7 Best Palace and Castle Tours in Amsterdam

The Venice of the North is much more than its canals and bicycles; its palaces and castles are gems that few dare to discover. If you're wondering what to see and do in Amsterdam, delving into its history through these iconic buildings is an unforgettable experience.

In this guide, I suggest the best tours that will take you to the most majestic corners of the city. You'll find timetables, prices, advantages, disadvantages and tips for each place, allowing you to plan your route through the life of the Dutch royalty, with enjoying Amsterdam as your only concern.

The Royal Palace in Amsterdam, an architectural gem in the heart of the city, will transport you to an era of opulence and power from the central Dam Square. Although it is regularly used by the Dutch royal family, it is open almost all year round and offers two guided tours: 'highlights' or 'traces of slavery'.

Originally designed as Amsterdam's City Hall in 1665 by the talented architects Jacob van Campen and Daniël Stalpaert, this building witnessed the city's rise as a commercial power. In 1808, Louis Napoleon transformed it into a royal residence, making it one of the three official palaces of the Dutch monarchs.

Another must-see during your guided tour is the**'burgerzaal', also translated as'Civic Hall'or'People's Hall'**, a room with marble-covered walls located in the centre of the building as a symbol of Amsterdam's role as the centre of the world.

Interesting details

• Duration: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes for the self-guided tour and around 2 hours for the scheduled guided tour.
• What you should know: whether you decide on a guided tour or choose to buy your tickets for the Royal Palace in Amsterdam on your own, you will be able to admire its impressive façade and explore its sumptuous interiors spread over more than 15 rooms. The main difference between the two experiences is that with the scheduled guided tour, you will hear live commentary, while with your ticket, the visit is self-guided with an audio guide in English included in your ticket. Admission is included in the I am Amsterdam pass.
• Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Sunday, except public holidays.
• Pros: you can enjoy a rich art collection, including masterpieces by Rembrandt van Rijn and other great artists such as Ferdinand Boi. In addition, the building offers an enriching cultural experience with audio guides for adults and children.
• Cons: this is more of a contemplative visit to appreciate art and local history, so it may not be suitable for young children. Scheduled guided tours are available in English and Dutch.

The Amstelhof is a monumental building on the banks of the Amstel River that was originally a hospital for the elderly, but today houses the Hermitage Amsterdam Museum. In fact, the guided tour covers the wing of the building where this museum is located.

This 17th-century Baroque palace is perfect for those who want to combine an architectural visit with an artistic tour. If you decide to buy tickets for the Hermitage Museum, also known as the H'ART Museum, you will have access to a wide variety of art that was previously exchanged with the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, the treasure of the tsars, whose exhibitions are first-rate. However, the museum currently collaborates with the British Museum. During your tour, you will be able to appreciate both its impeccable design and the beauty of the 70,000 pieces it houses.

Details of interest

• Duration: approximately 2 hours for both the guided and self-guided tours.
• What you should know: the Amstelhof is located in a central area, at Amstel 51, making it easy to reach from anywhere in Amsterdam. Your ticket includes access to the audio guide at no additional cost. Admission is included in the I Amsterdam City Card.
• Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Sunday, except public holidays.
• Pros: it's an excellent combination of art, history and architecture. It includes access to the permanent and temporary exhibitions and a tour of the building's history.
• Cons: the layout of the rooms can sometimes be a little confusing, and although the exhibitions are exquisite, the number of works, especially modern ones, is somewhat limited.

Muiderslot Castle, also known as Muiden Castle, is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the Netherlands. A tour of Muiderslot will allow you to stroll through its ancient rooms, gardens and armoury, transporting you straight back to the Middle Ages.

The castle also has interactive exhibitions and activities for children, making it an excellent choice for families. Private tours are common for this visit and usually include transport to your accommodation and entry to the fairytale-like grounds, with their moat, towers, drawbridges and... an iconic ghost.

Yes, Muiden is on the list of haunted castles and ghosts thanks to a spooky resident, Count Floris V, who supposedly still roams the corridors. Would you like to meet him? Take part in a guided tour included in your I am Amsterdam tourist pass or increase your chances by signing up for the night tours organised on Halloween among your things to see and do in Amsterdam in October.

Useful information

Duration: the guided tour lasts approximately 2 hours.

• Duration: the guided tour lasts about 2 hours.
• What you need to know: although it is on the outskirts of Amsterdam, the castle is accessible by public transport in less than 30 minutes from the city centre.
• Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Sunday, except public holidays.
• Pros: admission includes a guided tour of the historic rooms and access to the gardens and interactive exhibitions. Perfect for those looking for a place steeped in history and medieval charm. It is also ideal for a family visit.
• Cons: Accessibility for people with reduced mobility may be limited due to its medieval structure.

In the so-called Venice of the North, you can of course sign up for one of the canal cruises, but do you know the history and importance of these waterways? You can find out when you visit Het Grachtenhuis, or Canal House, an impressive double canal mansion, also known as a palace. Inside is one of the best museums in Amsterdam, which you can visit with the audio guide provided when you buy your tickets for the Canal Museum.

Following the instructions of the private guide or with the audio guide available in Spanish and eight other languages, you will discover first-hand the most intimate corners of the space, originally conceived as a private residence. Today, the museum also uses modern technologies, such as interactive projections and digital models, to offer an immersive experience that connects visitors with the urban development of the city.

Alternatively, you can opt for one of the guided group tours offered by the museum itself. To do so, you will need to purchase your ticket plus the respective additional supplement.

The guided tour of Het Grachtenhuis lasts approximately 45 minutes. This architectural gem, located in the heart of Amsterdam's canal ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built in 1665 by renowned architect Philips Vingboons.

Details of interest

• Duration: approximately 1 hour, depending on the option you choose and your pace.
• What you should know: this is an interactive tour perfect for those who want to learn more about the architectural history of the city.
• Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Sunday, except public holidays.
• Pros: the interactive rooms are a delight, with over 400 years of history in a 40-minute permanent exhibition. In addition, history and architecture lovers will learn about the construction, lifestyle and vision of Amsterdam since the 17th century.
• Cons: although interesting, it may not appeal to those looking for more traditional castle and palace experiences.

The Huis Bartolotti, built around 1620, is another of the most outstanding examples of Golden Age residential architecture in Amsterdam. Its stately design, attributed to architect Hendrick de Keyser, is characterised by an imposing façade that blends Renaissance and Mannerist elements, which you can explore in detail during a self-guided tour.

This palace was built for Willem Bartolotti, a wealthy merchant who had amassed a considerable fortune through international trade. Inside, it retains its historical richness with its Louis XV furniture, Baroque art throughout, original frescoes, carved wood, ornate ceilings and architectural details that give a glimpse of how the wealthy elite of the time lived.

This museum not only offers an immersive experience of the social and cultural life of the Golden Age, but is also included in the best sightseeing passes in Amsterdam, making it easy to visit. With admission included in most of these sightseeing passes, the Huis Bartolotti is an essential stop for those who wish to discover the splendour of the city's historic architecture and cultural heritage.

Details of interest

• Duration: approximately 1 hour with the audio guide included in your ticket.
• What you should know: the Huis Bartolotti is perfectly preserved, and its interior reflects the splendour of Amsterdam's high society in the 17th century. The museum is not included in regular tours, however, the audio guide in English and the attentive staff complement your tour.
• Opening hours: 10:00 - 17:00 Monday to Sunday, except public holidays.
• Pros: visitors can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of opulence and refinement that characterised Amsterdam's upper classes in the 17th century in an interactive way.
• Cons: its size is more modest compared to other palaces or castles, which may limit the length of the tour.

Just one street away from the Xtracold Ice Bar, you will find the Willet-Holthuysen Museum, housed in a neoclassical mansion on the banks of one of Amsterdam's main canals. With a self-guided tour, or in other words, when you purchase your ticket to the Willet-Holthuysen with your audio guide included, you can visit this elegant stately home that was the residence of Abraham Willet and his wife, Louisa Holthuysen, art collectors and cultural patrons in the 19th century.

Today, the house is open to the public as a museum, and its interiors retain their original décor, from the furniture to the crystal chandeliers. Walking through the rooms of this museum is like stepping into the life of 19th-century Amsterdam aristocracy, and its collection of art and personal items adds an intimate touch to the visit.

Details of interest

• Duration: approximately 1 hour.
• What you should know: the museum is perfectly preserved and is an example of how aristocratic families lived in 19th-century Amsterdam.
• Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Sunday, except public holidays.
• Pros: an intimate and cultural experience that shows the life of 19th-century high society. The most interesting thing, in my opinion, is that the modern temporary exhibitions visually invite dialogue and generational contrast with respect. In addition, admission is included in tourist passes such as the I am Amsterdam card and the Amsterdam Explorer Pass.
• Cons: there is no audio guide in Spanish. Although fascinating, it may not be of interest to those looking for more dynamic experiences.

Het Loo Palace, built in 1686 as a hunting lodge and summer residence for the Orange-Nassau royal family, ended up housing one of the most outstanding museums in the Venice of the North, which dazzles with its Baroque architecture. Your ticket grants you access to the lush gardens, the central area of the palace, the royal carriage house and the renovated children's area.

One of the most interesting aspects of the tour of Het Loo Palace is access to the modern restoration and extension, which began in 2016 and added more than 5,000 square metres of underground facilities without altering the historical aesthetics of the building. A children's area has also been added: the Junior Palace. The new areas feature light marble interiors and a glass ceiling over a water pond that allows daylight to filter through, creating a captivating atmosphere during your visit.

Details of interest

Duration: the self-guided tour lasts approximately 1 hour.

• Duration: the self-guided tour takes approximately 1 hour.
• What you should know: the palace has magnificent symmetrical gardens, ideal for a stroll among the things to do in Amsterdam in spring. The palace offers a 30-minute audio guide that you can download for free from its app or by renting headphones for an additional fee. This audio guide is available in English, Dutch and German.
• Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, except public holidays.
• Pros: for art and history lovers, we recommend visiting the museum's temporary exhibitions, which often explore the life of the royal family and their influence on Dutch culture. In addition, admission is included in the Museumkaart card.
• Cons: although well connected, it can be a little further from the city centre.

• To get the most out of Amsterdam's palaces and castles, I recommend buying tickets in advance or booking a guided tour, especially if you plan to visit popular places such as the Royal Palace or Muiderslot Castle. This will save you from long queues and guarantee you access during high season.
• If you plan to visit more than one place, consider purchasing one of the tourist passes that include several attractions and can save you money.
• Arrive early to enjoy a more peaceful experience and take your time on your visits, avoiding the crowds.