Sometimes you want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Fortunately, there are beautiful hidden places in Amsterdam, from lesser-known museums to oases of peace and quietness. In this article you can find 12 hidden places in Amsterdam!
Header photo: John Lewis Marshall
1. Cuypers Bibliotheek Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is a museum that everyone should have visited at least once. In the Rijksmuseum you can take a look at Dutch art and history, including works by 17th-century Dutch masters.
In the museum you can also visit the Cuypers library, or the Rijksmuseum Research Library. This is the largest and oldest art history museum library in the Netherlands. Not everyone is aware that you can visit this beautiful library in the Rijksmuseum, while it is really worth it.
Get your skip-the-line ticket for the Rijksmuseum.
2. Vondelbunker
A hidden nuclear shelter from the year 1947 in the Amsterdam Vondelpark, under the Vondelbrug.
It became a nightclub in the 1960s and eventually became known as Studio 7, where big names like Pink Floyd performed. Today it is a musical place where concerts, art exhibitions and various performances take place.
Address
Vondelpark 8A, 1071 AA Amsterdam
3. Electric Ladyland
Electric Ladyland is a special museum, because it is the only museum in the world with a room-sized fluorescent environment, where visitors become part of the art.
Normally a visitor is a spectator in a museum, but at Electric Ladyland you participate in the art yourself.
The entrance fee of Electric Ladyland is 5 euros.
Address
Tweede Leliedwarsstraat 5, 1015 TB Amsterdam
4. Hortus Botanicus
One of the oldest botanical gardens in the world can be found in Amsterdam. Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam was founded in 1638 by the Amsterdam city council as Hortus Medicus and is a true oasis of peace in the busy city!
5. Siegerpark
The Siegerpark is a small park on the Sloterdijk in Amsterdam-New-West. The hidden 80-year-old park is a green oasis, where you can walk around and admire the images from the Stedelijk Museum’s collection.
6. KattenKabinet
Do you love cats? Then visit the Cat Cabinet, a museum dedicated to everything that has to do with cats. From photos and prints to images and furniture. And even real cats live here!
7. Tiny Hidden Houses
On the Westerstraat in Amsterdam you can find something very special. If you pay close attention you will see that number 54 jumps to number 70. Between these houses is a gap where seven miniature houses are placed. Really amazing!
8. Kartuizerhofje
This historic courtyard can be found on the Jordaan on the Karthuizerstraat. It was built in the mid-17th century and was a nursing home for widows. The Karthuizerhofje is the largest courtyard in Amsterdam and nice to walk through for some peace and quiet.
9. Muizenhuis
Looking for a fun kids activity in Amsterdam? Then visit one of the two Muizenhuizen (Mouse Houses) in Amsterdam! In the Public Library you can visit the Muizenhuis decor exhibition and in the Jordaan you can visit the Muizenhuis Winkel & Werkplaats.
Decorations specially made for the circus, theater, the harbor and the fair are on display in the Jordaan. Here you will see how a Mouse House is made and you can ask the makers questions.
10. Hofje van Brienen
This courtyard was founded in 1804 and was originally intended for older couples.
The courtyard is open to the public daily from 06:00 to 18:00 and on Saturday until 14:00. The Hof van Brienen is closed on Sunday.
You can visit the Begijnhof every day from 09:00 to 17:00. One entrance can be found on the north side of the Spui and the other on the Gedempte Begijnensloot.
11. Oudemanhuispoort Boekenmarkt
This hidden gem is really worth a visit if you are a book lover!
The shop cabinets in this passage have been used as a book market since the 19th century. In addition, there is still a rich history behind the name. This gate led to the old men’s house, where in the early 17th century men without a family were allowed to live.
12. Hermitage Museum Binnentuin
Even if you do not plan to visit the Hermitage Museum in Amsterdam, you should still visit the beautiful courtyard. It is the largest inner garden enclosed by a building in Amsterdam and is open to the public.
The courtyard is absolutely beautiful and in good weather you can enjoy coffee, tea and some tasty dishes on the terrace.
What hidden places have you discovered in Amsterdam? Share it with us in the comments!
