A museum with a story. The hiding place where Anne Frank wrote her diary duringWorld War II. In this museum you can see the city of Amsterdam during the second World War. When you are standing inside the room of Anne Frank you can really imagine how it must have been. But despite the cruelties of the holocaust, Anne Frank enjoyed the small things in life.

The Anne Frank Huis

Welcome in the birth house of Multatuli, a very important Dutch writer. Here you find his most important furniture, his books and an expanded documentation. It also is a good example of every nineteenth century middle class house in Amsterdam. Multatuli was born as Eduard Douwes Dekker on 2 March 1820. He moved to the Dutch East Indies when he was 19 where he witnessed many wrongs under the colonial government. When nobody would listen to his findings he decided to write the Max Havelaar under the pseudonym Multatuli, a book about his findings in the Dutch East Indies. It became his first and most important book. It’s about a man trying to fight the corrupt governmental system in the colonial Dutch East Indies. The book has had a major influence on the colonal politics and Dutch literature. And here, in this house, you can imagine yourself in his world!

Multatulli Huis

You are now looking at the New church. It’s a strange name considering that the church was build in 1408, but the name originates from the time that the church had just been build. In that time Amsterdam was growing rapidly and the old church couldn’t facilitate the many church visitors, that’s why it was a necessity to have a new church. A prominent man named Willem Eggert gave the permission to build the church on his orchard and that’s how they could build the church in 1408 and how the church earned his name. The church was 3 times hit by fire, the worst time in 1645 when the entire roof and interior burnt. The citizens of Amsterdam joint forces and that’s how the church ended up being even more beautiful after the fire. Today the church has lost its religious role. The church is famous for its impressive exhibitions about treasures from other countries, cultures and religions and the yearly returning world press Photo exhibition. Also were here the wedding and the inauguration ceremony of King Willem Alexander. Also the inauguration ceremony of his mother Queen Beatrix took place here. Another great thing about this building are the beautiful organ concerts as the church has 2 organs.

The New Church

This is the Royal Palace Amsterdam. It was build between 1648 and 1665 on 13.659 wooden piles and designed by Jacob van Campen. It was build to be a city hall but it was given to Louie Napoleon in 1808 and after that it became the Palace of the Dutch Royal Family. Today, when the royal family isn’t using it is open for visitors and there are many exhibitions. 

Royal Palace Amsterdam

You are now looking at the oldest building of Amsterdam: the old church. It started out as a small wooden chapel next to a graveyard. This stone church replaced this chapel in the 13th century. 100 years later Amsterdam had grown so excessively that they needed a new church, and this church was built on the Dam; the New church. Because of this new church, this church got automatically the name: the old church. Before the reformation the church was called the saint Nicolas church, named after the saint protecting the sailors, a very common saint in harbour cities like Amsterdam. The church not only had a religious functions but was used for many more things. It was for example a meeting place for citizens and merchants. That’s how the church got the nickname: “the living room of Amsterdam”. Today the old church is a very impressive medieval monument, the oldest building of Amsterdam and it facilitates many exhibitions. A visit to Amsterdam isn’t complete without seeing this church!

The old church

You’re now looking at the museum: our lord in the attic.  This is a real hidden church. These kind of hidden churches were build in the golden age back when Catholicism was illegal to practice openly. Here they turned a 17th century canal house into a huge hidden church. Let yourself be surprised while you walk through the corridors, rooms, narrow stairwells and discover the secret of this museum: a church hidden in the attic. 

Museum; Our lord in the attic

‘Knows and shows good art.’ Contemporary visual art made by artists from all over the world. Exhibitions, performances, film screenings and more. In the appel arts centre you can discover everything about the latest developments in the modern art.

The Appel Art Centre

You’re now looking at the Science centre NEMO. The first thing that probably catches your eye is the special building the museum is in.  It was built on the fundaments of the IJ-tunnel. It has the shape of the mirroring of the entrance of the tunnel. It was built in 1997 and designed by Renzo Piano. NEMO is the biggest science centre of the Netherlands; it has 5 floors full of exhibitions, demonstrations and workshops. You can discover how the world works by watching en doing all kinds of experiments. For example discover how a bridge works, why you sometimes can see things that aren’t there and how lighting occurs. After a day in NEMO you will never see the world in the same way again. 

Science Centre NEMO

Spot on Architecture Architecture gallery, shop, info. Start your exploration of Amsterdam’s most interesting buildings and areas at Arcam. You can request different routes here with all the information about the architecture, buildings and history of the city.

Arcam museum

You’re now looking at the national maritime museum, which is about the Dutch Shipping. The museum was founded in 1916 and was moved twice before queen Beatrix reopened it here in the former sea warehouse. The warehouse was built in 1665 and stored everything that was needed for shipping like: cannons, sails, flags, drinking water and marine equipment. There are two ships moored next to the museum. A steamship build in 1900 and a replica of a VOC ship build in 1990 recreated from a ship build in 1749. In this museum you can see how the sea determined a great deal of the Dutch culture. 500 years of history is to be discovered in a stimulating and interactive way.

National Maritime Museum

The Tropenmuseum is an ethnographic museum. Here you can see everything about cultures and people from all over the world. The museum is especially about the tropical areas, that’s why it’s called the ‘Tropenmuseum’. In the museum you can see for instance how they celebrate carnival in Bolivia or which music instruments they use in middle Africa. Explore the Mexican culture and find out where Halloween comes from. In this museum you will make a journey all over the world. One time you are waking on the African savannah and the next moment you are walking in the culture of the Maya Indians. This museum is very diverse and here you can explore everything about religion, art and culture. 

Tropenmuseum

The National Holocaust Memorial commemorates the persecution of the Jews between 1940 and 1945. In this museum you will learn a lot about the holocaust and about the Jews in Amsterdam during the second World War. The Hollandsche Schouwburg was an intermediate station for the Jews before they were transported to the concentration camp Westerbork.

Hollandsche Schouwburg

If you look at the world from very close, a new world opens itself for you. It’s prettier and more special than you could have ever imagined. Micropia shows you this invisible world. Recently, in a restored monument in the zoo Artis you can visit the museum Micropia. Here you can see even more animals than you can see with the naked eye. Micropia makes the invisible world of micro-organisms visible. The fact that you aren’t able to see them doesn’t mean they don’t exist, they are everywhere. They are on you, inside of you, you breath them and you eat and drink them. They make life possible. They decide what you smell or taste and they decide whether you’re healthy or not. They are the most powerful organisms on earth however small they might be. Did you for example know that there could fir more than a million bacteria’s on the top of a needle? Micropia makes all of them visible, you can see bacteria’s, fungus, yeasts, algae, viruses and micro animals who make the life we know possible.

Micropia

The first zoo established in the Netherlands. It is a place where nature and cultural heritage come together; a place where stories exist since 1838 and where new stories are created daily. Take a look at the lions, the birds of prey or the beavers and learn everything about animals.

Natura Artis Magistra

Meet the people and hear the stories. In this museum you can see everything about resistance and everyday life in World War II. This museum is awarded best historical museum in Holland.

Verzetsmuseum

One of the oldest botanic gardens in the world. Originally, the Hortus was a medicinal herb garden, founded in 1638. Nowadays an oasis of tranquillity in the midst of busy city of Amsterdam.

Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam

Exhibits the collection of one of the world’s greatest and most famous museums: the Hermitage in St Petersburg. Two different exhibitions each year.

Hermitage Amsterdam

Learn about Jewish traditions while braiding bread dough in the kitchen, writing Hebrew letters in the study, or playing a tune together in the music room.

JHM Children's Museum

In this special museum you can experience the rich history between the Jews and Amsterdam. The museumcollection has more than 14.000 artificial objects, 12.000 pictures and 15.000 historical documents. In the form of paintings, portraits of famous Jews and historical objects you can see the Jewish culture.

Joods HIstorisch Museum (JHM)

Visit the colossal Portuguese Synagogue with its unique 17th-century interior and discover the impressive museum treasury in the outbuildings.

Portugese Synagoge

This is the house where Rembrandt used to live and where he painted his masterpieces. Now it’s a museum. Come and look how he lived, made is own paint and how he printed his etchings. 

The Rembrandt House Museum

In the elegant museum, the magnificent ballroom and dining room shows you how the married couple Willet-Holthuysen lived in the 19th century.

Museum Willet-Holthuysen

World’s foremost bag collection. Enjoy 500 years of history of the Western ladies bag in a beautiful, historic canal house from 1666, located in the centre of Amsterdam.

Tassenmuseum Hendrikje

Experience this private city palace, home of the powerful Geelvinck family since 1687. Hidden behind its austere front, the lush garden and richly designed interiors present an astonishingly wealthy history.

Museum Geelvinck Hinlopen Huis

All genres of photography: fine art, documentary, historical, contemporary. Work of famous photographers are interspersed with young talent.

Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam

The Van Loon family opens their home and collection to the public. Enjoy one of the city’s hidden treasures with period rooms, silver, a garden and a grand coach house.

The van Loon Museum

Enjoy the history of Amsterdam in one of the most beautiful buildings of the city: Building the Bazel. Karel de Bazel who unfortunately died 3 years before the building was finished built it between 1919 and 1926. It is now seen as his most important work. The Amsterdam city archives are the historical documentation centre of Amsterdam with 49 kilometre archives, a historical- and topographical collection with millions of maps, drawings, illustrations, a library and many sound- and movie archives. You can visit all this in the free treasury and cinema. In this way the history is accessible for everybody.

Amsterdam city archives

The starting point for anyone who wants to learn more about the ten UNESCO acknowledged World Heritage sites in The Netherlands.

World Heritage Stadium

Special Collections University of Amsterdam Visit the library housed in renovated historic buildings, with reading rooms and temporary exhibitions. Besides there is a bookshop called Nijhof & Lee bookshop. This is an unique collection of scientific books, manuscripts, prints, photographs and much more. Lectures, exhibitions or presentations are regularly held in which the collections are highlighted.

Bijzondere Collecties UvA

Archaeological museum of the University of Amsterdam, showing original objects from ancient Mediterranean cultures dating from 4000 BC to 500 AD. Especially the Romans, the Greek and the Egyptians. There are a lot of historical objects inside the museum. From Roman uniforms to Greek goblets. You can see everything about life of thousands of years ago.

Allard Pierson Museum

Experience the story of Amsterdam, your entry to the city. Take a fascinating journey of discovery through seven centuries of the city’s history. The museum has over 90.000 artificial objects and all these objects are telling the story of Amsterdam. With this collection you will really get to know the city of Amsterdam!

Amsterdam Museum

This 17th-century canal house tells the story of its influential residents, the religion of the people of Amsterdam, back then and nowadays, with stories, culture and traditions. In this museum you can find everything about the Bible, the most influential book ever!

Bijbels Museum

Museum for Photography Lively exhibition programme, focusing on contemporary, international photography of highest quality. Includes a photo collection, a photo library and a garden.

Museum for Photography

A collection of pipes and smoking-related objects, presented in a 17th-century canal house. An overview of fashion and design in smoking across five continents. You can see pipes from every period and every culture in this very unique museum.

 Amsterdam Pipe Museum

Rijksmuseum of Amsterdam is the biggest one of the Nedetherlands. The most important pieces of it’s collection are among other works of Rembrant, Vermeer and Frans Hals, the most important painting is the Nightwatch. Most of the art is from the time between the 15th century and 1900.

Rijksmuseum

Visit the Diamond Museum Amsterdam and become a diamond expert. A visit to the Diamond Museum Amsterdam sends you to a journey that starts 200 kilometres below the surface of the earth’s crust. There you will learn how diamonds are formed through a process of billions of years to their final shape we all know and love. But it doesn’t stop there because at this museum you can see actual diamond cutters and goldsmiths turning these precious stones into the most beautiful jewelry.

Diamant Museum Amsterdam  

You can hardly believe it, but during his life, Van Gogh only sold two of his paintings. By inheritances, his collection of paintings ended up with his nephew, Vincent William van Gogh. He then founded the Van Gogh foundation. Two years later they sold the entire collection to the state of the Netherlands for 15 million guilders. The collection consisted out of 200 paintings made by van Gogh and Gauguin, 400 drawings and even letters written by Vincent to his brother Theo. This collection you can now see in the van Gogh museum. You can get to know van Gogh through his paintings, drawings and letters. When you for example think about van Gogh, you think about bright and clear colours. But when you compare his first paintings to his masterpieces you see how his pallet changed in a search from dark to light. In the museum you can also find beautiful paintings of his students.

Van Gogh Museum

The largest museum in The Netherlands dedicated to modern and contemporary art and design. Since 1909 there is a lot of contemporary art and later they also added fotography and design to their collection. Today it’s mostly focussed on classic modern- and contemporary art. The museum owns almost 90.000 objects.

Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam

Escape the bustling city for a trip to visit the most beautiful and best kept medieval castle of the Netherlands in the small picturesque town of Muiden. Here you can become a real knight, or a beautiful princess. There is also an opportunity to climb the Westertower and there you will have a wonderful view. Get to know who Floris the Fifth was and see how he lived in the Muiderslot!

Muiderslot

The museum shows modern and contemporary art with an international standard. The Cobra group is a movement in the art of Europe that was founded immediately after World War II. Its members were mainly from Denmark, Belgium and Netherlands. The name Cobra comes from the names of the capitals of those countries: Copenhagen, Brussels and Amsterdam. In the museum you can see all kinds of modern art in the spirit of the Cobra group.

Cobra Museum

EYE has four screening rooms, exhibition space, a shop and a restaurant. EYE shows films in all genres and hosts exhibitions mixing film and art.

EYE FIlmmuseum

Welcome to the Dutch funeral museum, tot zover. Here you can learn all about different forms of funeral rituals. For example, the different forms of disposal of the dead. You can be buried, cremated or even preserved. And did you know that bones never burn completely? What do the ashes look like exactly? And what can you do to remember somebody by? Do you keep the ashes in an urn at home? Or do you have a painting, a hairpiece, or do you have even make objects out of the ashes to keep that person always with you? You can also learn all about the different rituals of different religions. What do the Muslims, Jews, Hindus or Christians do with their deceased? All of these questions, and many more will be answered here in the museum!

Dutch funeral museum, Tot Zover

You are now looking at the Olympic Stadium of Amsterdam. This massive building was in 1927 designed by the architect Jan Wils as an assignment of the NOC for summer Olympics of 1928 and is a stadium with an athletic running track. For this design he won a gold medal at the Olympics art. The stadium was called the stone sport city in these years. In 1937 they expended the stadium and from then it was also used for football. However this was reversed again in 2000. Today many events are organised here and here is the Olympic Experience, which is a sports museum. They concentrate on the 10 most important Dutch sports. You can find amazing sports objects like the bike on which Jan Jansen won the tour the France in 1968. You can also find the oldest medal ever won by the Dutch, Olympic sports clothing and attributes and film footage from the archives from Studio sport. In short, if you are a sports fanatic, this is the place to be!

Olympic Stadium

Start the press! A fascinating overview of 4 centuries of journalism. Come to the museum and experience our unique collections, stunning exhibitions and educational programs for the entire family. 

Press Museum

The ship, named after the vaguely outlines of a ship in the building, is the most famous work of the architect Michel de Klerk. The building was finished in 1921. As a monument for the social housing it is a  “real palace for the working class”. 

Museum the Ship

Amsterdam is home to many of the world's most famous museums. No trip to the city is complete without (at least) a visit to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum or Anne Frank House. The city also has a multitude of treasures outside of the Museum District. From cool museums about science to an amazing collection of handbags, plus photography, archaeology and more, Amsterdam has museums and galleries to suit every type of interest. That's why IZI.travel has, together with 44 collaborating museums; a tour designed where we will lead you to the most beautiful museums that Amsterdam has to offer.

Amsterdam

Museums of Amsterdam

Overview:

Listen to sample

To get the full experience, please download GlobeTrott Travel app

LIST OF SITES