Het Scheepvaartmuseum, the National Maritime Museum of the Netherlands, occupies the 's Lands Zeemagazijn, a former Admiralty storehouse built in 1656, at Kattenburgerplein 1 (1018 KK Amsterdam), a few minutes' walk from NEMO. Inside you explore more than 500 years of maritime history and, moored at the jetty, the replica of the VOC ship Amsterdam. Open daily from 10:00 to 17:00; an adult ticket costs €20, €8.50 for ages 5 to 17, and entry is free with the Museumkaart and the I amsterdam City Card. The museum moved into the building in 1973 and reopened on 2 October 2011 after four years of renovation, with an inner courtyard covered by a glass roof.
Highlights
The 's Lands Zeemagazijn
Designed in 1656 by the architect Daniël Stalpaert as the storehouse of the Amsterdam Admiralty, this four-winged building stands on the edge of the Oosterdok. Renovated from 2007 to 2011, it gained a glass roof of 34 by 34 metres over its courtyard, designed by the Belgian engineer Laurent Ney: its 1,200 panes follow a grid inspired by the compass lines of old nautical charts.
The VOC ship Amsterdam
A replica of a merchant ship of the Dutch East India Company, whose original was lost on its maiden voyage in 1749. Built from 1985 to 1990 and moored at the museum since 1991, it can be explored from the decks to the hold: you can climb aboard, lie in the hammocks and step into the captain's cabin. The visit is included in the museum ticket.
The permanent collections
Nautical charts (Charting the Sea), navigational instruments, ship decorations, yacht models, the history of the port and the city (Amsterdam Port & City) and of whaling (The Tale of the Whale). The Republic at Sea exhibition covers the 17th and 18th centuries, when the Netherlands was a great maritime nation.
The Royal Barge and the icebreaker
At the jetty, the Royal Barge, built from 1816 to 1818 for the Royal Family, is kept in its own boathouse, near the steam icebreaker Christiaan Brunings, dating from 1900.
Temporary exhibitions
In October 2026, the Shadows on the Atlantic exhibition explores the impact of colonial history on people's lives; photographs by Stephan Vanfleteren (Transcripts of a Sea) are on show from 10 October, and the Solebay Tapestries by Willem van de Velde the Elder from 12 December.
Opening hours and tickets
Open daily from 10:00 to 17:00; closed on 25 December, 1 January and King's Day (27 April in 2026). Adults €20; ages 5-17, students and CJP holders €8.50; free up to age 4 and with the Museumkaart, the I amsterdam City Card or the Stadspas. The ticket covers the permanent collection, the temporary exhibitions and the ship. Card payment only, including in the restaurant and the shop.
Infos pratiques
Tips
There is no longer a time slot to book: buy your ticket online or at the desk. With young children, the Doris the Diver area welcomes little ones from age 2. The museum pairs well with [NEMO Science Museum](/fr/attractions/nemo-science-museum), across the Oosterdok, and is one of the good ideas for [a rainy day in Amsterdam](/fr/articles/que-faire-a-amsterdam-quand-il-pleut). Prices checked in October 2026.
How to get there
Kattenburgerplein 1, 1018 KK Amsterdam. On foot from [Central Station](/fr/attractions/gare-centrale-amsterdam): 19 minutes along Prins Hendrikkade or 21 minutes along Oosterdokskade, past the public library and NEMO. Bus 42 (towards Cruquius-eiland) from the IJzijde stop at Central Station, get off at Kadijksplein; tram 26, Kattenburgerstraat stop.
Opening hours
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