Rokin

Medieval Centre & Red Light District


South of the Dam, this street is part of the route most visitors take from Centraal Station into town, the name being a corruption of rak-in (inward reach). In the early 16th century the northern part was the site of the first Amsterdam stock exchange, which played a big part in spinning Golden Age riches.

The underground construction of the Noord/Zuidlijn metro line unearthed archaeological finds now displayed at the Rokin metro station.

Transportation

  • tram: 4/14/24 Rokin
  • metro: Rokin

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Medieval Centre & Red Light District attractions

1. Below the Surface

0.02 MILES

During the construction of Amsterdam's 2018-opened Noord/Zuidlijn (North–South metro line), more than 134,000 archaeological finds were unearthed from…

2. Papegaai

0.04 MILES

An unexpected oasis in the sea of consumerism on Kalverstraat, the curious Petrus en Pauluskerk, aka Papegaai, is a Catholic church from the 17th century…

3. Kalverstraat

0.04 MILES

You're sure to end up on this crowded street at some point. Named after the livestock markets held here in the 17th century, Kalverstraat is now a place…

4. Nes

0.05 MILES

Beyond the glare of the Red Light District runs this dark, narrow lane, home to theatres for more than 150 years. In 1614 Amsterdam's first bank opened in…

5. Civic Guard Gallery

0.07 MILES

Part of the Amsterdam Museum – consider it the free ‘teaser' – this gallery fills a laneway next to the museum’s entrance. It displays 15 grand posed…

6. Madame Tussauds Amsterdam

0.1 MILES

Sure, Madame Tussauds wax museum is overpriced and cheesy, but its focus on local culture makes it fun: 'meet' the Dutch royals, politicians, painters and…

7. Amsterdam Museum

0.1 MILES

Entrepreneurship, free thinking, citizenship and creativity are the four cornerstones of the multimedia DNA exhibit at this riveting museum, which splits…

8. Nationaal Monument

0.12 MILES

The obelisk on the Dam's eastern side was built in 1956 to commemorate WWII's fallen. Fronted by two lions, its pedestal has a number of symbolic statues:…

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  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
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      "continent": "Europe",
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