Monument
Begijnhof
A tranquil medieval courtyard near the Spui, with the city's oldest wooden house.
Photo: ̶SAAD / Google
- Area
- Spui — books, brown cafés and the city's quietest courtyard
- Entry
- Free
- Type
- Monument
About the experience
Step off the busy Spui through an unassuming gate and the Begijnhof opens up — a hushed medieval courtyard of gabled houses around a green lawn, hidden in the middle of the city. It was founded centuries ago as a home for the Beguines, lay religious women, and remains a quiet residential haven.
What to see
At its heart stand two churches — the English Reformed Church and a hidden Catholic chapel — and Het Houten Huys, one of the oldest wooden houses in Amsterdam, dating from around 1420.
It's a place to slow down rather than tick off sights: a few minutes of calm a step away from the crowds.
Good to know
Entry is free, but this is a living courtyard — keep your voice down and respect residents' privacy. It's open during daytime hours.
You'll find the gate just off the Spui, moments from the Nine Streets.
The Beguines occupied an unusual position in religious life: they belonged to a Catholic community but did not take the permanent vows of nuns. Their way of life allowed more independence than a convent, including the possibility of leaving to marry. The Reformation later reshaped the courtyard’s religious landscape, with its medieval church passing into Protestant use. That history helps explain why different Christian traditions are represented within such a small space today.
For a gentle continuation of your visit, explore the bookshops around the Spui or browse the stalls when the square’s book market is taking place. Nearby, the Amsterdam Museum’s former orphanage complex on the Kalverstraat offers another glimpse of the institutions that shaped this part of the city. Alternatively, head towards the Singel for a canal-side walk, then settle into a brown café: the contrast between enclosed courtyards and lively streets is part of the neighbourhood’s appeal.
Photo gallery
Photo: Jiří Šustr / Google · Photo: Jesús / Google · Photo: Romy Mlinzk (snoopsmaus) / Google · Photo: henk piek / Google · Photo: 堀江文雄 / Google
What to expect
Amsterdam's oldest wooden house (Het Houten Huys, c. 1420)
The English Reformed Church and the hidden Catholic chapel
A green, silent courtyard a step away from Spui
Plaques and tilework recording the Beguine community
Tips from locals
Visit early or late — daytime gets a small but steady flow of visitors.
Lower your voice and don't photograph the front doors of the houses; residents value privacy.
The entrance is easy to miss — it's the small arched gate on Gedempte Begijnensloot, off Spui.
Slip into the English Reformed Church if it's open; the Pilgrim Fathers worshipped here.
Did you know?
The Begijnhof was founded in the 14th century — the only medieval inner courtyard of Amsterdam to survive almost untouched.
Het Houten Huys at number 34 dates from around 1420 and is the oldest house in the city.
The Beguines were lay Catholic women who lived in community without becoming nuns — the last one in the Begijnhof died in 1971.
After the Reformation, Catholic worship was banned in public; the Beguines built a hidden chapel inside the courtyard that is still in use.
The English Reformed Church on the courtyard hosted the Pilgrim Fathers before their voyage to America.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Begijnhof free to enter?
Yes — it's free and open to the public during daytime hours, but it's a residential courtyard so visitor numbers are managed.
What are the opening hours?
Roughly 09:00–17:00 daily, although the gate may close earlier in winter.
Why is it so quiet?
People still live here. Visitors are asked to speak softly, not enter the houses, and not photograph residents' doors.
What is the oldest building?
Het Houten Huys at number 34, dating to around 1420 — the oldest wooden house in Amsterdam.
Where is the entrance?
Through a small arched gate just off Spui square, easy to walk past.
Begijnhof
Begijnhof 30, Amsterdam