Monument · Old Centre, Amsterdam

Begijnhof

Begijnhof
Photo: Massimo Catarinella, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Begijnhof was home to the Beguines, a community of unmarried and widowed women, from the Middle Ages until the 20th century. It remains a quiet residential courtyard with two churches, the English Reformed Church and the Begijnhof Chapel. Look for Het Houten Huys, one of only two wooden-fronted houses left in the city, dating from the 15th or early 16th century.

Updated September 27, 2026On day 3 of Amsterdam by Bike

Visiting Begijnhof: what to know

Tickets
Free entry.
Time needed
20 to 40 minutes.
Best time
Early morning to avoid crowds.
Getting there
Walk from Spui square or nearby tram stops.

Amsterdam itineraries with Begijnhof

Day 3 of Amsterdam by Bike

Old Centre History

How Begijnhof fits into a day.
  1. 9:30Royal Palace AmsterdamDam Square
  2. 11:30Begijnhof Hidden CourtyardBegijnhof
  3. 14:45Oude Kerk & Red Light District HistoryOude Kerk
See all 3 days
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Begijnhof FAQs

Can visitors enter the houses in the Begijnhof?

Only the courtyard and churches are open to the public. The houses remain private residences.

Is photography allowed in the Begijnhof?

Yes, but respect residents' privacy and avoid photographing inside the churches during services.

When was the Begijnhof founded?

It dates back to the 14th century, with the first mention in 1389.

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