• Natural History Museum Rotterdam outside view of the museum at Museum District Rotterdam
  • Natural History Museum Rotterdam inside view wit a dinosaur skeleton.
1 2

Natural History Museum Rotterdam

Natural History Museum Rotterdam

The Natuurhistorisch Museum Rotterdam is a captivating natural history museum that showcases an extensive collection of fossils, animals, and curiosities from the natural world. With a mix of scientific discovery and surprising exhibits—including quirky taxidermy and unique specimens—it offers an engaging experience for curious minds of all ages.

Opening hours

  • Tuesday to Sunday: 11:00 – 17:00
  • Closed on Mondays

How to get there

Westzeedijk 345 (Museumpark), 3015 AA Rotterdam

Prices from

€ 13.50

Get your tickets here > View full details

More details

Natural History Museum Rotterdam – Life, nature, and evolution

The Natural History Museum Rotterdam explores the wonders of nature, past and present. It’s located in the Museumpark in Rotterdam, right next to other major museums. The museum is known for its surprising, smart, and sometimes funny exhibits.

What to See

  • Fossils, stuffed animals, skeletons, and insects
  • The famous “Dead Animal Tales” collection
  • Displays on extinction, evolution, and urban wildlife
  • Rotating exhibits on nature and science today
  • Microscope and activity corner for kids

Why Visit

  • See nature up close—from mammoths to city foxes
  • Learn how animals adapt and survive
  • Great for families, students, and curious minds
  • Fun and educational, with a light and modern feel

The Museum

The Natural History Museum Rotterdam opened in 1927. It has grown into a lively place for nature lovers of all ages. The museum tells serious stories with a playful tone, mixing science with humor and surprise.

Visitor Information

  • Address: Westzeedijk 345, Rotterdam
  • Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 – 17:00
  • Tickets: €9.00 (adults), €6.00 (ages 5–15), free under 5
  • Free with Museumkaart
  • Facilities: Shop, small café, and kids’ area

Natural History Museum Rotterdam is perfect for visitors who enjoy nature, science, and fun facts about the world around us.

Some Highlights of Natural History Museum Rotterdam

15 m sperm whale skeleton

One of the museum’s most iconic highlights is the fully reconstructed skeleton of a 15-meter male sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). After washing ashore near Scheveningen in 1995, the whale was carefully preserved and mounted in the museum’s modern glass pavilion. Suspended dramatically in the light-filled space, the massive skeleton offers a breathtaking encounter with the scale and power of marine life. It stands as a symbol of natural wonder, scientific dedication, and the museum’s commitment to storytelling through real-life specimens.

Get your tickets

Skeleton of “Ramon"

Displayed in the museum’s elegant octagonal tower room, the skeleton of “Ramon” offers a powerful glimpse into the life of one of Rotterdam Zoo’s most iconic animals. Ramon, a male Asian elephant born in 1970, spent decades at Blijdorp Zoo before his death in 1998. Through a community-funded restoration, his entire skeleton—assembled bone by bone—was unveiled in 2005. Towering and majestic, the display captures both the physical grandeur and lasting legacy of this beloved elephant. A humorous touch accompanies the exhibit: a preserved piece of Ramon’s dung from 1974, now a quirky and unforgettable detail.

Get your tickets

Opgeraapt, Opgevist, Uitgehakt” (Picked Up, Dredged Out, Carved Out)

This fascinating fossil exhibition reveals the prehistoric treasures hidden beneath Dutch soil and seabeds. From 500-million-year-old sandstone tracks to Ice Age mammoth bones dredged from the North Sea, each specimen tells a story of ancient life in what is now the Netherlands. Highlights include fossilized shark teeth, sea urchins, tree trunks, and even a dramatic cast of a Mosasaurus skull once taken to Paris by Napoleon’s army. Beautifully curated and rich in scientific detail, the exhibition invites visitors on a journey through time—offering a rare, tangible connection to the country’s deep natural past.

Get your tickets

Other Dutch Museums

View all