Fotomuseum Hilversum
Museum of contemporary photography in the former town hall of Hilversum with changing exhibitions, museum café and shop.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is housed in the former town hall of Hilversum on the Kerkbrink. The core of the building is around 250 years old; in 1880/81 the city architect Johannes Rietbergen converted it into a larger, more stately town hall, which served until 1931. After that the Goois Museum moved in, devoted mainly to local history and regional art.
In 2005 the building was renovated and extended with a round annex by the architect Hans Ruyssenaars; the museum was now called Museum Hilversum. In 2013 it became an independent foundation and realigned its programme and collection policy, with photography becoming ever more important. In December 2025 it was renamed Fotomuseum Hilversum.
Today the museum shows contemporary photography and press photography, documentary photo stories and projects on current visual culture across five exhibition spaces. It works with World Press Photo and the Zilveren Camera, among others, and complements the shows with artist talks, guided tours and workshops. The museum also has a museum café and a shop.
Highlights
- Five exhibition rooms for contemporary photography in the town hall of 1881
- Partner of World Press Photo and the Zilveren Camera
- Round annex by Hans Ruyssenaars (2005)
- Museum shop with a selection of photo books
- Museum café, accessible without an admission ticket
- Historic council chamber as an official wedding venue
- Operated by
- Stichting Museum Hilversum
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €8.50Seniors aged 65 and over |
| Children & teens | €4free up to age 12 · Children up to and including 12 years free; young people aged 13 to 25 €4. |
| Seniors | €8.50From 65 years. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Companions of visitors who cannot move around the museum independently have free admission. |
| Students & apprentices | €4Young people aged 13 to 25 and CJP holders. |
Free with Museumkaart, ICOM card, Rembrandtpas and for Friends of the museum. Admission tickets are currently available only at the ticket desk (Museumkaart available there); online ticket sales are not yet possible.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Accessible for wheelchairs, walkers and prams; two lifts, one loan wheelchair and a wheelchair-accessible toilet. Ring the bell downstairs and you will be collected and accompanied to the museum ticket desk. The museum describes itself as autism-friendly. Dogs are not allowed, except assistance and guide dogs.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 12 |
|---|
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Stroller-friendly
Children up to 12 years have free admission and must be supervised by adults at all times. For school classes there is a free rally (lower secondary) and a Kijkwijzer booklet (upper secondary) at the ticket desk.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Hilversum, Kerkbrink
NS station Hilversum about 10 minutes on foot; bus stops "Hilversum, Kerkbrink" and "Hilversum, Oude Torenstraat" right by the museum; OV-fiets at the station.
By car
Paid parking
No car park of its own; paid car park De Gooische Brink, whose exit leads directly onto the Kerkbrink in front of the museum.
Satnav address: Kerkbrink 6, Hilversum.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
- Wi-Fi
Museum café with coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer and organic wine, plus something sweet; no food offering, and outside food is not permitted. Cloakroom with free, unattended coat hooks, a few lockers for backpacks and larger bags. Café and shop open daily except Mondays 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Historic council chamber (official wedding venue) for weddings, conferences, presentations and receptions; further rooms as meeting rooms, exhibition halls by arrangement; catering on request.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography for personal use permitted, without flash or tripod. |
| Good to know | Guided tours are available for every exhibition; for schools a standard tour, Visual Thinking tour or a combination (each 1 hour, in Dutch or English), plus a rally and Kijkwijzer. Pets are not allowed. |
