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Plan your visit to Amsterdam in Motion

Amsterdam in Motion is a fully indoor multimedia experience located inside Zuiveringshal Oost in the Westergas cultural district. At the heart of the visit is a large animated city model that shows how Amsterdam has grown, adapted, and reshaped itself over 750 years. With timed entry and a steady, story-led format, planning ahead helps you enjoy the visuals at a relaxed pace and avoid busier moments.

Navigating your way

Start at the main entrance 👉

Enter Zuiveringshal Oost from Pazzanistraat and present your timed entry ticket at the entrance desk.

Join your entry slot 👉

Entry is managed in timed slots to keep the space comfortable. Arriving on time ensures a smooth start and minimal waiting.

Move around the city model 👉

Guests move freely around the large-scale city model, following the unfolding light, sound, and projection sequences from different viewpoints.

Finish at the exit 👉

The visit naturally concludes near the exit area, where you can pause, reflect on the visuals, and head back into Westergas Culture Park.

How to make the most of your time

Visit typeDurationRouteWhat you get

Short visit

45-60 minutes

Entry → City model show → Exit

Core story of Amsterdam’s growth, key visual sequences, and main projections

Standard visit

60-90 minutes

Full model loop → Displays → Exit

Time to follow the entire presentation, explore details, and read supporting displays

Extended visit

90+ minutes

Full experience → Revisit key moments

Space to revisit favourite scenes, notice finer details, and enjoy the atmosphere

Handy tips

  • Arrive with context: If you know even a little about Amsterdam’s canals or land reclamation, the early sequences make far more sense visually.
  • Stand slightly back for scale: Stepping a few metres away from the model gives a better sense of the city’s overall growth, not just individual districts.
  • Circle the model slowly: The visuals change depending on where you stand. Walking a full loop reveals details you miss from a single viewpoint.
  • Watch one sequence twice: The second viewing often reveals small details in the projections and lighting that are easy to miss the first time.
  • Photograph during pauses: Short breaks between projections offer the clearest, least crowded moments for photos without disrupting the experience.
  • Pair with Westergas after: Visiting cafés or green spaces nearby helps place the modern city you just saw into real, walkable context.

What to see at Amsterdam in Motion

Illuminated cityscape model at Amsterdam in Motion exhibit.
Visitor capturing digital map at Amsterdam in Motion exhibit.
Visitors observing illuminated Amsterdam map at the Amsterdam in Motion exhibit.
Visitors at the Amsterdam in Motion exhibit featuring Ajax football club history.
Visitors engaging with interactive exhibit at Amsterdam's "City of Change" display.
Visitors interacting with a digital map at the Amsterdam in Motion exhibit.
Audience watching a performance at the Amsterdam in Motion exhibit with a protest banner displayed.
Visitors observing a colorful topographic map at the Amsterdam in Motion exhibit.
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Immersive city model

The centrepiece is a 200 square metre model of Amsterdam, showing streets, canals, and over 30,500 hand built buildings. Walking around reveals how the city’s layout and districts evolved over centuries.

Canal bike frozen in time

A rusted bicycle, crusted with mussels and weeds, emerges from the water. Its corroded frame and tangled debris show how daily life occasionally sinks into Amsterdam’s waterways, making the city’s story tangible.

Coot’s nest of canal waste

A coot nest built from floating wrappers, masks, and bottle caps highlights urban wildlife ingenuity. Touching the materials makes the connection between biodiversity, canal litter, and city life instantly visible.

Ajax supporter stories

A corner packed with scarves, jerseys, banners, and photos captures the spirit of FC Ajax fans. Worn fabrics and slogans reflect identity, community, and local rituals that echo throughout Amsterdam’s streets.

Amsterdam Centraal through time

An interactive model shows the evolution of Central Station from 1889 to today. Rotatable sections reveal foundations, moving trains, and bike flows, illustrating the engineering that turned marshland into a national hub.

From fishing huts to harbour cranes

Hand built cranes, dikes, and tiny buildings trace centuries of land reclamation around the IJ. Close inspection shows how water management transformed small villages into a thriving cityscape.

Echoes of resistance

Original fragments of WWII protest banners hang nearby. Their faded ink and frayed threads bring the courage, collective defiance, and human stories of wartime Amsterdam to life.

Floating house of the future

A prototype floating house rests on a small buoyant base, complete with solar panels and recycled materials. It demonstrates future water living while connecting historic canal mastery with climate-conscious innovation.

Before you get there

Here are a few pages worth checking before your visit:

About Amsterdam in Motion

Amsterdam in Motion timings

Reaching Amsterdam in Motion

Know before booking your Amsterdam in Motion ticket

  • Timed entry is required: All Amsterdam in Motion tickets are valid for a specific entry slot. Arriving at least ten minutes before your scheduled time ensures a smooth check-in and allows you to start the experience without waiting.
  • What your entry ticket covers: A standard ticket grants access to the entire exhibition, including the 200 square metre city model, projection mapping, audiovisual shows, and interactive displays. Educational programs or group visits need to be booked separately in advance.
  • Combo tickets include multiple experiences: Combo options let you pair Amsterdam in Motion with a canal cruise or a museum visit. Each experience follows its own schedule, rules, and facilities, so plan your timing carefully to enjoy everything without rushing.
  • This is a self guided visit: Visitors explore at their own pace without a guided tour. The combination of light, sound, narration, and interactive elements makes it easy to follow the story of Amsterdam, even for first-time visitors.
  • On-site ticket availability is limited: Time slots can sell out quickly, especially on weekends, holidays, and during school breaks. Booking online in advance is recommended to secure your preferred entry and avoid disappointment.
  • Accessibility and facilities: The venue is fully step-free, with wide viewing areas and accessible washrooms suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Accessibility at combo attractions may vary, so check each partner site’s details before planning your visit.

Amsterdam in Motion ticket types explained

Ticket typeWhat's includedBest forPrice range

Entry ticket

Timed entry and access to the full animated city model experience

First time visitors and city enthusiasts

From €18

Combo tickets

Amsterdam in Motion plus one other popular Amsterdam attractions

Visitors seeking added value

From €30-€40

Amsterdam in Motion timings

  • Opening hours:
    • Weekdays: 10am-5pm
    • Weekends: 10am-6pm
  • *Please note: Some days feature extended evening hours.*

Best time to visit

Weekdays vs weekends

Visiting on a weekday, especially late morning or early afternoon, usually means smaller crowds. You can move freely around the city model, enjoy unobstructed views during projections, and take your time noticing details that might be missed during busier weekend periods.

Peak vs quieter months

Spring, summer, and school holidays bring larger crowds, making the experience feel busier and lines longer. Visiting in quieter months like February, November, or early March allows a calmer pace, better photo opportunities, and the chance to appreciate the model and displays in more detail.

Where is Amsterdam in Motion located?

Address: Zuiveringshal Oost, Pazzanistraat 33, 1014 DB Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam in Motion is located in the Westergas cultural district, slightly west of the city centre, inside a historic industrial building.

Closest landmark: Westergas Culture Park (350m)

Getting there

By public transportation

  • By tram: Take Tram 5 toward Westergasfabriek and get off at Van Limburg Stirumstraat. From there, it is a five minute walk to the venue.
  • By bus: Take Bus 18 toward Centraal Station and get off at Haarlemmerplein, followed by a short walk.

By car

  • Driving route: The fastest route from Amsterdam West is via Willem de Zwijgerlaan and Haarlemmerweg S103.
  • Parking facilities: Street parking is available around Pazzanistraat and nearby streets, subject to availability.

On foot or by cycling

  • Walking: Walking from Amsterdam West takes around 25 to 30 minutes along mostly flat, easy routes.
  • Cycling: Cycling is quick and convenient, with bike parking available close to the venue entrance.

Facilities 

  • Tiered theater seating: Ground floor bleachers host 15-minute multimedia shows in Dutch and English, offering wheelchair-friendly seating and excellent views of the city model projections.
  • Interactive upper gallery: Hands-on displays let visitors touch canal bikes, nests, and other items, with clear panels explaining history, environment, and city life without the need for audio guides.
  • Restrooms: Clean, family-friendly restrooms are available on both floors, accommodating strollers and ensuring visitors of all ages can access facilities comfortably during their visit.
  • Museum shop: A small shop near the exit sells Amsterdam souvenirs, postcards, and Ajax memorabilia, providing visitors an opportunity to take home keepsakes from the experience.
  • Free Wi-Fi: Venue-wide Wi-Fi allows guests to plan their visit, browse information, or share experiences online, ensuring connectivity throughout the Amsterdam in Motion exhibition.
  • Coat check: Seasonal hooks are provided for coats and bags, mainly in winter months, keeping belongings secure and out of the way while exploring the exhibits.

Accessibility

Physical disabilities

Amsterdam in Motion is fully wheelchair and stroller friendly, featuring step-free entry, ramps at the main entrance, and wide paths around the city maquette and upper gallery. All areas provide smooth movement without steps for comfortable navigation.

Accessible facilities

Restrooms and washrooms are fully accessible and located conveniently near the main entrance and exhibition spaces. Paths and viewing areas are spacious, allowing wheelchairs to circulate without obstruction.

Carer access

Visitors under 18 enjoy free sponsored entry, ensuring families can attend together. Carers are welcome to accompany visitors across all accessible routes and viewing areas, supporting a seamless, stress-free experience.

Sensory and visual considerations

Multilingual shows run in Dutch and English, with strong visual storytelling to support hearing-impaired visitors. Tactile exhibits and high-contrast lighting help visitors with visual impairments engage fully with the city model and interactive displays.

Rules and restrictions

  • Photography: Photography for personal use is welcome throughout Amsterdam in Motion, but flash is discouraged to maintain the immersive visuals and overall storytelling atmosphere. Professional photography gear is also banned.
  • Food and beverages: Visitors are not allowed to bring outside food or drinks into the exhibition space, keeping the exhibits clean and preserving the model’s condition.
  • Child supervision: Children must always be accompanied by an adult to ensure safety and allow everyone to enjoy the experience without disruptions or hazards.
  • Conduct: Visitors are asked to keep noise levels low during projections and shows, ensuring everyone can enjoy the audio storytelling and interactive displays comfortably.
  • Payment: The venue operates entirely cashless for tickets and on-site purchases, so visitors should bring a card for all payments and transactions.

Where to eat nearby

Cafés in Westergas (200–400 m)

Within Westergas park, several casual cafés and eateries offer coffee, pastries, and light meals. Visitors can enjoy relaxed seating surrounded by greenery, making it a perfect spot to pause before or after exploring Amsterdam in Motion.

Pacific Amsterdam (110m)

A short walk from the venue, Pacific Amsterdam serves hearty meals in a lively setting. Outdoor seating by the water allows visitors to enjoy views while dining, creating a refreshing and relaxed atmosphere before continuing their day.

Coffee Roastery Westerpark (350 m)

This cozy roastery is ideal for a calm coffee break, offering freshly brewed drinks and light snacks. Its quiet, welcoming interior provides a pleasant spot to rest, recharge, and reflect on the Amsterdam in Motion experience.

Where to stay nearby

  • Conscious Hotel Westerpark (190 m): An eco-friendly hotel located inside Westergas park, offering comfortable rooms and a sustainable design, ideal for short stays near Amsterdam in Motion.
  • Hotel Pontsteiger (1.5 km): A modern waterfront hotel featuring spacious rooms, contemporary amenities, and city or canal views, providing a convenient and stylish base for exploring Amsterdam.
  • The July Boat & Co (1.5 km): Apartment-style accommodation with fully equipped kitchens and living spaces, perfect for longer visits, offering flexibility and comfort while staying near Amsterdam’s attractions.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Amsterdam in Motion

Yes, same day tickets may be available, but booking in advance is recommended during busy periods.