Visit the Oudekerkstoren
24 May – 31 October 2025
Climb the oldest tower in Amsterdam and enjoy a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings.
The Oudekerkstoren is 67 metres high and is the oldest tower in Amsterdam. The tower contains early 14th-century stones from the original church dating back to the very beginnings of the city. After a steep climb, you are rewarded at the top with the oldest panoramic view over Amsterdam.
Practical information
On Fridays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays you can climb the Oudekerkstoren (Oude Kerk Tower) accompanied by a guide. These tower tours start on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and from 1 August on Fridays, at 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and 5:00 pm. On Sundays, tours start at 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm. Tickets are available through Ticketstraet and at the entrance of the Oude Kerk, and can only be purchased in combination with an admission ticket to the Oude Kerk.
Please note: The tower tour is an add-on that can only be booked after selecting your visit date to the Oude Kerk. First, choose your visit day, then you can add a tower tour on an available date and time.
Visitor conditions
The climb consists of 155 steps up to a height of 67 metres and is therefore only suitable for people in good physical condition. The spaces inside the Oudekerk Tower are narrow and the stairs are steep. It is therefore important to wear appropriate footwear. The minimum height requirement is 1.20 metres.
About the Oudekerkstoren
Over time, the church tower has taken on various forms. Around 1306, a stone hall church replaced the wooden chapel from the 13th century, and in 1325 a church tower was completed that was nearly half the height of the current one. In 1510, it was fitted with bells, and half a century later it was raised in height. This was partly necessary because, due to the raising of the church building on one side, the bells were less audible. Additionally, the raising of the nave caused the tower to appear visually diminished. The city needed a tall landmark that could be seen from far and wide. In the 1730s, the tower took on its current form.
