Oude Kerk
3.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:30 PM
About
A church visit unlike any other! In the oldest building of Amsterdam, art and music trigger new perspectives on the 700 year history of the place. (And it's famous surroundings.) International renowned artist are invited by the Oude Kerk to create context specific work, that varies in size from modest to massive. All art projects fit the cultural and historical value of the Oude Kerk, always with a strong link to the past, and issues of our current times. 'An art program that stands out for its courage', according to Amsterdam newspaper Het Parool. Please see the website for current exhibitions and concerts.
Duration: < 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: 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
- Nieuwmarkt • 5 min walk
- Centraal Station • 6 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,899 within 5 kms
Attractions
1,062 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- NickofSurreySurrey, United Kingdom710 contributionsVery interesting buildingEmpty church used as an exhibition space,which currently offered reduced admission as it is between exhibitions. Walked in and wondered what I had paid However,the audio guide was excellent and really bought the history of the building to life. It is estimated that 60000 people have been buried over time beneath the church,almost the whole floor of which is covered in grave slabs.this includes the first wife of the artist Rembrandt who was called Saskia. Well worth a visitVisited May 2022Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 April 2023
- Jcook92New York City, New York145 contributionsLovely way to start the dayWe went first thing in the morning and had the whole church to ourselves. The organ and carving were exquisite. Also, their displays of life in 16th century Amsterdam really shed light on a history, including the Dutch role in slavery, the Reformation, and hard life in a port city. They are currently maintaining a link to the city as a cultural center, hosting music and art shows. Check their calendar. Be sure to check out the breastplate near the entrance, an homage to the Red Light District. No food Nice clean bathrooms Tiny gift shopVisited July 2023Travelled with familyWritten 25 August 2023
- AnnoukyIasi, Romania21 contributionsNot a touristic placeIt is an interesting architecture the inside of the church but not worth the payment of 13.50 euro. I saw many beautiful churches in Europe that were for free. An audio guide is included in the ticket price. But even with it, 20 min are more then sufficient for the visit.Visited August 2023Travelled soloWritten 18 September 2023
- Nadina PNew York City, New York339 contributionsMiracle of AmsterdamThis church was once the most holy site in the world and is partially responsible for Amsterdam becoming Amsterdam, as it's the site of the Miracle of Amsterdam. It's been expanded, so you can see very different architecture as you walk around it. It is in the Red Light District, which is perfectly safe. Especially if you go during the day, you can easily take children--just keep your eyes peeled. At night, it's more crowded, but still pretty safe. The Dutch are very reasonable people, and it's really the tourists you need to watch out for. It's near Bloedstrat, named for the miracle. It's great to walk around here.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 14 November 2023
- Busker999Tonbridge, United Kingdom985 contributionsChurch with art exhibitsBit strange - it's a lovely church especially the ceiling. However is also used as an art space. Was being used for stills and mini films of a performance director which required lots of explanation. Part of I amsterdam card which made it worth itVisited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 February 2024
- Rob TWindsor, United Kingdom141 contributionsInteresting building let down by the exhibition.The church itself is interesting, and the audio tour was helpful to get an insight into the history of the building. What did let it down was the current art installation, which, as it involved sound, was rather distracting. Some art installations add to a church and, to be fair, some of the sound did, but overall it was more distracting than helpful.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 March 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
1,153 reviews
Excellent
252
Very good
353
Average
317
Poor
124
Terrible
107
Rob T
Windsor, UK141 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
The church itself is interesting, and the audio tour was helpful to get an insight into the history of the building. What did let it down was the current art installation, which, as it involved sound, was rather distracting. Some art installations add to a church and, to be fair, some of the sound did, but overall it was more distracting than helpful.
Written 17 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jozzer23
Leeds, UK13 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
This was the worst church we have ever visited. No audio, no explanation anywhere about any history of the church. There was just a terrible art exhibition. We visited The Lord In The Attic Church after which was amazing. A brilliant audio guide for a much smaller hidden church. Really worth the visit. This empty boring church was a rip off !
Written 3 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Busker999
Tonbridge, UK985 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Bit strange - it's a lovely church especially the ceiling. However is also used as an art space. Was being used for stills and mini films of a performance director which required lots of explanation. Part of I amsterdam card which made it worth it
Written 23 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olga A
1 contribution
Feb 2024 • Couples
Very overpriced place, with almost nothing to see inside. All the exhibitions inside were totally nonsense, the only interesting part was an old organ
Written 12 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ugo
Cheltenham, United Kingdom41 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
I regret paying the EUR 13.50 admission fee here, because the visit was poor value for money. There were no audio guides, either in Dutch or English. I took one in Italian (can't say I wasn't flexible!) but that too was not in working order. I made do with the dark red 'highlights - EN' sheets featuring a woman in clogs using - you've guessed it - an audio guide! Art installations inside soundproofed cabins are a major feature. It's allegorical stuff, not really accessible to non-artists without a few explanatory notes. Come on, Oude Kerk. You can do better than this!
Written 27 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nadina P
New York City, NY339 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
This church was once the most holy site in the world and is partially responsible for Amsterdam becoming Amsterdam, as it's the site of the Miracle of Amsterdam. It's been expanded, so you can see very different architecture as you walk around it. It is in the Red Light District, which is perfectly safe. Especially if you go during the day, you can easily take children--just keep your eyes peeled. At night, it's more crowded, but still pretty safe. The Dutch are very reasonable people, and it's really the tourists you need to watch out for. It's near Bloedstrat, named for the miracle. It's great to walk around here.
Written 14 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annouky
Iasi, Romania21 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
It is an interesting architecture the inside of the church but not worth the payment of 13.50 euro. I saw many beautiful churches in Europe that were for free. An audio guide is included in the ticket price. But even with it, 20 min are more then sufficient for the visit.
Written 18 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jcook92
New York City, NY145 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We went first thing in the morning and had the whole church to ourselves. The organ and carving were exquisite. Also, their displays of life in 16th century Amsterdam really shed light on a history, including the Dutch role in slavery, the Reformation, and hard life in a port city. They are currently maintaining a link to the city as a cultural center, hosting music and art shows. Check their calendar. Be sure to check out the breastplate near the entrance, an homage to the Red Light District.
No food
Nice clean bathrooms
Tiny gift shop
No food
Nice clean bathrooms
Tiny gift shop
Written 25 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony W
Greater Sydney, Australia16 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
There are many beautiful churches and cathedrals around Europe with exquisite stained glass windows, beautiful pulpits and elaborately carved choir stands. Oude Kerk is not among them, but their entrance fee is as high, if not higher, than those other ones.
Written 7 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leonhkny
Hong Kong, China14,495 contributions
Jun 2023
The oldest church in Amsterdam is a solemn, encompassing structure at its medieval city center. The structure is well-maintained to its original grandeur. More interested visitors may want to pay the admission.
Written 5 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olivia
2 contributions
can I attend a service for free
Big Poppa Pauley
Melbourne, Australia2,241 contributions
Not sure but I would expect so
Kicco66
Italy1,810 contributions
Ciao, ma il costo del biglietto per visitare la chiesa vecchia è comprensivo della torre? C'è uno sconto sulla visita della chiesa vecchia e quella nuova?
Giulio Roberto
Savigliano, Italy1,929 contributions
Il costo del biglietto si riferisce solo alla 'chiesa vecchia' e non comprende altri siti.
Blackdragonz
Province of Naples, Italy270 contributions
Salve. Volevo chiedere: quali sono gli orari della chiesa? Per quanto riguarda l'ingresso, poi, il ticket del costo di 8€(se ricordo bene) comprende entrambe le chiese?(cioè la chiesa vecchia e nuova)? Per quanto riguarda il campanile, si sale sopra pagando il biglietto?(e si sale sul campanile di entrambe le chiese?)
Grazie.
Bobbie S
Orange County, CA9 contributions
We will be in Amsterdam in July 2019. Is it necessary to avoid long lines to purchase tickets for Oude Kerk in advance?
Trystanpg
Cardiff, UK4 contributions
How often the chimes are?
craigluscar
Dunfermline, UK13,606 contributions
Every hour I am not sure if it rings the quarters
LisaKWSmith
Miami, FL81 contributions
Would love to see this De Oude Kerk church during our visit.
Is it really needed to purchase "advanced" tickets ??? OR would it be pretty easy not insane lines to get tickets there ??
I did see somebody mentioned they are restoring as april2017
oudekerkamsterdam
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Dear Lisa,
The Oude Kerk has two types of tickets: 1 during exhibition periods (10,- full price) and one during the install/de-install of the exhibition (7,5 full price). There's the possibility to buy tickets online, but as said, the lines are normally quite quick.
The restoration of the Oude Kerk was finished in 2013, but it could be that you refer to the install of our exhibition. From the 19th of May there's a exhibition opening by Dutch artist Sarah van Sonsbeeck.
We hope you enjoy your visit!
Deleshia Y
Clarksville, TN47 contributions
What time is church service on Sunday?
david n
Manchester, UK4,758 contributions
on the Dutch version of their website it says 11.00-12.15 kerkdienst (church service) on Sundays
NM@LN
Little Neck, NY6 contributions
If I buy e- tickets from their website, is there an expiration date?
MarcyWalsh
Richmond, VA79 contributions
Not sure but we had no lines to buy tickets so I'm sure it will be easy to work out.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingOude Kerk, Amsterdam - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Oude Kerk
- Hotels near Oude Kerk:
- (0.11 km) St Christopher's at the Winston
- (0.08 km) Durty Nelly's Inn
- (0.09 km) Anco Hotel
- (0.14 km) Amsterdam Central Guest House
- (0.14 km) The Greenhouse Effect
- Restaurants near Oude Kerk:
- (0.02 km) Ziggys
- (0.03 km) The Old Church Bar
- (0.04 km) Lolo
- (0.04 km) De Koffieschenkerij
- (0.05 km) High Snack Amsterdam