Maritime Museum

The Scheepvaartsmuseum is one of Amsterdam's most special museums. Housed in the imposing Zeemagazijn, a monumental building from the 17th century, the museum offers a unique look into the history of Dutch shipping and the navy. The museum was praised not only for its rich collection, but also for its interactive and hands-on exhibitions. In 2022, however, the museum was voted museum of the year.

The Scheepvaartsmuseum houses a wealth of maritime artefacts, including a beautiful collection of paintings, maps and other maritime objects. But that's not all. The museum also has some striking ships for you to admire.

One of these ships is the Koningsloep, a rowboat built at the request of King William I over 200 years ago. This beautiful boat is richly decorated with gold details and has a picture of Neptune on the front as a showpiece. Step aboard and imagine yourself in the days of the Dutch royal navy.

But the highlight is outside, on the museum's quay. There lies a restored version of one of the most important VOC ships, the mirror-return ship called Amsterdam. At almost 48 metres long and 12 metres wide, this ship was an impressive sight during the golden age. It sailed to Asia to bring exotic spices, textiles, porcelain and silk back to the Netherlands. Remember the adventurous voyages the VOC undertook and take a moment to reflect on the historical significance of this ship.

Every year, the Scheepvaartsmuseum attracts many visitors, all of whom can enjoy the many interactive exhibits and discoveries the museum has to offer. It is a great place for both an educational and fun day out for the whole family. Dive into the rich maritime history and be enchanted by the stories of adventurous sea voyages and voyages of discovery.