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The Museum of Canals will tell you all you want to know about the Amsterdam canals. The exhibition will take you on a journey through 400 years of history.
Read more
- Delve into the history of the Amsterdam canals
- Understand the importance of the canals in the past and for the future
- Visit of a beautiful 17th-century canal house, with classical period rooms
Children
Child ticket for 6-17 years old
Free entry for 0-5 year olds accompanied by a paying adult
Opening hours
Tuesday - Sunday: 10.00 - 17.00
Languages
The free audio tour is available in English, German, Dutch, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin) and Russian
Ticket information
Tickets directly available on smartphone
Tickets can be rescheduled or cancelled up to 48 hours in advance
More information
For questions about the product, please contact [email protected]
Accessibility
- Free access to bathroom
- Wheelchair friendly
- With audio description
Museum of the Canals
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Public Transport
The nearest stops are Koningsplein (tram 2 & 12) and Rokin (metro 52 and tram 4, 14 & 24).
Open in Google maps
The canals of Amsterdam
Amsterdam and canals, the two are nearly synonymous. Though the canals do not date as far back as the first days of the city, they were an integral part of the city’s growth in the 17th century. The Museum of the Canals will take you on a journey through the 400 year history of the canals.
The canals were part of one of the biggest city expansions in the world, and they are part of the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2010. From their inception, the canals were integral to the city and they remain so to this day. The permanent multimedia exhibition shows you all of this in a fun and interactive way.
History of the canals
The Museum of the Canals illustrates how the city of Amsterdam evolved through the lens of its canals. In the 16th century, the first plan was drawn for a canal ring around the city. These canals were designed to stimulate trade, make transport easier and to reclaim land from the water to expand the city.
These waterways became one of the greatest sources of wealth for Amsterdam. A full quarter of the area of the city consists of water, making Amsterdam the most waterfilled city in the world. The Canal Museum also has changing temporary exhibitions to complement its permanent exhibition.
Make your reservations now!
The Museum of the Canals tickets include a free audio-guide in English, German, Dutch, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin) and Russian. The Museum of the Canals is housed in an authentic 17th-century canal house on the Herengracht, with classical period rooms. Get your tickets to the Museum of the Canals now and don’t miss out on this fascinating part of Amsterdam’s history.
Want to see even more of the canals in Amsterdam after visiting the museum? Then make sure to also book a canal cruise. It is the Amsterdam experience that cannot be missed.
52 Reviews
4.7
Average rating from
Tripadvisor
40steps
Do this on your way to something else as an informative rest stop
Entry to this museum is included with an IAmsterdam card (which I highly recommend). It's a very unique museum experience, immersive, and highly informative and engaging. This is great to do when you need to get off your feet a little bit because there are several opportunities to sit down. There's also a toilet in the basement. I think the experience was an hour or less; it was a great activity to do between bigger museums/activities (and with free entry and a free restroom!). We did this on a Friday afternoon and there were only 3 of us at the museum.
Sep 22, 2024beckyw84
Fascinating visit
The museum consists of an audioguide and you have a timed entry with a group, with each room going into the history of the canals. The audioguide was very good and easy to use. It was fascinating to hear about how the city was designed and expanded. Would recommend a visit here to anybody who wants to more about the history of the city.
May 26, 2024324hunterd
One of the best things in the city!
This little place was actually the best thing I did in Amsterdam. Super interesting and immersive little history lesson. It runs for about 45mins and is best experienced in small groups. I went in alone and two other nice ladies were in there with me—we all came out quite impressed! If you’re in Amsterdam to get artistic inspiration or to learn their history this is a must. It’s included in a city card plan but I would have paid for it, honestly. Highly recommend!
May 20, 2024Xtina0325
Great place to start in Amsterdam
A great small museum with a good audio tour showing the fascinating history of not just the canals but of Amsterdam itself. Really good for all ages especially the intricate small house with all the miniature details. It also has a beautiful garden at the back which you can see from the museum. It’s certainly a great place to start your sightseeing tour of Amsterdam
May 12, 2024Z9587BNstevens
Worth the visit, good overview of the history of Amsterdam
Great small museum that you can tour in under an hour. Gives an excellent overview of the history of the city as well as the construction of the canals. Covers the full range of the topic from before the 1600’s through the golden age up to the present. Uses an audio guide to narrate the tour and exhibits. Highly recommended.
Apr 22, 2024Z3729TIbenc
Fascinating - more museums should be like this
This little museum is great. It's not so much a history of the canals, more the history of Amsterdam through the story of the canals. We learnt so much about the history of the city. The exhibits are all audio visual. The large model house is intricate and beautiful. There are 5 guided rooms. Really recommend this.
Apr 10, 2024Almostgreynomad
Absolutely fascinating !
I wanted to try and understand the construction of the canals and the reclamation of land, that allowed Amsterdam to happen. Really interesting tour. It was quiet, I found it so fascinating, I asked if I could go back through for a second time .....
Apr 5, 2024Reisiger1223
Great way to understand Amsterdam’s historical development
This museum provides a great overview of the city and the canals that made her famous. Visitors are led from one room to the next, covering a variety of topics, to include the history of the building that houses the museum. If you’re at all interested in the history of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and/or canals/inland shipping then you should add this museum to your visit list. Note: visitors are provided an audio guide in a variety of languages, so language barriers are not an issue.
Apr 4, 2024SupaWazza
Canal and city history
Very interesting history of the canals and city development. There were multimedia presentations and models. Worth the visit.
Mar 31, 2024Swedishtomcat
400 years of Amsterdam
We found this was a good place to start on day 1. We learned about the history of the Amsterdam, the building of the canals along with the construction and expansion of the city. 400 years in 40 minutes.
Feb 28, 2024430helenl
An essential museum for any visitor to amsterdam.
An essential museum for any visitor to Amsterdam. We were told about this at the Houseboat museum otherwise would have completely missed this. It’s a very informative guided presentation that helps explain the history of the canals and then helps you to machinâtes and find your way around Amsterdam a lot better as a result!
Feb 28, 2024Tourist26842320869
Big recommendation when you want to discover the history of Amsterdam
My (Dutch) kids (age 9 and 7) wanted to learn about Amsterdam. The museum was a perfect start on a day in Amsterdam, explaining how it became the city it is today. The information in shared in a creative way, using beautiful models, projections, lighting and sounds. It takes approx. 1 hour to view the complete show, which is perfect.
Feb 1, 2024sandyc556643227xx
Lovely little museum
Lovely little museum takes about 1 hour 15 to see everything. Everything is present in a really innovative way. Not a huge amount of information but I really enjoy it. Helpful staff. Do the quiz in the waiting room while you wait.
Jan 11, 2024maroldakg
Charming and informative museum
This little museum tells the story of Amsterdam’s canals and its beautiful houses. The museum has some very well done virtual displays, informative videos, and interactive models. This is my third visit to Amsterdam, and I feel as though I learned more in the hour I spent here at this museum, than on other tours previously.
Jan 5, 2024Nimrod104
Great immersive museum
What a find! Really informative and immersive history of Amsterdam and its canals. We spent an hour there and thoroughly enjoyed it. Well worth spending the time and the money. It’s not large but really well thought out with models of houses and canals.
Dec 22, 2023valeriem446
Clever bite-sized museum
Informative, bite-size museum that explains how Amsterdam was built. Unusual format for a museum. Money well spent on this museum. Try the quiz in the lobby waiting area before you go on the tour.
Dec 14, 2023CathG72
A little gem of a museum
Visited the Canal museum on a rainy day with my 13 year old daughter. Was not as busy as many of the other museums we visited in Amsterdam which was refreshing. It is set in a stunning building with a beautiful garden. We both absolutely loved our visit, especially the interactive displays and innovative journey you are taken on through the history of Amsterdam. Highly recommend.
Oct 27, 2023CoachJDC
Interesting insights into the canals that define Amsterdam
The museum is in a house that is Tucktaway in one of the neighborhoods of Amsterdam. It takes about an hour for the entire tour, and it is self guided with audio assistive devices. I found the information to three dimensionalize the canals. How and why they were developed and what the current and future challenges will be for the canal system in Amsterdam Cost is about €17
Oct 25, 2023LesleyC242
Don't Sleep On This Museum!
What a surprise! This museum was one of my favorites! Easy to get around and learn about the history of building this amazing city of Amsterdam and their canals. Informative and fun! Don't sleep on this one!
Oct 20, 2023Barnesms
Wonderful,little museum.
Wonderful,little museum. Great history exhibit of the building and expansion of Amsterdam. Sits along the old canals.
Oct 8, 2023N5416OGedwards
Wonderful small museum
Wonderful small museum dedicated to the history behind the canals in Amsterdam. Takes about an hour, imaginative displays and good audio guides. Unique.
Sep 23, 2023Q9978TFglenb
A gem of a museum
A brilliant little museum delivering the history of Amsterdam. Its situated in a beautiful house with a lovely, peaceful garden. An immersive experience delivered in a variety of languages using an audio guide.
Sep 2, 2023lisalockwood22
Museum of canals
I enjoyed the museum of the canals very much. It was educational. Learned how Amsterdam was built. After the museum we went over to see the old drawbridges and the floating flower market, which were nearby.
Aug 26, 2023conscienciouseater
Entertaining and educational
For such a dry subject, quite an entertaining experience while, at the same time, very informative and educational. The deliberate effort to keep it updated is admirable. Pleasant garden in the back.
Aug 11, 2023226magnusl
Informative and well-presented
Very pedagogic and informative exhibition, with cool projection mapping onto models, combined with very detailed dollhouse models. Definitely worth a visit!
Aug 6, 2023stefand888
Wat een geweldig museum !
Dankzij het bezoek in kleine groepjes en met een audioguide is het museum heel laagdrempelig en erg interessant. Op 45 minuten kom je daardoor heel veel te weten over het ontstaan van de Amsterdamse grachten. Dit is echt zijn geld waard !
Nov 20, 2024Orchidee3101
Wunderbar modernes Museum
War angenehm überrascht. Toll gemacht. Hatte am Nachmittag Rundgang mit kleiner Gruppe. Absolute Empfehlung. Leider war der Garten nicht geöffnet.
Apr 18, 2024ddominika
Superbe découverte! Très instructive, intéressante et originale
Parmi mes musée préférés d'Amsterdam. Nous y sommes entrés presque par hasard. Avec I'msterdam Card l'entrée est gratuite! Des explications sont très intéressantes et claires. L'audio-guide dans plusieurs langues. Côté présentations - BRAVO pour l'originalité de la maison des poupées ! Je recommande vivement ce musée!
Mar 28, 2024ninah523
Absolutes Muss in Amsterdam! Tolles Museum!
Toll gestaltetes Hotel zur Geschichte Amsterdams und seiner Grachten. Richtig spannend und etwas unkonventionell inszeniert, auch ideal mit Kindern. Hatte das ganze etwas "trocken" erwartet, aber das war es in kleinster Weise! Top! Glückwunsch an das Team!
Mar 24, 2024Ptites-bulles73
À faire si vous avez le temps
Musée assez intéressant belle mise en scène qui nous explique l’agrandissement de la ville et la construction des canaux avec des maquettes une magnifique maison miniature et une superbe vue sur le jardin
Dec 28, 2023maureenp429
Mooi grachtenpand
Leuk en interessant museum. Met audiotour beleef je een stukje geschiedenis over Amsterdam. Een prachtige stijlkamer met een mooi plafondschildering en uitzicht op de stiltetuin.
Nov 8, 2023R2214BCchristinec
Essentiel
Plus long serait inutile. Dans un beau cadre et avec une belle présentation on ressort en comprenant Amsterdam et son developpement. A faire en debut de sejour pour se promener intelligement apres
Oct 12, 2023Urlauber7175
Ein Besuch lohnt sich.
Kleines und feines Museum mit einer tollen visuellen Darstellung von der Entstehung Amsterdams und den Grachten. Zusätzlich bietet das Museum einen interessanten Blick in ein historisches Grachtenhaus mit dem dazugehörigen Garten.
Sep 6, 2023christellemN2580MZ
Excellent
Un musée à faire impérativement 👍 Extrêmement bien organisé et très intéressant. Audioguide possible en 9 langues. On avance de pièces en pièces avec de nombreuses explications expliquant parfaitement l'évolution de cette ville, ses canaux, la construction des maisons... Ce musée est de plus installé dans une très jolie maison avec jardin. Merci.
May 24, 2023Coeurdopale
Très intéressant, je recommande.
Petit musée extra, très intéressant et bien fait! Joli jardin où l’on peut s’assoir au soleil et même pique-niquer. Petit bémol: ma belle fille n’a pas pu venir et ils ont refusé de nous rembourser même en en faisant la demande sur internet comme dit.
May 21, 2023citytrip_addict
A faire absolument
Génial, nous avons adoré. L'histoire d'Amsterdam et de ses canaux. Très bien expliqué, grâce à des maquettes. A faire absolument, c'est très intéressant.
Feb 26, 2023nicolasticot
Je conseille fortement
C'était un super musée, plutôt court et très riche. Je conseille à ceux qui viennent visiter la ville et veulent en savoir plus sur son histoire de passer par ce musée. A base de maquettes et mises en scènes interactives, on en apprend davantage sur la ville et ses canaux de manière très claire, complète et compréhensible. L'audioguide en français est un vrai +.
Feb 18, 2023Wdopp
Verrassend leuk museum
Naast alle bekende musea blijkt dit museum een verrassend pareltje! Op een zeer inzichtelijke ( met audio/video)wordt op een zeer aansprekelijke manier ontstaan en ontwikkeling Amsterdam( grachten, huizen) uitgelegd. Zeer de moeite waard, ook voor kinderen. Genoeg aan 45 minuten
Dec 15, 2022rita_grasl
Sehr lehrreich!
Sollte man unbedingt besuchen um zu verstehen wie Amsterdam aufgebaut wurde. Tolle und spannende Vorführungen.
Jan 23, 2022FrankOetelaar
Verrassend leuk en educatief
Kregen een tip via iemand hier eens binnen te gaan. Kenden het niet ondanks diverse eerdere bezoeken aan Amsterdam. Verrassend leuk en educatief. Een mooie multimediale weergave in diverse zalen over het ontstaan van Amsterdam.
Aug 18, 2021samkV3713QI
Fantastisch (ook met kids!)
De geschiedenis van de Amsterdamse grachtengordel werd op een verrassende manier verteld en ook laten zien! Waarom is dit stuk wereld erfgoed zo gemaakt? Wat is er in de loop van de tijd allemaal veranderd? Wat is er gebeurd? De audiotour, de projecties, de modellen, de enorme maquette, samen brengen zij de geschiedenis tot leven en zeker voor onze kids (8 en 11 jaar) een leuke manier om de stad en grachten beter te begrijpen! Niet druk en toegankelijk met de Museumkaart. Echt een aanrader!
Jun 15, 2021Cpatino19
Muy interesante y divertido
Recomendado, una experiencia diferente ya que es interactiva y va al punto, aparte te dan una audioguia gratis.
Aug 17, 2020PeterNemeth
Toll
so zum drüberstreuen, (unser Amsterdamliebe Guide...>> das geht sich noch aus, wenn wir schnell hingehen... ) sahen wir dieses 3 D - Museum, wirklich beeindruckend, es gibt feste Eintrittszeiten, bitte erkundigen Sie sich.. Peter Nemeth
Jan 4, 2020silke36
Das vermutlich hübscheste Museum in der hübschesten Stadt.
Amsterdam ist an allen Ecken einfach schön, und genau das spiegelt auch dieses Museum wieder. Am besten gleich in der Früh, wenn es gerade öffnet, dann hat man das Puppenhäuschen mit den Hologrammen ganz für sich allein!
Sep 3, 2019dreamyviajero
Di facile comprensione ed interattivo
Gli olandesi sanno raccontare la loro storia e le difficoltà affrontate meglio di altri Paesi europei. La visita al Museum Het Grachtenhuis o Museo dei Canali è una visita stimolante ed interattiva. Il viaggiatore deve sapere che non sono presenti opere d'arte od oggetti di gran pregio, ma la visita consente di comprendere meglio il rapporto che Amsterdam ha con l'acqua e con i suoi canali. Da vedere. Personale giovane, gentile e qualificato.
Aug 24, 2019MariateresaL506
Storia e interattività
Il museo racconta la storia urbanistica della città di Amsterdam, il modo in cui si è sviluppata e le modalità di costruzione degli edifici. E' affascinante la concezione museografica, che prevede una prima parte della visita con audioguida in stanze che raccontano con ologrammi e animazioni. L'audioguida illustra poi anche il percorso più tradizionale, nelle stanze del palazzo storico che ospita il museo.
Jul 14, 2019W6128MDannac
Magnífica explicación
Visita muy agradable e interactiva. Hay un audioguía gratuito en muchos idiomas que vas accionando a medida que pasas por las distintas salas. Tiene una maravillosa explicación de cómo contruyeron los canales, cómo decidieron darle una forma u otra, hasta la ciudad actual. También es muy interesante ver la estructura que tienen las casas y entiendes cómo se aguantan, porque hay de torcidas hacia un lado o hacia adelante, etc. Además la casa donde se encuentra el museo es preciosa, y también puedes recorrerla y escuchar su historia.
Apr 29, 2019887giuliag
La storia della città
Il museo si trova a 15 minuti da piazza Dam. È gratuito con la museumkaart e include un'audioguida in italiano. Ci sono gli armadietti per depositare borse e zainetti. Museo molto interessante e ben organizzato. Si visita in circa 45 minuti. Lo consiglio!
Mar 26, 2018P-HATEM
MUY INTERESANTE
Para saber desde el principio como se formó esta bonita ciudad con sus canales y su vida por debajo del niv l del mar. Nos pusieron una audio guía en español y nos explicaron cómo y cuándo y porque tiene Amsterdam esta forma tan singular y como se construyeron sus casas desde los cimientos . Muy curioso. XXX Os animo a visitarlo. SALUD.
Jan 25, 2018Resglad458
Intressant museum
Intressant museum om Amsterdams historia. Bra guide som hade bra storlek på grupperna. Vid ett av husen använde man sig av audioguiden. Man kunde då höra hur det lät i de olika rummen. Kul. Prisvärt och annorlunda litet museum. Rekommenderas.
Aug 12, 2017
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