The world's first museum about microbes: living microorganisms under the microscope, a lab you can watch and interactive stations at ARTIS in Amsterdam.
From November 11, 2026
Together with the Rijksmuseum, Micropia uses a life-size reproduction of the “Nachtwacht” to show which microbes live on Rembrandt's painting; the installation grows with every newly analyzed sample from the lab.
ARTIS-Micropia opened on September 30, 2014, as a stand-alone museum of the Amsterdam zoo ARTIS and is considered the first museum in the world devoted entirely to microbes. It is located on the publicly accessible Artisplein on Plantage Kerklaan and has its own entrance and its own tickets.
The museum's aim is to make the mostly invisible world of microorganisms visible and to convey a more positive image of bacteria, fungi, algae and microscopic animals, which are indispensable for health, food and ecosystems. Every person carries trillions of microbes around with them. On display are more than 40 species of living microbes, which are cultivated and cared for in a glass laboratory inside the museum, complemented by virtual displays and hands-on stations.
In 2016 Micropia received the Kenneth Hudson Award of the European Museum Forum, which honors innovative museums. Since 2026 it has been working with the Rijksmuseum to study the microorganisms on Rembrandt's “Nachtwacht” (The Night Watch); the results will be on view in a dedicated installation from November 2026.
| Adults | €17 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €9CJP holders |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 12 · Free up to and including age 12. |
| Seniors | –No senior discount mentioned. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Visitors who cannot come alone may bring a companion free of charge; the Prikkelpas, Autipas and Sunflower lanyard are recognized. |
| Students & apprentices | €10.50 |
| Groups (8+ people) | –Packages for groups of 8 to 40 people on weekdays. |
| Families | –No family ticket; children up to age 12 free. |
| Ticket at the ticket desk | €18Always cheaper online |
| Late-afternoon ticket (Mon–Fri from 16:00) | €9Ages 13 and up; valid since August 31 outside school holidays and public holidays, limited availability |
| Combination ticket ARTIS Zoo + Micropia or Groote Museum | €35.50Online from €35.50, ticket desk €38.50; children aged 3–12 from €26.50, students €22.25 |
Dynamic pricing: online from €17 (depending on the day), €18 at the ticket desk. Free with the Museumkaart; also free for VriendenLoterij members and with an ICOM card.
One loan wheelchair available without a deposit (reservation recommended). Five accessible parking spaces in the ARTIS parking garage, two free ones on Plantage Kerklaan. Assistance dogs wearing the vest or harness of their training organization are welcome. Many stations have audio, which helps blind and visually impaired visitors. Low-sensory visiting hours from October 2026.
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 12 |
|---|
Children up to age 12 free. All-day stamp collecting activity “Collect all microbe stamps”, interactive stations such as the Kiss-o-meter and Bodyscan. Strollers allowed for children up to age 3.
ARTIS/Holocaust Museum
Trams 7 and 14 to the ARTIS/Holocaust Museum stop right in front of the main entrance. Metro 51, 53, 54 to Waterlooplein (about a 15-minute walk), bus 42 to Kadijksplein (about a 10-minute walk).
Paid parking
ARTIS parking garage: €17.50 per day for visitors, otherwise €6.98/hour, 12 charging stations. Alternative garages: Markenhoven (about a 10-minute walk), Stadhuis/Opera (about a 15-minute walk) and Q-Park Oostpoort (reservation only, about a 20-minute walk). P+R RAI, about 30 minutes from there.
Micropia is on the freely accessible Artisplein next to the zoo entrance. By bike about ten minutes from the major train stations (OV-fiets).
Get directionsCafé-restaurant de Plantage is on the Artisplein (Tue–Fri 9:00–1:00, Sat/Sun 10:00–1:00).
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Short daily “Lab Talks” (11:30, 13:30 and 15:30, 20 minutes each, also in English) and the “Microbe of the Month”. School programs through ARTIS. |
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