Maritime Museum

The Dutch Maritime Museum – Nederlands Scheepvaartmuseum or Rijksmuseum Nederlands Scheepvaart in Dutch – reopened after its renovation in 2011, is located a little outside the centre of Amsterdam, near the old harbour of the city.

After its reopening in 2011, the museum offers a series of multimedia exhibitions alongside the classic collection, which showcases some 60000 maritime artefacts. The collection has been divided into several small exhibitions on different themes.

Among the most important are: ‘See you in the Golden Age’, ‘Door 24/7’, ‘Journey to the Sea’. Some exhibitions are dedicated to children, such as ‘The Tale of the Whale’ and ‘My Expo’.

This multi-media museum with its attractions for both adults and children turns out to be one of the best museums in Amsterdam, giving visitors an insight into the history of the Netherlands and its people.

The Amsterdam Ship

Not to be missed when visiting the museum is the replica of the Amsterdam, a large ship of the Dutch East India Company, which sank in a storm in the English Channel during its maiden voyage.

The wreck of the ship was discovered off the English coast in 1969 and the museum replica was completed in 1990. Visiting the ship, one can see how small and cramped the spaces were that had to accommodate as many as 350 people during the voyage; comfort was only the prerogative of the ship’s captain and officers.

Tickets for the Maritime Museum in Amsterdam

If you are planning to visit the Maritime Museum and the ship Amsterdam, buy a skip-the-line ticket in advance: you will avoid queues at the ticket offices and secure your visit on the day of booking.

Opening Hours

The Maritime Museum Amsterdam is open daily from 09.00 to 17.00. Closed only on 1 January, Christmas Day and 27 April, King’s Day and a national holiday in the Netherlands.

Inside the museum there is also a restaurant, the Stalpaert, and the souvenir shop Het Pakhuis.

How to get there

To reach the maritime museum on foot, just walk from the central station along the IJ bay via Prins Hendrikkade. You will see the old VOC – a replica of a Far East sailing ship, and the museum is located right next to the ship.

Alternatively, from Central Station you can take bus 22 towards Indische Buurt or bus 48 towards Borneo Eiland, and get off after two stops, at Kadijksplein. The museum will be on your left.