Sights and landmarks in Amsterdam

Sights and landmarks 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. SeeOost

   Amstelstation murals

   In the hall of Amstel railway station, there are several murals created in 1939 by Dutch artist Peter Alma, including a large mural at each end of the hall with a train motif.

3. SeeBinnenstad

   Amsterdam Centraal railway station

   This beautiful building is an attraction in itself, so if you did not arrive in Amsterdam by train, it is well worth making a special trip to look at the station's facade. The station was built between 1881 and 1889 on three artificial islands. It was designed by Pierre Cuypers who also designed the Rijksmuseum in a similar neo-late-Gothic/Renaissance style. At the time, the project was highly controversial as the new station would effectively cut off the city from the IJ waterfront. Politicians in The Hague pushed it through anyway, and now it is widely regarded as the most beautiful station in the country.

4. 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

5. SeeCanal District

   Anne Frank House

   Anne Frankhuis

   The house where the Jewish girl Anne Frank wrote her diary while hiding with her family from the Nazis. One must buy tickets online, only 20% are issued on the same day so buy them in advance. During high season tickets can be sold out a month in advance. To be safe, you should book 6 weeks in advance. Museumkaart is valid, I Amsterdam Card is not valid.

   9:00 - 22:00 (shorter on some national holidays, closed 25 September)·€16; 10-17 € 7; 0-9 € 1

6. 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.

7. SeeBinnenstad

   Beurs van Berlage

   Take a guided tour and check out the view from the top of the old stock exchange tower. It was built in 1903 (by Hendrik Petrus Berlage) and is considered the beginning of modern Dutch architecture. Costs €3.50, located on Beursplein near Dam Square.

8. SeeZuidoost

   Bijlmermonument

   In 1992 a Boeing 747F jumbo freighter crashed into two flats in the Bijlmer. This is a monument to the people on the ground who died or lost their houses in the disaster. 39 residents are known to have died, but due to many unregistered illegal immigrants living in the cellars of the flats at the time, which were completely incinerated in the crash, it is possible that more died than could be accounted for. The monument was designed by architect Herman Hertzberger and is built around a tree that survived the crash, with the names of the known victims and mosaics laid by survivors. The foundations of the destroyed buildings are also still visible.

9. SeeZuidoost

   Bijlmermuseum

   Protected monument to the original 1960s urban vision of the modernist Bijlmermeer expansion of Amsterdam. It consists of the high-rise flats Gooioord, Groeneveen, Grubbehoeve, Kikkenstein, Kleiburg and Kruitberg, the brutalist metro viaduct running between them and the parks they are all located in. You can get a tour of parts of the Grubbehoeve flat by appointment, but if the weather's good just grab supplies for a picnic at the Ganzenhoef or Kraainest shopping centers and walk underneath the metro line.

   By appointment

10. SeeJordaan

    Brouwersgracht

    This canal is sometimes cited as the "most beautiful street of Amsterdam". The name, "Brewer's Canal", refers to the many beer breweries along the canal in the 16th and 17th centuries. Nowadays, there's just one distillery left, De Ooievaar, that has been located here since 1782 and specializes in Dutch jenever and liquors. The warehouses here used to store goods such as coffee, spices and leather, but now serve a residential purpose. Traditional warehouses with the row of spout gables can be found at Brouwersgracht 196–188, and at 204, 206, 208 and 210. Also check out the wide-open red shutters at Groene Valk (192) and Grouwe Valk (194). Geloof, Brouwersgracht 218, shows the typical "neck" gable designed by Philips Vingboons.

11. 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

12. 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

13. SeeNoord

    D'Admiraal (1792)

    Windmill on the bank of the Noordhollands Kanaal in the north, ferry from Central Station.

14. SeePlantage

    De Gooyer

    It's the only windmill (1814, restored) in the centre of Amsterdam, and the closest one that's open to visitors.

    Wed-Sun 15:00-19:00

15. SeeWest

    De Otter (1631)

    A restored and functioning sawmill, opposite Buyskade, west of the Jordaan.

16. SeeZuid

    Diamant Museum

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

    Temporarily closed, will reopen in 2026

17. SeeBinnenstad

    Esnoga

    The Portuguese Synagogue

    The most prominent synagogue of the city centre, the Esnoga dates back from 1675 and is built in an austere Classicist style. In 1492, Spain expelled its Jewish population as part of the Inquisition, and many fled to Portugal. One hundred years later, their descendants migrated to Amsterdam for its religious freedom. This happened at a time when the Dutch provinces were fighting for independence against Spain. As to avoid being related to the enemy, these Jewish refugees originally from Spain began to refer to themselves as "Portuguese Jews". In the early 16th century, the three Jewish communities that existed at the time merged to form the Portuguese Jewish Community of Amsterdam, which still exists today. They were joined by Ashkenazi Jews that arrived from Central and Eastern Europe in the 17th century, together forming the largest Jewish community in Amsterdam and the Netherlands. Shabbat services are held regularly.

18. SeeOost

    Flevopark

    The Flevopark is in the Indische Buurt, at the eastern end of the Insulindeweg, next to the Jewish cemetery, the Flevoparkbad swimming pool, and the Nieuwe Diep inlet. There are two cafés open in spring/summer/autumn time and one festival each year.

19. SeeOost

    Floating houses

    There are two clusters of floating houses over a body of water. These small, modern houses are linked by a grid of walkways lined with railings holding life preservers and bicycles.

20. 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)

21. SeeOost

    Frankendael

    Frankendael is a house built in 1733 in Watergraafsmeer. The house is surrounded by a pleasant park. Take tram 9, get off at the stop "Hugo de Vrieslaan".

22. SeeZuid

    Frans Hals

    Those interested in urban renewal may wish to visit Frans Hals, a 19th-century, residential area along the narrow Frans Halsstraat (straat means street). By 2019, the city had removed on-street parking and replaced it with greenery, benches, picnic tables and some playground equipment. There are several restaurants along the street.

23. 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

24. 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

25. SeeCanal District

    Homomonument

    The Homomonument is a memorial to gays and lesbians murdered in World War II, a call for vigilance against homophobia, and an inspiration for gays and lesbians the world over. It consists of three equilateral triangles made of pink granite that are connected by an inlaid band of pink bricks. These three triangles represent the past, present and future.

26. SeePlantage

    Hortus Botanicus

    The Amsterdam Botanical Gardens — 'Hortus' as they are called by locals — used to be the Botanic Garden of the University of Amsterdam. It is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world. Nowadays it is an independent organisation. The collection of the garden consists of more than 6,000 species. The garden regularly holds extra exhibitions and music performances.

    Closed · opens 10 am tomorrow·Adult €9.75; seniors and children €5.50

27. SeeZuid

    Huis met de Kabouters

    House with the Gnomes

    Named after two gnomes decorating its facade, this building is in a mix of Gothic and Renaissance Revival and includes gargoyles and narrow lancet windows. Built in 1884, it became a rijksmonument in 1984.

28. 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

29. SeeZuidoost

    Johan Cruijff ArenA

    Formerly Amsterdam ArenA

    The Johan Cruijff ArenA, built from 1993 to 1996, has a capacity of 55,865 seats during sports matches. It's the home ground of AFC Ajax, who play in the Eredivisie, the top tier of football in the Netherlands; the Dutch national team also play here. The arena can hold up to 71,000 people during concerts and regularly holds popular music events. Ajax offers multiple daily tours through the stadium.

30. SeeZuid

    Lady Solid

    Waternet Pompstation

    Lady Solid is a life-size statue of a woman in a striking pose standing with arms and feet spread. The statue has a water feature making the artwork controversial as it appears the lady has an incontinence problem. The pumping station features the artwork perhaps as it was "promoting the importance of well-functioning waterways", as suggested by a website on public art. The statue/fountain can be seen from the public sidewalk.

31. 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.

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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.

35. 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

36. 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.

37. SeeBinnenstad

    Nationaal Monument

    A large spire that functions as a memorial for the victims of World War II. It was designed by architect J.J.P. Oud and revealed on 4 May 1956. Every 4 May, at the Remembrance of the Dead, a ceremony is held here to commemorate all civilians and members of the Dutch armed forces that died in World War II and later armed conflicts.

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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

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