Planning a trip
Hearing music in the Netherlands
The Concertgebouw is the atlas's example of a hall that relies on tone rather than show. The venue notes describe it as free of gimmicks, with sound shaped to carry the great orchestras. The programme covers classical, orchestral and jazz, and it suits listeners who want the music itself, with no spectacle around it.
The most useful tip concerns timing. Free concerts take place on Wednesday lunchtimes at 12:30, from September to June, and last until about 13:30. The hall is half-empty at those concerts, which lets the acoustic breathe. For the evening programme, with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, book three months ahead. Evening concerts typically begin at 20:15 and the box office opens from 10:00 to 19:00. The hall is closed on Christmas Day.
To get there, take tram 2, 5 or 12 to Concertgebouw. If you arrive at Amsterdam Centraal, take a tram south. It is five minutes' walk from the Museumplein, and the hall faces the Van Gogh and Stedelijk museums. Cyclists will find bike racks outside the main entrance.
FAQ
Questions people ask
Are there free concerts at the Concertgebouw?
Yes. Free lunchtime concerts take place on Wednesdays at 12:30 from September to June. The hall is typically half-empty, so the acoustic has more room to breathe, and the sound feels fuller than at a packed evening show.
How far ahead should you book Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra concerts?
The venue notes say to book about three months ahead for evening concerts by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Evening concerts typically start at 20:15, and the box office is open from 10:00 to 19:00.
How do you get to the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam?
Take tram 2, 5 or 12 to Concertgebouw, or walk five minutes from Museumplein. From Amsterdam Centraal, take a tram south. There are bike racks outside the main entrance.