Nieuwmarkt Plaza
Amsterdam square featuring a historic daily market
Amsterdam's Nieuwmarkt centers on the 15th‑century De Waag building, surrounding cafés and market stalls. Visitors pass through for markets, Chinatown gates, canal-side terraces and access to the Old City.
Nieuwmarkt at a Glance#
Address: Nieuwmarkt, 1012 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Website: https://www.amsterdam.nl/
Hours: Open public square (always accessible); shops and cafés follow local business hours
About Nieuwmarkt#
Nieuwmarkt is a historic public square in central Amsterdam’s De Wallen district, within the old city centre. It is best known for the presence of the Waag, a prominent building on the square’s corner that occupies the site of a former medieval city gate.
The square is lined with cafés, restaurants and small shops, and functions as a social hub for the neighbourhood; outdoor seating and terraces are common in warmer months. The Waag anchors the space and is frequently used for dining, exhibitions and events.
The site has been used as a market and meeting place since medieval times; the corner building began life as part of the city’s fortifications and later served as a weigh house and guildhall. The open-plan square developed as the surrounding urban fabric evolved through the early modern period.
Situated in Amsterdam’s central canal belt in the De Wallen neighbourhood, the square lies east of Dam Square and near Amsterdam’s Chinatown and several canals. It is accessible by the Nieuwmarkt metro station and by nearby tram stops.
- Waag: Built on the site of a late medieval city gate and later used as a weigh house and guildhall, the building is one of the square’s main historic landmarks.
- Transport: Served directly by the Nieuwmarkt metro station on Amsterdam’s metro network, with tram lines and central attractions within short walking distance.
What to See#
- Waag: Corner building dating to the late medieval period that occupies the former Sint Antoniespoort; it now houses cafés and cultural spaces and is a focal point on the square.
How to Get to Nieuwmarkt#
Nieuwmarkt sits in Amsterdam’s Centrum district, a short tram ride from Centraal Station (tram lines 13, 17) or a 10-15 minute walk through the old town. The square is pedestrian-friendly and easily reached on foot or by bicycle.
Tips for Visiting Nieuwmarkt#
- Visit on weekday mornings to enjoy quiet cafés and to watch the wholesale market activity in nearby streets.
- Look for the hidden courtyards and the small Jewish history plaques - Nieuwmarkt has layered histories beneath its contemporary market hustle.
- Sit at a canal-side café and watch the square's light shift; the late-afternoon glow is especially flattering to the old brick façades.
Best Time to Visit Nieuwmarkt#
Spring through early autumn is best for outdoor market life and canal-side café seating.
Weather & Climate near Nieuwmarkt#
Nieuwmarkt's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (874 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 74 mm | overcast | 91% | 5.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.1h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 55 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.7h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 9° | 2° | 70 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.1 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Good | 4° - 12° | 6° | 50 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.6 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Very Good | 8° - 17° | 13° | 54 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.5h |
| June | Good | 11° - 20° | 15° | 74 mm | overcast | 79% | 4.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.5h |
| July | Good | 13° - 22° | 17° | 71 mm | overcast | 79% | 4.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.0h |
| August | Very Good | 13° - 22° | 17° | 63 mm | overcast | 80% | 3.8 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.5h |
| September | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 87 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.1 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 14° | 11° | 92 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 4° | 99 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.6h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 7° | 1° | 85 mm | overcast | 92% | 5.1 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.5h |
