Amsterdam History Museums
Very few small nations have succeeded to create such a distinct civilization, as the Dutch. The Netherlands was for centuries a proud republic and a nation of brave sailors and ambitious merchants. One of the foremost sea powers of 17th century. The Netherlands entered the modern world with deep respect for its history and its traditions.
Most popular Amsterdam history museums
There are two main historical museums: The Maritime Museum and the city's historical exhibit The Amsterdam Museum. They have been modernized and prepared to appeal to young visitors. The Jewish Historical Museum and Anne Frank House document the history of 500 years of Jewish presence in the Netherlands and their suffering during the Holocaust. A number of other interesting museums and buildings complete the historical picture.
List of Amsterdam history museums
Below you can find Amsterdam museums of the history category. Visit their individual pages to read more, see photos, view their location on a map and where possible even buy tickets online.
Anne Frank House in Amsterdam
Prinsengracht 267, 1016 GV Amsterdam
A hidden annex of Amsterdam canal house, where two Jewish families hid from persecution by the Nazis from July 6, 1942 until their betrayal in August 4, 1944, is one of the most popular visiting places in Amsterdam. It is here that Anne Frank, only 15 years old at the moment of her death in the German concentration camp Bergen-Belsen, wrote her famous diary. You may visit the modest hiding rooms of the annex, but also see an original of the diary and an exhibition about the time of hatred brought on people by the Nazis.
Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam
Jodenbreestraat 4, 1011 NK Amsterdam
The house where Rembrandt lived from 1639 until 1659 is now the home of a large collections of his etchings and the very place where most of them where made. It also has a large collection of paintings of people who inspired him, like Pieter Lastman.
National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam
Kattenburgerplein 1, 1018 KK Amsterdam
Reopened after successful modernization, this lively and colorful museum impresses the visitor not only with its collection, but also with the way it was presented. Het Scheepvaartmuseum uses in its show elements of an attraction park and modern multimedia. Housed in a beautifully renovated 17th C. building, the museum’s exhibit incorporates big replica of the historical sailing ship standing outside on the waters of the Ij Bay. Big fun, not only for kids.
Muiderslot castle near Amsterdam
Herengracht 1, 1398 AA Muiden
A great trip for people interested in history and aesthetics. But also for families with children. We are sure that everyone will find something of interest there.
Tropenmuseum – Amsterdam Tropical Museum
Linnaeusstraat 2, 1092 CK Amsterdam
One of the most intriguing Amsterdam's museums belongs to the Royal Institute for the Tropics, a foundation devoted to the study of the cultures of tropical areas around the world. One of the most intriguing Amsterdam's museums belongs to the Royal Institute for the Tropics, a foundation devoted to the study of the cultures of tropical areas around the world.
Amsterdam Museum
Kalverstraat 92, 1012 RM Amsterdam
History of Amsterdam shown through fine paintings including one Rembrandt, various extraordinary 17th C. group portraits of foremost citizens and other admirable artifacts. Additionally, the museum usually presents interesting temporary exhibits.
Willet-Holthuysen Museum in Amsterdam
Herengracht 605, 1001 AC Amsterdam
An impressive collection of furniture, silverware and paintings housed in a beautiful preserved 17th-century canalside mansion. How did a wealthy family live in an Amsterdam canal house? Find out in this 17-th century mansion.
Museum Van Loon in Amsterdam
Keizersgracht 672, 1017 ET Amsterdam
An impressive patrician canal house at the very center of Amsterdam. Here is your unique possibility of entering such a house, still owned by the aristocratic Van Loon family, which decided to open it to the public. An interesting private museum documenting the life of the upper class in the city of Amsterdam.
National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam
Plantage Middenlaan 27, 1018 DB Amsterdam
The first Dutch Holocaust Museum was newly created in 2016 in two buildings at the Plantage Middenlaan street. A former theatre The Hollandsche Schouwburg served already as the memorial for the 104 thousand Jewish victims murdered by the Nazis during German occupation, the Shoah. Now, together with another building across the street, the Hervormde Kweekschool (the Teacher Training College) the newly created museum documents the suffering, but also stories of heroism and solidarity in these awful times.
Jewish Historical Museum, Amsterdam
Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1, 1011 PL Amsterdam
The museum consists of four synagogues, the oldest dating back to 17th century and houses a rich collection. It shows the history, religion and culture of Jews in the Netherlands.
Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam
Dam Square, mail@nieuwekerk.nl Amsterdam
This late Gothic church is the home of several unique exhibitions throughout the year. Each exhibition will show only masterpieces of a certain era or subject.
Oude Kerk in Amsterdam
Oudekerksplein, 1012 GX Amsterdam
This old church with little houses clinging to its sides, remains a calm heaven at the heart of the freneric Red Light District. Its buildings, especially the Gothic-renaissance style octagonal bell tower, was used by sailors to get their bearings.
Het Grachtenhuis, Canal House Museum
Herengracht 386, 1016 CJ Amsterdam
A new small museum in the heart of the Old City, located in an old and magnificent canal house. The Canal House Museum (Dutch: Het Grachtenhuis) shows in a modern multimedia tour, the history of Amsterdam Canal Ring Area, planned and constructed in the 17th C. - since 2010 placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Municipal Archives of Amsterdam
Vijzelstraat 32, 1017 HL Amsterdam
n the archives and their collections you can find out everything about the history of your relatives from Amsterdam, your house or the neighborhood you live in. The total length of the archives is about 35 km. The Standsarchief organizes exhibitions and screens documentary films about Amsterdam.
Jordaan Museum in Amsterdam
Vinkenstraat 185, 1018 DH Amsterdam
A new small museum debuts with an exhibit about several chosen aspects of history of the Jordaan Quarter in Amsterdam as its original singing tradition and the history of eruptions of popular discontent among its population. In the past one of the poorest areas of Amsterdam, the Jordaan has always been vibrant, energetic and for that reason remains unique.
Museum Our Lord in the Attic, Amsterdam
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 40, 1012 GE Amsterdam
On the edge of the Red Light District, museum houses in the restored 17th-century canal house with two smaller houses to the rear. The lower floors of the building became a museum in 1888 and today contain refurbished rooms, as well as a collection of church silver, religious artefacts and paintings.
Amsterdam Noord Museum
Zamenhofstraat 28A, 1022 AD Amsterdam
Constructed in 1918, the municipal housing district in the North of Amsterdam called Vogeldorp (Birds Village) offered relief to people who could not find the low cost accommodation elsewhere in town. Vogeldorp has been preserved in its original state and it remains until today an interesting architecture monument. The North Amsterdam Museum is located in a small building of the former municipal bath. With an exhibit of photographs, the museum illustrates everyday life of this unique area.
Allard Pierson Museum in Amsterdam
Oude Turfmarkt 127, 1012 CG Amsterdam
Allard Pierson Museum is Amsterdam's the only specialist archeological collection, now owned by the University. The museum contains Egyptian, Greek, Cypriot, Roman, Etruscan and Coptic artefacts.
Verzetsmuseum - Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam
Plantage Kerklaan 61, 1018 CX Amsterdam
The main exhibition of this museum shows the work of the Dutch resistance during WWII, but it also makes the visitor think about the things we take for granted nowadays, like freedom.
Multatuli Museum in Amsterdam
Korsjespoortsteeg 20, 1012 LK Amsterdam
The most important Dutch writer of the 19th century took his penname Multatuli (much experienced) from Roman poet Ovid. Born in Amsterdam in 1820 as Eduard Douwes Dekker, a son of ship captain, Multatuli achieved through his writings prominence lasting until our days. A small museum in the house of his birth, reminds his life and his writings.
Van Eesteren Museum in Amsterdam
Burgemeester De Vlugtlaan 125, 1063 BJ Amsterdam
A small museum about Cornelis van Eesteren, an important Dutch 20th Century architect, member of De Stijl group, pioneer of planning in urban development. The museum is located in the Slotermeer district, constructed after 1951 West of Amsterdam, under the guidance of van Eesteren.
Vakbondsmuseum - Trade Unions Museum in Amsterdam
Henri Polaklaan 9, 1018 CP Amsterdam
Situated in one of the finest trade union buildings, called de Burcht (Stronghold) by a Dutch claassic architect Hendrik Berlage, build in 1900 for the Dutch diamond workers, the museum is documenting trade unions history in the Netherlands.
Bilderdijk Museum in Amsterdam
De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam
Willem Bilderdijk has been an important Dutch poet, writer and thinker of the 19th century. At the age of six, he had an accident as a result of which, he had to stay at home for many years, until his adulthood. Love of books and studies he developed as a boy, marked his whole life. Today, Bilderdijk remains important as one of the thinkers who argued in his writings for the creation of the constitutional monarchy in the Netherlands, reinstating the Dynasty of Orange on the Dutch throne and against social revolution and liberalism. A small museum bestowed to him, preserves the memory of Bilderdijk - the person and that of his writings.
Theo Thijssen Museum in Amsterdam
Eerste Leliedwarsstraat 16, 1015 TA Amsterdam
An old small house, typical for the Jordaan area of Amsterdam accommodates on its ground floor a museum of the popular Dutch writer, author of popular in the Netherlands books for children - Theo Thijssen. The sympathetic, very small museum with a strong local character.
Press Museum Amsterdam
Zeeburgerkade 10, 1019 HA Amsterdam
A small museum specialized in the history of the newspaper and magazine publishing in the Netherlands.