Westerkerk image

Westerkerk

Tourist attraction Church Protestant church

A crown-topped spire rises from this Renaissance-era Protestant church where Rembrandt is buried. People often mention church, tower, Amsterdam, Anne, Frank, beautiful, city, view, visit, free,


Address

Prinsengracht 279, 1016 GW Amsterdam, Netherlands

Website

www.westerkerk.nl

Contact

+31 20 624 7766

Rating on Google Maps

4.40 (1.2K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 11 AM to 3 PM
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: 11 AM to 3 PM
  • Tuesday: 11 AM to 3 PM
  • Wednesday: 11 AM to 3 PM
  • Thursday: 11 AM to 3 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: church (22) tower (14) Amsterdam (13) Anne (13) Frank (11) beautiful (9) city (8) view (7) visit (6) free (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Sharath B. 7 years ago on Google
    The tower is awesome, nice architecture. The entry fee is 8€ may be but it's worth it. Climbing up and enjoying the view from up brings it all back. But the queue was long and it took about an hour for our group. Tram stops just infront of it and there are Asian restaurants right infront of the building. Totally enjoyed it.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dr Win S. 2 years ago on Google • 453 reviews
    Arguably the most beautiful Protestant church in Amsterdam. Regrettably it was closed during my visit today but am determined to return and admire the interior. For now I could only admire the magnificent building only on the outside.

  • 5/5 Kelvin W. 6 months ago on Google • 321 reviews
    Historic and magnificent church near Anne Frank House. It's free to visit, full of beautiful and peaceful artworks inside. There's also a restroom for visitors in need. Highly recommended for travellers who are interested in whatever culture or tourist attractions
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Sergio M. 2 months ago on Google • 96 reviews New
    It is a really nice building from the outside, with some great architecture. The only problem is that what looked like the bell tower (Or at least I suppose it was that) it’s being repaired so it doesn’t looks as beautiful as I suppose it normally looks when it’s not under maintenance. Still worth taking some pictures if you pass by.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gary H. 2 years ago on Google
    What's not to like about this place. It is free to enter (touchless donation options available) - bright, airy and beautiful! So much history. Right next to the Anne Frank museum, the heart of Amsterdam West and Jordaan. I hear the church bells ring all day from my apartment. I didn't realize we could enter for free. It was my first time here. Very wonderful. We were on a Dutch language class field trip so had to find some clues in there. It's a must see when visiting Amsterdam. I suggest maybe skipping the Anne Frank house if the lines are long, (but lately with online reservations, seems okay!), and go here. I doubt the tower is open these days with Covid times, but maybe in two, three years when Covid is gone, it will be open once again.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Faruk Y. 4 years ago on Google
    Its tower has the best view of the city! You should definitely climb it to have a 360° view of Amsterdam from above! They are making guided tours at certain hours with limited people. So it's necessary to check which one is available. The way to the top is quite narrow and upright sometimes.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 karen s. 6 years ago on Google
    Warning: DON'T go on the tour of the bell tower if you are claustrophobic, unable to go up and down extremely steep staircases (there are 6 steep flights of stairs), or afraid of heights. If you are neither of these, DO the tour; it's great way to get an awesome 360-view of the city! Probably going during the daytime/day light hours is best for maximum view of the city.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 G R. 1 year ago on Google • 86 reviews
    Historic church to visit right next to the Anne Frank center as well. Free access. The ornate plaster organ infrastructure as you enter offers an impressive structure of art.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 David K. 11 months ago on Google • 70 reviews
    A protestant church that 1. has a link in Anne Frank's life; 2. regularly conducted free organ concert on Wednesdays; 3. Rembrandt was laid to rest somewhere inside the church; 4. has the tallest tower in Amsterdam with a blue crown. Enjoyed visiting the church!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mohamed A. 4 years ago on Google • 160 reviews
    Beautiful piece of history and an iconic sight in Amsterdam. Adds a lot of character to the surrounding area and can be seen clearly coming from any direction. I have not been inside so I wouldn't know myself, but heard the view from the tower is spectacular.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 T H. 5 months ago on Google • 214 reviews
    We were attending a special celebration service here for specially invited guests. The building is impressive with clean forms and a very high ceiling. Unusually for such large churches in Europe, there were hardly any paintings or other decorations on the walls, but the large windows gives a lovely light which makes it bright inside.

  • 5/5 Denisse H. 10 months ago on Google • 102 reviews
    Rembrandt's burial, what an amazing experience to be at his final place of rest. You'll see all the people buried there engraved on the church floor, a must see Landmark in Amsterdam. Free entrance.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Shachar P. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful and most popular church in Amsterdam that has hosted royal weddings in the past. It was built in the Renaissance style with Gothic features and opened in 1631. The church tower is the tallest among all the churches in Amsterdam at 87 meters high. Fun fact, Rembrandt was buried in the church
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Naveen B. 4 years ago on Google
    View by the canal is amazing, very nice walk along the sides.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 BradJill 5 years ago on Google
    Westerkerk (free enry) is a large 17th-century church on the banks of Prinsengracht (canal) and Westermarkt in the city centre of Amsterdam. It is located next to the popular Anne Frank House and makes for a nice church visit if you are interested in these type attractions. Opening hours are 10am to 3pm (Mon-Fri) and 11am to 3pm (Sat) and entry is free to the public. Historically, Westerkerk is one of the churches designed by architect Hendrick de Keyser after the Dutch Reformation in the late 16th century. It was completed in 1631 in Dutch Renaissance style. This is particularly evident in the beautiful and decorative bell tower, which is topped by steeple that resembles the Crown of Maximilian of Austria. The interior by comparison is rather simple, as is typical of reformed Protestant and Calvinist churches in the city. A delightful Duyschot organ, chandeliers, and unassuming pulpit more or less round off the churches basic interior. Spend a few minutes browsing the open nave and two side aisles and that should be sufficient for a general visit to the church. Outside Westerkerk is a small market area with a couple of shops and kiosks. You will see a statue of Anne Frank just next to the church as well as the Homo Monument on the bank of the Keisersgracht (canal) behind Westerkerk. Note: If you want to get a good look at the tower, make your way up or down Prinsengracht 40-50 metres. From these positions, you can take photos that include the church and bell tower. Note: The Westerkerk tower (Westertoren) is open to the public if you want to climb to its top for views of the city. Check the website for updated times and prices if interested.

  • 5/5 Qurratulain 7 years ago on Google
    Beautiful! I visited because of Anne Frank, but the building itself is beautiful. It's located very close to her house and her statue is also right outside. Definitely visit!

  • 5/5 Vageesh 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful architecture and a nice spot surrounded by the canal and very close to the Anne frank museum.

  • 5/5 J. P. 1 year ago on Google
    One of (if not) the biggest "Kerk" of Amsterdam. Located nearby the Anne Frank Huis Museum. Both beautiful from the outside and the inside. Anecdotal fact : Rembrandt's son is buried inside the Church, beneath one of the large carved stone lining the bottom of the stoned floor. There are numbers on the Church's stones, and one of them is Rembrandt's son one. Little clue : take a look at the pillars inside the Church to find which graved stone you should look at... Furthermore, this Kerk is palatial. Very beautiful

  • 5/5 Kamran S. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful historic church in West Amsterdam. Pass through it regularly when walking ot cycling to centrum, and every time it catches my attention with its glorious architecture.

  • 5/5 Rodrigo S. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful old Church used for events in general. Amazing!

  • 4/5 Sangeeth M. 1 year ago on Google
    This church is the best place to be when it’s quite hectic at the nearby Anne Frank house. Spend a good few minutes in solace and was in awe of the stunning interiors.

  • 5/5 Steven J. 1 year ago on Google
    I think it was the prettiest church we saw in Amsterdam.

  • 4/5 V.Thangavel 4 years ago on Google
    Nice church..close to Anne Frank House

  • 5/5 Nick T. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing that Rembrandt is buried here. The tower climb and resulting city view was a cool experience. Great place to go if you don’t get tickets to the Anne Frank House :)

  • 4/5 ana p. 11 months ago on Google
    a beautiful church whose bell tower can be seen from many points in the city

  • 5/5 Anouar Z. 2 years ago on Google
    Top view of church


Call +31 20 624 7766 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Assistive hearing loop
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Trends



Last updated:

Similar Tourist attractions nearby

Rijksmuseum image
1
Rijksmuseum
Art museum
19th-century building housing Dutch Golden Age painting masterpieces & vast European art collection.
4.60 (90.5K reviews)
Van Gogh Museum image
2
Van Gogh Museum
Art museum
Museum housing the world's largest collection of Van Gogh paintings, alongside drawings & letters.
4.60 (84.1K reviews)
Anne Frank House image
3
Anne Frank House
Museum
Museum house where Anne Frank & her family hid from the Nazis in a secret annex, during WWII.
4.50 (64.6K reviews)
Vondelpark image
4
Vondelpark
Park
Expansive, 19th-century urban park with a playground, ponds & an open-air theater.
4.70 (50.7K reviews)
Dam Square image
5
Dam Square
Tourist attraction
Central public square & popular gathering place since the 17th century, flanked by the Royal Palace.
4.50 (42K reviews)
Last updated:
()