Naturalis Biodiversity Center

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Naturalis's roots go back to 1820, when King William I founded the Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie in Leiden to bring together the state's natural history collections and serve research. Through expeditions, above all in what were then the colonies, the holdings grew rapidly in the 19th and 20th centuries.

In 1984 the institution merged with the Rijksmuseum van Geologie en Mineralogie to form the Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum, which in 1998 opened a new exhibition on the edge of Leiden's city center under the name Naturalis. In 2010 the collections of the Zoölogisch Museum Amsterdam and the Nationaal Herbarium were added; since then the institution has seen itself as a national center for biodiversity and has borne the name Naturalis Biodiversity Center.

Around the existing collection tower, a new building designed by Neutelings Riedijk Architecten was created to unite museum, research and storage under one roof; it opened in 2019. A light-filled atrium links the old and new parts of the building; the complex uses no natural gas and is heated by its own geothermal storage system.

The collection comprises some 42 million plants, animals, rocks and fossils and ranks among the largest natural history collections in the world. One of its best-known pieces is the skeleton of the Tyrannosaurus rex "Trix", excavated in Montana. In the LiveScience gallery, visitors can watch researchers and preparators at work.

Highlights

• Skeleton of the Tyrannosaurus rex "Trix" in the 12-meter-high Dinotijd hall
• Rexperience: immersive journey through time to Trix (ages 8 and up, €2 surcharge)
• Ice Age hall showing the landscape of the Netherlands during the last glacial period
• LiveScience on the freely accessible first floor: researchers and preparators at work
• Some 42 million objects in one of the largest natural history collections worldwide
• New building by Neutelings Riedijk Architecten with atrium and rooftop terrace

Permanent exhibitions

• Dinotijd – Dinosaur skeletons in a 12-meter-high hall, staged with projections and sound; the centerpiece is the T. rex Trix, alongside a Triceratops with 3D-printed additions.
• IJstijd – Reconstruction of the Dutch landscape during the last Ice Age, with the animals of that glacial period.
• LiveScience – Freely accessible gallery on the first floor where researchers and collection managers work in front of the public and answer questions.

Founded

1820

Director

Marcel Beukeboom

Visitors per year

approx. 541,077 (2025)

Admission & discounts

Free with the Museumkaart; also free with an ICOM card, VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART, Leiden Sleutelpas and as a Friend of Naturalis. Even with a discount card, reserve a ticket with a start time online in advance. The first floor with LiveScience, restaurant and museum shop is freely accessible without a ticket. The VVV-Cadeaukaart is accepted; payment in cash or by card, card only in the restaurant, no American Express.

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

The entire museum is accessible for wheelchairs and compact mobility scooters (Rexperience not with a mobility scooter). Free loan wheelchairs without reservation, two elevators, stairs with handrails, and quiet zones. Accessible restrooms on the first floor and the tenth floor. 17 accessible parking spaces (not reservable) in the P+R Naturalis; vehicles taller than 2.10 m must register with customer service after buying a ticket. Participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program; a sensory kit with ear defenders, sunglasses and fidget toys can be borrowed at the service desk.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Kids’ birthday parties: not available

According to the museum, suitable for all ages. On weekends and during school holidays, staff at question boxes and workstations invite visitors to handle real natural objects; discovery boxes are available daily in LiveScience. Low-sensory family days are part of the program. The Rexperience is recommended only from age 8. Children up to age 12 only with an accompanying adult. Strollers allowed (limited elevator capacity); pull wagons and bike trailers not allowed on weekends and during holidays. No children's birthday parties, but there is a kids' corner in the restaurant.

Getting there & parking

Two entrances: Darwinweg 2 for pedestrians, Mendelweg 2 for cars and bicycles. Due to municipal construction work around the museum, routes may differ. Large bicycle parking area; Donkey Republic rental bikes in the parking garage. The museum recommends arriving by public transport.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Museum restaurant on the first floor, rooftop café on the tenth floor with a roof terrace; vegetarian, sustainable menu from caterer Vermaat. The restaurant and museum shop are also accessible without a ticket during opening hours. Free lockers (€0.50 deposit) at the cloakroom; large bags are not allowed in the galleries. Room for pumping breast milk available on request.

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 230 guests.

Auditorium (up to 230 people theater-style), atrium, restaurant, balconies in the glass dome, rooftop café (up to 45 people), LiveScience and the meeting room "De groene kamer" (up to 8 people); the whole building can also be rented exclusively. Wedding celebrations only through a wedding planner or event agency; no civil wedding ceremonies. Catering exclusively by the in-house caterer. Contact: sales@naturalis.nl.

Plan your visit