Museums
Allard Pierson Museum
The Allard Pierson Museum is the archaeological museum of the University of Amsterdam . The ancient civilizations of Egypt, Cyprus, the Greek World, Etruria and the Roman Empire are revived in this museum. Art-objects and utensils, dating from 4000 B.C. till 500 A.D. give a good impression of everyday-life, mythology and religion in Antiquity.
Amsterdams Historisch Museum
The city’s historical museum, there is a free gallery of paintings & art that you walk through to get to the museum entrance.
Hash, Marihuana and Hemp Museum
Opened for over twenty years, the Hash Museum is dedicated to debunking the lies and demonization about one of our most useful plants, the hemp plant. Although small, busy and seriously overpriced, it is a well-done museum where people go to get informed.
Joods Historisch Museum
Jewish Historical Museum. History of the Jewish people, culture and religion.
Museum Amstelkring
Most locals don't recognize the official name, but will know what you mean if you say "Our Lord in the Attic." This is a Catholic church stuffed into the upper stories of a house built in 1663, when Catholics were persecuted and had to disguise their churches. It's amazing to see how they fit worshippers, an organ, and an altar into such a narrow place.
Rembrandt House
This is where the artist Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn and his wife, Saskia, lived between 1639 and 1658. The house is a reconstruction of the painterâs life at that time and provides interesting insight. You will be able to see 260 of his 290 etchings, find out about how they were created, see where he worked and explore the nooks and crannies of this fascinating building.
Sexmuseum
The largest and most prestigious museum for sex art and sex history in the Netherlands. It shows a lot of sex oddities. Only ages 16 and up are allowed entry.
Torture Museum
This museum depicts the history of different torturous techniques used over the centuries.
NEMO
NEMO is the biggest science centre in the Netherlands; an educational attraction where you can discover a world of science and technology in an entertaining way. NEMO takes you on a voyage of discovery between fantasy and reality. You will discover how scientific phenomena influence your daily life. You will learn about technology and engineering, ICT, and bio- and behavioural sciences. This is a great place to take kids and is best for those ages 11 and below â teenagers will probably get bored.
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace is one of the three official palaces of the Netherlands. It is at the disposal of Queen Beatrix by the Act of Parliament. It was built in 1651 as the city hall of Amsterdam, in a period known as the Dutch Golden Age. Many school children learn that because of the swampy soil, it was built on no less than 13,569 wooden poles. In 1795, the French Empire of Napoleon Bonaparte invaded the Netherlands, and his brother Louis Napoleon became the first King of Holland in 1806. He acquired the city hall in that year and turned it into a royal palace. It was restored to the original owners when Prince William VI returned to the Netherlands in 1812, but when he was crowded as King William I, he decided that Amsterdam should be the official capital and acquired the city hall once again as a royal palace. This still brings out feelings among the locals, some of who would like to see the palace returned to Amsterdam. It has been completely renovated in 2009 and is now open again. It is mainly used for diplomatic receptions and to welcome visiting heads of state, not as a royal residence.
Schutters Gallery
Plenty of 17th-century portraits.
old jewish quarter
The most prominent synagogue is The Esnoga or The Portuguese Synagogue (http://www.esnoga.com/) 1675 located at Mr. Visserplein 3, in an austere Classicist style.