Amsterdam Museum and Amsterdam in Motion: The Complete Visitor Guide

Why Visit the Amsterdam Museum?

If you want to know how a small town on the Amstel became a global trading city, this is the museum for it. The Amsterdam Museum is about the city itself: how it grew, who lived in it and how it changed.

The current format is compact and visual. Amsterdam in Motion presents the story in a short audiovisual show with an exhibition, so you can learn a lot in under an hour.

It also gives you a reason to see the Westergasfabriek, a former gasworks turned cultural park beside Westerpark, which many visitors never reach.

A Short History of the Museum

The museum was founded in 1926. For many years it was housed in a former city orphanage near the Kalverstraat, a complex of historic buildings in the old centre. That location is closed for renovation, and the museum is working on a new Amsterdam Museum.

While the building is closed, the museum continues in other places. Amsterdam in Motion is a permanent location in the Westergasfabriek, and Huis Willet-Holthuysen is a preserved canal house on the Herengracht. Check the museum's current information before you go, as reopening plans can change.

Top Highlights

What to Expect Inside

The Tiqets listing describes the visit as about 45 minutes, with an audio guide. It is a good choice when you want a quick, lively introduction rather than a full museum day.

Visitor Information

• Address: Pazzanistraat 19, 1014 DB Amsterdam, in the Westergasfabriek.
• Opening hours: Check the booking page for current opening times and days.
• Ticket price: Entry tickets are often listed from around €11 to €20 depending on offers. Confirm the current price on the booking page.
• Duration: About 45 minutes according to the listing.
• Audio guide: Included in the listing.
• Main building: The Kalverstraat building is closed for renovation.

Best Time to Visit

Weekday daytimes are generally the quietest. The visit is short, so it works well on a rainy afternoon, and you can follow it with a walk through Westerpark when the weather clears.

In summer the Westergasfabriek terraces are lively, so combine the visit with lunch or a drink.

How to Get to Amsterdam in Motion

The Westergasfabriek is in the western part of the city, beside Westerpark. From Amsterdam Centraal it is about 20 minutes on foot via the Haarlemmerdijk, or a short trip by bus or tram. Check a live journey planner for the best stop.

It is also a pleasant bike ride, with calm streets through the Spaarndammerbuurt and Westerpark.

Local Insider Tips

• Check the museum's website for current locations before you go.
• Combine the visit with lunch at the Westergasfabriek.
• Walk the Haarlemmerdijk on your way back, one of the best shopping streets in the city.
• If you like canal houses, add Huis Willet-Holthuysen on another day.
• Pair the visit with the Anne Frank House, which is in the same western side of the centre.

Choosing the Right Ticket

The standard entry ticket is enough for most visitors. The Van Gogh and Rembrandt combination adds a second immersive experience. The GVB public transport combination helps with getting around, and the Ripley's combination adds a very different museum.

Visiting With Children or With Limited Time

Half Day

Amsterdam in Motion in the morning, lunch at the Westergasfabriek and a walk through Westerpark.

West Amsterdam Day

Amsterdam in Motion, a stroll along the Haarlemmerdijk, the Jordaan and an evening canal cruise.

Rainy-Day Plan

Amsterdam in Motion, then the Anne Frank House or Moco Museum, with a café stop between them.

First-Time Visitor Itinerary

Rijksmuseum and canal cruise on day one, Anne Frank House and Amsterdam in Motion on day two. See our 3-day Amsterdam plan for more.