Dutch Resistance Museum
Location
Essentials
- Step back in time to Amsterdam in the 1940s
- See, hear, and read stories about life during World War II
- Experience how the war affected the Netherlands
Practical info
Children
Child tickets for 7-16 year olds
Free entry for 0-6 year olds when accompanied by a paying adult
Opening hours
Monday - Friday: 10.00 - 17.00
Saturday - Sunday: 11.00 - 17.00
Languages
The free audio tour is available in English, Dutch, and Dutch Sign Language
Ticket information
Ticket directly available on smartphone
Ticket is valid for one year, ticket cannot be cancelled
More information
For questions about the product, please contact [email protected]
Accessibility
Getting there
Public Transport
The nearest stops are Waterlooplein (metro 51, 53 & 54) and Artis (tram 14).
About
The occupation and the resistance
The Dutch Resistance Museum is dedicated to the resistance movement in the Netherlands during World War II. Right after the Germans bombed Rotterdam in May 1940, the Dutch surrendered and Nazi’s took over the streets of the country. People were faced with a choice: do we cooperate and do exactly what the Germans say, do we join the Nazi’s and help them or do we join the resistance movement?
This question is explored in the museum. The Dutch Resistance Museum helps evoke the climate of the war years by showing the lives of people who made different choices, with a primary focus on the resistance. This often extremely dangerous choice made people very creative in thwarting the Nazis and helping Jews and other groups of people who were being hunted down.
Holland in World War II
The museum's permanent exhibition takes visitors back to the forties, the period of the German occupation during World War II. The halls and walls that make up the décor of the Dutch Resistance Museum are full of photos to help evoke the war years. Much of the collection consists of artefacts collected from the personal belongings of members of the resistance movement.
The exhibition covers all forms of resistance: strikes, forging of documents, helping people to go into hiding, underground newspapers, escape routes, armed resistance, and espionage. You can see strollers with guns hidden in them, forged ID cards, typewriters on which coded messages were typed and chessboards with hidden compartments.
As well as seeing the ins and outs of life in the resistance, you’ll also see what day to day life was like for people who choose to cooperate. What limitations did the occupation put on them and why did some of them decide to join the resistance after all? Another important part of the museum focuses on the Dutch colonial empire, the Dutch East Indies during the war. Where the population suffered terribly under the Japanese regime of terror.
Get your tickets now!
The exhibition is in both English and Dutch, making it accessible to most visitors. There is also a free audio tour which is offered in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. Book your tickets to the Dutch Resistance Museum now and don’t miss out on this vital piece of Dutch history!
Grab your Amsterdam museum tickets and enhance your trip with Tours & Tickets for an amazing experience.
Reviews
216 reviews
Well curated
Captivating and well curated. There was a lot of information, and at some point, I was missing the resistance part of it all. But it is there, just a bit further in the museum. Also, I found the information about colonies and their resistance very interesting. Audio guide is included in the entry fee.
A Must See in Amsterdam
Perhaps one of the finest museums I have ever visited. Few people know the story of the Dutch Resistance to the German occupying forces in WWII. The exhibits are amazingly helpful and thoughtfully done. The English translation is spot on. One of the highlights is a 'kids' area that depicts the story of the Resistance through the eyes of children. If you go to Amsterdam, this must be on your itinerary.
Educational and very moving
Took my teenage daughter to this, as a history student she loved it. A very personal testament to those people who lived through a very tragic period of history in the Netherlands. What made it good was the audio and lots of interactive elements, together with the people, their stories, their bravery
Great Historical Perspective
Please don't miss this museum when visiting Amsterdam. It provides the Dutch perspective on the 5 year occupation of the Netherlands and Amsterdam by the Nazis. And it tells the story of the bravery of some of the Dutch people who stood up to the Nazis. Excellent museum.
Impressive museum, must see for every age
Impressive storytelling/museuem and a very well developed section for children. Stories told by different kids and different view points. A must see for everyone interested in history and as a remembrance to all the people sufferer in a stupid war.
Highly recommend!
Absolutely fabulous museum! Hand held devices to listen to all the information at each display in your own language, were brilliant. The silence in the museum as a result is actually quite moving and so respectful. 3-4 hours spent. Total eye-opener to the experiences and suffering and resistance of the Dutch people during the Nazi occupation. Highly recommend!
Well worth a visit if interested in Ww2 history
Really interesting and interactive museum. Well laid out and the write ups around the building about the artefacts are really well written.
Fascinating
Was not expecting this to be as big as it was, but it is so full of information and stories, you could easily spend all day here.
Great WW2 Info
We are WW2 buffs and made a point to walk to this museum and see its displays…they were excellent. Make sure you take your time and read the information attached to each window. They have done a great job helping you see the lives of these brave souls that fought the Nazis in WW2.
Excellent - highly recommended
This museum was at the top of my must-do list for Amsterdam, and it was fantastic. The displays and accompanying audio were excellent. I was so engrossed in seeing and hearing everything that my sister (who is more of a museum person than I am) abandoned me and went back to our rental accommodation. This museum serves a critical role in providing a record of history that should never be repeated.
Interesting museum.
This is a great museum and learnt a lot about times in the Netherlands during Nazi occupation. The audio sets are well worth using and easy to use. Learnt a lot about how difficult this period was for people - how going into hiding was such a challenge - and a great prequel to our visit to the Anne Frank house the following day. Highly recommend and well worth the money.
Utterly absorbing
Utterly absorbing museum about the Dutch Resistance during WWII. As described, the story is told through over 100 individual stories that made the collective. The stories and people cover all walks of life and every aspect of resisting an evil force. Truly a testament to individual courage spread across an oppressed society. Plan to spend 2-3 hours.
Don't Miss the Verzetsmuseum
I am so happy that I decided to go to this incredible museum on my last day in Amsterdam. In fact, I ended up spending two hours instead of the one I had intended simply to read carefully and view all the well-documented information. The audio speakers were easy to use and added to my visit. Thank you.
Totally Recommend, brilliant experience
If you have any interest in history and especially World War 2 then this place is a must see when you are in Amsterdam. I got completely lost in all of the audio stories and learned so much in my 2 hours there.
Informative
Best use of Audio ever. Extremely well done. Amount of information shared seemed perfect. Certainly a motivator for all Americans to resist Trump
A great leap into History
An extraordinary immersion that teaches us a lot about resistance. Women and colonies are also highlighted, which is worth noting. Very informative, for the whole family!
Moving and well presented
Extremely informative and presented in an engaging manner, I left with a connection of mixed emotions, including anger at man's cruelty and upset by the suffering inflicted. If you're into WW2 history well worth a trip, left me thinking about things from different angles. Probably not five stars, but based on some of the comments on the low scoring reviews felt I needed to give five stars.
A must see
You need a good 2 hours to look around this museum. Learn about the Dutch Resistance and why so many joined them. Find out about those who betrayed them and all about the difficulties they endured during occupation.
Resistance museum
Fantastic museum with a real insight to the struggles of occupation in the war. Journey through the museum filled with interesting exhibits and backed up by excellent audio commentary system available in multiple languages. Well worth the visit
Experience the Dutch resistance
From the friendly welcome at the front desk to the exceptional narratives of the featured Dutch resistance fighters of WW2 occupation, this museum earned high praise. You’ll be drawn in to the intimate lives of those people along with some who turned out to be rats! One if the best museums!
Superb Portrayal of Dutch World War II Resistance
The Resistance museum is located in the Plantage area of Amsterdam. It’s just over a mile on foot from Centraal station and I took a pleasant stroll along Oosterdok to get there. I had previously visited the museum several years ago and enjoyed my visit then very much. It has subsequently been refurbished and is even better than before. The bravery of the resistance fighters producing clandestine newspapers and their opposition to their Nazi oppressors is well documented. I was interested to see how the NSB collaborated with the Nazis and the price they paid when liberation finally came. The awful famine in 1944/45 is well portrayed with the population going out into the countryside begging for food. There are numerous video displays from those who managed to survive the occupation and their tales were harrowing. I enjoyed the section relating to Dutch colonial rule in Indonesia, Suriname and several Caribbean islands. The war ended up being a catalyst for these countries to gain eventual independence. I spent a couple of hours here and the admission fee was €16.
Join the resistance!
Very in depth look at Dutch resistance efforts 1940-1945, including a new look at the Dutch colonial experience during 1940-1945 with Japanese occupation (Indonesia) and US occupation (Dutch Caribbean islands), and a fantastic children’s museum on this difficult topic. Considering 75% of Dutch Jews perished in the Holocaust compared to lower percentages of 25% of French Jews, 40% of Belgian Jews, 40% of Norwegian Jews, and less than 2% of Danish Jews who perished nearby, I was hoping for a deeper explanation of why the Dutch Resistance had a more difficult time saving its Jewish citizens from Nazi invaders. I did learn a ton about conscripted Dutch men forced into labor camps, that The Netherlands was neutral in WWI, the terrible Winter Famine of 1944-1945, as well as organized underground journalists, brave resistance fighters, and Radio Orange which was all impressive. Great job making a lot of information interesting as personal accounts. Loved the multilingual audio tour options as well!
As good a resistance museum as you will find in Europe
The fact that I spent 2 2/2 hours in this museum is testament to the gripping nature of the content.So much to see and read and absorb.I felt a bit exhausted by the time I had finished.
Exceptional!
This is an absolutely exceptional museum. I would say this was by far the best thing we done in Amsterdam! The exhibitions were superb, filled with detail and the audio guides really brought it all to life. The museum was unbiased and balanced, looking at the second world war from all aspects of the dutch population. Everything was done in a dignified and thoughtful manner. Our visit took us around 2 hours. I am a bit of a history buff but I definitely learnt a lot of new things. It really enhanced the rest of our visit to Amsterdam, imagining the things we had learnt at the museum actually happening on streets around us.
A deeply moving experience that explores the dilemmas faced by ordinary people in WW2
What a fabulous experience ! If you have any interest in WW2 or the Resistance you are in for a treat. Exceptionally good displays with sections for children (which are excellent) and about Indonesia. Make sure to pick up the (free) audio device after paying as it gives you the audio for the multiple videos; in addition it allows you to hear instead of reading the explanation of the numerous exhibits. A great way to spend 2-3 hours. In addition to historical information, there are numerous personal stories which makes the history come to life.
In depth and revealing look at an important time
Very well presented museum, using testimony of people who were in Amsterdam during the occupation. The free audio guide was superb. A very thought-provoking visit, combines well with the equally good Anne Frank museum. It illustrates the complexity of the situation faced by civilians, who had to make choices which could have meant life or death. We spent over 3 hours, you won’t do it justice in less than 2.
A must-see museum
A stunning museum highlighting the occupation years and the resistance within that attempted to fight back against the nazi rule. This museum is thoughtfully laid out with excellent exhibits, lots of great videos for context and a well-functioning audio guide system and is well worth a visit for anyone interested in the subject.
A must for History lovers!!!
If you like History and especially WW2, then this is the place to visit if you have 1.5 hours to kill. From start to finish the exhibits and audio tour were superb and so informative. This place deserves more of a place amongst the great attractions in Amsterdam.
Great visit
This was a great visit. Very informative and easy to navigate for all ages. The free audio guide is amazing and really easy to use. We learned lots of interesting facts.
Essential Dutch History
To fully understand the impact on the Netherlands people during World War Two, it is essential that you and your family take a few hours out of your trip to visit this excellent museum. The collection of artefacts and stories are arranged perfectly to guide you through from the beginning right through the turbulent and horrific years of the war and liberation. There is a good mix of static, interactive, and immersive displays that you can listen to in your prefered language with a headset. It is humbling to think that so many civilians were able to find the strength and incredible courage to help anyway they could during the war. The array of ways the Dutch resisted the German occupation was varied, but all activities put them at a serious risk of capture or death. Young women smuggling resistance newspapers under aacks of potatoes on their bikes past German troops, families hiding people in their cellars, people making fake ids, etc. You are left wondering, "Would I have the courage to do the same if I were in the same situation?"
Must do Museum in Amsterdam
this museum is in my opinion an absolute must visit whilst in Amsterdam, especially for those with an interest in WW2. The museum is expansive and highly detailed, and though we spent 3 hours there, we easily could have been there for longer. The staff at the front desk are also very lovely and helpful.
So much to learn
Very enlightening. I’d not thought about how the war would affect so many people on so many levels and how divisive it would be. So much information and very well organised. Highly recommended and allow a few hours.
Museum of the Dutch resistance during WW2
Spent 2 hours in this museum and need at least another hour. Free audio guide is a must with so many recorded stories. We thought this museum was a great find and well worth visiting. Totally recommend
What a very good museum
What a very good museum. We went with our 5 year old daughter and we all learnt a lot. As well was what you would expect for adults, they had a kids section at the back that told the stories of 4 children. It was very interesting and got our daughter involved. The only downside and the reason for not giving this experience full marks is that the digital devices to listen to the stories throughout the museum didn't always work. I had to replace mine a couple of times and still the issue remained. The staff were very friendly and did mention that this was a new thing and they are having some teething problems. But still, it did dampen the experience a little.
Amazing museum experience
Visited this brilliant museum dedicated to the brave, resilient and courageous Dutch people during the Nazi occupation in WW2. It’s on the edge of the city, cafes and bars around for drink or food. Allow at least 2 hours if you want to see and appreciate the true stories being shared. An audio system in various languages is provided with the ticket price, also there are books available for purchase. The staff are very friendly and helpful. Happy to recommend and should we return to Amsterdam would pay another visit.
A must for anyone interested in understanding the various impacts of WWII
This museum provides an in depth understanding of what life was like for the residents of Amsterdam during the German occupation of WWII. It accomplishes this by presenting the personal experiences of those who lived through this occupation. For those seeking to understand the impacts of war on civilians, I highly recommend visiting this museum. Dr. Richard J. Chacon - Anthropologist.
Absolutely amazing
One of the bests museums we visited in Amsterdam. If you are interested in Nazi occupation and WWII history, even if you are slightly interested, this museum will be a good choice. Full of witnesses, original elements and even a zone for kids with interactive lessons. I greatly recommend a visit.
A most interesting Museum
This was a superb museum telling detailed stories of Dutch resistance. It was designed around stories of individuals who resisted in many different ways. Found the audio a little intermittent - reading the stories seemed to work better. Great film footage around the museum as well. Excellent value for money. Tip : If fully interested, allow at least two hours to see it all. In addition, the less knowledgeable would get more value by visiting the Anne Franck House first.
Well worth the time!
Glad we had time to visit this outstanding museum. The audioguide is essential and really brings the stories to life. The stories of resistance during WWII were very moving and well told. Loved the interactivity, the way critical components were examined (e.g., propaganda, the tools of resistance, individual impacts, etc.). Short films were all very informative and well done. Thank you. Wish this museum had a traveling exhibit that could find its way to the USA.
Excellent Representation of Dutch Resistance
Our flight landed at 8:30 AM, and after a brief stop for breakfast...this is where we chose to begin our Amsterdam exploring. People involved in the Dutch Resistance were so very brave. Despite the help of the resistance, many Jewish people succumbed to the terror. This museum is very well organized, and we learned so much. Seeing the Anne Frank museum 2 days later was made so much more impactful by visiting this museum. Highly recommend a couple of hours to see this museum.
Sobering but enjoyable
Really enjoyed this museum. Would recommend you allow at minimum 1hr to do this museum. A lot to see and a reminder of why we should not let this happen again yet unfortunately it is.
Definitely worth a visit!
My favourite museum to date! All of the human stories are how they were portrayed was incredible. The children loved the junior part of the museum! Fantastic!
Dutch Resistance Museum
To go through this museum probably took about 90 minutes. I appreciated that there were several locations to eat nearby (that can be handy when travelling). It's in a nice neighbourhood. I probably could have taken time just to wander around. The museum provides a lot of displays which provoke discussion and thought. The displays are very well done. There's also a small bookstore here.
Very well done museum - awe inspiring
Very well thought out museum. Engaging and thought provoking. Amsterdam is such a fantastic city it’s hard to appreciate what the Dutch people endured but awe inspiring to see how they fought back. Courage and resilience shines through.
Full of Bravery and Courage! A Must See museum!
This is the most well organized and awe inspiring museum I have ever been to. The exhibits are interactive and so informational and personal! There are images of Real people who stood up to Hitler and many of those people lost their lives because of their bravery and courage. It was awe inspiriting to read and hear and see all the people who Resisted! I was teary eyed most of the way through but I would never have missed this museum. I learned so much about the 'Reign of Terror ' that the Nazis created , so much that people were terrified for their lives every day! Do not miss this museum. 'This is so important to see !
Very interesting exhibition
Very interesting exhibition. The stories give you a very in depth insight to the horrendous effect WW2 and the occupation of the Netherlands had on the Dutch people. Emotional but worth visiting.
Well Worth Museum on the Dutch Resistance During WW2
Provides a full chronology of events and covers a wide range of topics. We have all heard about the French resistance and I am glad to know the Dutch resistance is perserved. If you like WW2 history it is a must-see. Check out the cafe next door after your visit.
A MUST Visit
This is an incredibly impactful, interesting museum that is absolutely worth a visit. It’s filled with stories of so many different perspectives of the Dutch living during WWII. The audio tour added to the experience, and my boyfriend and I talked for hours after leaving. There was something about all the different stories of different kinds of resistances (and even stories of people who didn’t resist!) that left a lot more food for thought than just the typical “hero” stories we sometimes focus on from WWII. This is a museum that is NOT to be missed.
Excellent user experience
The museum is very impressive, and contains lots of high quality exhibits. What I appreciated most was the overall user experience. Example: there was markings on the floor to indicate where to go next, and raised bumps to indicate where to stand and read the description or watch a video. The audio tour was not only excellent, but free! It was the easiest museum to navigate that I have seen in a while.
Well worth a visit.
We arrived with an hour before they closed having been site seeing elsewhere. I wish we had got there earlier. This visit will take more than an hour for sure. We had to rush it towards the end and missed some of the detail. Well worth getting to know the history of the resistance. Should I come back to Amsterdam, even if passing through I will make every attempt to come back and finish the visit.
