Location: Amsterdam
Top Things to do in Amsterdam
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The 10 Best Specialty Museums in Amsterdam, North Holland Province
This city, full of colorful homes, canals and bridges, is one of Europe's most picturesque capitals. Must-sees on any visitor's itinerary include the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum and the world's only floating flower market. Rent a bike and join thousands of locals navigating Amsterdam's labyrinthine streets, or just take in the sights on foot. For an unusual and memorable alternative to hotels, consider staying in a houseboat.
Restaurants in Amsterdam
1. Museum Vrolik
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 125 reviews
The Museum Vrolikianum was the private anatomical collection of the Amsterdam anatomists Gerard (1775-1859) and Willem Vrolik (1801-1863). After their deaths, the collection was further expanded by other Amsterdam anatomists. The human body is the central focus in Museum Vrolik. What do we look like on the inside? What diseases did people suffer from in the past? Skeletons and wet specimens show the devastating effects of diseases like rickets (English disease), TBC and syphilis. Congenital malformations are also on display, such as cyclopia and conjoined twins. Museum Vrolik has a large collection of animal anatomy as well.
Reviewed By tonis927 - Bury St. Edmunds, United Kingdom
All those poor deformed babies in jars make for a fascinating yet sorrowful experience. Luckily modern medicine is able to prevent such horrors as Cyclopia and rickets but not for these poor souls. If like me you have a fascination for the bizarre and grotesque this is for you. It's situated in what looks like a hospital/medical college on the south side of Amsterdam which was about a 30 minute Uber from our hotel in the West of the city but I'm so glad we went. Entrance fee is €7.50, very cheap compared to BodyWorlds which is over double the price. It's also more interesting in my opinion. Having seen BodyWorlds 20 years ago in London and again the same week as the Vrolic Museum I can testify this is much better value for money. It's small and your not meant to take photos but what you will see will stay with you for a long time.
2. Huis Bartolotti
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 25 reviews
Canal houses were once the homes of wealthy Amsterdam merchants. Museumhuis Bartolotti is one of these eye-catching canal houses in Amsterdam. This mansion is now open to the public.
Reviewed By JonF237 - Carlow, Ireland
This has to bo one of Amsterdams best hidden gems, we accidentally stumbled on it as we walked the canal streets, the guides are so welcoming and have interesting facts about the house and its history. You are invited to sit on the couches and enjoy the feel and history of the house. Also includes an audio your. Don't miss the cup of coffee in the basement kitchen. If you're interested in the history of Amsterdams canal house I can't recommend a visit here highly enough.
3. Micro Art Amsterdam
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 286 reviews
Reviewed By bluberri22
This exhibit seemed to be a hidden gem, I saw only four visitors during our 2 hour stay. Because each piece was so intricate and small, the small crowd allowed us to really take our time and appreciate the art. The work itself is mindblowing, incredible pieces of art on the teeniest, tiniest, oddest of canvases. A MUST SEE!!!
4. Youseum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 267 reviews
Youseum is a new immersive art experience, built for you. It's is kaleidoscopic. It’s a little cheeky. It’s a lot of fun. Embark on an uninhibited exploration of the self while tackling some of the most important topics of today, through 15 rooms with 25 experiential elements. Participate in a world that sparks question of what it means to see and be seen.
Reviewed By pablobrusseel - Maldegem, Belgium
If you love taking cool Instagram pictures, this is the place! They provide multiple rooms with cool props.
5. Joods Historisch Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,045 reviews
The Jewish Historical Museum is a modern museum of Jewish heritage housed in four monumental synagogues near Waterlooplein in the heart of Amsterdam. Three permanent exhibitions present the history and culture of the Jewish people in the Netherlands. In addition to the three permanent exhibitions, the museum always offers two great temporary exhibitions and the fun JHM Children's museum.
Reviewed By MissEmilyMc - London, United Kingdom
The Jewish Historical Museum has a main focus on Jewish history, religion and culture which is located in the Jewish Quarter. Throughout the museum there are a range of different objects relating to Jewish life - some being interactive such as being to click on an object through a screen to find out more information regarding it to objects that can be used in the home but also serve a religious purpose. There's a clear contrast as to how religion has changed but in many ways stayed the same. The next floor focuses on the links with Israel, which is mainly seen through the use of an audio guide (which is free as it comes included with the ticket). The next floor represents the history of Jews moving to Amsterdam and the effect that this had on their life throughout the ages - since they had fled from their homes due to anti-Jewish actions and persecutions (during the Middle Ages). The next part of the museum focuses on the history of the Jews from the 1900's to present day, much of which includes information in the form of interviews, films, photos and interviews to see life for Dutch Jews during the Second World War. This museum takes about an hour at least to get through with each object containing detailed information as well as the audio guide serving as a personal guide for when walking around the museum. The museum also features a Children's Museum in which contains a study room in which is used to show visually the different forms of Jewish life such as a Torah as well as a board with letters from a Hebrew book. If you have a big rucksack or a handbag you won't be allowed to bring this in - there are lockers available - but like anything is, this is at your own risk.
6. Museum Ons'Lieve Heer Op Solder
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,372 reviews
In the heart of Amsterdam's bustling centre lies one of the city's oldest museums: Museum Our Lord in the Attic. Here visitors get to experience the Dutch Golden Age in a special way: a 17th-century house with a top floor converted into a Catholic church.
Reviewed By ILoveDinglyDell - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Amazing to find what was hidden behind the facade of an old Dutch house bordering one of the canals. Fascinating insight into the life of the house from the 1600s to sometime in the 1800s with the family rooms, storage rooms and at the top of the house, a complete church. We wandered around up and down steep stairs, with our audio guides in hand which we found extremely helpful. Wonderful experience and one not to be missed!
7. Anne Frank House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 62,301 reviews
The Anne Frank House (Dutch: Anne Frank Huis) is a museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank. The building is located on a canal called the Prinsengracht, close to the Westerkerk, in central Amsterdam in the Netherlands. As a visitor, you experience this story through a audio tour, quotes, photos, videos, and original items. The Anne Frank House can only be visited with an online ticket for a specific date and time.
Reviewed By Skiforever1223 - Salt Lake City, United States
This is a very special museum for many reasons but I was pleasantly surprised by how beautifully the museum created the narrative and the spaces they created. My two teenage daughters and I will never forget this experience. I loved the amazing artwork at the end portraying scenes recreated from the hiding place and also recommend taking time to watch the touching tributes video at the end where you hear visitors’ experiences and guest book comments from Nelson Mandela, Steven Spielberg and more. Read or re-read Anne Frank’s diary prior to visiting to really feel the spirit of this young reminder of so many tragically lost. You do have to reserve tickets online. Per the website: 80% of tickets are released exactly two months in advance at 12:00* hours noon, 20% on the day itself. Every day at 9:00* hours, the tickets for the day are made available on this site. (*Amsterdam time). The museum recommends this for children 10 and older. I would recommend 11 yrs. for a well-prepared child. It is a quiet, sober tour and there is one brief concentration camp scene that is graphic. Bag check and audio guides included with your ticket and there is a cafe and shop for after your tour. No photography. You line up outside at your assigned time slot until it’s time for your group to go in and it’s best to take a picture of your ticket rather than try to pull it up in your email because connectivity is spotty. The actual house/store is encased and preserved by the museum surround on Prinsengracht street. We booked an evening visit which also added to the poignancy as you leave the museum and see the canals lit by street lights. Highly recommend.
8. Tassenmuseum Amsterdam
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,757 reviews
Every bag tells its own story. The collection of the Museum of Bags Amsterdam includes more than 5,000 bags and accessories, each of which tells something about the developments in fashion, design, craftsmanship and techniques as well as the customs typical of a certain period. The Museum of Bags Amsterdam is located in a real House: a former mayor’s residence dating from the 17th century and which is now part of a UNESCO world heritage site known as the Amsterdam Canal Ring Area. Few canal-side buildings are as well-preserved as this one. The stairwell in particular appeals to the imagination, and, in the elegant period rooms, guests can fancy themselves going back in time to the Dutch Golden Age while enjoying an elegant lunch or High Tea. Since the museum opened on Herengracht in Amsterdam in 2007, its world-famous permanent collection as well as its varied and inspiring programme are now attracting around 70,000 visitors each year.
Reviewed By jerricab2015 - London, United Kingdom
Friendly staff beautiful building and informative and many many bags and purses if you love bags then this is a must the collection of bags is massive and from many eras well worth a visit Free entry on the iamsterdam card
9. Museum of the Canals
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 692 reviews
Grachtenmuseum Amsterdam (The Museum of the Canals) is the starting point for visitors to Amsterdam! It is located in one of the most beautiful canalside houses. Grachtenmuseum Amsterdam introduces visitors to one of the best city development projects in the world: the 17th-century canals of Amsterdam. During your visit to the multimedia, interactive exhibition, you will travel in 40 minutes through 400 years of history.
Reviewed By luckytrotter
This is a cosy museum with a wonderful and friendly staff. The multimedia presentation is lively, fun, interesting and informative. It’s a lovely experience if you’re interested in history and city planning. We loved it!
10. Museum Het Schip
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 151 reviews
Museum The Ship is located in the imaginative social housing complex ofthe same name designed by architect Michel de Klerk. This expressionistic housing block was built in 1919 for social housing corporation Eigen Haard. The triangular shape of the building inspired its nickname “The Ship”. It is one of the best examples of the “Amsterdam School”– a movement in architecture and decorative arts that spread across all of the Netherlands.
Reviewed By Hermes_NL - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Ship is a museum about the Amsterdam School architecture right inside a prime example of this type of architecture. It is located inside the former school part of the 1919 social housing project “Het Schip”. An hourly guided tour takes you around and jnside the building. It is also quite well possible to guide yourself around. The museum café provides a good sandwich lunch and the volunteer staff is very friendly.
