Category: Museums

Founded in 1838, ARTIS is the oldest zoo in the Netherlands, and one of the oldest zoos of mainland Europe.

Guidebooks rightly refer to it one of the most pleasant city zoos around. The whole place breathes a 19th-century garden atmosphere with winding paths, majestic trees, fascinating sculptures and monumental historical buildings.

As much as possible the over 500 species of animals live in landscaping that resembles their natural habitat.

Unfortunately, on April 30, 2020 this museum announced that it has permanently closed.

What you missed: The world’s largest collection of bags and purses is located in the Amsterdam Museum of Bags and Purses. (Want to test your skills at Dutch? Here goes: Tassenmuseum.) Bonus: the museum is situated in a gorgeous 17th century canalside house — a former mayor’s residence.

One of Amsterdam’s most unique museums is the EYE Film Instituut Nederland — EYE Film Institute Netherlands.

Also known as the EYE Filmmuseum, EYE houses an internationally renowned film collection that covers the entire history of cinema.

Devoted to modern art from the mid-19th century to the present day, the Stedelijk Museum is one of the world’s leading modern art museums.

Hermitage Amsterdam is a dependency of the Hermitage Museum of St. Petersburg, located in the largest 17th century building in town.

Amsterdam’s Tropenmuseum, the Museum of the Tropics, offers permanent exhibitions as well as an ongoing series of temporary exhibitions.

Built 1892, the Hollandsche Schouwburg (Dutch Theatre) long was a house of culture and entertainment.

But during the Second World War the German occupiers turned the building into a place of grief and sorrow.

It is now a war memorial in remembrance of the Jews who were deported from here.