and debris really depressed me. I thought Rembrandt himself must be rolling over in his grave.
We stayed in the NH Schiller hotel which was conveniently right on the square, and the hotel is recommendable. But the square itself was not pretty. Walk through, but stay somewhere else.
My first reaction: What a dump.
Trash strewn about everywhere. A short sidewalk crossing the (so-called) "park" seemed to be the residence of homeless people. Trashcans absolutely overflowed. It was just ugly.
And after leaving Leidesplein with all its dining and shopping, this place had about pubs (I'm reluctant to call them restaurants) and was a few blocks away from real shopping.
That poor statue of Rembrandt in the middle of all those weeds and debris really depressed me. I thought Rembrandt himself must be rolling over in his grave.
We stayed in the NH Schiller hotel which was conveniently right on the square, and the hotel is recommendable. But the square itself was not pretty. Walk through, but stay somewhere else.
Written August 20, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BradJill
Hong Kong, China153,633 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
Rembrandtplein is an interesting area to visit in central Amsterdam. The square is mostly open green space, lined with cafes and bars.
The most interesting things to see here are the large statue of Rembrandt by Belgian sculptor Louis Royer (1841) and the assortment of statues that make up the characters featured in Rembrandt's famous painting 'The Night Watch', one of the most important masterpieces that you can see at the Rijksmuseum. The bronze figures are the works of Russian artists Mikhail Dronov and Alexander Taratynov (2006). They are detailed and nice to see up close.
Note - A lot of visitors will be around the monuments at Rembrandtplein taking pictures. If you want unobscured photos, you'll have to visit early in the morning. At this time of day, you can take nice pics of the monuments.
The most interesting things to see here are the large statue of Rembrandt by Belgian sculptor Louis Royer (1841) and the assortment of statues that make up the characters featured in Rembrandt's famous painting 'The Night Watch', one of the most important masterpieces that you can see at the Rijksmuseum. The bronze figures are the works of Russian artists Mikhail Dronov and Alexander Taratynov (2006). They are detailed and nice to see up close.
Note - A lot of visitors will be around the monuments at Rembrandtplein taking pictures. If you want unobscured photos, you'll have to visit early in the morning. At this time of day, you can take nice pics of the monuments.
Written July 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
olibot
Bishop Auckland, UK1,250 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
This is a lovely square with a statue of Rembrandt. And another sculpture depicting one of his works. The whole thing utterly spoilt by obsessed posing selfies - I just don’t get it.
Go early to avoid the insanity....
Go early to avoid the insanity....
Written April 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LWL3333
Wellington, FL18,100 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
Rembrandtplein has restaurants of every ethnic type, coffee shops (including the famous "Smokey's"), statues in the center of the plaza, the "bio" market named "Markt" and mobs of people all the time. I was there the other day and it was full of people, mostly young, even though it was raining. If you walk a bit in any direction from here you will find better restaurants (like on Utrechtstraat) and more interesting places to stroll, like any of the nearby canal-fronting streets which end in "-gracht".
Written June 29, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DanielHoogs
Rio de Janeiro, RJ108 contributions
Jan 2013 • Solo
The Rembrandtplein (or Rembrandt Square) is surrounded by bar and restaurants.
It worths a visit, specially if you know the Rembrandt's master piece "The Night Watch", which is displayed in the Rijksmuseum. The reason is that the statues surrounding Rembrandt's one are the characters portrayed on the painting. This creates a very nice atmosphere and, since you can walk through the statues, it is like you are walking inside of Rembrandt's work.
But bear in mind that it is a very touristy place, so the best bars and restaurants are not necessarily there...
It worths a visit, specially if you know the Rembrandt's master piece "The Night Watch", which is displayed in the Rijksmuseum. The reason is that the statues surrounding Rembrandt's one are the characters portrayed on the painting. This creates a very nice atmosphere and, since you can walk through the statues, it is like you are walking inside of Rembrandt's work.
But bear in mind that it is a very touristy place, so the best bars and restaurants are not necessarily there...
Written April 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ariel R
Montreal, Canada50 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
If you dont follow your mobile app you will get lost, but who cares when you have such a beautiful city to discover. Channels are more important than streets or avenues, bikes more present than cars, ducks swimming or just enjoying the sun. Green everywhere, and every house seems to hold a secret story in its walls and windows.
Written May 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Digby_Scallops
Surrey, Canada130 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
A beautiful square with great artwork.It is a place for ongoing activities and displays of art, markets, events etc. Unfortunately it more than anything else a place for gatherings of loud, drunk & dope smoking people (mostly tourists I would expect) after dark. Stayed at the NH Schiller across the street and the place was nuts till nearly 4 AM after the bars closed down. Loud music, screeching cars and non stop activity. Why, because I guess you can. The amount of garbage generated and left for daily clean-up is totally unacceptable.
Written August 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lucio F
Oxfordshire, UK949 contributions
Mar 2017 • Business
A nnumber of statues of soldier in 17th century uniform surround and protect the great painter. Delight for tourists who do seem to be able to stop taking photos and selfies...
Written March 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Melissa A
2 contributions
Come si arriva da piazza Dam ??
gustavoar2016
Province of Arezzo, Italy61 contributions
A piedi o in tram. Massimo 20 minuti se a piedi.
Maria Ines G
56 contributions
Hotel Mercure Amsterdam city?
Laura P
Buenos Aires, Argentina110 contributions
No tengo idea. No conozco ese hotel.
Kitydaisx
7 contributions
Staying in Amsterdam for New Year's Eve do you have to pay in advance to go in clubs or can you just pay at the door during New Years ever HELP
JimmyNader
Beirut, Lebanon63 contributions
I don't know about New Years Eve events in Amsterdam, but when I traveled in August, it was Pride weekend and there were plenty of free parties everywhere, specially the best one was at Rembrandtplein. Maybe you can check some website for free public Amsterdam events during New Year's.
Kat W
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK9 contributions
I gather there is a Christmas market here so can anyone recommend a decently priced good hotel nearby? We're only staying for one night so don't want to spend time travelling to and from a hotel but equally don't want to break the bank either.
Thanks
tweedybird26
Floral Park, NY707 contributions
We were very happy with the Albus Hotel which is very close.
Kat W
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK9 contributions
I gather there is a Christmas market here so can anyone recommend a decently priced good hotel nearby? We're only staying for one night so don't want to spend time travelling to and from a hotel but equally don't want to break the bank either.
Thanks
226debbie
Newquay22 contributions
We stayed on a houseboat on Amstel St just beside Bar Lempicka. That was a 15 minute walk to Rembrantsplein. And Amsterdam is so flat it's easy to walk around, and it feels safe too, just watch out for trams and cyclists! Look at the map and anywhere in that radius will be fine, the Van Gogh museum was 20 mins walk the other way. Nice location, great bar.
Megan Ann F
Bilbao, Pais Vasco, Spain
how far is it to walk to the board walk and other attractions? Do you offer shuttles
Medard L
Warsaw, Poland126 contributions
The idea of "hop of boat" is splendid, but most of the Amsterdam attraction is within walking distance.
Rembrandtplein (Amsterdam) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Rembrandtplein
- We recommend booking Rembrandtplein tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 44 Rembrandtplein tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Rembrandtplein:
- Flagship Evening canal cruise - Live guided with bar on board (From $22.07)
- Flagship Canal Cruise in Classic Boat - Live guide with drinks & Dutch cheese (From $33.13)
- Flagship Amsterdam Open Boat Canal Cruise - Local live guide with bar on board (From $22.07)
- All inclusive Canal Tour by Captain Jack (Traveller Choice Award 2022) (From $44.19)
- Anne Frank and Jewish Culture Private Walking Tour in Amsterdam (From $123.89)
- Hotels near Rembrandtplein:
- (0.01 mi) NH Amsterdam Caransa
- (0.03 mi) Rembrandtplein Apartment Suites
- (0.03 mi) City Hotel Rembrandt Square
- (0.03 mi) Royal Amsterdam Hotel - Restaurant
- (0.04 mi) Rembrandt Square Hotel
- Restaurants near Rembrandtplein:
- (0.00 mi) Kitchen & Bar Van Rijn
- (0.01 mi) Escape Caffe & Lounge
- (0.01 mi) De Maria
- (0.01 mi) Oliva Amsterdam Restaurant & Club
- (0.01 mi) Cafe Restaurant de Kroon
- Attractions near Rembrandtplein:
- (0.01 mi) Claire
- (0.01 mi) Studio 80
- (0.01 mi) Hola Amsterdam Tours
- (0.02 mi) Three Sisters Grand Pub
- (0.02 mi) Escape