Book National Maritime Museum Tickets | Amsterdam
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Why visit Amsterdam's National Maritime Museum
- Visit the National Maritime Museum, aka Scheepvaartmuseum, and learn about Dutch maritime history.
- View their extensive collection of ship models, navigational devices, and historical maps.
- At the Open Courtyard of the Museum, you can view their roof that has a design reminiscent of old nautical maps.
- Those interested in getting a more in-depth knowledge about maritime history can make their way to the library with over 60,000 books, some of which are older than 500 years.
Your National Maritime Museum Tickets Explained
Skip-the-line Tickets
- Skip the line and head straight into the Maritime Museum where you can learn about Dutch maritime history and how Amsterdam became one of Europe's best harbors!
- You have access to approximately 400,000 paintings, ship models, navigation instruments, and world maps.
- Check out the various exhibitions on display, the Tale of the Whale, and Republic by the Sea.
- Make this self-guided tour even more fruitful with the help of their audio guide available in 11 languages.
Discounted Tickets: Ages 3 years and below go free. Ages 4-17 years enjoy reduced pricing (carry a valid photo ID).
Cancelation Policy: This ticket cannot be canceled or refunded.
Validity: These tickets are valid for the date and timeslot selected at the time of booking.
Supersaver Combo Tickets
- Supersaver tickets allow you to explore two attractions while being an absolute money saver. Enjoy admission into National Maritime Museum and a 75-minute cruise down the Amsterdam Canal.
- Enjoy skip-the-line access into the iconic National Maritime Museum and learn about the maritime history of the Netherlands.
- Make the trip an immersive and educative experience with the help of their audio guide available in 21 languages.
Discounted tickets: Infants under the age of 3 can enter for free. Children aged 4-17 years enjoy reduced pricing.
Super Flexible Cancelation: Get a full refund on canceling this ticket up to 24 hours before the schedule.
Validity: This ticket is valid for the date and time selected at checkout.
I amsterdam City Card
- The I amsterdam City Card will allow you to explore every nook and cranny of Amsterdam, while also saving money.
- The card allows you unlimited access to Amsterdam's public transport system as well as access to some of the best attractions in the city like the National Maritime Museum, Van Gogh Museum, ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo, and the Rijksmuseum.
- You will also get to enjoy a free one-hour canal cruise, which is an unmissable experience while in Amsterdam.
Cancelation Policy: These tickets cannot be canceled, amended, or rescheduled.
Validity: This ticket is valid for 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours, depending on the option selected, upon activation. Tickets expire on 31 December 2021.
National Maritime Museum Highlights
The whale story
This interactive exhibition will take you through how we have looked at the whale throughout history, from monster to protected mammal. Additionally, you will also learn about whaling, its evolution, and its impact on the majestic creature. The Whale Story, found in the west wing of Het Scheepvaartmuseum, is perfect for families and for children above 6 years.
Republic by the Sea
The Republic exhibit will take you through the history of the Netherlands. Through 50 masterpieces the exhibition covers important people, objects, and events of the Republic in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Main Gallery is the starting point of a museum visit.
The ships
Here, you can find a replica of the VOC ship “The Amsterdam”. This exhibit will take you through the captain's cabin, armory, and even the hammocks where the crew resided. In addition to Amsterdam, you can even find the king sloop which was ordered to be built by King William I, and the steamship Christiaan Brunings, an icebreaker from 1900.
Cartography & Curiosities
The maritime museum houses many historical maps and atlases. The Cartography & Curiosa exhibit in particular depicts the Dutch encounter with a new world. You’ll be able to witness the life and voyages of the 17th-century Dutch sailors and how their findings changed the European worldview.
Navigation instruments
Navigational instruments are one of the highlights of any maritime museum. The exhibit shows how resourceful the people were and these navigation methods helped them. From archaic devices that used the constellations to guide sailors on their extensive voyages to cutting-edge Sextants, you’ll find it all in this exhibit.
Yacht models
You can find various models of yachts from as early as the seventeenth century. Find a diverse collection of yacht models like ransom yachts, pavilion yachts, bouys, and stern yachts. This exhibit also showcases the evolution from sailing yachts and motor yachts to high-tech carbon racing boats. The attention to detail that the model's display makes this an extremely interesting exhibit.
Ship ornaments
Located at the east wing of the National Maritime Museum, you will find an exhibit that showcases ship ornaments and craftsmanship from nationalities from all over the world. You can find all types of ornaments ranging from paintings, carvings, and statues to rudder clicks, rudder heads, mast shields, mast roots, and stern decorations. You will also understand the symbolism and meaning of the various ornaments.
Photo albums
Located in the east wing of Het Scheepvaartmuseum, the exhibit houses a large collection of photos of the maritime industry from the early years of photography. These photos give you a perspective on ship voyages and exotic destinations of the past. It serves as a window into the lives of travelers and sailors of a by-gone era. Unfortunately, you are only permitted to flip through reproductions as the original photos are fragile.
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Temporary exhibitions
This museum is home to various temporary exhibits like the I love Banda by Isabella Boon. This exhibit showcases the past, present, and future of the Banda Islands that are inextricably linked to the maritime history of the Netherlands. It also showcases other temporary exhibits when they buy pieces of value. For example, last year, the museum purchased two tapestries designed by Willem van de Velde the Elder (1611-1693). These tapestries depict two moments from the Battle of Solebay, which took place on 7 June 1672 right off the English east coast.
Data experience
You can experience the stories and facts from the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (The Dutch East India Company) era via augmented reality. This jaw-dropping data experience will take you through the names of the crew and even amazingly accurate facts like the names of crew members, their salaries, the magnitude of the cargo, and more. You can also listen to 6 experts tell you the stories of migration, exploitation, and much more.
Plan Your Visit to National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam
- Tuesday - Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Sunday and public holidays: 11 AM – 5 PM
Duration: It would take about 2 hours to explore the museum thoroughly.
Best time to visit: To avoid crowds at the National Maritime Museum, visit on weekdays For the best experience avoid peak hours of 1-3 pm.
Address: The National Maritime Museum, Kattenburgerplein 1, 1018 KK Amsterdam
- Audiotour: The National Maritime Museum offers Audio Tours for certain exhibits like the Republic by the Sea, Cartography & Curiosities exhibits. It introduces the visitors to various ship models and navigational devices. Most importantly, this audio tour can be heard in 11 languages.
- Wheelchair accessibility: The National Maritime Museum Amsterdam as well as the ship provides wheelchairs and all exhibitions & facilities are accessible by elevators. There’s even parking for disabled visitors. Scooters, however, are not allowed.
- Library: The Het Scheepvaartmuseum library has one of the largest and most important collections in the world. This collection consists of almost 60,000 books, some of which are more than 500 years old.
- Restroom: There are restrooms through the National Maritime Museum and are easily accessible.
If you can’t go to the Museum, either due to safety concerns or if you happen to be located far away, you can still view the majority of the exhibits on live streams or YouTube Video recordings that are found on the website.
The website updates the experience from the home page when there are new exhibits, lectures, or even VR experiences.
NEMO Science Museum: Built in 1923, the NEMO Science Museum is the largest science center in the Netherlands.
Amsterdam Museum: Located about 2 km away, the Amsterdam museum showcases the history of Amsterdam.
Madame Tussauds Amsterdam: This wax museum houses a huge collection of wax figures of famous celebrities such as Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, and more.
Visitor Tips
- Buy tickets online and in advance to ensure that you don't miss your chance to visit the museum.
- Pets are not allowed inside. A guide dog is allowed in certain parts as long as it accompanies a visitor with an identification card.
- Visitors are not allowed to smoke.
- They are not allowed to bring food and other consumables.
- Not allowed to touch exhibited objects and exhibition materials unless specified.
- Bring in objects that are deemed dangerous by the museum.
- Unless the museum has provided permission, visitors are prohibited from taking photos and videos
All Your Questions About Maritime Museum Tickets Answered
A. Yes, Maritime Museum tickets are available online and can be booked up to 1.5 months in advance.
A. Yes, you can purchase Maritime Museum tickets that include skip-the-line access.
A. Due to the coronavirus, the museum only allows a limited number of visitors at any given time. Additionally, the tickets can only be purchased online. The museum also maintains social distancing and other strict hygiene protocols such as putting central disinfection points in place.
A. Depending on the ticket you choose, you can get a full refund by canceling up to 24 hours before schedule.
A. Ages 3 years and below go free, while those between the age of 4-17 years enjoy reduced pricing at the National Maritime Museum.
A. The National Maritime Museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 AM to 5 PM and on Sundays and public holidays, from 11 AM – 5 PM.
A. Yes, audio guides are provided free of charge for the key exhibits of the museum. The audioguide is available in 21 languages.
A. Visit on a weekday, during the early hours. It’s also best to avoid peak hours of 1 PM-3 PM to make the most of the experience.