Micropia Amsterdam: The Complete Visitor Guide

Why Visit Micropia?

Micropia is a museum about something you cannot see. Microbes, the tiny living organisms that fill the world, are everywhere: on your skin, in your gut, in the air and in the soil. Here you can see them through microscopes, watch them in action and learn why they matter.

It is the world's first museum dedicated to microbes, so there is nothing quite like it. The exhibits are designed to be hands-on and visual, so you do not need to know anything about science to enjoy them. Screens, models and live samples make complicated ideas easy to grasp.

It is also fun. Children and adults can try the body scan, look through microscopes and take part in simple experiments. The tone is playful rather than scary, even when the subject is bacteria and viruses. And it is educational in a natural way, as visitors leave with a new view of health, food and the natural world.

For families, Micropia is an excellent indoor activity, and because it sits right opposite ARTIS Royal Zoo, it is easy to build into a day that mixes animals and science.

A Short History of Micropia

Creation by ARTIS

Micropia was created by ARTIS, the historic Amsterdam zoo founded in 1838. For more than a century and a half, ARTIS had shown visitors the animal and plant world. In the early 21st century, the organisation decided to extend that mission to the smallest forms of life, which make up most of the living world but are invisible without a microscope. The idea was to do for microbes what a zoo does for animals: bring them to life for the public.

Opening in 2014

Micropia opened its doors in 2014 in a building directly opposite the main ARTIS entrance. The decision to place it there was deliberate, so that visitors could combine the two. It quickly drew attention around the world, because a museum devoted entirely to microbes was a new idea.

Educational Mission

From the start, the aim was to change how people think about microbes. Many people associate them only with disease, but the vast majority are harmless or even essential. The museum teaches that microbes help us digest food, make bread, cheese and beer, clean wastewater and keep the planet in balance. By presenting science in an engaging way, it hopes to inspire curiosity and better understanding of health and nature.

Scientific Partnerships

Micropia works with scientists and research institutions to ensure that its content is accurate and up to date. The Micropia Lab, where researchers and educators work, links the museum to current scientific work. Such cooperation helps keep the exhibits fresh as discoveries are made.

Global Significance

Micropia is regarded as a pioneer in science communication. It has received international attention and awards, and has inspired other institutions to explore the microbial world in their own ways. For Amsterdam, it is another example of the city's tradition of combining science, education and culture.

Part of the ARTIS Family, Yet Separate

Micropia belongs to the ARTIS family, but it is a separate attraction with its own entrance, opening hours and ticketing. Visiting one does not automatically include the other, so check what your ticket covers.

Understanding the Microbial World

What Are Microbes?

Microbes, or microorganisms, are living things too small to see with the naked eye. They include bacteria, viruses, fungi, archaea and tiny single-celled organisms. They live almost everywhere on Earth, from the deep sea and hot springs to the inside of your own body. They were the first life on Earth and still make up a huge part of the living world.

Why Microbes Matter

Microbes are essential. They produce much of the oxygen we breathe, recycle nutrients in soil and water, and form the base of food chains. In our bodies, trillions of microbes help digest food, train the immune system and protect us from harmful germs. Without them, life as we know it could not exist.

Good and Harmful Microbes

Most microbes are harmless, and many are helpful. Some, however, cause disease, such as the bacteria behind certain infections or the viruses that cause flu. The museum shows both sides, explaining how the body defends itself and how medicines such as antibiotics and vaccines work. It also explains why it is important to use them wisely.

How Microbes Affect Daily Life

Microbes are at work in the bread you eat, the yoghurt in your fridge, the cheese on your plate and the beer you drink. They help clean water, make medicines and break down waste. They even shape the smell of your home and the health of your skin. Understanding them helps you make better choices about hygiene, food and health.

Why the Museum Is Unique

Most science museums cover broad topics. Micropia focuses on one subject and shows it live. You can see real microbes through microscopes, watch them move and grow, and compare them with images and models. It is a rare chance to see a hidden world up close, and the museum presents it in a clear, friendly way for beginners.

Top Highlights

The Body Scan

Stand in front of a screen and discover the microbes that live on and in your body. The scan shows how many and what kinds of microbes accompany every person, and it is often the part visitors remember best.

Lab Displays

Displays show how scientists study microbes, from growing them in dishes to looking at them under a microscope. They give a good idea of how research works.

The Microbe Collection

The museum presents a large collection of living microbes, shown in glass containers and under microscopes. It includes familiar and unusual species, and the variety is surprising.

Interactive Exhibits

Touch screens, games and hands-on stations let you explore at your own pace. They are designed for all ages, making complicated topics easy and playful.

3D Visualisations

Enlarged 3D images and animations bring microscopic life to a visible scale. Seeing a bacterium or virus enlarged gives a new sense of its shape and structure.

Live Science Experiences

Live demonstrations and activities show microbes at work. Check the schedule when you arrive, as the museum may run talks and experiments.

The Micropia Lab

The lab is a working space where scientists and educators prepare samples and run experiments. Visitors can learn about the science behind the exhibits and sometimes watch researchers at work.

Specific exhibits may change over time, so check the current offer on the booking page.

What to Expect Inside

The Visitor Route

You enter on Plantage Kerklaan and move through the museum, usually starting with an introduction to microbes and then exploring different themes such as the body, food and the environment. The route is easy to follow.

Interactive Experiences

Expect microscopes, screens and hands-on stations. Take your time at each one, and let children lead.

The Family Experience

Children enjoy the body scan and the microscopes. The museum offers explanations at different levels, so parents and children can learn together.

Educational Exhibits

Informative displays explain how microbes affect health, food and the environment, in clear language and with strong visuals.

How Much Time You Need

Allow 1.5 to 2 hours. Families with young children may need less, and science fans may take longer.

Visitor Information

• Address: Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, 1018 CZ Amsterdam, opposite the ARTIS Royal Zoo entrance.
• Hours: Open daily, generally from the morning to late afternoon. Check the current schedule, since Micropia has its own hours.
• Ticket prices: Typically in the mid to high teens for adults, with reduced prices for children. Prices vary. Combination tickets with ARTIS may be available.
• Accessibility: Lifts and step-free routes are available. Contact the museum for specific needs.
• Photography: Generally allowed for personal use. Avoid flash near displays.
• Lockers: Lockers or a cloakroom for coats and bags.
• Museum shop: A shop with books, science toys and gifts.

Best Time to Visit

• Morning: Calmest, and the best time for the body scan and the microscopes.
• Afternoon: Busier, but it is a good choice after a morning at ARTIS.
• Weekdays: Quieter and easier to book.
• Weekends: Busy with families. Book a morning slot.
• School holidays: The busiest periods. Book ahead and expect crowds at popular stations.
• Rainy days: A popular wet-weather option, so arrive early or book ahead.

How to Get to Micropia

• From Amsterdam Centraal: Take tram 14 toward the Plantage area, about 10–15 minutes, or walk for around 20–25 minutes through the old centre.
• From Schiphol Airport: Take a train to Amsterdam Centraal, about 15–20 minutes, then continue by tram or taxi.
• By tram: Lines 7 and 14 stop at Plantage Kerklaan, right by the entrance. Check a live planner for current routes.
• By metro: The nearest stations, such as Waterlooplein, are about a 10–15 minute walk.
• On foot: About 10 minutes from the Jewish Cultural Quarter and 15 minutes from the NEMO Science Museum.
• By bike: Easy and popular with locals, with bike parking nearby.

Who Is Micropia For?

Families

A great indoor activity with something for different ages, easily paired with ARTIS Royal Zoo.

Children

Children enjoy the hands-on stations and the body scan. The content is best for ages around six and up.

Teenagers

Teenagers often find the topic fascinating, especially health, food and the body. It connects to school science.

Science Lovers

Live microbes and lab insights give enthusiasts plenty of depth.

Teachers

An excellent field trip that supports biology and health lessons. Contact the museum about group visits.

Weekend Visitors

A compact, memorable stop. Book a morning slot and add ARTIS if you have time.

Local Insider Tips

1. Check exactly what your ticket includes, particularly if you buy a combination ticket with ARTIS.
2. Book a morning slot to avoid the busiest periods.
3. Do the body scan early, before lines build up.
4. Let children operate the microscopes themselves.
5. Read the short explanations, then ask questions. The content is built for curiosity.
6. Visit ARTIS first if you want to see animals when they are most active, and Micropia after lunch.
7. Use the lockers to travel light.
8. Wear comfortable shoes, as you will be standing at exhibits.
9. Check for live talks and demonstrations when you arrive.
10. Bring hand sanitiser, because after a lesson about microbes, you will want it.
11. Allow time for the shop, which has good science gifts.
12. Use the tram or a short walk to the Plantage for lunch between visits.

Best Photo Spots

Interactive Exhibits

The body scan and the microscope stations make lively photos, especially with children reacting to what they see. Capture the moment of surprise.

Science Displays

The clean, bright displays look great in photographs. Look for enlarged 3D models and colourful visuals, and avoid flash against glass.

Family Photos

Take a family photo at the entrance and at a favourite exhibit. Ask a staff member to take a group shot.

Unique Museum Moments

Look for scenes that tell the story of the museum, such as a child at a microscope, a screen full of microbes or a researcher in the lab. Short videos work well too.

Choosing the Right Ticket

• Standard entry: Admission to Micropia only. The right choice if you plan just the museum.
• Micropia + ARTIS combination: A combination ticket may cover both Micropia and ARTIS Royal Zoo, usually at a better price than two separate tickets. Read the listing to confirm that both are included and whether entry times differ.
• Museumkaart: May include Micropia. Check the current rules and reserve a time slot.
• I amsterdam City Card: May include entry to Micropia. Verify the current inclusions before relying on it.
• Family tickets: Sometimes offered for parents with children, and worth comparing against individual prices.

Remember that Micropia and ARTIS are separate attractions. Always verify what your ticket includes.

Nearby Attractions

• ARTIS Royal Zoo: directly opposite Micropia. A separate attraction with its own ticket.
• NEMO Science Museum: more hands-on science, a short tram ride away.
• Jewish Cultural Quarter: museums and memorials about Jewish history in Amsterdam, close by.
• Hortus Botanicus: one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, just around the corner.
• Anne Frank House: a poignant sight a short tram ride away. Book far in advance.
• Canal cruises: a relaxing way to see the city.
• Amsterdam Centre: the old city is within walking distance.

For more ideas, browse our Amsterdam museums guide, the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the family attractions in Amsterdam and the Amsterdam travel guide.

Suggested Itineraries

Micropia + ARTIS Day

9:00 ARTIS Royal Zoo, 12:30 lunch in the Plantage, 14:00 Micropia, 16:00 tram to the centre. Remember to check which tickets cover each attraction.

Family Day

10:00 Micropia, 12:00 picnic or lunch, 13:30 ARTIS playground and animals, 16:00 canal cruise.

Science Day

10:00 Micropia, 12:30 lunch, 14:00 NEMO Science Museum, 16:30 rooftop views.

Weekend Visitor

Saturday: Micropia in the morning, canal cruise in the afternoon. Sunday: a museum and a market.

First-Time Visitor

Morning at Micropia, afternoon in the old centre, evening canal walk. See our 3-day Amsterdam plan for more.

Top 5 Reasons Visitors Love Micropia

1. A unique concept. The world's first microbe museum, with nothing quite like it.
2. Interactive science. Microscopes, a body scan and hands-on stations.
3. Family friendly. Fun and engaging for children and adults alike.
4. Educational. You leave with a new view of health, food and nature.
5. Easy combination with ARTIS. Directly opposite the zoo, for a day of animals and science, with separate tickets or a combination ticket.