Jewish Cultural Quarter and National Holocaust Museum Amsterdam: Visitor Guide
Tickets, what each site offers, how to plan a respectful visit and how to combine the National Holocaust Museum, the Jewish Museum and the Portuguese Synagogue.
Main address
Plantage Middenlaan 27, 1018 DB Amsterdam
Opening hours
National Holocaust Museum: daily except Saturday
Sites
Four sites in one district
Best for
History, reflection, older children
Duration
1–2 hours per site
Book Jewish Cultural Quarter & Holocaust Museum Tickets
Choose a single museum or a combination. Each offer shows what is included. Dates only open when you ask for them.
National Holocaust Museum: Entry Ticket
Admission to the permanent exhibition on the persecution of Jews in the Netherlands. Rescheduling possible until 24 hours before.
View details on Tiqets →
Dutch Resistance Museum + National Holocaust Museum
Two museums a few minutes apart in the Plantage, booked once. Together they cover persecution and resistance.
Check dates and availabilityView details on Tiqets →
Amsterdam: Lovers Canal Cruise + Jewish Museum
Entry to the Jewish Museum and the Portuguese Synagogue with audio guides, plus a one-hour canal cruise.
Check dates and availabilityView details on Tiqets →
Jewish Cultural Quarter: Combo Pass + Van Gogh Museum
A multi-site pass for the Jewish Cultural Quarter plus the Van Gogh Museum, for a balanced day.
Check dates and availabilityView details on Tiqets →Booking is handled by Tiqets. Affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Why Book in Advance
The sites are close together, and a booked slot helps you plan a calm, unhurried day. The National Holocaust Museum listing allows rescheduling until 24 hours before, so you can keep some flexibility. Check opening days carefully, because the Jewish sites close on Saturdays.
What is the Jewish Cultural Quarter, and why visit?
Amsterdam's Jewish Cultural Quarter is a group of sites in the old Jewish district, including the National Holocaust Museum, the Jewish Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue and the Hollandsche Schouwburg memorial. Visit to learn about Jewish life in the Netherlands and the persecution of the Second World War.
Why Visit the Jewish Cultural Quarter?
Jewish people have lived in Amsterdam for centuries, and the Jewish Quarter around Waterlooplein and the Plantage was once the heart of that community. The museums and monuments here tell the story of that life, and of its destruction during the Second World War.
For many visitors it is the most meaningful half day of a trip. The National Holocaust Museum is personal and carefully designed, the Jewish Museum gives broader context, and the Portuguese Synagogue is one of the most beautiful historic buildings in the city.
A visit pairs naturally with the Anne Frank House and the Dutch Resistance Museum, and together they give a fuller picture of the period.
A Short History of the Quarter
Sephardic Jews who came to Amsterdam from Portugal and Spain in the late 16th and 17th centuries built the Portuguese Synagogue in the 1670s. The Ashkenazi community also grew, and the district around today's Jonas Daniël Meijerplein became a centre of Jewish life.
During the German occupation, most Jews in the Netherlands were deported and murdered. The Hollandsche Schouwburg, a former theatre used as a deportation assembly point, is now a memorial. The National Holocaust Museum opened in 2024 in the Plantage, close to the memorial, to tell this history through personal stories.
Top Highlights
National Holocaust Museum
The permanent exhibition follows the persecution of Jews in the Netherlands through personal objects and stories. Items such as children's clothing with the yellow star make the history immediate.
Jewish Museum
The museum, in a group of former synagogues on Nieuwe Amstelstraat, presents the history of Jewish life in the Netherlands. Your ticket in the Tiqets combination includes an audio guide.
Portuguese Synagogue
Built in the 17th century, it is known for its large interior, wooden benches and candle-lit atmosphere.
Hollandsche Schouwburg
A memorial in the former theatre, a short walk from the museum, commemorating the Jewish people deported from there.
What to Expect Inside
The content is serious and some images and objects are distressing. Plan time to move at your own pace and take breaks. The audio guide is helpful for context.
How Much Time Do You Need?
Allow 1 to 2 hours for each museum. Most visitors combine two sites in a day.
A Respectful Visit
Dress simply, keep voices low and follow any guidance on photography. At the synagogue and memorial sites, observe local rules.
Visitor Information
- National Holocaust Museum: Plantage Middenlaan 27, 1018 DB Amsterdam. Open daily except Saturday, from about 10:00 to 17:00. Check the booking page before you go.
- Jewish Museum and Portuguese Synagogue: Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1 and Mr. Visserplein 3. Check the opening days and hours on the booking page.
- Ticket price: Prices vary by site and combination. Confirm the current price on the booking page.
- Rescheduling: The National Holocaust Museum listing allows rescheduling until 24 hours before your visit.
- Saturday: The Jewish sites close on Saturdays, so plan your week accordingly.
- Accessibility: Check each site's accessibility information before your visit.
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings are usually calmest. Avoid Saturdays, when the Jewish sites are closed, and check ahead for Jewish holidays and national remembrance days, when hours may change.
The visit works in any weather, and it combines well with a walk through the Plantage afterwards.
How to Get to the Jewish Cultural Quarter
The National Holocaust Museum is in the Plantage, about 25 minutes on foot from Amsterdam Centraal, or a short tram ride. The Jewish Museum is a short walk from Waterlooplein, close to the Mr. Visserplein metro and tram stops. Check your journey planner for the best option.
The sites are 10 to 15 minutes apart on foot, so you can walk between them.
Local Insider Tips
- Avoid Saturdays: the Jewish sites are closed.
- Combine the Holocaust Museum with the Dutch Resistance Museum for a fuller picture of the period.
- Book the Anne Frank House separately and well in advance.
- Plan a quiet break in the Plantage between visits, such as Hortus Botanicus or a café.
- Take the audio guide and move at your own pace.
Choosing the Right Ticket
The National Holocaust Museum ticket suits a focused visit. The Resistance Museum combination gives two museums on one day. The Jewish Museum and canal cruise combination balances heavier content with a lighter activity, and the Jewish Cultural Quarter and Van Gogh combination offers a wider day.
Visiting With Children or With Limited Time
Families
These museums are best for older children and teenagers. Check each site's recommendations for age.
Short on Time
With a half day, choose the National Holocaust Museum and the Hollandsche Schouwburg memorial, or the Jewish Museum and the Portuguese Synagogue.
Students and History Lovers
Allow a full day to visit two or three sites and reflect between them.
Nearby Attractions
- Dutch Resistance Museum: a short walk from the National Holocaust Museum, telling the story of the occupation.
- Anne Frank House: the hiding place of Anne Frank, on the Prinsengracht. Book well in advance.
- Hortus Botanicus: a quiet botanical garden in the Plantage.
- ARTIS Royal Zoo: a short walk from the Plantage museums.
- Rembrandt House Museum: close to the Jewish Museum, on Jodenbreestraat.
For more options, browse our Amsterdam museums guide or compare the best museums in Amsterdam.
Suggested Itineraries
Half Day
National Holocaust Museum in the morning, a quiet lunch in the Plantage and the Hollandsche Schouwburg memorial.
Full Day of History
National Holocaust Museum at opening, Dutch Resistance Museum in the afternoon, and a calm evening away from busy streets.
Jewish Amsterdam Day
Jewish Museum and Portuguese Synagogue in the morning, Rembrandt House Museum after lunch, and an evening canal cruise.
First-Time Visitor Itinerary
Rijksmuseum and a canal cruise on day one, Anne Frank House and the Jewish Cultural Quarter on day two. See our 3-day Amsterdam plan for more.
Jewish Cultural Quarter & National Holocaust Museum FAQ
What is the Jewish Cultural Quarter in Amsterdam?
It is a group of sites in the old Jewish district, including the National Holocaust Museum, the Jewish Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue and the Hollandsche Schouwburg memorial.
Where is the National Holocaust Museum?
At Plantage Middenlaan 27 in the Plantage, close to the Dutch Resistance Museum and the Hollandsche Schouwburg.
What are the opening hours?
The National Holocaust Museum is open daily except Saturday, from about 10:00 to 17:00. Check the booking page for the current schedule.
Are the Jewish sites closed on Saturdays?
Yes. The Jewish Cultural Quarter sites close on Saturdays, so plan your visit for another day.
How long do you need?
Allow 1 to 2 hours per site. Most visitors combine two sites in a day.
Can I reschedule my ticket?
The National Holocaust Museum listing allows rescheduling until 24 hours before your visit. Check the listing for your chosen ticket.
Is it suitable for children?
These museums suit older children and teenagers. The content is serious and can be distressing.
Is an audio guide included?
The Jewish Museum combination in the Tiqets listing includes an audio guide. Check each listing for details.
Can I combine it with the Dutch Resistance Museum?
Yes. A combined ticket for the Resistance Museum and the National Holocaust Museum is listed on this page.
Do I need to book in advance?
Booking helps you plan, particularly around Saturdays and holidays.
How do I get there from Amsterdam Centraal?
It is about 25 minutes on foot or a short tram ride. Check your journey planner for the best stop.
Is it worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of the most meaningful visits in Amsterdam and gives important context for the Anne Frank House.
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Final Verdict
The Jewish Cultural Quarter and the National Holocaust Museum are among the most meaningful places to visit in Amsterdam. They are serious, well made and close together. Plan a calm day, avoid Saturdays and give yourself time to reflect.
Who should visit: history lovers, students, older children and teenagers, and visitors who want more context after the Anne Frank House.
Who may skip: visitors travelling with young children, or anyone who prefers a lighter day out.
Overall rating: 9.2 / 10