14x musea in Amsterdam die je écht moet bezoeken
Admire paintings by Rembrandt or discover digital media art? Amsterdam is bursting with museums! Our capital is rich in history and culture and now has more than 60 museums. There is something for everyone! We have listed 14 gems for you.
Het achterhuis van Anne Frank
The Anne Frank House is perhaps the most impressive and emotional museum in Amsterdam, and one of the most famous sights in the Netherlands. During the Second World War, Anne Frank and her family and another Jewish family were in hiding for over two years in a secret annex on the Prinsengracht in the centre of Amsterdam.
During a visit to the Anne Frank Museum you will discover the moving stories from her world-famous diary. You will literally walk through the secret rooms of the canal house where Anne wrote her diary while learning more about life in hiding, the war and the betrayal.
Want to visit the Anne Frank House during your city trip to Amsterdam? The museum is located on the Westermarkt, near the Jordaan and the Westerkerk.
Tickets for the Anne Frank House can be reserved online. We recommend that you do this well in advance, as the museum sells out quickly every day. An average museum visit takes about an hour.
Moderne kunst en street art in het Moco Museum
Do you like modern art, contemporary art or iconic street art? Then Moco Museum is the place for you! The Moco Museum, located on the Honthorststraat near the Museumplein, is one of the most popular museums in Amsterdam and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.
The museum focuses on street art, pop art and digital art by leading artists such as the world-famous Banksy, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Studio Irma. This unique combination makes the museum attractive to everyone, even if you are not an art lover. Thanks to interactive installations and colourful exhibitions, it is also very suitable as a museum for children or a fun museum in Amsterdam with the family.
A visit to the Moco Museum Amsterdam takes an average of 1.5 hours. Tickets for the Moco Museum can be easily booked online, which we also recommend because of the popularity of the museum.
500 years of maritime history in the Maritime Museum
Are you interested in the rich maritime history of the Netherlands? Then a visit to the Maritime Museum in Amsterdam is an absolute must. This impressive museum about the Golden Age and shipping houses one of the largest and most authoritative maritime collections in the world.
The museum displays a collection of some 400,000 objects including authentic ship models, historical sea charts, paintings and navigation instruments. Also admire the impressive VOC ship Amsterdam, a reconstruction of an 18th century ship that you can explore on board. A unique experience, especially for families with children.
The museum offers interactive exhibitions, special children's activities and is ideal for an educational museum visit in Amsterdam. The museum is centrally located, close to Amsterdam Central Station, and is easily accessible by public transport. Tickets for Het Scheepvaartmuseum are available online.
Ontdek het menselijk lichaam bij Body Worlds
Go on a fascinating journey through the human body at Body Worlds ! The museum is located on the Damrak, within walking distance of Amsterdam Central Station.
In Body Worlds: The Happiness Project you will learn all about human anatomy and discover how our emotions, such as happiness, influence our health. With more than 200 real plastinated bodies and organs, this museum offers a unique insight into how the body really works. Learn how many blood vessels a human has, how our organs function and what the effect is of a healthy lifestyle.
Body World is not only educational, but also interactive and fun for children. The recommended age is from 6 years. It is therefore one of the most special and educational activities in Amsterdam with children: ideal for families, tourists and students.
A visit lasts an average of 1.5 to 2 hours. Tickets for Body Worlds Amsterdam can be reserved online. Due to its central location on the Damrak, the museum can be perfectly combined with a day in Amsterdam or a visit to other attractions in the city centre.
Photo: City Sightseeing Amsterdam
Moderne meesterwerken kunst in het Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
Step into a world of colour, form and expression at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam: the leading museum for modern and contemporary art in the Netherlands. Situated on the famous Museumplein, next to the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk is the place where art comes to life.
Admire iconic works by greats such as Piet Mondriaan, Pablo Picasso, Yayoi Kusama and many others. The collection consists of no less than 90,000 works of art, ranging from painting, sculpture, photography and video art, to graphics, design, art books and installations. In every room you will discover movements such as cubism, expressionism, Bauhaus and pop art.
Both permanent collections and changing exhibitions of contemporary artists make every visit unique. Check the website for current exhibitions and temporary exhibitions.
Are you under 18? Then you're in luck, because children and young people up to 18 years old have free access to the museum! The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
Taste the Heineken story
Amsterdam is the city where the world-famous Heineken beer was born. In the former brewery on the Stadhouderskade, you will discover the fascinating story behind one of the world's most iconic beer brands during the Heineken Experience .
The tour takes you through the original Heineken brewery, where it all began. Learn all about the brewing process, the history of the brand, the secret recipe and how the Heineken family transformed a local beer brand into an international one. Experience beer like never before through multimedia, old machines and modern installations.
Want to know how to tap the perfect Heineken? During the tour you will learn and taste it. Finish with a refreshing glass of Heineken in the bar, including a view of the city. An unforgettable experience for beer lovers and curious travelers alike.
The Heineken Experience is one of the most popular attractions in Amsterdam. Book in advance to avoid disappointment. Tickets are available online.
Tussen de beroemdheden bij Madame Tussauds
Have you always wanted to sing your heart out with Harry Styles, re-enact the Titanic scene with Leonardo DiCaprio or have a skating duel with Jutta Leerdam? In the heart of the city, on Dam Square in Amsterdam, that dream comes true at the iconic Madame Tussauds Amsterdam: the world-famous wax museum.
Come face to face with international celebrities: from pop stars and movie icons to sports heroes, royal figures and political leaders. Have your picture taken with Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Albert Einstein or King Willem Alexander. Thanks to the lifelike wax figures, it feels like you are really in the spotlight.
This museum is one of the best attractions in Amsterdam. Children, teenagers and adults will have a great time here. Moreover, the museum is wheelchair accessible and centrally located, within walking distance of Amsterdam Central Station.
An average visit to Madame Tussauds takes about an hour. Do you have a museum card or discount card? Then you get 25% discount on your tickets. Book your visit easily online and skip the line!
Ervaar de fascinerende wetenschap en technologie in het NEMO Science Museum
How is lightning created? Why do you sometimes see things that aren't there? How are bridges built? In the interactive NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam, you will find answers to these and hundreds of other questions about science and technology.
Spread over no less than five floors full of experiments, exhibitions and interactive installations, you and your children will discover how the world really works. Whether you are 6 or 66: at NEMO Amsterdam you experience science with your hands. Experiment with electricity, water power, gravity, optical illusions and much more. It is not without reason one of the most popular museums for children in Amsterdam.
From the outside, the building immediately stands out because of its unique, futuristic design in the shape of a ship. A real eye-catcher in the center of Amsterdam. On top of the museum you will find the largest roof terrace in the Netherlands, where you have a beautiful view of the skyline of Amsterdam. The roof terrace is also accessible without a museum ticket. A wonderful place in the summer to relax with a drink.
Ontdek Nederlands Gouden erfgoed bij het Rijksmuseum
Dive into the world of Dutch art, culture and history at the world-famous Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, located on the iconic Museumplein. Admire the rich heritage of the Netherlands with an impressive collection that showcases over 800 years of Dutch history, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
At the heart of the museum shines The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn, one of the most famous paintings in the world. But other great masters of the Golden Age, such as Johannes Vermeer, Frans Hals and Jan Steen are also well represented.
The Rijksmuseum is not only a paradise for art lovers, but also for those interested in history, fashion, ship models, weapon collections and photography. The layout and interactive presentations also make it a suitable museum for families with children.
Easily book your tickets for the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam online to avoid queues.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Discover the bizarre, the wonderful and the unimaginable at Ripley's Believe It or Not ! The museum where curiosity and wonder come to life. Located on the famous Dam Square in Amsterdam, this is one of the most striking attractions in the city centre.
Enter the world of Robert Rypley, an adventurous explorer and world traveler who collected the strangest objects from all over the world. Come face to face with bizarre records and fascinating facts. Stand next to the tallest man in the world, see rare works of art and let your brain tease with interactive brain teasers and illusions.
Ripley's is an experience for young and old, perfect for a family outing in Amsterdam. The museum is also ideally located, within walking distance of Amsterdam Central Station and other attractions such as Madame Tussauds.
Don't forget your camera, because here you can take the most special pictures! Tickets for Ripley's Believe It or Not! Amsterdam can be easily ordered online.
Photo: GetYourGuide
Dive into the life of Vincent van Gogh
Step into the colourful and eventful world of Vincent van Gogh at the world-famous Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. The museum takes you on a unique journey through the life and work of one of the most iconic artists.
Why is Van Gogh so important? And what is behind the tragic story of the severed ear? In the Van Gogh Museum you will discover not only his masterpieces, but also the personal letters, thoughts and struggles he had.
Admire world-famous paintings such as 'The Sunflowers', 'The Potato Eaters' and countless self-portraits. Discover how his style developed and learn more about his relationship with his brother Theo and his influence on modern art.
The Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam is a must for art lovers and tourists from all over the world. Located on the Museumplein, next to the Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk Museum, it is perfect to combine with a day full of culture. Tickets for the Van Gogh Museum are available online and it is advisable to book in advance due to its popularity.
Beleef een kleurrijk avontuur bij WONDR Experience
If you love color, creativity, and Instagram-worthy moments, you should definitely visit WONDR Experience . This museum is a unique, interactive experience where art, fun, and fantasy come together.
This artistic playground for adults (and kids) is the place to create the best content.
Step from one themed space to the next. Take unique selfies, dance under disco balls, roll on wheels through the retro roller skate area or get lost in a mega ball pit. Each space is perfectly designed for your social media feed.
After all the photos, glitter and fun, relax at the tropical Pink Beach by WONDR . Enjoy a cocktail or snack on a pink beach.
WONDR Amsterdam is easily accessible from the city centre and tickets can be booked online.
Photo: WONDR Experience
Fabrique des Lumières; de plek waar kunst tot leven komt
See art come to life to music at Fabrique des Lumières . This impressive digital art centre is housed in the iconic Westergasfabriek. Experience art in a whole new way, where light, colour, sound and movement merge.
In the space you walk through the masterpieces of world-famous artists. Through 360-degree projections and captivating music, paintings and art movements come to life like never before, just as if you were part of the artwork yourself.
The exhibitions change throughout the year and tickets for Fabrique des Lumières are available online. The Westergasterrein is located near the centre of Amsterdam and is easily accessible by public transport.
Photo: Fabrique des Lumières
Sharpen your senses at the Nxt Museum
Expand your horizons and sharpen your senses as you discover new media art at Nxt Museum . It is the very first museum in the Netherlands that is entirely dedicated to new media art. Here, technology, art and innovation come together in installations that challenge your senses.
In the spaces you are immersed in digital artworks that move, react and surprise you with light, sound, data and interaction. No traditional paintings on the wall, but art installations with virtual reality, projection mapping, algorithms and moving images.
The museum is located in Amsterdam Noord, within cycling distance of the city or easily accessible by ferry. Tickets for Nxt Museum are available online.
Photo: Amsterdam Magazine
