Is Begijnhof worth it?
Worth itUnderrated · +46Free, silent medieval courtyard of almshouses off Spui, home to Amsterdam's oldest wooden house
Worth it. Google 4.5 from 10k+ reviews; visitors find it peaceful and pretty, though small and occasionally spoiled by noisy groups.
Hype40How famous and hyped it is
Reality86Evidence-based, votes take over as they come in
4.5 ★ Google · 10,222 reviews— hypegap votes · be one of the first
Been to Begijnhof? Was it worth it?
One tap. No account. Your vote moves the Reality score.Is it worth it for you?
Worth itEditorial verdict until 5 first-timers vote
Free, a few minutes from Dam and one of the few places in the centre that still feels medieval and calm.
Why Reality is 86
Lives up to its fame4/5Google 4.5 from 10k+ reviews; visitors find it peaceful and pretty, though small and occasionally spoiled by noisy groups.
Value for money5/5Free entry to a genuine 14th–15th-century courtyard with a hidden chapel and the city's oldest wooden house.
Can’t get it elsewhere4/5Amsterdam has other hofjes, but this is the oldest and most complete one open to visitors.
Easy to do5/5Central, no booking, open daily; at most a short queue at the gate.
What people loved
Free, central and a genuine hush away from the crowds of Kalverstraat and SpuiReal medieval fabric: Amsterdam's oldest wooden house (c. 1420), a hidden Catholic chapel and the English Reformed ChurchGate staff enforce quiet, which keeps the atmosphere calmQuick to visit — worthwhile even with 5–15 minutes to spareWhat wore them down
Very small; you see it in minutes and there is little interpretation on siteLoud tour groups and visitors still break the silence rule despite remindersGrass and inner paths are off-limits, and photography of homes is restrictedNot a good fit for energetic children because of the silence ruleKnow before you go
See something out of date? Fix it right here.Booking: No tickets or booking; walk in during opening hours. A short queue at the gate is possible at busy times.
EntryFree; no ticketsSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
HoursGoogle lists daily 10:00–18:00; gates are locked in the eveningSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
RulesResidents still live here: keep quiet, stay on visitor paths, don't photograph windows, doors or residents; staff at the gate remind visitors and can ask rule-breakers to leaveSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
HistoryBeguines lived here by 1346; Het Houten Huys (No. 34, c. 1420) is Amsterdam's oldest wooden house; the last beguine died in 1971Source · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Time needed15–30 minutes; it is a small courtyardSource: Google reviews · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Getting thereEntrance through a vaulted passage off Spui square (tram stop Spui, metro 52 Rokin); about a 10-minute walk south of Dam SquareSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Opening hours (Google)
- 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: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
In their words
“I highly recommend stopping by here, if you can spare even 5 minutes there.”
“My only issue is that after being greeted at the entry and asked for respect to the residents by staying quiet, several people were very loud.”
“Went to a similar place in Bruges. This one was greener and more picturesque.”
“Free entry, lovely courtyard. It’s a residential area, so please respect that and explore quietly!”
Tips from people who went
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Questions people ask
Is the Begijnhof free to visit?
Yes. There is no entrance fee and no ticket.
What are the Begijnhof opening hours?
Google lists daily 10:00–18:00; the gates are locked in the evening.
Can you take photos in the Begijnhof?
You can photograph the courtyard and historic buildings, but not close-ups of residents' windows, doors or the residents themselves.
What is the oldest house in Amsterdam?
Het Houten Huys at Begijnhof 34, a wooden house dating from about 1420.
Where is the entrance to the Begijnhof?
Through a narrow vaulted passage off Spui square, near the Amsterdam Museum.
