A visit to the Van Gogh Museum is a unique experience. The museum contains the largest collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh in the world. It provides the opportunity to keep track of the artist’s developments, or compare his paintings to works by other artists from the 19th century in the collection. The museum also holds an extensive offer of exhibitions on various subjects from 19th-century art history.

Read more at the Van Gogh Museum

In this museum you will learn about the story of the world’s most dangerous flower, whose beauty drove Sultans, the wealthy and the common man alike to madness and bankruptcy.

Founded in 2004, the Amsterdam Tulip Museum seeks to fill a void in the history of the tulip. Amsterdam has no comparable institution dedicated to telling Holland’s fascinating horticultural story. Located in the Jordaan district, the museum offers a special reward for anyone interested in gardening, or simply sightseeing in Amsterdam. The exhibits include several interactive video displays that trace the tulip bulb from its ancient wild origins to modern 21st century cultivation.

Amsterdam Tulip Museum
Prinsengracht 112
1015 EA Amsterdam
Netherlands
Open Tuesday through Sunday 10 AM to 6 PM.
Telephone +31 (0)20 421 00 95
Fax +31 (0)20 421 34 04

Eastindiaman Amsterdam

VOC ships like the Amsterdam sailed to the Far East. The outward journey took around eight months, the return voyage one month less. From 1602 to 1795, 1461 East Indiamen made 4800 voyages. Less than 4 per cent (192) were lost at sea.

The original Amsterdam sailed up the North Sea in 1749. In a raging storm the rudder snapped. The master decided to beach the brand-new ship on the south coast of England. Thus he hoped to save the people on board, the cargo and the vessel.

But the East Indiaman soon sank into the mud, never to be freed again. The wreck has provided archaeologists with valuable information about the construction of VOC ships, their cargoes and life on board.

The Amsterdam, a VOC ship from 1990

In 1985, almost 200 years after the demise of the Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie, the keel was laid for a new East Indiaman. The original example was largely copied during construction. But modern standards also created differences: the hull and decks are made of tropical wood instead of oak, there is standing room between the decks, the spars are glued and stairs replace ladders. More than 400 volunteers worked on this new Amsterdam, which has been berthed at the Maritime Museum since 1991.

On the outward voyage, half the hold was filled with food and drink for around 240 men for eight months. On the return journey, the hold was filled with cargo and victuals for only around 70 men.

Cargo on the outward journey

On their way to Asia, the East Indiamen carried bricks and guns for the various VOC settlements and strongholds. And, of course, food, drink and clothes for the sailors and VOC soldiers on board. Plus pots and pans and tools. Silver and gold coins and bullion were brought along for the purchase of Asian goods.

Return cargo

Products from all over Asia filled the hold. Tin, pepper and other spices, fabrics, tea and china were stowed in such a way that they could withstand the voyage to the Netherlands without breakage or rot.

Bread room

The bread room was iron-plated to keep the supply of hardtack and cheese safe from vermin.

read more on the maritime musuem

Foam (Photography Amsterdam) enables people all over the world to experience and enjoy photography, whether it’s at our museum in Amsterdam, on the website, via our internationally distributed magazine or in our Editions department.

Foam is for photographers, picture editors, designers and all those who have a passion for photography. We focus especially on exhibitions, publications, discussions and specific projects relevant to contemporary themes in this field. Of course, well known photographers and historical work has an important place on our agenda. But special attention in our exhibition programme and elsewhere is also given to nurturing upcoming artists.

The heart of the Foam organisation is in Amsterdam. From here we develop and produce our exhibitions programme. We manage print publications like Foam Magazine as well as all online content. Foam Editions also has its home here, offering a wide range of work for collectors.

Essential to Foam is our extensive international network of photography professionals and partners. They help to plan and develop new projects, ensuring that the largest audience possible can experience the power of photography.

Read more about FOAM and the current expo’s on their site.

Artis is the oldest Zoo in the Netherlands (1838).
But Artis is not only a Zoo, Artis is also home to a Geological Museum, a Zoological Museum, the largest butterfly Pavilion in the Netherlands, a state of the art Planetarium and a magnificent aquarium.

Artis Zoo is located at:

Plantage Kerklaan 30-48

Check our Artis on the Amsterdam maps

for more details

Yep! I thought, lets start introducing you to something completely different than the daily museums in Amsterdam. I will cover some of the more odd ones for you during the next months.

The Museum of Bags and Purses is a unique museum that shows the history of the Western bag from the 16th century to the present day. The collection offers a fascinating insight into the development of the bag through the centuries in its function, shape, material and decoration.

The museum is housed in a magnificent building dating from 1664 on the Herengracht in the centre of Amsterdam. In this building one can admire two period rooms with painted ceilings and chimney pieces dating from the 17th and 18th century.

The museum shop offers a wide range of bags by Dutch and international designers. The shop also has an extensive assortment of cards, books and gift items.

The stylish museum café is situated at the rear of the building, overlooking the historical museum garden.

The museum is open every day from 10.00-17.00 hours.

here’s a link to the museum for you

Het Scheepvaartmuseum, the National Maritime Museum, shows how the Dutch culture has been shaped by the sea. Stimulating, interactive exhibitions allow visitors to explore 500 years of maritime history. Attractive object exhibitions show the best of our world famous collection. We have special exhibitions for children, including See you in the Golden Age and The tale of the whale. We even have one for children under the age of 6: Sal & Lori and Circus at Sea. And last but not least: the exciting ride Voyage at Sea is suitable for all ages and the famous replica of the VOC ship Amsterdam is back at the quay. Het Scheepvaartmuseum has been completely renovated, but still exudes history and is a beautifully imposing and impressive building in the heart of Amsterdam.

Het Scheepvaartmuseum welcomes visitors from all over the world. A day ticket gives you access to our beautiful and inspiring exhibitions and the opportunity to learn about the fascinating maritime history. We also have various museum facilities that are open to the public free of charge, including the Central Square, the Open Courtyard, the museum shop Het Pakhuys, Restaurant Stalpaert, the library and the waterside patio. Perfect for a stroll, a delicious meal or a nice cup of coffee or tea while enjoying the museum’s ambiance.

 opening hours

Since the opening in 1985 of the in Amsterdam, almost a million interested people have visited this permanent exhibition. Each year, some 95,000 visitors from all parts of the world come to this exceptional centre of culture and knowledge, located at 148 Oudezijds Achterburgwal in the heart of the Red-Light District. As its name suggests, the Museum is dedicated to the cannabis plant and its many uses. The Hash Marihuana Hemp Museum is unique in the world, and offers a true voyage of discovery – one that fits perfectly with any visit to Amsterdam.

Open all week from 10.00 until 22.00 hours.
Admission: € 5.70.
Groups, 10 persons or more € 3,85.
Free admission for children under 13 yrs. accompanied by adults.
Tram stop: De Dam.
5-minute walk from Central Station.

They have a small website which is to be found here

The nine streets De Negen Straatjes is a collective name given to nine small, cosy streets between Raadhuisstraat and Leidsestraat. They house a great number of vintage stores, alternative fashion, and specialised theme stores. The streets are also an excellent location for a good cup of coffee and a short escape from the busier streets of Amsterdam.

For those of you who’ve been there / are from there: it’s comparable to the Prenzlauerberg in Berlin or the Village in New York.

Loads of locals strolling around – an Amsterdam vibe pur sang.

Besides the restaurants , we’ve included some worthwhile cafés and bars for you to get your meals and drinks . A large number of more touristy bars can be found around the Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein. There’s plenty of other areas in Amsterdam with great nightlife! Try for example the Nieuwmarkt near the Red Light District, or De Pijp and Jordaan areas for more of the local bars. Most cafés and bars are also great for hanging out in daytime.

If you want to eat a bit more in euhm … style, there are numerous international restaurants spread all over Amsterdam. The wide range of restaurants and eateries in Amsterdam represent a melting pot of cultures. We’ve selected the best ones for you, from ridiculously cheap to more luxurious, and from steaks and sushi to vegan and vegetarian! So pick your own favorites and remember cheap is not all bad.

Checkout our food and drink section for more information