De Bijenkorf

Medieval Centre & Red Light District


Amsterdam's most fashionable department store has a grander exterior than interior, but it occupies the city's highest-profile location, facing the Royal Palace. Shoppers will enjoy the well-chosen clothing, cosmetics, accessories, toys, homewares and books. The snazzy cafe on the 5th floor has a terrace with steeple views.

It's a good place to stop in to use the bathrooms, which are free.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Medieval Centre & Red Light District attractions

1. Nationaal Monument

0.03 MILES

The obelisk on the Dam's eastern side was built in 1956 to commemorate WWII's fallen. Fronted by two lions, its pedestal has a number of symbolic statues:…

2. Dam

0.05 MILES

This square is the very spot where Amsterdam was founded around 1270. Today pigeons, tourists, buskers and the occasional funfair (complete with Ferris…

3. Madame Tussauds Amsterdam

0.06 MILES

Sure, Madame Tussauds wax museum is overpriced and cheesy, but its focus on local culture makes it fun: 'meet' the Dutch royals, politicians, painters and…

4. Royal Palace

0.08 MILES

Opened as a town hall in 1655, this resplendent building became a palace in the 19th century. The interiors gleam, especially the marble work – at its…

5. W139

0.1 MILES

Duck into this contemporary arts centre and ponder the multimedia exhibits, which often have an edgy political angle. Check the website for frequent…

6. Nieuwe Kerk

0.12 MILES

This 15th-century late-Gothic basilica is only ‘new’ in relation to the Oude Kerk – the city's Old Church, dating from 1306. A few monumental items…

7. Below the Surface

0.13 MILES

During the construction of Amsterdam's 2018-opened Noord/Zuidlijn (North–South metro line), more than 134,000 archaeological finds were unearthed from…

8. Kalverstraat

0.14 MILES

You're sure to end up on this crowded street at some point. Named after the livestock markets held here in the 17th century, Kalverstraat is now a place…