Museums and galleries in Amsterdam

Museums and galleries 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. SeeCanal District

   Cat Cabinet

   KattenKabinet

   A cat museum. Housed in a beautiful restored palatial home in an upscale area street - very Masterpiece Theater. It was opened by the homeowner after his favourite cat died... and he still lives in the home. Lots of cat-related art, and two real felines. The exhibition is spread across the first floor of the house.

   €12.5

4. SeeBinnenstad

   Civic Guards Gallery

   Schuttersgalerij

   Just inside the arched gateway to the Amsterdam Museum is a hidden passageway with fifteen enormous 17th-century paintings; entrance is free to the public during museum hours. The collection features massive and meticulously realistic portraits of wealthy citizens from the Dutch Golden Age, the same class of subjects Rembrandt depicted in the most famous of Civic Guard paintings, the "Night Watch".

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

5. BuyCanal District

   De Beeldenwinkel Sculpture Gallery

   This is a gallery for sculpture lovers, with bronze statues, pottery, abstract sculpture, raku-fired statues and marble figures sculpture to suit every budget and taste.

6. SeeZuid

   Diamant Museum

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

   Temporarily closed, will reopen in 2026

7. DoZuid

   Electrische Museumtramlijn Amsterdam

   Electric Tram Museum Amsterdam

   On operating days, the museum runs various vintage trams on two routes. Line 30 runs every 30 minutes along on a 7-km museum rail line to Amstelveen with stops along the route. Station Amstelveen is perhaps the most interesting stop as it is near an attractive small-town area with restaurants. Line 20 runs two trips only around Amsterdam. If you buy a day pass, you can travel both routes.

   Sundays, April-November, plus Easter & Pentecost Mon, 11:00-17:00·Adult fares vary from €3.50 to €12.50 with reduced rates for seniors (65+) and children (4-11)

8. EatZuidoost

   Elixer

   2 Chefs Circular Restaurant

   Restaurant dedicated to circular economy. Occupies a formerly derelict building, all furnishings are second-hand, and as much food as possible is home-grown or locally sourced. Profits are invested in local community initiatives, and the whole restaurant functions as a low-key gallery for local artists. Also, the food (surprisingly traditional French/European fare) is delicious.

   Wed-Sun 12:00-23:00

9. SeeCanal District

   Foam

   Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam

   Museum about photography. Group tours can be arranged via phone at +31 20 5516 505.

   Mon-Wed 10:00-18:00, Thu-Fri 10:00-21:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-18:00·€12.50 (adults), €8.50 (age 13-18)

10. SeePlantage

    H'ART

    Founded as an outpost of the Hermitage in St Petersburg, ties were severed with the parent institution following Russia's war in Ukraine. After a hasty rebrand, the H'ART museum reopened in April 2022 with a focus on Dutch heritage in Amsterdam.

    Daily 10:00-17:00·Standard (adults and children aged 18 or over) €22.50, children up to 17 years old free

11. DoBinnenstad

    Hash, Marihuana and Hemp Museum

    Opened for over twenty years, the Hash Museum is dedicated to debunking the lies and demonization about one of our most useful plants, the hemp plant. Although small, busy and seriously overpriced, it is a well-done museum where people go to get informed.

    10:00-23:00 daily·€9

12. SeeZuid

    Heineken Experience

    former Heineken Brewery

    Do not expect a beer museum, but rather to be flooded with Heineken advertisements.

    Sun–Wed 10:30-19:30, last entry 17:15, Thu Fri 10:30-21:00, last entry 18:45·Starting from EUR 24,95

13. 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

14. SeeCanal District

    Museum Het Grachtenhuis

    The Museum of the Canals

    Het Grachtenhuis is the gateway to the world-famous Canal District. Het Grachtenhuis tells the fascinating story of how Amsterdam's Canal District was created by a multi-media exhibition.

    €12

15. SeeWest

    Museum Het Schip

    A museum about the Amsterdam School architectural style, housed in a building that is probably the city's best example of that style entrance.

    Tue to Sun 11:00 to 17:00·( student) includes 20 min. guided tour

16. SeeCanal District

    Museum Van Loon

    17th century house with interior restored with furnishings to how it looked in the 18th century. Also interesting to see a garden you would not normally see from the streets.

17. SeeCanal District

    Museum Willet-Holthuysen

    It is the only fully furnished canalside patrician house in Amsterdam that is open to the public. The museum has a large collection of silverware, plates, and books from the Dutch Golden Age. It also has a substantial collection of art.

    Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat Sun 11:00-17:00·€9

18. 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

19. SeeZuid

    Museumplein

    Not exactly a park, but a large grassed open space. Around its edges are the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum and the Concertgebouw. On a sunny summer day, many locals chill on the grass lawn on top of the Albert Heijn supermarket.

20. DoBinnenstad

    NEMO

    Above a tunnel overseeing the IJ, NEMO is the largest science museum in the Netherlands. It's a showcase of how scientific phenomena influence daily life. Different sections of the museum deal with technology and engineering, ICT, and bio- and behavioral sciences. This is a place to take kids and is best for those ages 11 and below—teenagers will probably get bored. And it is usually definitely full of children on weekends. During summer it has a panorama roof terrace on its roof with deckchairs with free entry.

    Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00·€11.50

21. SeePlantage

    Natura Artis Magistra Zoo

    Artis

    An entry ticket for Artis also provides admission to the Planetarium, the Aquarium and the Zoological Museum. Artis is also a botanical garden, with plants and trees gathered from all over the world, just like the animal species. Don't miss the Artis ZOOmeravonden.

    Youth (3 to 9 years) €18, adult (10 to 64 years) €21.50, seniors (65 +) €17.50

22. SeeBinnenstad

    Nieuwe Kerk

    Used for royal coronations, including the crowning of King Willem-Alexander in 2013, and royal weddings, including his wedding to princess Máxima in 2002. The church is no longer used for services but is now a popular exhibition space. Admissions are limited: by tickets online to reserve a space.

    Daily 10:00-17:00, last admission 16:00·By credit/debit card only: adult €19.50, student/youth €9.50, child under 12 free, free with Museumkaart

23. SeeZuidoost

    OSCAM - Open Space Contemporary Art Museum

    OSCAM is the museological platform for art, fashion, design, craftsmanship and development in Amsterdam. It has a rich background in curating art, fashion and design exhibitions with a speciality in young (sub)cultures. By involving known and unknown creative talents in our exhibitions and programs, OSCAM inspires and fulfils the need for a connection platform with other social art institutes in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and beyond.

    Tue-Fri 10:00-18:00, Sat 10:00-17:00·Free

24. 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

25. SeeJordaan

    Pianola Museum

    A museum about Pianolas from the early 1900s. About a dozen are displayed at any one time, and every month a piano concert is held.

    Sun 14:00-17:00·€5

26. 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

27. 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)

28. 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

29. 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

30. BuyCanal District

    The Nine Streets

    De Negen Straatjes

    Nine narrow streets enclosed between the main canals from the Prinsengracht to the Singel, southwest of Dam Square. The northernmost street is Reestraat and to the south is the Runstraat. The street names are marked with a sign of the Nine Streets, and some shops have a flyer of this area. You can find a lot of boutiques, specialist shops, galleries and restaurants here.

31. 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

32. SeeZuid

    Van Gogh Museum

    This museum is dedicated to Vincent van Gogh, a late 19th-century Post-Impressionist Dutch painter. Tickets are available online only, and can be booked out weeks in advance during busy periods. In the museum are many, but not all, of Van Gogh's works. The museum contains some famous paintings like Sunflowers and Potato Eaters, but lacks others such as Starry Night. Also, there are selected works of Monet exhibited there. The audio tour at EUR 3.75 for adults, EUR 2 for children aged 13 to 17, in the language of your choice, will give you a much better understanding of Van Gogh's life and his paintings.

    Generally 09:00-18:00, but varies, check website·Adults EUR 25, students EUR 15, under 18 free

33. SeePlantage

    Verzetsmuseum

    Dutch Resistance Museum

    Museum showing what Amsterdam and Holland were like during Nazi occupation. Has a very nice children's section. If you are visiting with kids and want to go to a museum about the Second World War in the Netherlands this is definitely recommended.

    Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat Sun 11:00-17:00·Adult €12.00, ages 7-17 €6.50

34. SeeOost

    Wereldmuseum Amsterdam

    formerly named Tropenmuseum

    Ethnographic and cultural museum about Africa, Asia and South America. Includes an excellent cafe which sells food from around the world. Tickets are discounted if reserved online.

    Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00·€20.00, conc. €9.00

35. Do Not mapped

    KunstRAI

    A modern art fair in the RAI exhibition and conference centre. If you want to know what the latest developments are in Dutch galleries, this is where to find them all in one place.

36. Do Not mapped

    Museumnacht

    Long before the film came out, this "night at the museum" attracts new crowds at the traditional Amsterdam museums with special performances at unusual locations. Do as the locals do and hire a bike to go from one place to the other.

37. SeeBinnenstad

    Amsterdam Museum

    A museum about the history of Amsterdam.

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

38. SeePlantage

    Micropia

    Museum about microbes.

    Closed · opens 11 am tomorrow·Age 10 and up €16, ages 3-9 €14

39. SeeZuid

    Moco Museum

    Moco is a private museum of modern and contemporary art.

    Sun-Thu 10:00-19:00; Fri Sat 10:00-21:00·Adult €19.50, Youth (13-17) and student €16.50, children (0-12) free

40. SeeNoord

    STRAAT Museum

    Museum depicting street art in a large indoor exhibition.

    Mon 12:00–17:00, Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00·Adults EUR 19.50, 13-18 yrs EUR 9.50, 0-12 yrs free

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