Het Scheepvaartmuseum

Top choice in Amsterdam


A waterfront 17th-century admiralty building houses this state-of-the-art presentation of maritime memorabilia. Highlights include imaginatively presented Golden Age maps, fascinating 19th-century photos of early voyages and an audiovisual, immersive journey evoking a voyage by ship. There's plenty to keep the kids interested, too. Outside, you can clamber over the full-scale replica of the 700-tonne Amsterdam – one of the largest ships in the Dutch East India Company fleet – with its tiny bunks and sailors' hammocks, and admire the Royal Barge in the boathouse.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Amsterdam attractions

1. ARCAM

0.09 MILES

The curved Amsterdam Architecture Foundation, a striking waterside building designed by Dutch architect René van Zuuk, hosts changing architectural…

2. Vereniging Museumhaven

0.13 MILES

In the port area between the NEMO Science Museum and the Het Scheepvaartmuseum, you'll find an open-air museum of around 20 historical ships docked,…

3. Kadijksplein

0.13 MILES

This tranquil square sits on the edge of 17th-century canals at the point before they widen out to the docklands. It has several laid-back cafés (pubs and…

4. Entrepotdok

0.21 MILES

In an area northeast of the Plantage, there is a 500m row of warehouses that once belonged to the Dutch East India Company (VOC). This powerful…

5. NEMO Science Museum

0.21 MILES

Perched atop the entrance to the IJ Tunnel is this unmissable green-copper building with a slanted roof, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and…

6. Verzetsmuseum

0.28 MILES

The museum of the Dutch Resistance brings the horror of German occupation in WWII vividly alive, using personal stories, letters, artefacts, films and…

7. Artis Royal Zoo

0.32 MILES

A wonderfully leafy expanse, mainland Europe's oldest zoo has a fine range of wildlife, with extensive habitats and room to wander. A lovely stretch runs…

8. Wertheimpark

0.33 MILES

Adding to the lush greenness of the Plantage area, the city's oldest park is a small, lovely, willow-shaded spot for lazing by the Nieuwe Herengracht. It…