Location: Old Center
Top Things to do in Old Center
What to do and see in Old Center, North Holland Province: The Best Museums
This city, full of colorful homes, canals and bridges, is one of Europe's most picturesque capitals. Must-sees on any visitor's itinerary include the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum and the world's only floating flower market. Rent a bike and join thousands of locals navigating Amsterdam's labyrinthine streets, or just take in the sights on foot. For an unusual and memorable alternative to hotels, consider staying in a houseboat.
Restaurants in Amsterdam
1. Fashion for Good
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 11 reviews
The Fashion for Good Experience is a space where you can learn how your clothes were made and discover game changing innovations shaping the future of fashion. Throughout the building, you can find concrete ways to have a positive impact, commit to taking action and shop sustainable products. FASHION FOR GOOD’S NEW EXHIBIT ‘GROW’ SHOWS THE FUTURE OF FASHION’S MATERIALS Fruit skin fabric, mushroom ‘leather’, spider-silk, dye made by bacteria and algae; GROW, the new exhibition from the Fashion for Good Museum in Amsterdam explores the biomaterials and cutting-edge innovations that are shaping the sustainable future of fashion. What exactly are biomaterials? How sustainable are they and what makes them different from traditional fibres like cotton and hemp? And does bio always mean better and sustainable? GROW 1.0 opens its door to the public from April 6th.
2. Micro Art Amsterdam
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 286 reviews
Reviewed By bluberri22
This exhibit seemed to be a hidden gem, I saw only four visitors during our 2 hour stay. Because each piece was so intricate and small, the small crowd allowed us to really take our time and appreciate the art. The work itself is mindblowing, incredible pieces of art on the teeniest, tiniest, oddest of canvases. A MUST SEE!!!
3. Museumhaven Amsterdam
4. Joods Historisch Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,045 reviews
The Jewish Historical Museum is a modern museum of Jewish heritage housed in four monumental synagogues near Waterlooplein in the heart of Amsterdam. Three permanent exhibitions present the history and culture of the Jewish people in the Netherlands. In addition to the three permanent exhibitions, the museum always offers two great temporary exhibitions and the fun JHM Children's museum.
Reviewed By MissEmilyMc - London, United Kingdom
The Jewish Historical Museum has a main focus on Jewish history, religion and culture which is located in the Jewish Quarter. Throughout the museum there are a range of different objects relating to Jewish life - some being interactive such as being to click on an object through a screen to find out more information regarding it to objects that can be used in the home but also serve a religious purpose. There's a clear contrast as to how religion has changed but in many ways stayed the same. The next floor focuses on the links with Israel, which is mainly seen through the use of an audio guide (which is free as it comes included with the ticket). The next floor represents the history of Jews moving to Amsterdam and the effect that this had on their life throughout the ages - since they had fled from their homes due to anti-Jewish actions and persecutions (during the Middle Ages). The next part of the museum focuses on the history of the Jews from the 1900's to present day, much of which includes information in the form of interviews, films, photos and interviews to see life for Dutch Jews during the Second World War. This museum takes about an hour at least to get through with each object containing detailed information as well as the audio guide serving as a personal guide for when walking around the museum. The museum also features a Children's Museum in which contains a study room in which is used to show visually the different forms of Jewish life such as a Torah as well as a board with letters from a Hebrew book. If you have a big rucksack or a handbag you won't be allowed to bring this in - there are lockers available - but like anything is, this is at your own risk.
5. Museum Ons'Lieve Heer Op Solder
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,372 reviews
In the heart of Amsterdam's bustling centre lies one of the city's oldest museums: Museum Our Lord in the Attic. Here visitors get to experience the Dutch Golden Age in a special way: a 17th-century house with a top floor converted into a Catholic church.
Reviewed By ILoveDinglyDell - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Amazing to find what was hidden behind the facade of an old Dutch house bordering one of the canals. Fascinating insight into the life of the house from the 1600s to sometime in the 1800s with the family rooms, storage rooms and at the top of the house, a complete church. We wandered around up and down steep stairs, with our audio guides in hand which we found extremely helpful. Wonderful experience and one not to be missed!
6. Museum Het Rembrandthuis (Rembrandt House)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,800 reviews
Rembrandt lived and worked from 1639 to 1658 in this 17th-century house, which today is a museum that pays tribute to the artist's life and career.
Reviewed By Fitz48 - Aurora, United States
We visited the Rembrandt House in late April and got in for free with the I Amsterdam card. There were no lines and the museum was not crowded. They have excellent free audio tours in multiple languages including English, Dutch, German, Italian, French, Spanish and Russian. We noted that they also had a children's audio tour in English in Dutch; however, I think most but not all children would find this museum to be boring. Since Rembrandt both lived here, ran and art school and worked here for 20 years and because of the inventory that was conducted when he went bankrupt is still in existence, the curators have been able to accurately refurbish the home with objects of the period. For those with mobility issues or claustrophobia, it is important to understand that the spiral staircases are steep and narrow. While there were many interesting exhibits in the museum, three stood out for me as especially interesting. First was the entrance where a chair was kept on an elevated platform for people watching on the street. Second, the beds, especially the maid's box bed in the kitchen clearly shows that the occupants slept sitting up (for their health). Finally, the highlight of the museum was the 20-30 explanation and demonstration as to how artists made their paints during the age of Rembrandt. This helps you see the paintings in the Rijksmuseum, Mauritshuis, Hermitage and other museums that you will see in the Netherlands.
7. Amsterdam Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 81 reviews
Located in a passageway between the Kalverstraat and the Begijnhof it is possible to admire 15 substantial paintings. These are portraits of the Amsterdam Civic Guards from the 17th Century. Part of, though not actually in, the Amsterdam Historic Museum, this is probably the only place in the world where paintings are displayed in he open air, with only a glass roof to protect them.
Reviewed By lottyv2018 - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
This is a quick, free, and easy way to get a dose of Dutch history, tradition, and art through the institution of civic guard portraits.
8. Body Worlds
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,560 reviews
Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS: The Happiness Project in the heart of Amsterdam tells the amazing story of our own body and the impact of happiness on our health. More than 200 anatomical specimens of real human bodies show the complexity, resilience and vulnerability of the body. Join the 40 million people around the world who have already seen the exhibition and been on this fascinating voyage of discovery through the human body.
Reviewed By Q1108WLamandap - Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
I really enjoyed visiting here - it was truly fascinating to see how the body works, it was interesting to have different elements of the body systems on different floors. Some very interesting exhibitions and interactive pieces to engage in. The staff were helpful, and it was very clean throughout. Really glad that I took time to visit here on my holiday to Amsterdam, a very interesting day trip.
9. Leger des Heils Museum (Salvation Army)
10. World Press Photo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
The annual World Press Photo is a global exhibition presenting the best visual journalism of the past year. Come and see the most compelling photos in stunning high-quality Canon prints. This exhibition of award-winning photos is shown worldwide in 100 cities and 45 countries, reaching a global audience of 4 million people each year.
