Koninklijk Theater Carré in Amsterdam
Koninklijk Theater Carré is Amsterdam's 19th-century circus theatre on the Amstel: 1,752 seats, six minutes on foot from Weesperplein metro, and parking from €22.50 at Q-Park Centrum Oost for the evening.
Photo credits
The white historic façade of Koninklijk Theater Carré beside the Amstel in Amsterdam.: Esmee Tijdeman / Koninklijk Theater Carré · Venue website
Quick answers
- Capacity
- 1,752 seats
- Address
- Amstel 115-1251018 EM Amsterdam
- Nearest stop
- Weesperplein: metro 51, 53, 54; tram 1, 7, 19 - 6 min walk
- From Amsterdam Centraal
- 30 min walk, or metro 51, 53, 54 to Weesperplein
- Parking
- Q-Park Centrum Oost, 11 min walk, €22.50 event deal
- Bags
- A4-size handbag maximum; free cloakroom
- Evening timing
- Usually 20:00-22:30; doors 45 min before
- Contact
- +31 20 524 9453
Koninklijk Theater Carré agenda: upcoming events
Tonight, this week and the months ahead at this venue in Amsterdam.
Plan your visit to Koninklijk Theater Carré
How many seats does Carré have?
Carré's auditorium seats 1,752 people according to Wikidata; Wikipedia gives 1,756. The theatre sells one seat per ticket, and the exact count can differ with the layout of a show.
- Seats
- 1,752 (Wikidata)
- Wikipedia count
- 1,756
- Larger than
- Paradiso (1,500) and Tuschinski (1,290)
At 1,752 seats Carré is larger than Paradiso (1,500), Tuschinski (1,290) and the Stadsschouwburg (750). The auditorium is the theatre's main room; the building also has foyers and the In de Nok restaurant, which are not counted in the seat total.
| Venue | Seats |
|---|---|
| Koninklijk Theater Carré | 1,752 |
| Paradiso | 1,500 |
| Koninklijk Theater Tuschinski | 1,290 |
| Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam | 750 |
Which rank should I book at Carré?
Carré sells the ranks Stalles, Parterre, Loge, Balkon and Galerij. Stalles is step-free; Parterre needs a few steps; Loge, Balkon and Galerij use the lift and then stairs.
- Stalles
- Ground floor, step-free
- Parterre
- A few steps, no lift
- Loge
- Lift to the first floor; each box has its own door
- Balkon
- Lift to the first floor, then stairs
- Galerij
- Lift to the second floor, then stairs; separate entrance
- Seat sides
- Even numbers on the left, odd numbers on the right
Because the ranks change per performance, Carré does not publish one fixed plan: check the rank on your ticket and use the theatre's online map with Google Street View to look around the auditorium before booking. Wheelchair spaces are in Stalles rows 16 and 17, reached via the right-hand corridor and an 18% ramp. For the least walking, choose Stalles; for a box, choose Loge.
- Choose Stalles for step-free access; the wheelchair spaces are here.
- Check the rank for your date, because the layout varies per show.
- The map page links to a Street View tour of the auditorium.
Can I eat at Carré before the show?
Yes: In de Nok, Carré's restaurant in the roof, serves a three-course menu with meat, fish and vegan dishes. Book with your tickets or in Mijn Carré; a €25 deposit is settled on the bill.
Dinner is tied to a performance, and you choose a time in Mijn Carré. The restaurant and all foyers are wheelchair accessible, and guide dogs are welcome. For the interval, the Intermezzo Royale gives you a reserved table, a glass of champagne or a cocktail (also alcohol-free) and a snack board for €20 per person. The bars are PIN-only.
- Restaurant
- In de Nok, in the roof of the theatre
- Menu
- Three courses; choose meat, fish or vegan
- Deposit
- €25, deducted from the bill
- Booking deadline
- 16:00 on the day, subject to availability
- Interval package
- Intermezzo Royale, €20 per person
- Payment
- PIN only in the theatre
What time do performances at Carré start?
Evening performances usually start at 20:00 and finish around 22:30; matinees usually run from 15:00 to 17:30. Doors and the box office open 45 minutes before the show.
Most evening shows in the current agenda start at 20:00, with some earlier in the evening; matinees are usually at 15:00. A typical performance runs about 2 hours 30 minutes including the interval. These are patterns, not a promise: the start time on your ticket is the one that counts, and the end can vary with the show.
- Evening
- Usually 20:00, ending around 22:30
- Matinee
- Usually 15:00-17:30
- Doors
- 45 minutes before the start
- Box office
- 45 minutes before; closed on days without a show
- Running time
- About 2 hours 30 minutes including the interval
How do I buy tickets for Carré?
Buy online at any time, by phone on weekdays from 12:00 to 17:00, or at the box office from 45 minutes before a performance. The theatre is PIN-only.
Online orders carry a booking fee that varies by performance. Tickets can be shown on your phone. If you lose your ticket, the box office can print a duplicate from one hour before the show against valid ID. For groups larger than 12, contact [email protected].
- Online
- 24 hours a day
- Phone
- Mon-Fri 12:00-17:00, 020-5249453
- Box office
- From 45 minutes before the show; closed without a performance
- Online payment
- iDEAL/Wero, Visa/Mastercard, American Express, PODIUM and Carré gift cards
- Theatre payment
- PIN only
- Groups
- More than 12 people via [email protected]
What can I take into the auditorium?
Only small handbags up to A4 size may go into the auditorium; larger bags and coats go in the free cloakroom.
Staff may check coats and bags at the entrance and can confiscate items at their discretion. Leave large bags in the cloakroom: they block the evacuation routes and are not allowed in the hall. Drinks cannot be taken to your seat; finish them in the foyer.
- Bag size
- A4 maximum
- Cloakroom
- Free
- Security
- Staff may check bags and confiscate items
- Drinks
- Not allowed in the auditorium
Is Carré accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes. Carré has three wheelchair spaces in Stalles rows 16 and 17, a step-free route via the right-hand corridor and an 18% ramp, three lifts and two accessible toilets on the ground floor.
Book your wheelchair space and a companion seat in advance through the box office. Stalles is step-free; Parterre has a few steps; Loge is reached by lift; Balkon and Galerij need the lift plus stairs. The theatre's accessibility map shows the routes, and the information desk is open from 17:30 to 20:30. For help, email [email protected].
- Wheelchair spaces
- 3 in Stalles rows 16-17
- Companion seats
- 1-2 next to each space
- Ramp
- 18% gradient
- Lifts
- 3
- Accessible toilets
- 2 on the ground floor, with alarm
- Hearing
- AURI receiver free at the box office
- Assistance dogs
- Welcome
- Information desk
- 17:30-20:30
What are the house rules at Carré?
Carré is a smoke-free, PIN-only theatre. You need a valid ticket, photography during the performance is not allowed, and latecomers are admitted only at a suitable moment.
Late arrivals wait until the artists' cue allows entry; in some cases no late seating is possible. Tickets can be shown on your phone, and a duplicate can be printed from one hour before the show with valid ID. Staff may check bags at the entrance.
- Ticket
- Valid ticket required; a digital ticket is accepted
- Late arrival
- Admitted at a suitable moment; your own seat is not guaranteed
- Smoking
- Smoke-free
- Photography
- Not during the performance
- Payment
- PIN only
- Security
- Staff may search bags
How do I get to Carré?
The nearest stop is Weesperplein, 420 m and about 6 minutes' walk, served by metro 51, 53 and 54 and trams 1, 7 and 19. From Amsterdam Centraal, take the metro to Weesperplein.
From Centraal, metro lines 51, 53 and 54 run to Weesperplein, from where it is 420 m to the theatre. Tram 4 from Centraal stops at Frederiksplein, 670 m from Carré, and tram 14 serves Waterlooplein. Allow 30 minutes if you walk the whole way from Centraal.
Where can I park near Carré?
Five garages are within a 15-minute walk. Q-Park Centrum Oost has the cheapest published Carré deal: €22.50 for parking between 16:30 and 03:00, 800 m and about 11 minutes' walk. Q-Park Waterlooplein costs €25 for the same window, Q-Park Weesperplein €7.06 an hour, and The Bank and the Stadhuis/Stopera garage charge by time.
The Bank and Stadhuis/Stopera sell timed parking rather than a flat evening ticket. Book the Q-Park event deal online before you come: the barrier reads your number plate, and the reservation covers arrival from 16:30 and departure until 03:00. Arrive earlier or leave later and the extra time is charged at the normal rate (€32 at Centrum Oost, €65 at Waterlooplein).
| Car park | Address | Walk | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stadhuis/Stopera (Muziektheater) | Waterlooplein 28, 1011 PG | 610 m, 9 min | €9.00 per hour; €90.00 per day |
| The Bank | Amstelstraat 12, 1017 DA | 690 m, 10 min | €3.25 per 15 min; €80.00 per day |
| Q-Park Weesperplein | Eerste Boerhaavestraat 29, 1091 GM | 710 m, 10 min | €7.06 per hour; €37.50 per day |
| Q-Park Centrum Oost | Tweede Boerhaavestraat 20, 1091 AN | 800 m, 11 min | €22.50 Carré deal, 16:30-03:00 (normally €32) |
| Q-Park Waterlooplein | Valkenburgerstraat 238, 1011 ND | 930 m, 13 min | €25 Carré deal, 16:30-03:00 (normally €65) |
- Centrum Oost
- 255 spaces, 6 disabled bays
- Waterlooplein
- 200 spaces
- Weesperplein
- 115 spaces
- Event window
- 16:30-03:00 at Centrum Oost and Waterlooplein
About Koninklijk Theater Carré
Koninklijk Theater Carré opened in 1887 as Oscar Carré's stone circus on the Amstel. It went on to be a variety theatre, opera house, revue stage, pop temple and boxing hall, survived a 1968 demolition plan, and received the royal predicate at its centenary in 1987.
Today the programme runs from circus and cabaret to pop concerts and opera, with around 400,000 visitors a year. The curved red-and-gold auditorium still recalls the circus, and the roof of the theatre now holds the In de Nok restaurant.
- Opened
- 1887, as Circus Carré
- Founder
- Oscar Carré
- Royal predicate
- 1987, at the centenary
- Visitors
- About 400,000 a year
- Address
- Amstel 115-125, 1018 EM Amsterdam
- Programme
- Circus, cabaret, pop, opera and theatre
What is the history of Carré?
Oscar Carré opened this stone circus palace on the Amstel in 1887. It survived a 1968 demolition plan and has been 'Royal' since its centenary in 1987.
The Carré circus family toured Europe and from 1864 also the Netherlands. In 1887 Oscar Carré built a stone circus on the Amstel, a palace that a newspaper said made you think of something princely. It soon became a variety theatre, then a revue, theatre and operetta stage, and later a pop temple, boxing hall and even a church. In 1968 it nearly made way for a hotel or a car palace. It survived and became Koninklijk Theater Carré at its centenary in 1987.
- Built
- 1887, by Oscar Carré
- Demolition threat
- 1968
- Royal predicate
- 1987
- Visitors today
- About 400,000 a year
Photos
Photo credits
The white historic façade of Koninklijk Theater Carré beside the Amstel in Amsterdam.: Esmee Tijdeman / Koninklijk Theater Carré · Venue website
A full audience watching a brightly lit performance in the red-and-gold auditorium of Koninklijk Theater Carré.: Nathan Reinds / Koninklijk Theater Carré · Venue website
The curved red-and-gold auditorium of Koninklijk Theater Carré, with its stage curtain and chandeliers.: Nathan Reinds / Koninklijk Theater Carré · Venue website
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Frequently asked questions about Koninklijk Theater Carré
How many seats does Carré have?
The auditorium seats 1,752 people according to Wikidata; Wikipedia counts 1,756. The theatre sells one seat per ticket, so a sold-out show has roughly that many visitors in the hall. The number can differ slightly when a show uses a different layout.
What time do shows start and end?
Evening performances usually start at 20:00 and end around 22:30; some start earlier. Matinees usually run from 15:00 to 17:30. Doors open 45 minutes before the start. The exact time and running time are on your ticket, and the end can vary by show.
How do I get to Carré from Amsterdam Centraal?
Take metro 51, 53 or 54 to Weesperplein, then walk 420 m (about 6 minutes) to the theatre. The whole walk from Centraal is 2,230 m and takes about 30 minutes. Tram 4 from Centraal stops at Frederiksplein, 670 m from the theatre.
Where should I park near Carré?
The closest is the Stadhuis/Stopera garage at Waterlooplein 28, 610 m (9 minutes), at €9 per hour or €90 per day. The Bank (Amstelstraat 12, 690 m, 10 minutes) charges €3.25 per 15 minutes or €80 per day. Q-Park Centrum Oost is 800 m (11 minutes) and costs €22.50 with the Carré deal between 16:30 and 03:00, normally €32. Q-Park Waterlooplein is 930 m (13 minutes) and costs €25 in the same window, normally €65. Q-Park Weesperplein is 710 m (10 minutes) and charges €7.06 per hour or €37.50 per day.
Can I have dinner at Carré?
Yes, in In de Nok, the restaurant in the roof. It serves a three-course menu with meat, fish or vegan dishes; a €25 deposit is settled on the bill. Book with your tickets or in Mijn Carré, up to 16:00 on the day if there is space.
What can I take into the auditorium?
Only a small handbag up to A4 size. Coats and larger bags go in the free cloakroom. Drinks are not allowed in the auditorium; finish them in the foyer.
Is Carré wheelchair accessible?
Yes. There are three wheelchair spaces in Stalles rows 16 and 17, reached by a step-free route via the right-hand corridor and an 18% ramp. The theatre has three lifts and two accessible toilets on the ground floor. Book your space and a companion seat in advance.
Are guide dogs allowed at Carré?
Yes. Guide dogs and other assistance dogs in a harness are welcome in the theatre and restaurant.
Can I take photos during a performance?
No. Photography is not allowed during the performance. Ask a member of staff if you are unsure whether photos are allowed before the show or during the interval.
What happens if I arrive late?
Staff will admit you at a suitable moment, depending on the artist. In some shows no late seating is possible, and your own seat is not guaranteed.
Can I buy tickets at the box office?
Yes, on performance days the box office opens 45 minutes before the start. It is closed on days without a performance. Online sales run 24 hours a day; the phone line is open weekdays from 12:00 to 17:00 on 020-5249453.
Can I pay with cash at Carré?
No. Carré is PIN-only at the theatre. Online you can pay with iDEAL/Wero, Visa or Mastercard, American Express, the PODIUM gift card or the Carré gift card.
Sources: Koninklijk Theater Carré: about Carré (October 30, 2026) · Wikidata: Koninklijk Theater Carré (October 30, 2026) · Koninklijk Theater Carré: frequently asked questions (October 30, 2026) · Koninklijk Theater Carré: bereikbaarheid (October 30, 2026) · Q-Park: parking at Carré, Centrum Oost (all garage sources listed below) (October 30, 2026) · Koninklijk Theater Carré: dinner in Carré (October 30, 2026) · Koninklijk Theater Carré: agenda (October 30, 2026) · Koninklijk Theater Carré: kaartverkoop (October 30, 2026) · Koninklijk Theater Carré: general information (October 30, 2026) · Koninklijk Theater Carré: toegankelijkheid (October 30, 2026) · Koninklijk Theater Carré: geschiedenis (October 30, 2026)
