Historic places in Amsterdam

Historic places in Amsterdam

1. SeeBinnenstad

   Allard Pierson Museum

   The Allard Pierson Museum is the archaeological museum of the University of Amsterdam. The ancient civilizations of Egypt, Cyprus, the Greek world, Etruria and the Roman Empire are revived in this museum. Art objects and utensils, dating from 4000 B.C. till 500 A.D. give a good impression of everyday life, mythology and religion in Antiquity.

   Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat Sun 13:00-17:00·€6.50

2. SeeCanal District

   Amsterdam Pipe Museum

   Pijpenkabinet

   Unique collection of smoking pipes in an authentic canal house from 1670. In the historic ambience of the collector's house, his collection of pipes covering 2,500 years is displayed. Visitors get a personal tour by enthusiast volunteers of the foundation that also runs the speciality shop in the basement: a huge selection of nearly 3,000 modern briar pipes are for sale, next to collectables and books on pipes and tobacco.

   Closed · opens noon tomorrow·EUR 8

3. BuyBinnenstad

   Athenaeum Boekhandel

   One of the most renowned bookstores of Amsterdam because of its wide array of fiction and more academic titles. It is very popular among local students; however, their study books are also interesting reading material for non-graduates. They have a particular large selection of books in the humanities, including history, media, language, culture and international relations. Also has a Newscentre with a wide variety of newspapers and magazines.

   Mon–Sat 10:00–19:00, Sun 11:00–19:00

4. SeeBinnenstad

   Begijnhof

   The Begijnhof is a late medieval enclosed courtyard with the houses of beguines (Roman Catholic women living in a semi-religious community). It is a very picturesque group of historic buildings, mostly private dwellings. House number 34 is the oldest home in Amsterdam. The courtyard also has a Reformed Church and a hidden Catholic chapel. Surprisingly, it feels like a serene oasis as it is surrounded by the chaotic Kalverstraat and Spui. Entry to the courtyard and surrounding gardens is free, but be careful not to disturb the local community still living here.

5. DrinkZuidoost

   De Proefzaak

   In 2015 the first monastery - the Kleiklooster - opened in the Bijlmer, and as good monks do, they started brewing beer. Good beer, if somewhat eccentric. This is their tasting hall where you can sample the current Kleiburg brews. Avoid late afternoons, particularly on Fridays, as it can get very busy when nearby offices are empty. Clientele consists more of office workers and tourists than locals. You can frequently spot a tall grey-haired man with a large beard - the monastery's preacher - buzzing around.

   Tue 11:30-17:00, Wed 11:30-22:00, Thu-Sat 11:30-00:00, closed Sun Mon

6. SeeZuid

   Diamant Museum

   This exhibition is about the history of the diamond trade in Amsterdam.

   Temporarily closed, will reopen in 2026

7. DoBinnenstad

   Gassan Diamonds

   A guided tour is given that's all about the diamond production process and the history of diamond trade in Amsterdam. Diamonds have been traded in Amsterdam for longer than 425 years, and the city used to be known as the "City of Diamonds". Tours are given in 27 languages. Of course you can also buy Gassan diamonds here, but you don't have to.

   09:00-17:00 daily·Free (the tour, not the diamonds)

8. EatBinnenstad

   Greetje

   Traditional Dutch, alongside French classics. Located in an historic building on a quiet side street near Central Station; it's off the beaten track so most of the diners are local. Open 6 days a week (not Mondays); a reservation is usually necessary.

9. SeeBinnenstad

   Jewish Historical Museum

   Joods Historisch Museum

   Jewish Historical Museum. History of the Jewish people, culture and religion.

   11:00-17:00 daily (except some Jewish holidays)·€9

10. SeeCanal District

    Magere Brug

    The Magere Brug, literally "Skinny Bridge", is a bridge that spans the Amstel River and connects the Kerkstraat with the Nieuwe Kerkstraat. It's an iconic bridge that consists of nine arches and a drawbridge that is still operated by hand. The current bridge is made of white-painted wood, but it has been rebuilt several times and historically it has also been in concrete. The first bridge here was built in 1691, but the current one dates from 1934. It is one of the most photographed bridges in Amsterdam, especially at night because of the 1200 tiny lights that make it look like a picture-perfect postcard.

11. DoBinnenstad

    Museum of Medieval Torture Instruments

    The latest gimmicky tourist attraction near the Centraal Station, it's a small museum about medieval torture and torture devices. In the Middle Ages, torture was a widely known punishment for almost all crimes committed, ranging from rape to murder, and above all for heresy. The type of punishment depended on the victim's crime and social status. The Museum of Medieval Torture Instruments displays over 100 devices used to torture people. Before its make-over, it used to be the Vodka Museum; the vodka shop is still open in the basement with free entry.

    09:00-22:00 daily·€12.50

12. SeeBinnenstad

    Oranje Voetbal Museum

    The legacy of Dutch football started in the 1970s, when Total Football, a revolutionary Dutch style of football, shook the world. The Netherlands is the best football nation that never won the World Cup: it lost the final three times, a national trauma. It did win the European Cup in 1988 lead by star player Marco van Basten. This museum has four floors dedicated to "Oranje", and a small cinema that shows a 20-minute film with historic football moments. Especially recommended for Germans.

    Sat Sun 11:00-15:00·€5

13. SeeBinnenstad

    Oude Kerk

    The oldest of the five main churches in the historic centre, and probably the oldest building in Amsterdam. It is right in the heart of the Red Light District. You can climb the tower from April to September on Saturday and Sunday, every half-hour. Also open in the winter by group appointment (maximum 10 people) cost €70 per hour. E-mail for more information.

14. SeeZuid

    Rijksmuseum

    The largest and most prestigious museum for art and history in the Netherlands: works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and other Dutch masters. Its garden has a curious collection of architecture and has free entrance during museum opening times. Recommend getting there early to avoid long queues and crowds, then head first for the second floor to see the Rembrandt classics and others such as Avercamp's Winter Landscape with Skaters.

    09:00–17:00 daily·EUR 25 adults, EUR 12.50 European Youth Card, children free, no student discounts

15. SeeBinnenstad

    Royal Palace

    Koninklijk Paleis

    The Royal Palace is one of the three official palaces of the Netherlands. It is at the disposal of King Willem-Alexander by the Act of Parliament. It was built in 1651 as the city hall of Amsterdam, in a period known as the Dutch Golden Age. Many school children learn that because of the swampy soil, it was built on no less than 13,569 wooden poles. In 1795, the French Empire of Napoleon Bonaparte invaded the Netherlands, and his brother Louis Napoleon became the first King of Holland in 1806. He acquired the city hall in that year and turned it into a royal palace. It was restored to the original owners when Prince William VI returned to the Netherlands in 1812, but when he was crowned as King William I, he decided that Amsterdam should be the official capital and acquired the city hall once again as a royal palace. This is still a delicate subject among the locals, some of whom would like to see the palace returned to Amsterdam. It was completely renovated in 2009. It is mainly used for diplomatic receptions and to welcome visiting heads of state, not as a royal residence.

    Daily 12:00–17:00·€12.50

16. SeePlantage

    Scheepvaartmuseum

    Het Scheepvaartmuseum reopened in late 2011 following major renovations. Stimulating, interactive exhibitions allow visitors to explore 500 years of maritime history. The building, called the Arsenal, is impressive. The Central Square, the indoor courtyard can be visited for free and takes your breath away. Also the museum shop, the restaurant and the library are open to the public free of charge.

    09:00-17:00 daily·€15 adults; €7.50 children, students and seniors (prices 2014)

17. BuyBinnenstad

    Scheltema

    Boekhandel Scheltema

    One of the largest bookstores in the Netherlands, with a wide selection on five clearly arranged floors with over 125,000 titles for study, travel, cooking, art, history, philosophy, culture and literature.

    Daily 10:00–19:00

18. DoBinnenstad

    Sexmuseum

    The largest and most prestigious museum for sex art and sex history in the Netherlands. It shows a lot of sex oddities. Only ages 16 and up are allowed entry.

    09:00-22:00 daily·€4

19. SeeZuid

    Stedelijk Museum

    The Stedelijk Museum is the municipal museum of modern art. It has a long history, as it first opened in 1874 and has been at its current location since 1895. It was reopened in 2012 after a renovation that took four years: the new building is now locally referred to as the "bath tub" due to its unique shape. The "bath tub" will host newly acquired film and video expositions, while the highlights remain in the old part of the building.

    Daily 10:00-18:00·Adults €18.50; students €10.00; Under 18 free

20. DoBinnenstad

    Torture Museum

    You'd think one museum about torture would be enough, but no, not in Amsterdam. However, this was the first torture museum in the city centre, and is at least somewhat more authentic than the copycat. The museum depicts the history of different torturous techniques used over the centuries. The lighting is bad, the corridors are small and the price an absolute rip-off. You can walk through it in 15-30 minutes.

    Open now · closes 11 pm·€7

21. Do Not mapped

    Boatboys Private Boat Tours

    Operates every day for private luxury boat tours on a historic classic boat. 1hr starting from EUR 250.

22. SeeBinnenstad

    Amsterdam Museum

    A museum about the history of Amsterdam.

    Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat Sun 11:00-17:00·€10

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Amsterdam (CC BY-SA 4.0).