Westerkerk
Price guide: Mid-range
Prinsengracht 281, Amsterdam, 1016 GW
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#16 of 20
expert-rated things to do in Amsterdam- Recommended for:
- Backpackers / Students, Couples, Culture vultures, First-time travellers, Singles, Great views / scenery
Expert review of Westerkerk
The best views of the city are from the tower of Amsterdam's most famous church.
Rembrandt was buried in this handsome, 17th-century Protestant church, but no one knows exactly where his remains ended up. To be honest, the interior is unembellished and on the dull side. The chief reason to come is to climb the 186 steps up the 85-metre high tower, for a superlative 360-degree panoramic view over the canal houses of western Amsterdam.
Price advice:
Free to enter the church. To climb the tower costs 6 euros (children must be aged 6 or over).
Expert tips:
With only six people a time taken up the tower, tours get booked up. There are no phone bookings. On busy days - such as weekends in summer - your best bet is to get there a little before 10am, take an early tour, or book one for later.
The church's carillon (tuned bells) are played from noon to 1pm every Tuesday.
Free organ recitals normally take place on Fridays at 1pm.
More information on Westerkerk:
- Price guide:
- Type:
- Landmark / monument, Religious site
- Address:
- Prinsengracht 281, Amsterdam, 1016 GW
- Telephone:
- 020 624 7766
- Website:
- http://www.westerkerk.nl
- Months open:
- Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
- Opening times:
- The church is open April-October Mon-Fri 11am-3pm, July and August also Sat 11am-3pm. Services on Sunday begin 10.30am - they last for 90 minutes and are in Dutch only. The tower is open April, May and September Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, and July and August Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, with tours departing every 30 minutes.
- Indoor/outdoor?:
- Indoor
