Het Begijnhof

Originating some 700 years ago, this place is a tranquil, quiet courtyard hidden between the University of Amsterdam and the Amsterdam museum. I almost want to give it a one star review to discourage visitors because this is an actual courtyard with likely beleaguered tenants residing in the walls surrounding it since the place was teeming with fanny-​packing tourists when I rolled through.
The architecture of the houses surrounding the courtyard were on the obviously old-​timey side, such that they appear as tall, Amsterdam-​style buildings (that style is literally eponymous) with many windows stacked one on top of the other and most rebuilt facades dating from two to three hundred years ago.
I will state that Amsterdam has many hidden courtyards. I walked into at least two secret underground bookshops and found dazzling Dutch architecture just by uninvitedly walking into open courtyard gates. Even though Begijnhof was the most commercial courtyard I had seen, it was also the largest and most magnificent.

One of the best Amsterdam’s historical hidden gems, the Bejinhof is a closed courtyard cut off from all the noise and rushed life of the city. Although it’s located in the Spui — a very busy area of the city — the place has a sanctified atmosphere.
The Bejinhof (Béguinage) was built as a sanctuary and living place for Catholic sisters (Begijntjes or Beguines) who lived like nuns — although they never took oficial vows — and dates from the 14^th century.
The houses in the courtyard have gone under a lot of renovation since then, and some of them even got demolished and re-​built. A big part of the yard and its chapel were destroyed by the great Amsterdam fires in the 1400’s due to the fact that many of these structures were built with wood, but the houses and the chapel were restored with bricks instead.
In the small yard you can admire the architecture of the beautiful houses that overlook a lovely green garden with a couple statues. You can also check out Amsterdam’s oldest surviving house, Het Houten Huis. In the south part of the yard is the English Church (Engelse Kerk) that still has it’s original medieval tower, so remember to look up to see it!
Although the last beguine — Sister Antonia — died in 1971, the place is still occupied by single women. You are expected to be respectful, very quiet and to not create any commotion while you are visiting the yard and the chapel. Also, mind the bars that say «for residents» in the yard.

Gem of a spot hidden in the middle of Amsterdam — it was like walking into an Oasis and I loved the quiet and the birdsong and just the general calm ambience that pervaded the gardens. We found about this because of the free Amsterdam walking tour and its location is great — the gardens are located close to the Amsterdam Museum.

A lot of tourists makes it not so calm and peaceful but still quiet. Take your time. It is a nice break from the buzy streets.
It is a bit tricky to find behind the Amsterdam Museum. All my maps showed different positions.
They close the area to the public at 5pm — respect that.

A little oasis of serenity in a bustling city, this is a quiet courtyard lined with picturesque houses and has a touching history. The Beginhof was once a refuge for Beguines, pious women. Today, the courtyard is enclosed by subsidized housing for elderly women. As an American, I was especially touched to see the Engelese Kerk, built in 1420. A refuge for those suffering from religious persecution in England, it is the site where the Pilgrims prayed before sailing on the Mayflower for religious freedom in America. Do check out the poignant stained glass depiction of this.

This is a nice peaceful escape from the hubbub and noise that usually comes with touristy place. Not that this place isn’t touristy – it is, but everyone at least feels obligated to be silent which is nice. It’s a beautiful courtyard and the fact that tourists are even allowed into this place is wonderful. There are two hidden churches in here – one you would never expect. It also has the oldest building in Amsterdam – I believe it’s from the 1500s or so and still made from wood which is insane.
tldr; great place to see for some peaceful tourism

I stopped in for another look around. The Begijnhof is one of the places I like to stop in for a looksee each visit to Amsterdam. It’s very peaceful and tranquil right in the middle of bustling Amsterdam. I found the gable stones near one of the entrances really interesting. I wish I spoke Dutch and understood the interpretation of the stones. Have a looksee (there’s about eight of them in the southern corner of the begijnhof). I liked the one of the girl showing some boobie and the other with some people in an oven!

Really worth a visit, this is a beautiful, tranquil piece of peaceful green in an otherwise quite hectic and brown city.
Please remember that this is home for many people. There is a very polite notice asking that noise be kept to a minimum, that no photos be taken and no tour groups enter. Unfortunately most people there ignored these requests. I wouldn’t blame the residents for refusing entry to tourists in the future.

Hello FREE Amsterdam.
Well it’s free because there isn’t much to do other than take a time out and get lost in the tranquility. Here stands Amsterdam’s oldest inner court, and former home of the Beguines — a group of women who formed this religious live in community, primarily to look after the sick. The houses are still occupied so certain paths are restricted. Perhaps this is secret Amsterdam because there wasn’t alot of pedestrian traffic when I visited.
I spent an hour here, decompressing after a long day of walking and sightseeing (a quick walk from the Amsterdam Museum). The atmosphere is very reverent and allows for some internal reflection, perhaps even spiritual reflection in the chapel, if that’s your thing. [Towards the end of my trip, I seriously considered going in exile here. Forgive me Father, for I have sinned…]
Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area. And remember, shhhhhhhhhhhh!

Tucked away in a little corner in central Amsterdam, the Begijnhof stands out from the rest of the city center, where greenscapes are hard to come by. I found it to be really peaceful and beautiful, and loved the history of seeing the oldest wooden house still in Amsterdam (only one of two!). Not too much to actually see or do here, but it’s a nice place to pop in and see during your trip to Amsterdam.

Beginhof is such a beautiful community that holds so many stories of Amsterdam, the middle ages, Catholic religion and reform of the Protestants. It’s one my favorite places to visit in Amsterdam. I always enjoy visiting this serene community. Begijnhof is one of the most impressive historic communities in the Netherlands. I believe if those walls could talk, then it would tell us so many fascinating stories about when the history of Amsterdam came under Calvinist rule.
The characteristics of this religious community were on the lines of a private convent for women and an example of the Catholic religion existence. However, the only contrast is that these women had a bit more freedom outside of the church. The infrastructure of the buildings depicts a private courtyard with Amsterdam style town-​homes and gable stones depicting the old saints. Also, here is a great tip to keep in mind if you are looking for a place to attend service or get hitched in a chapel, then this location is the perfect site as well. It’s now used by the English church for service, personal talks, or to reserve a wedding.

Beautiful. That does not even describe how nice it is here. Pilgrims came here on the Mayflower before going to future-​America because of how tolerant Amsterdam/​The Netherlands is and this area specifically. Really nice place to come and relax on a nice, hot day. Remember to be quiet though as people do live and worship there!