A’DAM LOOKOUT
The A’DAM LOOKOUT is a viewing point on top of the A’DAM Toren (Amsterdam Tower) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The 22-story building was built in 1965 by Royal Dutch Shell and has housed the management of Shell and some of it’s general services for years. In 2009 Shell left the building. The former Shell building was renovated and redeveloped and now houses companies, bars, restaurants and the spectacular rooftop observation deck. Since the mast was placed on top of the building, the height of the building is approximately 100 meters (328 ft.)
The A’DAM LOOKOUT was opened in 2016, joining the European observation points of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Fernsehturm in Berlin, the Atomium in Brussels and the London Eye in England. On the roof is Europe’s highest swing. You swing over the edge of the tower at a thrilling height of almost 100 meters above the ground. Inside the A’DAM LOOKOUT, you can take a seat in the Amsterdam VR Ride. Put on the VR glasses and find yourself in a lifelike roller coaster ride right through the city. The Sky Bar and Panorama Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks.
The building is easy to spot as it’s situated right next to the building of the Eye Film Institute in the North part of Amsterdam, just across Amsterdam’s waterfront at the IJ, which is at the backside of Amsterdam Centraal station. It’s therefore easy to reach by public transport. Free ferries cross the water of the IJ every 4 to 6 minutes and it only takes 5 minutes to cross the water.
Address
A’DAM Lookout
Overhoeksplein 5
1031 KS Amsterdam
More information
- A’DAM LOOKOUT official website
- Online ticket sales
- Wikipedia, A’DAM Toren
- A’DAM Toren official website
- TripAdvisor
- I amsterdam
Other sources
This article is meant for the vast majority of travelers and covers the most important options. If you are looking for detailed information, or if you are traveling to or from less visited locations, then consult other sources:
- A’DAM LOOKOUT on Google Maps & Google Street View
- Travel planner NS (Dutch Railways)
- GVB The municipal public transport operator for Amsterdam
- 9292 For planning the entire trip, including bus, tram and metro
- 9292 Stop Veer Buiksloterweg, Amsterdam > Live ferry departures
- 9292 Bushalte CS IJzijde, Amsterdam > Live bus departures
- OV-chipkaart Home
How do I get there?
The city center of Amsterdam is quite small. Since you can visit the A’DAM LOOKOUT by a 5 minutes free ferry ride plus a 3 minutes walk, from the backside of Amsterdam Centraal station, which is in the city center of Amsterdam, most people visit the attraction simply by foot or by rented bike. Although, a bike is not necessary to visit the A’DAM LOOKOUT, as it’s just a 3 minutes walk from the ferry, you can take your bike on the ferry for free. From the Bijenkorf department store on Dam Square, the trip by foot & ferry will take 21 minutes.
A’DAM Toren has it’s own parking garage beneath the building. It is possible to park your car on the street near the A’DAM LOOKOUT. However, the area surrounding the A’DAM Toren, basically is an area for pedestrians and cyclists. Consequently, the number of parking places available on the street is limited. Taxis in The Netherlands are expensive and taxis to the A’DAM LOOKOUT have to take a detour, so the best way to visit the attraction is by foot & ferry, rented bike & ferry, or by public transport.
Public transport options
The A’DAM LOOKOUT is located just across Amsterdam’s waterfront at the IJ, which is at the backside of Amsterdam Centraal station in the city center of Amsterdam. You can visit the A’DAM LOOKOUT by a 5 minutes free ferry ride, from the backside of the station plus a 3 minutes walk. The best public transport option for you depends on your starting point (e.g. hotel or railway station). You can reach Amsterdam Centraal station from 9 other railway stations in the Amsterdam area and also from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
The map below shows the main tram and metro stops near the A’DAM LOOKOUT.
(Click to open a large map in new tab)
The metro/tram map below, might help you to find the best options for you.
(Click to open a large map in new tab)
Best options
T = Tram, M = Metro, B = Bus, F = Ferry, > = Transfer
| From | Number | Stop | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam Centraal station | F3 | Buiksloterweg | + 3 minutes walk |
| Amsterdam Zuid station | M52 > F3 | Buiksloterweg | Transfer to ferry at Amsterdam Centraal station |
| Amsterdam RAI station | M52 > F3 | Buiksloterweg | Transfer to ferry at Amsterdam Centraal station |
| Amsterdam Amstel station | M51, M53, M52 > F3 | Buiksloterweg | Transfer to ferry at Amsterdam Centraal station |
| Amsterdam Sloterdijk station | Train to Amsterdam Centraal station > F3 | Buiksloterweg | Transfer to ferry at Amsterdam Centraal station |
| Amsterdam Lelylaan station | Train to Amsterdam Centraal station > F3 | Buiksloterweg | Transfer to ferry at Amsterdam Centraal station |
| Duivendrecht station | M50, M54 > F3 | Buiksloterweg | Transfer to ferry at Amsterdam Centraal station |
| Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA station | M50, M54 > F3 | Buiksloterweg | Transfer to ferry at Amsterdam Centraal station |
| Amsterdam Muiderpoort railway station | Train to Amsterdam Centraal station > F3 | Buiksloterweg | Transfer to ferry at Amsterdam Centraal station |
| Amsterdam Noord | M52 > F3 | Buiksloterweg | Transfer to ferry at Amsterdam Centraal station |
| Schiphol Airport railway station | Train to Amsterdam Centraal station > F3 | Buiksloterweg | Transfer to ferry at Amsterdam Centraal station More information |
Entrance & ticket boot
The entrance to the A’DAM LOOKOUT is at the waterfront-side of the building, just a 3 minutes walk from the ferry. The ticket office near the entrance only accepts debit- and credit card payments, no cash. It’s better to purchase tickets online and in advance. You often get a € 2,– discount per ticket, when you purchase your tickets on the website, depending on the type of ticket.
Amsterdam Centraal station
Amsterdam Centraal Station is the largest railway station in Amsterdam, both for national and international trains. It’s also an important transfer hub, as many trams, local and regional buses and metros stop here. Amsterdam Centraal station is often the final stop of the line. At the north side of the building, free blue-and-white ferries for pedestrians, cyclists and mopeds cross the River IJ, heading to the Amsterdam-Noord (north) borough, where the A’DAM LOOKOUT is located. At the front side of the building (the south- city center side) are the the tram platforms, the main Amsterdam tourist office, as well as some departure quays for tourist boats which cruise the city’s famous canals.
Amsterdam Centraal station was designed by Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers and opened in 1889. Cuypers’ design of the building resembled his other architectural masterpiece, the Rijksmuseum, of which the construction had begun in 1876. While Cuypers was the principal architect of the station, it is believed that he focused mostly on the decoration of the station building and left the structural design to railway engineers. It features a Gothic, Renaissance Revival station building and a cast iron platform roof spanning approximately 40 meters. Since 1997, the station building, underground passages, metro station, and the surrounding area have been undergoing major reconstruction and renovation works to accommodate the North-South Line metro route, which was opened on 22 July 2018.
Most visitors to the A’DAM LOOKOUT will travel via Amsterdam Centraal station, as Central station is is just a free 5 minutes ferry ride plus 3 minutes walk away.
Trams to Centraal Station
There are two major tram platforms at Stationsplein, near the station’s main entrance at the south/city center side of Amsterdam.
A. Tram 4, 14, 24 and 26 stop at platform A, east side. These trams (except tram 26) pas the city center of Amsterdam, crossing Dam Square and passing the Bijenkorf department store.
B. Tram 2, 12, 13 and 17 stop at platform B, west side. Those trams pass the city center and Dam Square at the west side of the square, behind the Royal Palace Amsterdam.
Walking route from two tram platforms.
As the two tram platforms are at the at the south/city center side of Amsterdam, you have to cross the station building to the north side of the building. There are 2 ways to do this:
Underpass outside
If you just want to go to the other side of the building fast and easily, without going inside the busy station hall, just follow the front of the building to the left/west side. At the west side of the building, there’s a an underpass for pedestrians and cyclists, leading to the waterfront and ferry F3 Buiksloterweg. There’s also an underpass at the east side (near tram platform A), but using this underpass is NOT recommended and even dangerous, as this underpass is meant for busses and trams.
For Platform B, it’s the same. Just follow the building to the left.
At the end of building, just in front of the white bike rental, turn right and follow the underpass to the end.
Corridors inside
You can also cross the building by using one of the corridors on the ground floor, which cross the train platforms above. You have to check-in near the main entrance, using your OV-chipkaart, and check out again at the exit at the north side of the building near platform 13,14 and 15. No money will be charged, as you do not travel between two train stations. The public transport card is is only needed to open the turnstiles. In the corridors, there’s a nice collection of shops and bars. The corridor at the farthest right/east-side of the building, is just a no frills walkway. At the north side of the station building, there are shops and eateries as well.
Metro lines to Centraal Station
Four metro lines stop at metro station Centraal Station. Metro 53 and 54 connect the city center with the suburban residential towns of Diemen, Duivendrecht and Amsterdam-Zuidoost (the city’s southeastern borough), while metro 51 first runs south and then follows a circular route connecting the southern and western boroughs. A fourth route, metro 52, runs from Amsterdam-Zuid to the Amsterdam-Noord (north) borough via metro station Amsterdam Centraal.
Map of current Amsterdam Metro routes to A’DAM LOOKOUT via metro station Amsterdam Centraal.
Metro 52
Since July 2018, metro 52 (North/Southline) runs between Amsterdam Zuid station via Amsterdam Centraal station and on to Amsterdam-Noord). For this metro, Amsterdam Centraal station is just a stop on the route. Taking the ferry is much easier, nicer and faster than taking metro 52 to Amsterdam-Noord (north), as it takes about 20 minutes to walk to the nearest metro station, named Noorderpark.
The stop at Centraal Station, exit IJ-zijde, is just a 3 minutes walk from ferry F3 to Buiksloterweg (A’DAM LOOKOUT). Make sure you travel in the right direction. Use the metro map above to determine whether you have to take metro 52 in the north or south direction. Most people will start their trip at the city center-side of Amsterdam and consequently will have too take metro 52 in the northern direction (dutch: Noord), and exit at Amsterdam Centraal.
After exiting the metro at metro station Amsterdam Centraal, follow the signs Uitgang (exit) IJ-zijde / Ferry. From this exit it’s a 3 minutes walk to ferry F3 to Buiksloterweg (A’DAM LOOKOUT).
Metro (51), 53, 54
This is the old metro line (Eastline), starting at Amsterdam-Southeast (Bijlmer, Amsterdam Zuid-Oost) and heading to Amsterdam Centraal station. This is the last stop on the line. After exiting the metro at metro station Amsterdam Centraal, follow the signs Uitgang (exit) IJ-zijde / Ferry. From this exit it’s a 3 minutes walk to ferry F3 to Buiksloterweg (A’DAM LOOKOUT).
Busses
Many local and regional buses stop at the bus station attached to the station building (Bushalte CS IJzijde, Amsterdam), which is at a platform on the first floor at the north side / back of the station building, near the ferries. You can reach the ground floor by stairs, elevators and escalators.
Busses from Noord-Holland
There are frequent regional busses from several towns in the province of Noord-Holland to Amsterdam Centraal station:
| From | Bus | Halte |
|---|---|---|
| De Rijp, Purmerend | 305 | CS IJzijde |
| Purmerend | 306 | CS IJzijde |
| Hoorn | 314 | CS IJzijde |
| Edam, Volendam | 316 | CS IJzijde |
| Zaandam | 391 & 394 | CS IJzijde |
Bus 38
Bus stop Buiksloterwegveer is close to the ferry stop and the A’DAM LOOKOUT. This is a stop on the route of bus 38, which is a local bus cruising through the Amsterdam-Noord (north) borough. Bus 38 brings the inhabitants and visitors of Amsterdam-Noord (north) to/from the ferry and to/from Noord metro station. Bus 38 also stops near a couple of hotels in the north part of Amsterdam, like YOTEL Amsterdam, Bastion Hotel Amsterdam Noord, Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam, i hotel and Hotel Isis. Bus 38 does NOT stop at one of Amsterdam’s railway stations.
Walking route from the metro station to ferry F3 Buiksloterweg.
Metro station Amsterdam Centraal has exits near the front/city center side of Amsterdam Centraal station as well as an exit near the back / waterfront / IJ-side of the building. The exit at the back of the building is just a 3 minutes walk from ferry F3 to Buiksloterweg (A’DAM LOOKOUT). When you exit the metro station at the city center side, you have to cross the building as is described above for the tram platforms.
Walking route from the train platforms to ferry F3 Buiksloterweg.
The route from the train platforms on the first floor of Amsterdam Centraal station is basically the same, as the stairs, escalators and elevators go to one of the corridors downstairs. Just go downstairs and make sure you walk in the direction of the the farthest platforms (13, 14, 15). Just outside you can check out, using your OV-chipkaart.
At IJ-side, you turn to the left to reach ferry F3. You can choose whether to walk outside using the sidewalk to the ferry, or inside trough the covered shopping and restaurant area.
From the ferry stop at the other side
When the ferry reaches the other side, which takes 5 minutes, you’ll immediately will see which way to go as you see the A’DAM Toren and the Eye Filmmuseum left of the ferry stop. Just walk to the left and cross the bridge for bicycles and pedestrians to the entrance of the A’DAM LOOKOUT. Besides pedestrians, many bikes and scooters leave the ferry as well, so take care and make sure you walk on the side walk at the left and NOT on the bike path.
Schiphol Airport railway station
The railway station is beneath the airport. From the airport you can take a train to Amsterdam Centraal station approximately every 10 minutes, 17 minutes later you’ll arrive. After exiting the train, use the escalators or elevators to go down to one of the 3 hallways, which cross the station building. Follow the signs Uitgang (exit) IJ-zijde. These are the exits near the farthest platforms (13, 14, 15). From the exits, it’s a 2 minutes walk to ferry F3 to Buiksloterweg (A’DAM LOOKOUT). The ferry leaves approximately every 6 minutes, and the ride takes 5 minutes. So, it’s possible to travel from Schiphol Airport railway station to the A’DAM LOOKOUT within 45 minutes. Click here for further information on this route.
Enjoy your trip to the A’DAM LOOKOUT!
Last update: August 30, 2022
