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.
“very informative and eye opening into the way the red light district worked and works now, extremely good museum”
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Amsterdam is a fast-paced, interactive weird-museum on Dam Square, with optical illusions and bold photo views.
“We had a great time at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! It was fun, engaging, and full of interesting exhibits. The staff were extremely helpful and even allowed us to adjust our entry time without any issues. Overall, an excellent experience and definitely worth visiting.”
A timed entry to the Van Gogh Museum plus a 75-minute Amsterdam canal cruise with multilingual audio. Skip lines for $47.
“Great tour of VanGogh museum. I chose to get the in- person tour instead of self guided audio option. Guide was great and gave insights I wouldn't have gotten with audio tour. After guided tour I could go back and look further”
Skip the line at Amsterdam’s NEMO Science Museum with hands-on exhibits, chain-reaction demos, and lab activities near Central Station.
“The museum is great. It is a little bit crowded tho”
Ticketed, interactive 3-floor Cannabis Museum in Amsterdam with live plants, science tools, hemp history, and a free goodie bag.
“was a really nice experience, the staff was really welcoming and friendly.”
Kattenkabinet is Amsterdam’s cat-art museum: Picasso, Rembrandt, odd artifacts, and resident cats in a quiet canal house.
“Fabulous collection of art and recreated to cats Beautiful garden area And a few cats slinking around for petting!!”
Step into Amsterdam’s WWII Resistance Museum and follow Dutch resistance stories through interactive exhibits and a multilingual audio guide.
“An excellent museum,a hidden gems in Amsterdam, very good place for people interested in WWII.”
Escher in Het Paleis: tour a royal Winter Palace, see Metamorphosis III, and try optical puzzles on the interactive second floor.
“Lovely experience the top floor where it is more interactive is absolutely amazing. Reasonably priced souvenir shop too. Something for the whole family.”
ARTIS-Micropia in Amsterdam, the world’s only microbe museum. Scan yourself, collect stamps, and see living microbes up close.
“Really fun and interesting, my 8 and 12 year olds loved it, especially collecting the stamps!”
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.
“Explains the history of the Dutch Jews very well. The Jewish museum was excellent with good audio link. The Portuguese synagogue was an interesting place.”
Visit Amsterdam’s National Holocaust Museum in the Hervormde Kweekschool, plus Hollandsche Schouwburg memorial, with a $24 ticket.
“Very insightful , Sad but very informative Can go at your own pace which is nice”
Small-group Van Gogh Museum tour with timed entry and an expert guide, walking you through his life and masterpieces in 2.5 hours.
“We had a fantastic tour! Victoria was a knowledgeable, enthusiastic, passionate, and patient guide.”
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.
“A well crafted and stunning church hidden behind the doors of a normal canal house... Audio tour was very informative.. Loved you get extra information by pressing 'A' or 'B' if you wanted.”
