Grachtenmuseum Amsterdam

About the museum

The Canal Museum, formerly known as Het Grachtenhuis, opened in 2011 at Herengracht 386. It tells how the canal district of the Golden Age came into being and how it has changed up to the present day; the canals are part of the city's UNESCO World Heritage site.

The museum is housed in a 17th-century double canal house. In the period rooms on the piano nobile, original building elements from four centuries of domestic culture have been preserved, such as chandeliers and ceiling paintings. There is also an audiovisual exhibition that takes visitors through 400 years of Amsterdam history in about forty minutes; a new run starts every ten minutes. The audio guide is included in the admission and available in nine languages.

Since 2022 the museum has also shown its own exhibition each year on contemporary topics such as climate change, nature, migration and changing perspectives on Amsterdam's history. For children between six and fourteen, coloring sheets and treasure hunts are available at the ticket desk, and the building is largely set up to be accessible: there is a lift, a platform lift at the entrance and an adapted restroom. Larger groups can come outside regular hours on Monday mornings.

Highlights

• Multimedia exhibition on 400 years of Amsterdam's canal history
• Period rooms with original building elements from four centuries
• Audio guide included in admission, in nine languages
• Coloring sheets and treasure hunt for children aged 6 to 14
• Lift and platform lift for wheelchair users

Permanent exhibitions

• Multimediale Ausstellung „400 Jahre Amsterdam“ – Audiovisual journey through time in which visitors watch the canals and the city around them come into being.
• Stilräume in der Beletage – Originally preserved rooms with chandeliers, ceiling paintings and details from four centuries of domestic architecture.

Founded

2011

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Museumkaart, I amsterdam City Card, Stadspas and ICOM card. E-tickets online without a time slot. Payment only by debit or credit card (except American Express), no cash.

Accessibility

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

Wheelchair entrance with a platform lift to the left of the main entrance (staff operate it on request), lift to all floors, adapted restroom with grab bars and emergency call, and adapted cloakroom. Thresholds of about 3 cm, narrowest door 80 cm; electric mobility scooters are not possible. Loan wheelchairs (reservation recommended), folding chairs, printed audio texts for the hearing impaired. Disabled parking spaces opposite the entrance and at Molenpad 17 (about 300 m away). It can get crowded on weekend afternoons.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Children aged 6 to 14 receive free coloring sheets and treasure hunts at the ticket desk.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the Herengracht in the canal belt, near the Nine Streets. Disabled parking spaces opposite the entrance and at Molenpad 17.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Small museum shop at the ticket desk with books, jewelry and gifts. There is no café in the building, but there are many options in the surrounding area.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Plan your visit