frequently asked questions

Absolutely! This ensures a smooth process at the ticket counter. You can purchase your tickets here.

It is currently not possible to purchase undated tickets.

That is not necessary. The barcodes on the online admission ticket can also be shown on a smartphone or tablet at the ticket counter.

After your order has been paid and completed, you will immediately receive a confirmation email including your e-ticket(s) as PDF attachment(s). If you haven't received the email after a few minutes (please also check your spam or junk folder), please contact our customer service at info@hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl.

The admission ticket is only valid on the selected day. If you are unable to visit on your reserved date, you can book a new date here.

Alternatively, you can send an email with your purchased tickets to info@hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl.

Purchased admission tickets are non-refundable but can be rescheduled for another date. If unexpected circumstances prevent you from visiting on your reserved date, please contact info@hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl.

You can reschedule your online admission ticket here.

It is not possible to make a reservation for our café-restaurant. However, the café/restaurant is freely accessible, both with and without a valid museum ticket.

For a full experience at the National Maritime Museum, you can expect a visit to take around 2 to 3 hours, though some visitors stay as long as 4.5 hours. Exploring the East Indiaman alone can take up to an hour. To make the most of your visit, be sure to plan ahead and check what you don’t want to miss.

Of course, you're always welcome to return if you haven't had enough!

The National Maritime Museum is suitable for all ages.

Families and children can enjoy interactive exhibitions such as Doris the Diver and The Tale of the Whale, and children up to 12 years old have free admission. For students and scholars, there are educational programs on navigation, maritime history, and colonial trade. Maritime enthusiasts can explore the rich collection of historic ship models and the iconic East Indiaman.

There is always something to experience at the National Maritime Museum. Step aboard the iconic East Indiaman, explore interactive exhibitions like Doris the Diver and Tale of the Whale, or delve into the impact of maritime history with Shadows on the Atlantic.

For schools, there are educational programs on navigation, seafaring, and colonial history. Maritime enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the extensive collection of ship models and navigation instruments. During every school holiday, a special program is available for families and children.

Come by and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the historic building and the museum café with a stunning view over the water.

Discover everything there is to do here.

The National Maritime Museum is one of the most fun museums for children - so much so that we’ve dedicated a special page just for them! With interactive exhibitions like Doris the Diver and Tale of the Whale, exciting scavenger hunts, and special holiday programs, there is always something to discover. Step aboard the East Indiaman Amsterdam, learn to navigate by the stars, and be swept away by the stories of the maritime world. Will you come and explore?

You do not need to make a reservation for our exhibitions. However, some events or guided tours do require a reservation. Please check the agenda for details.

You can only visit our East Indiaman with a ticket for the museum.

Yes, The National Maritime Museum is free with an Amsterdam City Card. Prices for a City Card range from 65 euros for 

You can order an Amsterdam City Card here. 

You can find this information on the Address & Route page.

All exhibitions and facilities are accessible via elevators. A lift has been installed at the East Indiaman Amsterdam, suitable for wheelchairs among others. This lift takes visitors to the Overloop Deck and the video room, where you can see how the crew slept, view the cannons up close, experience the atmosphere in the hold, and watch the video presentation. Unfortunately, the upper deck and the lower part of the ship are not accessible by wheelchair.

If you are visiting the museum with a companion, they receive free admission. However, the companion must book a (free) online admission ticket with a selected visit date.

Read more about the accessibility of our museum here.

On both sides of Kattenburgerstraat (where the museum is located), there is a municipal parking area for visitors with disabilities. Unfortunately, we are unable to reserve a space. The nearest parking spot for visitors with disabilities is located on the museum side, near the loading and unloading area.

Read more about the accessibility of our museum here.

Yes, we have a few wheelchairs available for visitors with disabilities. These are also intended for those who arrive at the museum with a mobility scooter.

Read more about the accessibility of our museum here.

For the safety of the collection, mobility scooters are not allowed inside the museum. However, in consultation with the museum, an exception can be made for visitors who are unable to leave their mobility scooter and require assistance during their visit.

For safety reasons, visiting the museum with a child in a back carrier is not allowed. A loan stroller is available at the museum.

Medically necessary assistive devices such as crutches, Nordic walking sticks, walkers, mobility bikes for seniors, and oxygen supplies are, of course, allowed in the museum.

• Taking photos or recording videos is allowed.

• However, the use of a selfie stick or tripod in the exhibition spaces is not permitted. Filming with a drone in and around the museum, including on the museum jetty, is strictly prohibited.

• Would you like to organize a group photo or photoshoot? This is only allowed with written approval from the museum. Check this page for details on how to request a photoshoot

Yes, you are welcome to eat or drink on the Open Courtyard, the jetty, and the terrace pontoon.

In the exhibitions, bags larger than A4 size are not allowed. You can store your bag in the lockers.

Drawing is allowed in The National Maritime Museum, but specific rules apply:

• Participants must not obstruct the passage of other visitors in any way.
• Museum visitors should not experience any inconvenience.
• Personal stools or folding chairs are only permitted in the Open Courtyard or the transition spaces in the East and West Wings.
• Museum benches may not be used or moved.
• Easels are not allowed.
• Instructions from museum staff must always be followed.
• Paint and spray cans are not permitted; only pencils and fineliners are allowed.

To ensure your safety and that of other visitors, docking at our jetties is unfortunately not allowed. Additionally, entering the museum jetty after opening hours without permission from The National Maritime Museum is prohibited.

For the protection of the collection, pets are not allowed in the museum. The only exception is for assistance dogs, which are permitted as long as they are actively being used as such.

It is not permitted to visit The National Maritime Museum wearing costumes or accessories.