15 Best Performing Arts Venues in Amsterdam, Netherlands

I amsterdam

Centrum Fodor's choice

The city's official website is a one-stop guide to all that's happening in Amsterdam and will link you to the cultural venues where you can purchase tickets.

Internationaal Theater Amsterdam

Leidseplein Fodor's choice
After burning down and being rebuilt several more times, the current Neo-Renaissance facade that dominates Leidseplein, with its lushly Baroque-style horseshoe interior, was created in 1894. Dutch theater is dynamic, strongly physical and visual, often with a hilarious, absurdest sense. Although the majority of the programming is in Dutch, there’s also a constant stream of visiting theater and dance companies plus, a selection of English-language performances and subtitled screenings. In 2018, the historic Amsterdam Stadsschouwburg merged with Toneelgroep Amsterdam to create the newly formed Internationaal Theater Amsterdam.

Paradiso

Leidseplein Fodor's choice
What started out a hippie squat in a former church has become an iconic Amsterdam venue for concerts by world-renowned artists, including bands like Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys, Blaudzun, and Jungle by Night. Check out Paradiso's website to see the latest line-up.

Recommended Fodor's Video

The Movies

Jordaan Fodor's choice

This theater's historic Art Deco ambience takes visitors back to the 1920s, perfectly setting the stage for art-house, indie, and international flicks.

Cinecenter

Leidseplein

Sleek, modern decor fills the lounge of this arthouse theater opposite the Melkweg, while four screens downstairs play independent, international films, and documentaries including some expat-friendly screenings with English subtitles.

Lijnbaansgracht 236, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1017 PH, Netherlands
020-623–6615

De Uitkijk

Leidseplein
In 1912, this small canalside "lookout," as its name means in Dutch, transformed from a store to a cinema, ranking it as the city's oldest. Red velvet seats and a small viewing balcony nod to its 1920s heyday, and in recent years the theater presents a diverse program of documentaries, kid flicks, Hollywood classics, and the odd mainstream film.
Prinsengracht 452, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1017 KE, Netherlands
020-223–2416

Frascati

Red Light District

This center for innovative and experimental theater has four venues where it puts on plays, often with an eye towards international audiences.

Koninklijk Theater Carré

Plantage

Although increasingly focused on commercial and large-scale musicals, this former circus theater (that still houses the annual World Christmas Circus) also schedules acclaimed Eastern European ballet and opera companies. International stars can be seen, too: Tom Waits, Idina Menzel, Dionne Warwick, and David Sedaris have all performed here.

Amstel 115-125, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1018 EM, Netherlands
0900-252–5255-for box office

Kriterion

Plantage

This cinema has been run by students since the end of World War II and reflects their world-embracing tastes (especially during the late showings of cult films). The adjoining café is always buzzing with chatty humanities types, but that's not to say that the long-graduated among us are unwelcome.

Roetersstraat 170, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1018 WE, Netherlands
020-623–1708

NDSM

Amsterdam-Noord

Former industrial shipyards have been reinvented as, quite possibly, the city's largest broedplaats, or "breeding ground" for the arts, where regular theater performances and festivals take place. And with a ferry departing from behind Centraal Station, getting here could not be easier.

T.T. Neveritaweg 61, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1033 WB, Netherlands
020-493--1070

Pathé City

Leidseplein
In 2010, the latest addition of Pathé cinemas opened in Leidseplein with seven screening rooms and a small bar.

Pathé Tuschinski

Rembrandtplein

Since 1921, this eclectic Art Deco reverie has been the most dazzling place for moviegoers to escape from reality. Owned by the country's main movie distributor, the theater has six screens showing the latest Hollywood blockbusters and the occasional art-house number. Before the lights go out, enjoy the beautiful interior of the main room.

Alternatively, head to nearby Pathé de Munt, the largest cinema in the city center. With 13 screens, showing the latest mainstream films, it's a typical blockbuster venue. Don't expect much charm, but there will be plenty of legroom, a state-of-the-art sound system, and huge screens. There are also sister theaters near Leidseplein (Pathé City) and in Zuid-Oost (Pathé Arena). All tickets can be booked via www.pathe.nl.

Rialto

De Pijp

Away from the madding crowds, this little old-worldly 1920s theater is noted for showing art-house cinema and more highbrow film classics. If you're looking to see a non-English language film, the best time to visit is on Monday evening when it's Expat Night and all subtitles are in English.

Studio K

Amsterdam-Oost

The Amsterdam foundation Kriterion, which has been promoting student-run business ventures since World War II, has added yet another venue to its résumé. This two-screen theater shows not only art-house and foreign films, but with a club, theater, open stage, and a restaurant-bar, it's a multidisciplinarian's dream come true.

Timorplein 62, Amsterdam, North Holland, 1094 CC, Netherlands
020-692–0422

Vlaams Cultuurhuis de Brakke Grond

Red Light District

This theater is the main venue for Flemish culture in the city but also plays host to the IDFA documentary film festival and other events. An atmospheric café with a terrace is perfect for pre- or post-viewing pleasure.