Beatles Museum Alkmaar

About the museum

The Alkmaar collector Azing Moltmaker received his first record player on his fifteenth birthday in 1973 and soon began collecting Beatles singles, record sleeves and later bootlegs. In 1978 he founded the fan club "Beatles Fan Records", which at first sent out only photocopied newsletters and later published professionally printed magazines, special issues and books.

On June 6, 1981, he opened the world's first Beatles museum in Krommenie, inaugurated by the then Radio Veronica DJ Tom Mulder. It moved to Zaandam and back in the meantime, before restarting in Alkmaar in the 1990s, first on the Laat, later on the Kanaalkade. Today it is based on Pettemerstraat near the railway station.

Besides the Beatles exhibition, two further museums now share the same roof: the Zeezender Museum, with models of famous pirate radio ships such as Mi Amigo or Noordzee, built by Hans Hettelder, and the museum "Van Audio naar Video", which shows the development of radios, cassette recorders, record players, televisions and cameras. A shop and a "Collectors Paradise" with used records, CDs, films and comics round off the offering.

Highlights

• Large private Beatles collection, according to the museum the largest in the world
• Photo opportunities such as "Abbey Road" and the giant Sgt. Pepper album cover
• Zeezender Museum with models of pirate radio ships
• Museum "Van Audio naar Video" on the history of radios, televisions and more
• Museum shop and Collectors Paradise with used records

Permanent exhibitions

• Beatles Museum – Extensive private collection on the Beatles with rare objects, audio and film recordings and photo opportunities.
• Zeezender Museum – Detailed models of famous pirate radio ships such as Mi Amigo and Noordzee by Hans Hettelder.
• Van Audio naar Video – A look back at radios, cassette recorders, record players, televisions and cameras through the decades.

Founded

1981

Admission & discounts

Admission covers all three museums (Beatles Museum, Zeezender Museum, "Van Audio naar Video"). The Museumkaart is not valid here. The museum shop is accessible without admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the website, the museum is wheelchair-friendly.

Kids & families

No dedicated children's programmes mentioned on the website; photo opportunities include an Abbey Road zebra crossing and a giant Sgt. Pepper cover.

Getting there & parking

Alkmaar's old town is about a 10-minute walk away.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with merchandise, books and used recordings. An Italian restaurant (Happy Italy) is located opposite.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

According to the website, the large rooms are suitable for parties, meetings and company outings; enquiries via the contact form.

Plan your visit