• Museum of the Canals Amsterdam view from the canals during a sunny day. Trees in front of the museum
  • Museum of the Canals Amsterdam inside view of an exhibition with digital prints
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Museum of the Canals Amsterdam

Museum of the Canals Amsterdam

The Museum of the Canals (Grachtenmuseum) in Amsterdam offers an immersive journey through the city's iconic canal network, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Housed in a beautifully preserved 17th-century canal house on Herengracht, the museum features interactive multimedia exhibits that trace 400 years of urban development and canal engineering. Visitors can explore five themed rooms showcasing historical models, animations, and original artworks, including 18th-century wall paintings by Jurriaan Andriessen. The museum also boasts a tranquil canal-side garden, providing a serene retreat in the heart of the city.

Opening hours

  • Monday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

How to get there

Herengracht 386, 1016 CJ Amsterdam, Netherlands

Prices from

From €17.50

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Museum of the Canals – Discover the story behind Amsterdam’s canals

The Museum of the Canals is located in a historic canal house on the Herengracht. It tells the story of how Amsterdam’s famous canal ring was built and how it shaped the city. The museum combines history, architecture, and interactive displays.

What to See

  • Multimedia timeline of Amsterdam’s growth
  • Animated films and 3D models of the canal system
  • Historic maps, paintings, and objects
  • Rooms restored in 17th- and 18th-century style
  • Interactive exhibits about city planning and water management

Why Visit

  • Learn how the canals changed Amsterdam forever
  • Great mix of history, design, and technology
  • Fun and easy for all ages
  • Located in a beautiful canal house in the city center

The Museum

The Museum of the Canals opened in 2011. It is set inside a 17th-century townhouse and uses modern technology to bring the past to life. The museum highlights how urban design, trade, and water shaped Amsterdam into the city it is today.

Visitor Information

  • Address: Herengracht 386, Amsterdam
  • Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 – 17:00
  • Tickets: €15.50 (adults), €9.00 (ages 6–17), free under 6
  • Free with Museumkaart or I amsterdam City Card
  • Facilities: Gift shop, audio guides, and group tours

Museum of the Canals Amsterdam is ideal for visitors who want to explore how water, design, and innovation shaped the heart of the city.

Some Highlights of Museum of the Canals Amsterdam

A Bird’s Eye View

At first glance, Janneke Viegers’ paintings may appear abstract—large, square canvases filled with dripping, swirling paint. But as you look closer, more emerges. Her cityscapes capture the vibrant chaos of Amsterdam, where she works and draws inspiration. Through her unique bird’s eye perspective, Viegers invites us to see the city anew, soaring above from Central Station all the way to the Zuidas. This exhibition showcases both existing and new works, offering a captivating flight over Amsterdam.

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Quiet Garden

The museum’s Quiet Garden, opened in 2022, beautifully honors over four centuries of Amsterdam’s rich tradition of canal gardens. Designed to blend historical elegance with modern tranquility, the garden features four exquisite antique statues carved from Italian limestone, each symbolizing one of the four seasons. These statues add a timeless, classical charm to the peaceful green space nestled beside the bustling city canals. Carefully curated plantings reflect the changing seasons, creating a serene environment where visitors can escape the urban rush and reflect quietly. To maintain this calm atmosphere, the museum kindly asks visitors to keep noise to a minimum and avoid eating, drinking, or group visits in the garden. The Quiet Garden is open from spring through early autumn but closes during the winter months to preserve its delicate features and allow for seasonal care, welcoming guests back when the weather warms again.

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Andriessen Room

This room is named after the creator of the murals: Jurriaan Andriessen (1742-1819), an Amsterdam born painter with German parents. Andriessen made many wallpaper designs in his lifetime and also painted sets for the Stadsschouwburg (city theatre). He was a true decorative painter, which can also be seen in this room. When you enter the room, you find yourself in a wonderfully idyllic landscape with all possible romantic ingredients. Here you can see a country road, animals, a ruin, a bridge over a still water and, of course, an abundance of plants and trees. Not surprisingly, this room was conceived as a ‘garden room’ – having a view over the real garden.

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