THE NETHERLANDS
The Dutch classics.
The 15 most popular museums in the Netherlands. What each one is really like, who runs it, and what it costs.
Step into Amsterdam’s Red Light Secrets Museum in a former brothel, with audio, window-seat views, and sex-worker stories.
“all very good. Queuing system was a bit of a shambles. should have one queu for pre paid and one for purchase on door.”
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Amsterdam is a fast-paced, interactive weird-museum on Dam Square, with optical illusions and bold photo views.
“very interesting reading all the believe it or not facts”
A timed entry to the Van Gogh Museum plus a 75-minute Amsterdam canal cruise with multilingual audio. Skip lines for $47.
“it was nice that the exhibit leads you through Van Gogh's life chronologically. without an audio guide, I was able to follow the exhibit through reading the placards”
Skip the line at Amsterdam’s NEMO Science Museum with hands-on exhibits, chain-reaction demos, and lab activities near Central Station.
“It was the best museum for kids. As it was very interactive and they could do stuff while learning.”
Ticketed, interactive 3-floor Cannabis Museum in Amsterdam with live plants, science tools, hemp history, and a free goodie bag.
“Loved this place, we were able to spend over an hour here, there was one woman who worked there who was so friendly and accommodating Would definitely recommend and go back one day”
Kattenkabinet is Amsterdam’s cat-art museum: Picasso, Rembrandt, odd artifacts, and resident cats in a quiet canal house.
“The best ever! I have been to 20 different cat cafes, even though this wasn’t a cafe this was the best cat experience ever!”
Step into Amsterdam’s WWII Resistance Museum and follow Dutch resistance stories through interactive exhibits and a multilingual audio guide.
“there was a QR code on every exhibit so you could choose what to listen to and what not to on the provided audio guide machine.”
Escher in Het Paleis: tour a royal Winter Palace, see Metamorphosis III, and try optical puzzles on the interactive second floor.
“The museum was wonderful. The art of Escher is truly amazing.”
ARTIS-Micropia in Amsterdam, the world’s only microbe museum. Scan yourself, collect stamps, and see living microbes up close.
“Micropia is an excellent museum and an educational experience. I recommend everyone to visit this place!”
Explore Nxt Museum’s Still Processing exhibition in Amsterdam, with six interactive art-tech installations using sound, light, and image perception.
Explore Amsterdam’s Jewish Cultural Quarter with self-paced entry to the Jewish Museum, Jewish Museum junior, and Portuguese Synagogue for $24.
“Very interesting finding out about the origins of the Jewish community in the city and also about Judaism and the rituals that are followed. Well laid out and plenty of displays depicting stories.”
Visit Amsterdam’s National Holocaust Museum in the Hervormde Kweekschool, plus Hollandsche Schouwburg memorial, with a $24 ticket.
“Excellent new museum Tells a really important part of history Very moving personal accounts.”
Small-group Van Gogh Museum tour with timed entry and an expert guide, walking you through his life and masterpieces in 2.5 hours.
“Hanneke is a master storyteller who provided fascinating historical anecdotes about how Van Gogh’s life history influenced his work. Hanneke is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Van Gogh and I highly recommend the tour!”
Skip the line at Amsterdam’s Moco Museum, then enjoy a 1-hour GPS canal cruise past Jordaan, De Pijp, Westerkerk, and Magere Brug.
Visit Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder, a preserved 17th-century canal house where a hidden attic church tells Amsterdam’s secret Catholic story.
“This is an AWESOME exhibit! The history of why there were these churches in private homes was so intriguing! The design of placing an operational church in such narrow architecture, is simply mind blowing.”
