Woonbootmuseum
Floating museum on the former cargo ship “Hendrika Maria” on the Prinsengracht: this is what living on an Amsterdam houseboat is like.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Woonbootmuseum (Houseboat Museum) lies on the Prinsengracht on the edge of the Jordaan, only a few minutes' walk from the Anne Frank House. It is housed in the cargo ship “Hendrika Maria”, built in 1914. The skipper lived at the stern with his family at that time; in 2008 the boat was restored to its earlier state. From 1967 to 1997 it served as a houseboat, and the original living quarters that can be visited today date from this period.
The idea for the museum arose because the owners of their own houseboat were constantly asked by passers-by about life on board: where do the water and electricity come from, where does the waste water go, isn't it cold, damp and dark? The house is a private, independent initiative and operates without subsidies.
At 23 by 4.5 metres and about 80 square metres of living space, the boat matches the size of an average Amsterdam canal house. Access is down five steps at the stern into the former cargo hold. The tour is self-guided with an audio guide in 18 languages; video walls, models, photos and brochures explain how cargo ships became houseboats. On the green roof there is a flower bicycle, and there is also a terrace overlooking the canal.
Highlights
- Cargo ship “Hendrika Maria” from 1914 as a walk-through houseboat museum
- Original sleeping quarters from 1914 and living area from the 1967 conversion
- Audio guide in 18 languages, including German
- Interactive video walls, houseboat models and photos
- Terrace with canal view and green roof
Permanent exhibition
- Hausboot „Hendrika Maria“ – Tour through the former cargo hold with the sleeping quarters from 1914 and the living area from the 1967 conversion; video walls, models and photos show the history of houseboat living in Amsterdam.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €5free up to age 4 · Children aged 5–12 €5, under 5 free |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Groups of 10 or more must register in advance by email and be divided into subgroups of 10–15 people; tour guide or teacher free |
| Early ticket (10 a.m.–12 noon, online only) | €8 |
| Museumkaart holders | €8Museumkaart annual pass |
Free with the I amsterdam City Card, Amsterdam Pass and Go City Pass. Payment on board by debit or credit card; tickets booked online are non-refundable.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Access to the boat is down five steps at the stern.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|
According to the museum, family-friendly; children aged 5 to 12 pay €5.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Westermarkt · 5-min walk
About a 5-minute walk from the Westermarkt stop at the Anne Frank House.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Coffee, cappuccino, tea and soft drinks on board; terrace with canal view; museum shop with maritime souvenirs and books about houseboats. Air-conditioned in summer, heated in winter (partly with a fireplace).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes (EN, DE, FR, ES, PT, NL, IT, ZH, JA, KO, PL, AR, RU, HE, TR, SV, DA, HI) |
|---|---|
| Photography | Photography on board is permitted |
| Good to know | Self-guided tour with audio guide (included in admission) and map; according to the museum, a visit usually takes 20 to 40 minutes, for groups 25 to 35 minutes. |
