What is the National Maritime Museum?
Het Scheepvaartmuseum tells the story of the Netherlands and the sea, from the Dutch Golden Age to today, in a 17th-century naval storehouse with a spectacular glass-roofed courtyard. Collections include maps, globes, ship models, paintings and navigation instruments, with family exhibitions on whales and life at sea.
Moored outside is the Amsterdam, a full-size replica of an 18th-century Dutch East India Company (VOC) ship, about 48 m long with 16 cannons, which you can board with a museum ticket when it's in place.
Tickets
Check the official site for current prices and whether the ship is moored at the museum.
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Tips
- Look up in the courtyard: the glass roof is patterned like a compass rose and navigation lines.
- Board the ship first if it's moored, before groups arrive.
- Family exhibitions are well designed for children.
- Café with a terrace on the water.
Getting there
About 15 minutes' walk from Amsterdam Centraal, or bus 22 or 48 to Kattenburgerplein. It's next to NEMO.
Mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the ship is always there without checking.
- Visiting on King's Day.
- Paying when you have a Museumkaart.
What to see
Het Scheepvaartmuseum is housed in 's Lands Zeemagazijn, the 17th-century naval storehouse on the Oosterdok, with a glass roof over its courtyard designed to evoke a ship's compass and navigation lines.
- The Amsterdam: a full-size replica of a Dutch East India Company (VOC) ship, moored outside, which you can board when it's in.
- The Golden Age: paintings, globes, maps and navigation instruments from the 17th century.
- Royal Barge: the ornate sloop built for King Willem I in 1818.
- Interactive exhibitions: whaling, life at sea, and an immersive journey on a VOC voyage.
- Children's areas: hands-on exhibits about sea life and ships.
Combining it with the Oosterdok
The museum is on the waterfront near NEMO Science Museum, which is a 10-minute walk away, and close to the Plantage district with Artis Zoo and the Hortus Botanicus. The OBA public library, next to Centraal Station, has a free rooftop café with views over the harbour.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings are calmest. Rainy days and Dutch school holidays bring families, and the replica ship's narrow decks get crowded, so board it first. The museum is included with the Museumkaart and the I amsterdam City Card, making it a good stop for an hour or two.
Crowds by day and time
From the typical weekly visitor pattern for National Maritime Museum, based on Google’s popular-times data.
Quietest time
Friday, 10 am-12 pm
Busiest time
Saturday, 12-5 pm
With children
The replica VOC ship is the highlight for children: they can explore the decks, the cannons and the cramped crew quarters. Inside, there are interactive exhibitions on sea life and a children's tour of the Golden Age. Under-4s are free. Combine it with NEMO Science Museum, 10 minutes' walk away, for a full family day.
History of the building
The museum is housed in 's Lands Zeemagazijn, built in 1656 as the arsenal and storehouse of the Amsterdam Admiralty, at the height of the Dutch Golden Age. It held ships' supplies, weapons and sails. It became the maritime museum in 1973, and its courtyard was covered with a glass roof in a major renovation completed in 2011.
Is it worth it?
Yes, especially with a Museumkaart and when the VOC ship is in place. It's a beautiful building and a quieter alternative to NEMO.
FAQs
How much is the National Maritime Museum?
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About €17.50-18.50 for adults. Museumkaart holders and under 4s are free.
Can you board the ship at the Maritime Museum?
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Yes, with a museum ticket, when the replica VOC ship Amsterdam is moored there.
What are the opening hours?
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Daily 10 am-5 pm, closed on 27 April, 25 December and 1 January.
How long do you need?
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2-3 hours.
What's the best time to visit?
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Weekday mornings. Check our live crowd tracker for your date.
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How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 29 October 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
