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.
“Good experience! Lots of interesting facts and an eye open to what goes on, friendly staff and good fun!”
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Amsterdam is a fast-paced, interactive weird-museum on Dam Square, with optical illusions and bold photo views.
“Really interesting facts and figures in here! Also quite a few good photo spots. Staff were friendly and the place was clean! Definitely worth a visit!”
A timed entry to the Van Gogh Museum plus a 75-minute Amsterdam canal cruise with multilingual audio. Skip lines for $47.
“The museum was crowded, which was expected, but easy admission and the art was obviously great. It was a nice surprise to see pieces from friends and inspirations of Van Gogh. But the real treat was the canal tour. After walking all day, it was a welcome relief to sit and drift. It was a…”
Skip the line at Amsterdam’s NEMO Science Museum with hands-on exhibits, chain-reaction demos, and lab activities near Central Station.
“Had an absolutely blast. This is very much meant for children but had fun as an adult. There’s very interesting exhibits and they are way more open than US culture in some of the questions they posed and exhibits shown. It was nice. Also saw a giant Rube Goldberg machine demonstration”
Ticketed, interactive 3-floor Cannabis Museum in Amsterdam with live plants, science tools, hemp history, and a free goodie bag.
“Great fun if you’ve got an hour to kill. We actually learned some great facts, and got to try weed tea at the end.”
Kattenkabinet is Amsterdam’s cat-art museum: Picasso, Rembrandt, odd artifacts, and resident cats in a quiet canal house.
“Loved the cats wandering about and loved the room where little notes about people’s cats were left”
Step into Amsterdam’s WWII Resistance Museum and follow Dutch resistance stories through interactive exhibits and a multilingual audio guide.
“Presents the history of resistance during National Socialism incredibly well and vividly, is barrier-free and incredibly interactive”
Escher in Het Paleis: tour a royal Winter Palace, see Metamorphosis III, and try optical puzzles on the interactive second floor.
“I've been a fan of Escher stone i was in school so visiting his museum was a real treat.”
ARTIS-Micropia in Amsterdam, the world’s only microbe museum. Scan yourself, collect stamps, and see living microbes up close.
“Helpful staff explained in perfect English what to expect from Micropia. Free lockers to leave your bags & coats so you can participate in all the activities. Lots of information displayed & scientists on hand to answer any questions. Enjoyed the digital scanner which detects the many microbes present both on & in the body.…”
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.
“The museum was definitely worth it as was the Portuguese Synagogue. I would not recommend the cafeteria.”
Visit Amsterdam’s National Holocaust Museum in the Hervormde Kweekschool, plus Hollandsche Schouwburg memorial, with a $24 ticket.
“Great so much to see unfortunately had to leave early due to them closing”
Small-group Van Gogh Museum tour with timed entry and an expert guide, walking you through his life and masterpieces in 2.5 hours.
“Victoria was excellent. Her perspective was of the artist and his struggle of life reflected through his art.”
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.
“an absolute must when in Amsterdam! the experience is unique and you'll never see anything like it anywhere else in Europe I'm sure!”
