MUSEUMS TO GO FOR FREE IN AMSTERDAM

Museum Het Schip (The Ship)

  • Overview: Museum Het Schip is dedicated to the Amsterdam School architectural movement and is housed in a unique residential building with a distinct architectural style.
  • Highlights: Art Nouveau architecture, the museum’s interior, and the history of public housing in Amsterdam.
  • Address: Oostzaanstraat 45, 1013 WG Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • Website: Museum Het Schip
  • Public Transport: Trams 3, 5, and 10 to De Rijpstraat tram stop.
  • Days/Hours for Free: The museum offers free admission on the first Sunday of every month from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Diamond Museum Amsterdam

  • Overview: The Diamond Museum showcases the history of diamonds and the diamond industry in Amsterdam, known as the City of Diamonds.
  • Highlights: Diamond cutting demonstrations, a vast collection of diamonds, and the Diamond Way.
  • Address: Paulus Potterstraat 8, 1071 CZ Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • Website: Diamond Museum Amsterdam
  • Public Transport: Trams 2, 5, and 12 to Van Baerlestraat tram stop.
  • Days/Hours for Free: The museum offers free admission on the first Sunday of every month from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Electric Ladyland – Fluorescent Art Museum

  • Overview: Electric Ladyland is the world’s first museum of fluorescent art, offering a unique and colorful experience.
  • Highlights: Glowing artwork, interactive exhibits, and a different perspective on art.
  • Address: Tweede Leliedwarsstraat 5, 1015 TB Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • Website: Electric Ladyland
  • Public Transport: Trams 1, 2, 5, and 13 to Westermarkt tram stop.
  • Days/Hours for Free: The museum offers free admission on the first Sunday of every month from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Amsterdam Museum

  • Overview: The Amsterdam Museum delves into the rich history and culture of the city, showcasing art, artifacts, and interactive exhibits.
  • Highlights: Themed exhibitions, the Golden Age, and the history of Amsterdam’s development.
  • Address: Kalverstraat 92, 1012 PH Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • Website: Amsterdam Museum
  • Public Transport: Trams 4, 14, and 24 to Spui tram stop.
  • Days/Hours for Free: The museum offers free admission for children and young people under 18. The “We Are Amsterdam” program offers free admission for Amsterdammers on certain days. Check the website for details.

Civic Guards Gallery (Schuttersgalerij)

  • Overview: Located within the Amsterdam Museum, the Civic Guards Gallery is a free-access hallway featuring impressive portraits of civic guards from the Golden Age.
  • Highlights: Golden Age portraiture, historical context, and the blending of art and history.
  • Address: Kalverstraat 92, 1012 PH Amsterdam, Netherlands (entrance via the Amsterdam Museum).
  • Website: Amsterdam Museum
  • Public Transport: Trams 4, 14, and 24 to Spui tram stop.
  • Days/Hours for Free: The gallery is accessible during the opening hours of the Amsterdam Museum. Some days during the year, the museum offers free admission to Amsterdam residents.

Houseboat Museum

  • Overview: Housed in an actual houseboat, this museum offers a glimpse into life on the canals of Amsterdam.
  • Highlights: Unique living experience, canal views, and insights into houseboat living.
  • Address: Prinsengracht 296K, 1016 HW Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • Website: Houseboat Museum
  • Public Transport: Trams 13 and 17 to Westermarkt tram stop.
  • Days/Hours for Free: The museum offers free admission for children under 4. Entry for adults and older children is subject to an admission fee.

Museum of Bags and Purses

  • Overview: This unique museum houses a vast collection of bags and purses, showcasing their historical and cultural significance.
  • Highlights: Over 5,000 bags, changing exhibitions, and fashion history.
  • Address: Herengracht 573, 1017 CD Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • Website: Museum of Bags and Purses
  • Public Transport: Trams 1, 2, and 5 to Spui tram stop.
  • Days/Hours for Free: The museum offers free admission for children under 13. Check the website for specific days when admission is free.

The Biblical Museum

  • Overview: The Biblical Museum focuses on the Bible’s impact on art and culture, featuring religious artifacts, paintings, and manuscripts.
  • Highlights: Rare biblical texts, religious art, and historical artifacts.
  • Address: Herengracht 366-368, 1016 CH Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • Website: The Biblical Museum
  • Public Transport: Trams 2, 11, and 12 to Koningsplein tram stop.
  • Days/Hours for Free: The museum offers free admission for children under 12. Check the website for specific days when admission is free.


Multatuli Museum

  • Overview: The Multatuli Museum is dedicated to the life and work of Eduard Douwes Dekker, a Dutch writer best known for his novel “Max Havelaar.”
  • Highlights: Insight into colonial history, the influence of Max Havelaar, and Douwes Dekker’s legacy.
  • Address: Korsjespoortsteeg 20, 1015 AR Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • Website: Multatuli Museum
  • Public Transport: Trams 1, 2, 5, 13, and 17 to Dam tram stop.
  • Days/Hours for Free: The museum offers free admission for children under 18. Check the website for specific days when admission is free.

Tassenmuseum Hendrikje (Museum of Bags and Purses)

  • Overview: This museum boasts one of the world’s largest collections of bags and purses, showcasing their historical and cultural significance.
  • Highlights: A vast array of bags, historical purses, and changing fashion exhibitions.
  • Address: Herengracht 573, 1017 CD Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • Website: Tassenmuseum Hendrikje
  • Public Transport: Trams 1, 2, and 5 to Spui tram stop.
  • Days/Hours for Free: The museum offers free admission for children under 13. Check the website for specific days when admission is free.

FOAM – Photography Museum Amsterdam

  • Overview: FOAM is a renowned museum dedicated to contemporary photography, featuring a dynamic range of exhibitions and collections.
  • Highlights: Cutting-edge photography, innovative exhibitions, and contemporary visual art.
  • Address: Keizersgracht 609, 1017 DS Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • Website: FOAM
  • Public Transport: Trams 16, 24, and 25 to Keizersgracht tram stop.
  • Days/Hours for Free: The museum offers free admission for children under 12. Check the website for specific days and age-related free admission details.

Het Grachtenhuis (Museum of the Canals)

  • Overview: Het Grachtenhuis offers insight into Amsterdam’s canal system, urban planning, and the city’s Golden Age history.
  • Highlights: Interactive exhibits, 3D models, and canal-related artifacts.
  • Address: Herengracht 386, 1016 CJ Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • Website: Het Grachtenhuis
  • Public Transport: Trams 2, 11, and 12 to Koningsplein tram stop.
  • Days/Hours for Free: The museum offers free admission for children under 6. Check the website for specific days when admission is free.