The oldest museum in the Netherlands (1784), in Haarlem: fossils, minerals, instruments, coins and art in original historic galleries.
October 2, 2026 – August 29, 2027
Interactive show on the basic principles of scientific work such as providing evidence, repeating and verifying, with historic objects and current examples; especially for children ages 8 and up.
Teylers Museum goes back to the bequest of the Haarlem merchant and banker Pieter Teyler van der Hulst (1702–1778). He left his fortune to a foundation intended to promote art, science and education in keeping with the ideals of the Enlightenment. His executors had a hall for books, instruments and art built behind his home on the Damstraat: the Ovale Zaal opened in 1784 and is considered the oldest museum gallery in the Netherlands.
Under its first director, Martinus van Marum, the museum became a place of active research; the large electrostatic generator from 1784 still bears witness to this. In the 19th century the museum grew steadily: a wing with a lecture hall and library was added in 1826, painting galleries in 1838 and 1893, and in 1885 a new building with an imposing facade on the Spaarne, including fossil and instrument galleries whose display-case arrangement remains almost unchanged to this day. From 1909 to 1928 the Nobel laureate Hendrik Antoon Lorentz had his laboratory here.
The collections are deliberately broad: paleontology and mineralogy, scientific instruments, coins and medals, books, and paintings and drawings – including sheets by Michelangelo, Raphael and Rembrandt. Since the late 20th century, a modern extension has added spaces for temporary exhibitions to the ensemble.
Teyler's former home, one of the best-preserved 18th-century interiors in the Netherlands, has also been restored and is now part of the tour. The museum is run by a foundation and still operates on the basis of Teyler's will.
| Adults | €18.50 |
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| Reduced | €9.25Young people and young adults aged 18 to 24, also with a CJP pass |
| Children & teens | €2.50free up to age 5 · Children up to age 5 free, ages 6 to 17 €2.50. Children under 13 only when accompanied by adults. |
| Seniors | –No senior discount listed. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Visitors who cannot visit the museum independently may bring a companion free of charge (companion ticket online or at the ticket desk). |
| Students & apprentices | €9.25Applies to ages 18 to 24; no separate student discount listed for older visitors. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €16.50 per personGroup rate per person for 10 or more people; register group visits in advance via reserveringen@teylersmuseum.nl or +31 23 516 0972. |
Free admission: Weekend van de Wetenschap (October 3–4, 2026): children free
Free with the Museumkaart (including Kids/Jongeren), and also with the VriendenLoterij VIP-kaart, Vriendenpas/Vrienden van Teylers Museum, I amsterdam City Card, Vereniging Rembrandt, ICOM, HaarlemPas, Zandvoortpas, Vlaamse lerarenpas, NVON and Sotheby's preferred. The Museumkaart is available at the ticket desk while supplies last. Timed online tickets recommended (entry up to 15 minutes after the start of the time slot); buying at the ticket desk on site is also possible. Card/credit card payment only in the museum.
All galleries on the first floor are accessible by wheelchair and rollator (doors at least 85 cm wide, ramp mats on natural-stone thresholds, detours with ramps where there are steps), though some historic rooms are difficult to navigate. Wheelchair entrance to the left of the main entrance (Spaarne 18, ring the bell); the main entrance has three steps. Gehoorzaal and library reachable by a small elevator; Pieter Teylers Huis accessible only on its first floor, via Damstraat 21. Mobility scooters not permitted, power wheelchairs allowed; two loan wheelchairs (reserve via info@ or +31 23 516 0960). Two wheelchair-accessible restrooms, folding stools, assistance dogs on a leash. Accessible parking space in front of the museum (not guaranteed); no drop-off in front of the door. Guided tour for blind and visually impaired people with tactile objects (90 minutes, €102.50 per group of up to 10 people plus admission, companions free). Visual signage and subtitled videos for deaf visitors.
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
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Free scavenger hunts at the ticket desk for ages 5 to about 12 (including versions for beginning readers, for ages 8 and up and a language-free version for families who speak other languages), with a small gift in the shop. The interactive exhibition "Zeker weten?" is aimed at children ages 8 and up; there is also a children's podcast series for ages 7 and up, plus holiday programs. Strollers and back carriers are not allowed in the galleries and are left in the entrance area. Children under 13 only with adults.
Turfmarkt · 6-min walk
About a 13-minute walk from Haarlem station (NS). By bus from Haarlem Centraal, line 3 (toward Schalkwijk) to the stop "Turfmarkt", then about a 6-minute walk.
No on-site parking at the museum.
No dedicated parking; De Appelaar parking garage 170 m from the entrance, De Kamp 500 m, Raaks 900 m (all with elevators, accessible spaces and license plate recognition). Parking in the center is limited.
Drop-off directly in front of the museum is not possible. The museum recommends public transport.
Get directionsMuseum café in the Tuinzaal overlooking the garden (coffee, cake and lunch from caterer Truffels), from 10:30. Museum shop with books, catalogs and gifts. Coats must be checked at the cloakroom, bags and backpacks larger than A4 go in the free code lockers; umbrellas in the umbrella stand. Food and drink only in the café.
Up to 100 guests.
Gehoorzaal (19th century, up to 100 people, with reception up to 75), meetings in the Voorzaal (16), Blitslab (12) and Educatief Paviljoen (20), dinners in the Tweede Schilderijenzaal or Voorzaal, receptions in the Rotonde & Voorzaal (up to 70) and after 17:00 in the Tuinzaal (up to 100); guided tour or curator program on request. Wedding ceremonies and wedding photo shoots are not possible. Contact: verhuur@teylersmuseum.nl.
Inquiries & details| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
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| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography and filming for private purposes allowed without flash or selfie sticks; commercial shoots only by arrangement. |
| Good to know | Free audio player at the ticket desk (no headphones; you hold it to your ear like a phone). Private guided tours (60 minutes, max. 15 people) on the highlights, the library, Pieter Teylers Huis and more: €85 in Dutch, €90 in other languages, plus admission in each case; languages Dutch and English, others on request. External guides only with written permission. The second floor (Gehoorzaal, library, Leeszaal) only on a guided tour or during events. Signage in the galleries is deliberately minimal; you receive a map on entry. |
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