Museum Vlaardingen

About the museum

The roots go back to 1920, when the Vlaardingsche Oudheidkamer en Visscherijmuseum was founded; it was dissolved in 1957. Because the wish for a museum of its own remained, the Stichting Nationaal Visserijmuseum was established in 1960, and in July 1962 the Museum for Dutch Sea Fisheries opened on the Westhavenkade. After almost ten years it moved to the "Huis met de Lindenboom" (Westhavenkade 53/54), where Princess Beatrix officially reopened it in 1971.

With the loan of the old Oudheidkamer collection in 2003 it was renamed Visserij & Vlaardings Museum, and alongside fishing, city history moved into focus. In 2010 the museum closed for a major renovation designed by Houdijk Architecten: an 18th-century shipowner's house, a former office and a warehouse of the herring merchant Warmelo & van der Drift were joined to a new building. Since its reopening on 20 June 2015 it has been called Museum Vlaardingen.

The collection features art, archaeology and city history alongside herring fishing. Since 2021 the museum has been re-examining the holdings of the former Visserijmuseum. The museum also includes the museum ship VL 92 De Balder, a herring lugger, and the city crane at the harbour.

Highlights

• Historic shipowner's house of 1742 with Koepelkamer and ceiling painting by Gerard Sanders
• Blue salon with works by the Vlaardingen painter Arij Pleijsier (1819–1879)
• Herring fishing collection with ship paintings, herring crowns and silver beakers
• Archaeological exhibition on the early history of Vlaardingen
• Museum ship VL 92 De Balder and city crane at the harbour

Founded

1962

Director

Léanne Selles

Admission & discounts

Free admission with Museumkaart, Rotterdampas, Rembrandtkaart, ICOM and for Friends of the museum. Admission is free during an official heat warning (30 °C or more). Online reservation is optional (€1.50 fee). Payment by debit card (PIN) only, no credit cards.

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

Loan wheelchair and folding stool available; drop-off directly in front of the entrance possible. Electric wheelchairs and scooters may enter the entrance and shop, but not the exhibition rooms. Pets not allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

Trail searches, puzzles and dressing up as a fisherman related to the exhibitions, with additional activities during school holidays. Children's birthday party with treasure hunt and lemonade.

Getting there & parking

Because of construction work on the Westhavenkade, the museum recommends walking along the quay to the information point Vlaardingen Doen and crossing the street there to the entrance.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Koffielokaal with coffee, tea, drinks and pastries, also accessible without an admission ticket. Unsupervised cloakroom and free lockers; larger backpacks must go in a locker.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 150 guests.

Historic room with harbour view for up to 30 people, hall for up to 150 people (theatre-style seating). Official wedding venue: Koepelkamer of 1742 (ceremonies for up to 35 people). From 1 October 2026 to 1 March 2027 the museum serves as an alternative location for the municipality.

Plan your visit