Amsterdam · Maritime museum

National Maritime Museum Amsterdam: 500 Years of Dutch Seafaring

Het Scheepvaartmuseum tells the story of how a small nation ruled the waves — inside a monumental 17th-century naval storehouse on the harbour, with a full-size replica East India ship you can climb aboard moored right outside. Here is its story, the highlights, and how to visit.

By the AllTrips Editorial Team ·

The National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam illuminated at night with the replica tall ship alongside, reflected in the harbour
The museum and its replica East Indiaman lit up at night, mirrored in the still harbour water.

National Maritime Museum at a glance

Location: Kattenburgerplein 1, on the eastern waterfront. Allow: around 2 hours, half a day with children. Entry: ticketed. Nearby: NEMO Science Museum, Centraal Station and Artis Royal Zoo.

The story of the museum

The museum's home is a exhibit in itself: the 's Lands Zeemagazijn, built in 1656 as the main storehouse of the Dutch Admiralty at the height of the Golden Age. Its vast sandstone facades — resting on thousands of wooden piles driven into the harbour bed — once held the sails, ropes, weapons and provisions of the war fleet that made the Netherlands a global power.

The maritime collection itself dates back even further, and after a major renovation the museum reopened in 2011 with a spectacular glass-roofed courtyard at its heart. Today it holds one of the largest maritime collections in the world: maps, globes, paintings, ship models, navigational instruments and the stories of the sailors, traders and explorers behind them.

The full-size replica of the Dutch East India ship Amsterdam moored in front of the National Maritime Museum
The replica East Indiaman Amsterdam at its mooring — you can climb aboard and explore below deck.

What you will see

  • The replica East Indiaman — a full-size reconstruction of the 18th-century VOC ship Amsterdam, moored alongside the museum and open to explore from the gun deck to the captain's quarters.
  • The glass-covered courtyard — the building's grand inner court, roofed with a sweeping glass canopy etched with old nautical charts.
  • Maps and globes — masterpieces of Golden Age cartography, including richly decorated atlases and celestial globes.
  • Seafaring art and ship models — dramatic naval battle paintings and exquisitely detailed models of centuries of Dutch ships.
  • Interactive galleries — hands-on exhibitions on navigation, trade, whaling and life at sea that keep children busy for hours.
  • The harbour itself — historic barges, steam vessels and royal barges moored around the museum's quays.
The sandstone facade of the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam glowing in golden evening light
The 1656 Admiralty storehouse glowing in the evening sun, with the tall ship's bow at its side.
The National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam on a clear day with small boats moored in the foreground
The museum's waterfront facade — 'Het Scheepvaartmuseum' carved above the entrance.

Tickets

Entry is ticketed, and the Museumkaart is valid. Booking online ahead of time is recommended for weekends and school holidays. For current opening hours, admission prices and exhibition programmes, always check the official website before your visit.

Official information

Het Scheepvaartmuseum — official website

For current opening hours, admission prices, exhibitions and family activities, check the official website before your visit.

Visit hetscheepvaartmuseum.com

Getting there

The museum is at Kattenburgerplein 1, about a 15-minute walk east of Centraal Station along the waterfront — you will pass NEMO on the way. Several buses stop at Kattenburgerplein right outside, and the museum is also an easy stop on a harbour cruise.

Practical tips

  • Start with the ship — it is the highlight for most visitors and quietest early in the day.
  • Look up in the courtyard: the glass roof is patterned with lines from old nautical charts.
  • Pair the museum with NEMO next door for a full harbour-side day, especially with children.
  • The museum café overlooks the water and is a pleasant stop even for a short break.
  • See every stop on our Amsterdam attractions map.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam cost?

Entry is ticketed, with reduced prices for children and free entry for the very young; the Museumkaart is accepted. Check the official website for current prices and opening hours before your visit.

Can you go on the ship at the Maritime Museum?

Yes — the replica East Indiaman moored beside the museum is included with your ticket. You can climb aboard, explore the decks and go below to see how sailors lived and worked on months-long voyages to Asia.

How long should I spend at the National Maritime Museum?

Most visitors spend around two hours, but with the ship, the interactive exhibitions and the harbour setting it easily fills half a day, especially with children.

Is the National Maritime Museum worth visiting?

Yes — it is one of the finest maritime museums in the world, housed in a magnificent 1656 naval storehouse on the water. The combination of the historic building, the replica tall ship and the interactive galleries appeals to adults and children alike.

Where is the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam?

It is at Kattenburgerplein 1, on the waterfront about a 15-minute walk east of Centraal Station, right next to NEMO Science Museum. Several buses stop nearby at Kattenburgerplein.

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