Museum of the Royal Netherlands Navy at the old Rijkswerf Willemsoord in Den Helder – with the walk-through submarine Tonijn and historic ships.
Special exhibition
Marking the 350th anniversary of the admiral's death: the naval battle off Mount Etna in 1676, his fatal wounding, the funeral, and the hero worship that followed.
Special exhibition
Rarely shown pieces from the storerooms – paintings, ship models, ship decorations, medals, bells, flags, and silver – on the history of the navy since the 17th century.
The impetus came in 1961 from Vice Admiral Albrecht Nicolaas baron de Vos van Steenwijk, then commander of the naval forces in the Netherlands: a foundation was to preserve his extensive private collection on naval history. As early as 1962, the navy took over the museum, and the collection became state property. The first exhibition space was the attic of the so-called Peperhuisje in Den Helder.
Shortly afterward, the museum moved into the Torentje at the Rijkswerf Willemsoord, a storehouse from the 1820s whose tower clock once regulated the shipyard workers' working day. Today, six halls there tell the story of the Dutch navy, from Maximilian of Austria's fleet ordinance of 1488 and the naval heroes of the Golden Age to the Cold War. The former Geschutmakerij (gun workshop) focuses on the shipyard and technology.
Museum ships were gradually added: the submarine Tonijn, decommissioned in 1991, which sits on blocks on land and is considered the only publicly accessible submarine in the Netherlands; the minesweeper Abraham Crijnssen, which escaped the Japanese in 1942 disguised as an island; and the ram ship Schorpioen from 1868. Since 2011, visitors have also been able to walk through the bridge house of the frigate De Ruyter.
The museum belongs to the Stichting Koninklijke Defensiemusea, which also includes the Nationaal Militair Museum and the Mariniersmuseum. The collection comprises around 80,000 objects; many former navy personnel work as volunteers and share their own experiences on board.
| Adults | €12.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €11Students and CJP cardholders |
| Children & teens | €7.50free up to age 3 · Up to age 3 free, ages 4 to 12 €8 at the ticket desk or €7.50 online; from age 13 adult price. Children up to 12 only when accompanied by an adult. |
| Seniors | –No senior discount in the price list |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Wheelchair users free, since the ships are not accessible (tickets at the ticket desk); companion free if an independent visit is not possible |
| Students & apprentices | €11With student ID or CJP |
| Groups | €11.50 per personGroup rate with reservation: adults €11.50, children ages 4–12 €7; schools and BSO (after-school care) €4.50 per pupil, first accompanying adult free |
| Combination ticket with the Reddingmuseum (adults) | €19At the ticket desks of both museums |
| Combination ticket with the Reddingmuseum (ages 4–12) | €12.50 |
| Audio tour | €1.50 |
Adults €13 at the ticket desk, €12.50 online. Free with the Museumkaart (scan on site; also available at the ticket desk); likewise with the VriendenLoterij VIP card (one person), Defensiepas, Veteranenpas, Postactievenpas, MOD card, ICOM card, and as a Friend of the museum.
The buildings are step-free and have elevators as well as stairs with handrails; the museum ships are not wheelchair-accessible. Loaner wheelchair with advance reservation, folding stools in the Torentje and the Geschutmakerij. Accessible parking spaces at P1 and P2. No special provisions for visitors sensitive to stimuli; quieter times are January to March and November, as well as mornings before 12:00 and from 15:00.
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
Free family scavenger hunt at the ticket desk, downloadable coloring pages, ship simulator, and Zeeslag (Battleship) in Navy Games. During school holidays, often theater, a children's studio, and "Top Matroos." Children's birthday party "Mysterie van de Kist" for ages 7 and up. Strollers are fine; on the narrow ships, volunteers will show you where to park them. Named a Kidsproof museum in 2024.
Marinemuseum
From Den Helder NS station, a 15-minute walk, or bus line 33 toward Veerhaven to the Marinemuseum stop. From the TESO ferry (Texel), a 10-minute walk via Nieuwediep and Hoofdgracht.
Free parking
Two museum lots, P1 and P2, free for museum visitors (not for long-term parkers or Texel visitors; towing enforced). One lot may be closed during navy ceremonies.
By car via the N9 (from the A9/Alkmaar) or the N99 (from the A7/Den Oever); in Den Helder, follow the signs for "Veerboot Texel" and "Marinemuseum." The site belongs to the navy; site map on the website.
Get directionsMuseum restaurant aboard the ram ship Schorpioen, open only during school holidays and on Easter and Whitsun weekends; otherwise food and drink on the Willemsoord site (re-entry possible with a wristband). Free lockers for larger bags; only small handbags may be taken inside. No eating or drinking in the museum.
Tween deck and brasserie of the Schorpioen, library, Admiraalzaal, and film hall for conferences, presentations, lectures, receptions, dinners, anniversaries, and class reunions; technical equipment and catering on request.
Inquiries & details| Guided tours | yes · approx. 2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Allowed, but without a tripod; no lamps or flash in dark rooms. |
| Good to know | For families, the museum recommends 2 to 3 hours. Guided tours (also in English and German) on request via reserveringen@marinemuseum.nl: €40 per guide plus admission, max. 15 people, lasting about 2 hours; programs can be booked up to one week in advance. For groups aged 15 and over, the Cold Storm simulation on the bridge of the De Ruyter. Audio tour €1.50. Former navy personnel share their stories aboard the Tonijn. |
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