Amsterdam Museums
(Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands)
Some of the finest historic collections in the Netherlands can be seen in Amsterdam's museums. Many of these exhibitions are located within the very city centre, being housed in particularly impressive buildings.
One such museum is the Anne Frank House (Anne Frankhuis), which boasts high visitor numbers and is certainly worth looking out for. Families will enjoy exploring the waxworks at Madame Tussaud's Scenerama, while for stag parties in Amsterdam, a trip to the Erotic Museum in the famous Red Light District is sure to raise a few eyebrows, and this adult-only attraction even contains an unexpected series of erotic lithographs originally sketched by Beatles legend, John Lennon.
Artis Zoological Museum
- Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 523 3400
Displaying collections of insects, birds, amphibians and reptiles, this museum is housed inside the aquarium building of the Artis Zoo and was established as far back as 1838.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Anne Frankhuis (Anne Frank's House)
Address: Prinsengracht 263, Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 556 7100
Here Anne Frank spent 25 months in hiding with her Jewish family and several friends in order to escape deportation, during the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands in World War II. During this time she recorded her experiences in her famous diary and this fascinating and historic address gives an insight into her life during this period. The families were eventually betrayed and their hideaway discovered by the Nazis, when Anne and the others were all transported to concentration camps. Typhoid fever claimed the lives of Anne and her sister Margot just before the liberation. Her diary subsequently became a famous bestseller, being translated into over 50 languages. This is a major tourist attraction and visitors can expect long queues during the summer months.
Open hours: April to August, daily - 09:00 to 21:00, September to March, daily - 09:00 to 19:00
Admission: charge
Madame Tussaud's Scenerama
Address: Dam 20, Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 622 9949
This famous waxworks takes visitors back to the 17th century with sounds, sights and effigies and then transports visitors to the 20th century with its pop stars, politicians, royalty, artists, and celebrities. Among the figures are prominent Dutch characters which include Rembrandt, footballer Johann Cruyff, and Queen Beatrix. This is a very popular attraction especially with children and there is an opportunity to see how the wax models are produced. The models in the Hall of Mirrors depict people who have achieved lasting recognition in history with the likes of such as John F. Kennedy, Winston Churchill and Gandhi.
Open hours: July and August, daily - 09:30 to 19:30
September to June, daily - 10:00 to 17:30
Admission: charge
Artis Geological Museum
- Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 523 3400
Displaying extensive collections of fossils, minerals and rocks, this museum is located inside the Artis Zoo. Depicting the beginning and the development of life on earth in a graphic way, information on volcanoes, earthquakes, natural forces, etc., is also well portrayed.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Nederlands Scheepvaartmuseum (Netherlands Maritime Museum)
Address: Kattenbergerplein 1, Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 523 2222
This museum is housed in a 17th-century warehouse which was formerly the admiralty arsenal of Amsterdam. An array of Dutch maritime history is portrayed with scale model ships, paintings, instruments, charts and other nautically related artefacts. The museum also features a library, book and souvenir shop and café.
Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
Joods Historisch Museum (Jewish Historical Museum)
Address: Jonas Daniël Meijerplein 2-4, Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 626 9945
Housed in a complex of four former synagogues dating from the 17th and 18th century, this museum contains religious objects, elaborate silverware and Dutch Jewish painters. Displays depict Jewish culture in The Netherlands. There is also a kosher coffee shop serving Jewish cuisine.
Open hours: daily - 11:00 to 17:00
Willet-Holthuysen Museum
Address: Herengracht 605, Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 523 1822
A large, historical double house dating from 1685, with displays of furnishings, china, silver, glass and works of art that were donated together with the house by the owner. Visitors can view the impressive rear landscaped garden which is ornamented with a sundial and several statues.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge
Amstelkring Museum (Our Lord in the Attic Museum)
Address: Oudezijds Voorburgwal 40, Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 624 6604
One of Amsterdam's smallest but most attractive museums, housed in the top of a 17th-century canal house, and offering historical interest and collections of religious art, dating from the time of the Reformation in Amsterdam, when open worship by Catholics was outlawed.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge
Theatermuseum
Address: Herengracht 168, Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 551 3300
Built in 1618, this magnificent building brings the history of Dutch theatre to life with a collection of models, posters, drawings, photographs, dolls in costume and a miniature theatre.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 11:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge
Woonbootmuseum (Houseboat Museum)
Address: Opposite Prinsengracht 296, Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 427 0750
The Hendrika-Maria is a former commercial sailing boat which has been converted into a houseboat museum. A tour of this museum, originally built in 1914, gives lots of information on various aspects of everyday life on board a houseboat.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge
Erotic Museum
Address: Oudezijds Achterburgwal 54, Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 624 7303
A lighthearted look at erotic enjoyment and arts covering five floors with displays including postcards, books, photographs and videos. An onsite gift shop is available and sells an array of souvenirs, all of which are of an erotic nature.
Open hours: Sunday, Monday and Thursday - 11:00 to 13:00, Friday and Saturday - 11:00 to 14:00
Admission: charge
Hash Marihuana Hemp Museum
Address: Oudezijds Achterburgwal 148, Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 623 5961
A fascinating museum tracing the history of cannabis and the only museum of its kind in Europe. The museum also provides information on how hemp was used as a fibre for rope which was important to the Dutch shipping industry. There is an interesting array of bongs and pipes, together with a small cultivation area where plants are raised under artificial light.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:30
Admission: charge
Museum Van Loon
Address: Keizersgracht 672, Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 624 5255
The Van Loon residence, a twin mansion built in 1671 by Adriaan Dortsman, was once home to Rembrandt's student Ferdinand Bol. Extensive collections of art, medals, mirrors, coins, fireplaces, furnishings, porcelain, chandeliers, etc., give visitors an insight to life in a luxury residence. The house is enhanced by the formal rear garden which is still a perfect place for relaxation in a green environment.
Open hours: Friday to Monday - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge
Universiteitsmuseum de Agnietenkapel (University Museum Agnieten Chapel)
Address: Oudezijds Voorburgwal 231, Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 525 3339
Dating from 1470 when it was part of the convent of St. Agnes, this museum focuses on the history of the University of Amsterdam. However, the main attraction is the Agnietenkapel itself, which is a prime example of Gothic architecture.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free
Allard Pierson Museum Amsterdam
Address: Oude Turfmarkt 127, Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 525 2556
Named after a 19th-century philanthropist, this museum is part of the University of Amsterdam. It contains archaeological artefacts used in everyday life in countries such as ancient Greece, Egypt, Cyprus and Rome.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge
Aviodome - National Aeronautics and Space Travel Museum
Address: Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 406 8000
This is the national air museum of The Netherlands featuring a collection of aircraft and a special section devoted to spacecraft. Particular emphasis is given to the role played by The Netherlands. Of special interest to children is the cockpit of an airliner which can be accessed by visitors.
Open hours: Summer, Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge
NINT Technology Museum
Address: Tolstraat 129, Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 570 8111
Housed in an old diamond-cutting factory, this hands-on museum, which is popular with children, contains technological exhibits on energy, telecommunications, computers, optical illusions, holography and electronics.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
There are many other museums well worth a visit including:
- Bijbels Museum van Oudheden (Biblical Museum)
- CoBrA Museum voor Moderne Kinst (Cobra Museum of Modern Art)
- Geels & Co. Koffie en Theemuseum (Coffee and Tea Museum)
- Multatuli Museum
- Nederlands Film Museum (Dutch Film Museum)
- Seckmuseum (Sex Museum)
- Tattoo Museum
- Tram Museum
- Tropenmuseum (Tropical Museum)
- Verzets Museum
- Werfmuseum 't Kromhout