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Tickets Amsterdam

Plan your visit to the iconic National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam

Housed in a grand 17th-century naval storehouse along Amsterdam’s waterfront, the National Maritime Museum is where Dutch maritime history truly unfolds. Behind its historic façade, expansive galleries showcase navigation tools, global trade stories, and powerful accounts of life at sea. With so much to see across its vast halls, a little planning goes a long way. Here’s everything you need to know before your visit.

Navigating your way at the National Maritime Museum

Want to head right in without the wait?

If you’re short on time and want to focus on ship models, maps, and Dutch seafaring history, skip-the-line tickets are a smart choice. Bypass the main queues, enter with minimal delay, and enjoy flexible access so you can spend more time exploring than waiting outside.

National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam with docked ship and waterfront view.

How to make the most of your time?

Visit typeDurationRouteWhat you get

Snapshot visit

1–2 hours

Maritime history highlights → Historic maps and navigation instruments → Replica ship Amsterdam

A concise introduction to Dutch seafaring with the museum’s defining pieces, ideal if you want the essentials without committing to a long visit.

Balanced visit

2–3 hours

Permanent maritime galleries → Cartography and navigation rooms → Interactive and family exhibits → Replica ship Amsterdam

A smooth, well-paced visit that blends context, hands-on displays, and the iconic ship, giving you variety without exhibition fatigue.

In-depth exploration

4–5 hours

All permanent galleries across the 4 wings → Navigation and global trade sections → Interactive exhibitions → Replica ship Amsterdam → Café, and shop

A comprehensive experience covering all exhibitions plus the outdoor ship, with time to pause, revisit favorites, and enjoy the full scope of the museum.

Handy tips

  • Reserve ahead: Weekend and school-holiday entry queues can stretch 20–40 minutes if you plan to buy tickets on-site. Booking online, ideally up to 1–2 weeks in advance during peak months, helps you enter with minimal delay.
  • Pick calmer windows: Visit on weekday mornings before 11 am or after 3 pm for noticeably quieter galleries. Midday sees the highest footfall, especially in summer and during Dutch school holidays.
  • Start with the ship: Head to the replica Amsterdam early in your visit or during the final hour before closing. The narrow decks fill up quickly, and boarding waits can build during peak times.
  • Travel light: Arriving with a smaller bag saves time at check-in and makes moving through tighter exhibition spaces much easier.

Explore the National Maritime Museum

Before you go

Things to know before booking National Maritime Museum tickets

  • Types of tickets: Choose between standard entry tickets and combo options. Skip-the-line access helps you avoid queues and explore one of the world’s largest maritime collections without delays.
  • What’s included: Standard tickets include fast-track entry to the museum, access to all permanent and temporary exhibitions, plus a multilingual audio guide.
  • Combo tickets: Upgrade your visit with money-saving options that pair the museum with other Amsterdam experiences, such as NEMO Science Museum, Body Worlds Amsterdam or an Amsterdam Canal Cruise.
  • VOC Amsterdam access: Entry to the replica ship is weather-dependent. If wind speeds reach 7 or higher, the ship and jetty are closed to visitors for safety. The landing deck is wheelchair accessible, but the upper deck and cargo hold are not.

Ticket comparison table

Ticket typeWhat’s includedBest for
Skip-the-line ticket

Fast-track entry, all exhibitions, VOC “Amsterdam” ship, Movie Room, 1-hr multilingual audio guide

Full museum access with flexible timing

Museum + Canal Cruise combo

Museum skip-the-line + exhibitions + VOC ship + audio guide + 1-hr glass-roof canal cruise with GPS audio guide

Seeing Amsterdam by land and water

NEMO + Museum combo

Fast-track NEMO entry + live demos + experiment lab + museum skip-the-line + VOC ship + audio guide

Exploring two top museums within walking distance

Museum + Body Worlds combo

Museum skip-the-line + exhibitions + VOC ship + audio guide + Body Worlds entry + InBody Scan

Covering history and human science on one ticket

National Maritime Museum timings

AttractionDayTimingsLast entryClosed on

National Maritime Museum

Mon–Sun

10 am - 5 pm

4 pm

King’s Day (27 Apr), 25 Dec, 1 Jan

Best time to visit

Where is the National Maritime Museum located?

Getting to the National Maritime Museum

Facilities

  • Audio guides: Audio guides are available in multiple languages for self-guided exploration.
  • Restrooms: Restrooms are located throughout the museum, including accessible toilets.
  • Wheelchair access and loan: Elevators provide step-free access to all floors, and wheelchairs are available on request.
  • Lockers: Secure lockers are available for storing bags and personal belongings.
  • Phone charging station: A charging point is available in the courtyard area for visitor use.
  • Baby-changing facilities: Family restrooms are equipped with baby-changing tables.
  • Café-restaurant: An on-site café-restaurant offers indoor and courtyard seating.
  • Museum shop: The museum shop near the exit sells books and maritime-themed souvenirs.

Accessibility at the National Maritime Museum Amsterdam

Visiting with family

  • Children up to 4 years old receive free admission.
  • Buggies and strollers are permitted throughout the museum.
  • A loan stroller is available at the museum.
  • Back carriers are not permitted inside the museum.
  • Family restrooms with baby changing facilities are located in the basement and on the first floor.
  • Breastfeeding is allowed anywhere in the museum, and a quiet pumping room is available on request.
  • The museum shop offers toys, educational books, and themed souvenirs for kids.

Rules and restrictions

  • Tickets must be valid for the selected date of visit.
  • Bags larger than A4 size must be stored in lockers before entering exhibitions.
  • Photography and video recording are permitted, but tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed.
  • Pets are not allowed inside, except certified assistance dogs.
  • Food and drinks may only be consumed in designated areas such as the courtyard, jetty, or terrace pontoon.
  • Docking boats at the museum’s jetties is not permitted.
  • Motorized scooters are generally not permitted inside the museum.
  • Touching exhibited objects is prohibited unless clearly indicated otherwise.

Where to eat

Where to shop

Where to stay

Insider tips

  • Arrive at 10 am opening or after 3pm to avoid peak crowds. Late mornings between 11 am and 2 pm are typically the busiest. Early entry gives easier access to the replica ship.
  • Visit the replica East Indiaman Amsterdam ship within your first 30 to 45 minutes. Narrow staircases and limited space create bottlenecks later in the day.
  • Plan 2 to 3 hours for a standard visit. If you explore all exhibitions and the ship thoroughly, allow up to 3.5 hours.
  • Take a break in the glass-covered courtyard. It is usually quieter than gallery seating areas, especially around midday.
  • If visiting with children, collect the junior audio tour at the start. It structures the visit and typically keeps kids engaged for 60 to 90 minutes.

Frequently asked questions about visiting the National Maritime Museum Amsterdam

Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours. A more detailed visit can take up to 3.5 hours.