It offers some good views of the city and is well worth a short visit.

The outdoor terrace is open during the summer season (April-October) and has good views looking out towards the south side of Amsterdam. Note, the large canopy and concrete pillar does restrict views of the sky and towards the west.

The library is the second largest in Europe after Birmingham. To access the terrace you should go up the lift or escalators to the 6th floor, then take another lift or stairs to the 7th level.

The Babel café-restaurant at Level 7 serves a simple selection of drinks and light meals. However, if you just want to go up to visit the terrace you are free to do so.

Some of the features of the sweeping panorama are now marked on transparent boards which also have info on other buildings of note in Amsterdam.

Particularly good views are available of the green NEMO Science Museum to the east which to some people looks like a ship’s hull.

Similar views can be seen by the front windows on the lower floors – which actually have better views of the sky without the top floor canopy.

Amsterdam Central Library is a nice place to hang out for a while and take in a free view of the city.

More panorama locations in Amsterdam include the nearby Luminair Rooftop bar and the A’DAM Lookout

OBA Central Library Terrace Essential Info

Last update 11 August 2026, article originally published in 2008.

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It is possible to climb the old church tower (Oudekerkstoren) by guided tour in the season which runs April to October. This gives very good 360° views of the surrounding area from a narrow square platform just over half-way up the tower.

The tower in its current form dates from the 1730s and is 67m in height including the wooden spire.

The tower tour can only be made in conjunction with a visit to the Oude Kerk itself. The meeting point for the tour starts under the monumental organ inside the church. The external door at the tower base is no longer used as access for tours.

There are no lifts in the Oudekerk – you will have to climb up narrow spiral staircases and steep step ladders – so it is not suitable for anyone with mobility issues.

There are a total of 155 steps over 7 levels to the viewing platform. Inside you will see a lot of wooden and metal beams which reinforce the old structure.

Highlights of the tour include:

• 47 bell carillon – the 14 heaviest bells date from 1658 and were cast by renowned bellfounder François Hemony. The remaining carillon bells date from the 20th century.
• The impressive bells on the 5th level, the largest of which weighs 3,700kg. They are still played by bell ringers using ropes.
• The mechanical music box on the 6th level which is used for time chimes.

Finally you reach the viewing platform itself and moving around is done in single file.

You will be able to spot some prominent Amsterdam buildings including Central Station, Beurs van Berlage, Zuiderkerk tower and St Nicholaaskerk.

According to the guide the tours are contracted to run for the 2025-2027 seasons. If you enjoy combining  history with some nice views of Amsterdam then the Oude kerk tower is worth a climb.

The Oudekerk is one of 3 church towers in Amsterdam centre that can usually be climbed – the others are Westerkerk tower (under renovation) and the Zuiderkerk tower.

Oude Kerk Tower Essential Info

Last update 24 September 2025, originally published in 2011.

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It is possible to go up onto its sloping stepped roof – where you can relax and enjoy fine views of the surrounding area – especially during good weather.

The NEMO panorama terrace is up to 22m high and can be reached by climbing up the steps on the eastern edge of the building. There is also a lift which is accessible from the museum foyer which takes you up to floor 5 (Dakplein).

It is freely open to the public – you do not need to pay admission to the museum.

The rooftop square was renovated in early 2025 and now has a more open plan with some wooden seating benches. There is a new green theme which features more wildlife-friendly plant areas at the sides of the roof. This has replaced the previous renewable energy installation.

Information boards explain the various features of the roof.

There is a small viewing platform at the top of the roof accessible by stairs which has an array of solar panels.

Looking out towards the west you will get views of central Amsterdam and Oosterdok which features Amsterdam’s central library (another good panorama point).

On the eastern side of NEMO is the Museum Haven (museum harbour) which contains a number of early 20th century boats. Further on you will also see Amsterdam’s Maritime Museum and the VOC ship.

At the very top you will find the rooftop restaurant for drinks and snacks.

There is also a new smaller cafe area at the bottom of the terrace.

The NEMO rooftop square is a pleasant place in central Amsterdam to both relax and enjoy a decent panorama. There are regular activities happening up on the rooftop, check in with the museum to see what’s on or ask one of the staff members on hand.

For panorama lovers, you will also find the Luminair rooftop bar and terrace nearby.

NEMO Science Museum Roof Essential Info

Last update 16 June 2025, originally published in 2010.

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Luminair is located on the 11th floor of the Amsterdam’s DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Amsterdam Central. As the name suggests, the hotel is found adjacent to Amsterdam Central station.

Luminair opened in summer 2023 and replaced the former Skylounge bar which had been a feature of the hotel since it opened back in 2011.

With a height of 43m, the Amsterdam DoubleTree Hilton hotel has quite a striking angular design with grey brick cladding and large glass windows. It has a prominent location on Oosterdok, the Eastern dock development in central Amsterdam.

Luminair is accessible by lift from the Doubletree Hilton hotel lobby area.

On entering you will find a long, narrow lounge space with tables next to floor-to-ceiling glass windows. There is a tea/coffee bar station in the middle and a circular island bar with stool seating at the end.

There are some nice designer touches such as the cloud-like ceiling drapes and at night the space is beautifully lit.

There is a large wooden-decked roof terrace which is open in spring/summer (it was closed when we took the photos on our last visit in late winter).

The eastern part of the space which was curtained off is now called Eclipse and is open for private hire for events up to 125 people. It has a small outdoor balcony terrace space as well.

This is what the terrace looks like in the summer:

Luminair Amsterdam Views

From the lounge you get fantastic sweeping views of Amsterdam towards the south side. Directly in front can be seen the domed St Nicolaaskerk church just across the water and the Oudekerk church tower a bit further beyond.

Looking south you can catch sight of the Zuiderkerk tower, the Rijksmuseum twin towers and Amsterdam Zuid business district in the far distance.

Looking west you will see Stationsplein at Amsterdam Central where the trams depart and in the distance the large office buildings of Amsterdam Sloterdijk.

There are also views to the north overlooking the train tracks of Amsterdam Central station, the IJ river and buildings at Amsterdam North including the white EyeFilm Museum and A’DAM Toren.

Luminair Amsterdam Menu

Luminair has a very extensive drinks menu including 8 signature cocktails ‘inspired by different gradients and intensities of visible light and warmth’.

The food menu features an array of international inspired bar-bites and a special Sunday brunch menu. You can check the full menu here

Whether you are here on business, visiting Amsterdam as a tourist or living locally, we would highly recommend a visit to Luminair. With its the ambience and fabulous views over the day and night, it is the best rooftop bar in Amsterdam.

If you wish to stay at the 4-star Doubletree Hilton Amsterdam Central then you can book a room here

Luminair Amsterdam Essential Info

Luminair Amsterdam Opening Hours Open to the public daily: 11:00-00:00 (Sun-Tue), 11:00-01:00 (Wed), 11:00-02:00 (Thu),11:00-03:00 (Fri-Sat).
Luminair Amsterdam Location Luminair is located on the 11th floor of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Amsterdam Central. It is accessible by lift from the hotel lobby, press for floor 11 marked Luminair-Eclipse. From the south (city) side of Amsterdam Central station look east and you can see the large grey Doubletree hotel building. Walk in an easterly direction on Stationsplein beyond the A side trams, cross the bridge and continue to the south-eastern side of the building where you will find the hotel entrance and lobby. The 400m walk should take around 5 mins. For those coming by car there is the nearby Parking Centrum Oosterdok which offers reasonable advance parking rates.
Luminair Amsterdam Address / Contact Luminair, DoubleTree by Hilton, Oosterdoksstraat 4, 1011 DK Amsterdam T: +31(0)20 530 0875, reservations@luminairamsterdam.com

Last update 20 January 2025, originally published in 2013.

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