The Amsterdam Museum (formerly the Amsterdam Historical Museum) illustrates the story of the Dutch capital via exhibitions of art and artifacts. From a medieval fisherman's community on the Amstel River, Amsterdam bloomed into a 17th-century center of world trade and fine arts; after a period of decline, it has resurfaced as a world leader in business, European politics, arts and -- of course -- tourism. This popular museum allows visitors to discover Amsterdam from lesser-known perspectives in its multimedia exhibits.
The museum itself dates back to 1926, when it was established as a center for the city art collection, which had accumulated since Amsterdam's 17th-century heyday. It is also the repository for all excavation finds in Amsterdam, which it rotates into its exhibits to complement its historical narrative.
What's to See at the Amsterdam Museum:
The Amsterdam Museum's permanent exhibition, "The Story of Amsterdam", is chock full of invaluable artifacts that help visitors visualize the local history -- 70,000 of them, to be precise.
From medieval ecclesiastical art and everyday artifacts, to 16th- and 17th-century Dutch Masters, to the 1970s "Witcar", a public rent-a-car, the collection is temporally and thematically expansive. Dutch modern art and architectural models round out the latter periods of the collection. The overview is both historical and aesthetic in nature, as befits the museum's purpose.
Amsterdam Museum Visitor Information:
Amsterdam Museum Location
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 357
Kalverstraat 92
Opening Times
- Mon - Fri, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Weekends and holidays, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Closed January 1, April 30 and December 30
Admission Fees
- Adults: € 10
- Seniors (65+): € 7.50
- Children 6-18: € 5
- Children under 6: Free
- "I amsterdam" card holders: Free
Audio tours are available for € 4.
Get There
- By foot - From Amsterdam Central Station, head south on Damrak until Dam Square; from the southwestern corner of the square, follow Kalverstraat to number 92.
- By tram - Line 1, 2 or 5 to "Spui", or line 4, 9, 14, 16, 24 or 25 to "Rokin".
More Information
Call +31 (0)20 523 1822
