All local museums to visit in North Holland

Discover the unique history and culture of North Holland at local museums. These 66 museums offer insights into the community's past, traditions, and notable events.

Are you interested in learning more about the local history of North Holland? These are the must-visit local museums:

  1. Zuiderzee Museum1

    Zuiderzee Museum

     Enkhuizen
    The Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen brings stories of the people who once lived on the shores of the Zuiderzee to life. Discover the everyday life round the Zuiderzee as it was before the Afsluitdijk (the great IJsselmeer Barrier Dam) turned the former inland sea into what we now know as the IJsselmee
  2. Houseboat Museum Amsterdam2

    Houseboat Museum Amsterdam

     Amsterdam
    At the Houseboat Museum, you get the chance to experience first-hand what it’s like to live in a houseboat on an Amsterdam canal. The museum is located in the “Hendrika Maria”, a former cargo ship built in 1914. The cargo hold is now a cosy living space featuring all the conveniences and a surprisin
  3. Amsterdam Museum3

    Amsterdam Museum

     Amsterdam
    The Amsterdam Museum presents exhibitions on a wide range of urban issues. We share knowledge, show art and heritage, and tell relevant stories - past, present and future. Historical and contemporary stories that make the city what it is, in all its forms. We do this at our museum locations in the h
  4. Westfries Museum4

    Westfries Museum

     Hoorn
    The Westfries Museum is closed due to a long-term and extensive renovation. The renewed museum will reopen in mid-2027. You can follow the progress of the renovation at westfriesmuseum.nl. The Westfries Museum offers a special attraction at the Statenpoort at Nieuwstraat 23 in Hoorn: ‘Discover the
  5. Zaans Museum5

    Zaans Museum

     Zaandam
    The Zaans museum is housed in a modern building on the Zaanse Schans. The museum illustrates the cultural and industrial heritage of Zaandam. It exhibits paintings, films, photographs, objects and painted furniture. The Verkade Pavilion is part of the museum, a chocolate and biscuit factory from the
  6. The Museum of the Canals6

    The Museum of the Canals

     Amsterdam
    Museum of the Canals is housed in a monumental seventeenth-century canal house. The museum illustrates the Amsterdam city expansion that was caused by the construction of canals. In addition to an interactive tour, there is a temporary exhibition in our period rooms.
  7. Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar7

    Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar

     Alkmaar
    Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar is dedicated to the history and cultural heritage of Alkmaar and its surroundings. It covers five centuries of history. The collection includes historical objects from the Alkmaar region, a photo collection of Alkmaar, a toy theatre including toys from the past, paintings fr
  8. Museum Kaap Skil8

    Museum Kaap Skil

     Oudeschild
    Museum Kaap Skil is housed in a modern glass building with a shell of wooden beams. The museum is dedicated to Texel and the sea. The collection includes beachcombing objects and dive finds, as well as paintings and prints. In addition, the museum has the largest maritime model in the world.
  9. Dutch Cheese Museum9

    Dutch Cheese Museum

     Alkmaar
    The Dutch Cheese Museum is housed in the weigh house of Alkmaar. The museum illustrates the past and present of the manufacturing of dairy products on the farm and in the factory. The whole process is covered, from the milking of the cow to cheesemaking itself. The museum also illustrates trade and
  10. The Willet-Holthuysen House10

    The Willet-Holthuysen House

     Amsterdam
    The Willet-Holthuysen House is housed in a double mansion from 1687. In the 19th century it was the house of Abraham Willet and his wife Louisa Willet-Holthuysen. The museum consists of a dining room, a ballroom, a garden room and a corridor on the first floor that illustrate how wealthy people from
  11. Museum Haarlem11

    Museum Haarlem

     Haarlem
    Museum Haarlem illustrates the history of Haarlem and surroundings. It is a city that is often praised for its beauty and has inspired many painters. Dutch painters such as Frans Hals and Jan van Scorel painted the city. The collection consists of objects of historical value from the South ‘Kennemer
  12. Museummolen Schermerhorn12

    Museummolen Schermerhorn

     Schermerhorn
    Museummolen Schermerhorn is a mill from 1634 that was used to drain the water from the Schermerpolder. It is one of the eleven remaining mills of the former Schermerpolder mill complex. The mill can be visited from top to bottom, which lets the visitor properly see the operation of the mill. The mus
  13. Museum BroekerVeiling13

    Museum BroekerVeiling

     Broek op Langedijk
    The Broekerveiling is the oldest ‘doorvaar-groentenveiling’ in the world. The auctioning started in 1887 at the same spot the museum is situated now. The museum exhibits punts (boats) and tools. Auctions are held with the punts, which illustrate how the auction worked. Important in the museum is the
  14. Museum Kranenburgh14

    Museum Kranenburgh

     Bergen (NH)
    Museum Kranenburgh is housed in ‘Huis Kranenburgh’ from 1882. It is a museum of visual arts. The collection consists of paintings and graphic art by artists from the so-called Bergen School. The collection includes works by Else Berg, Henri Le Fauconnier, Dirk Filarski, Leo Gestel, Mommie Schwarz an
  15. Kasteel Radboud15

    Kasteel Radboud

     Medemblik
    Kasteel Radboud is a castle that dates back to 1288. It is the only remaining West Frisian ‘dwangburcht’ of Floris the Fifth. The collection consists of objects that illustrate the history of the building. The permanent exhibition shows life in the Middle Ages and the history of Medemblik. For child
  16. Huis Marseille, Museum for Photography16

    Huis Marseille, Museum for Photography

     Amsterdam
    Amsterdam’s 1st Museum for Photography. Two monumental canal houses to feel at home. Exhibiting the artistic nature of photography, fourteen exhibition spaces, bookshop, library and garden. Huis Marseille, Museum for Photography is housed in a monumental canal house from 1665. It is the first muse
  17. Molen van Sloten - Kuiperijmuseum17

    Molen van Sloten - Kuiperijmuseum

     Amsterdam
    The Molen van Sloten – Kuiperijmuseum includes an original ‘poldermolen’ and a museum where visitors learn how barrels are made. The Molen van Sloten is a functioning ‘poldermolen’ and is the only mill in Amsterdam that is daily open to the public. It is a ‘stellingmolen’ with a backside that was re
  18. Natuurmuseum E. Heimans18

    Natuurmuseum E. Heimans

     Zaandam
    Natuurmuseum E. Heimans focuses on the nature in the area. The museum shows the nature that is present in the Zaans urban environment. The museum has a permanent exhibition ‘Nature in the City’ and a temporary exhibition hall. About three times a year the museum organizes temporary exhibitions on a
  19. Huis van Hilde19

    Huis van Hilde

     Castricum
    The Huis van Hilde is an archaeology center of the province of North Holland and is named after a skeletal find known as Hilde. The House of HIlde has a permanent exhibition of soil finds from the time of the Neanderthals. Showpieces are the sarcophagi, historic canoes and statues or dolls made base
  20. National Holocaust Museum20

    National Holocaust Museum

     Amsterdam
    Learn all about the Nazi persecution of the Jews in the Netherlands. The National Holocaust Museum tells the story of the Nazi persecution and murder of the Jews of the Netherlands. Before the Second World War, Jews and non-Jews lived side by side. They had the same rights. But during the war, the
  21. Honig Breethuis21

    Honig Breethuis

     Zaandijk
    The Honig Breethuis is a house where a merchant family from the Zaan district lived around 1830. The house dates from the early 18th century and was built by Cornelis Jacobsz. Honig, owner of a ‘witpapiermolen’. Visitors learn about the history and the lives of families who lived here. The collectio
  22. Volendams Museum22

    Volendams Museum

     Volendam
    The Volendams Museum illustrates how people lived and worked in Volendam in the late 19th century and early 20th century. The collection of the museum includes Volendam (and national) costumes and jewellery, photographs, literary and musical art forms, paintings, drawings, sculptures, pottery, old i
  23. Amsterdam City Archive23

    Amsterdam City Archive

     Amsterdam
    The Amsterdam City Archive is the historical documentation centre of Amsterdam. It has a total of 35 kilometers of archives. The core of the archives are the archives of the city and the city’s government institutions, businesses and services. In addition to archives of the government, the Amsterdam
  24. Waterlandsmuseum de Speeltoren24

    Waterlandsmuseum de Speeltoren

     Monnickendam
    Waterlandsmuseum de Speeltoren illustrates the history of Monnickendam and Waterland. The museum shows the origins of a classical Dutch landscape. Topics that are covered include monasteries and monks, fisheries and ship transport over sea. The highlight of the museum is the completely new built Car
  25. IJmuider Zee- en Havenmuseum25

    IJmuider Zee- en Havenmuseum

     IJmuiden
    The IJmuider Zee- en Havenmuseum illustrates the history and development of IJmuiden. This history begins with the digging of the North Sea in the 1870s, the construction of the piers and the locks. The museum has exhibition halls in which visitors learn about towing, fishing and offshore activities
  26. Huizer Museum26

    Huizer Museum

     Huizen
    Huizer Museum Het Schoutenhuis is housed in a historical building from the 17th century. It is a cultural history museum on Huizen. The museum exhibits costumes from the period 1850-1950. In showcases women's, men's and children's wear are exhibited. In the basement the lives of farmers and fisherme
  27. Edams Museum27

    Edams Museum

     Edam
    Edams Museum is housed in a merchant's house from 1540. The museum illustrates the rich history of Edam and illustrates how a merchant in the 16th century lived. Leading families, architecture, shipbuilding, the ceramic industry and everyday life are covered in this museum. The collection includes p
  28. Zandvoorts Museum28

    Zandvoorts Museum

     Zandvoort
    The Zandvoorts Museum is dedicated to the history and art of Zandvoort. The diverse collection includes paintings, furniture, old tools, glassware, pottery, costumes and old beachwear. The museum illustrates the development of Zandvoort from a poor fishing village to a posh seaside resort. The colle
  29. Museumboerderij West-Frisia29

    Museumboerderij West-Frisia

     Hoogwoud
    Museumboerderij Westfrisia is located on a farmyard. The museum exhibits objects from farmers mainly from the 19th and 20th century that were collected by the last occupant of the farm, Adriaan Donker (1916-1984). The collection includes prehistoric objects, peasant furniture, tableware and textiles
  30. Marker Museum30

    Marker Museum

     Marken
    The Marker Museum is housed in six historical houses. The museum organises changing exhibitions that illustrate the history of Marken. Part of the museum is decorated as how it was decorated by the family that lived there until 1932. It is characterised by the typical ‘pronkbed’, the white walls dec
  31. The Story of Edam Cheese31

    The Story of Edam Cheese

     Edam
    Always wanted to know why Edam is so famous? Henri Willig has built an experience in Edam where the glorious history of Edam cheese is told and where you can learn everything about Edam cheese from the past and also today. A nice outing for all ages. The experience is wheelchair accessible. Edam
  32. Mill Museum - The Zaansche Mill32

    Mill Museum - The Zaansche Mill

     Koog aan de Zaan
    The Molenmuseum is dedicated to windmills and the history of mills in Zaandam. The museum preserves objects that are related to the mill era. The collection mainly consists of models and consumer goods from the mills. In addition, the museum illustrates the customs around the mills, the local langua
  33. Museum Weesp33

    Museum Weesp

     Weesp
    The Gemeentemuseum Weesp is housed in the town hall, located on the entire second floor of the building. Between 1759 and 1768 the first porcelain in the Netherlands was produced in Weesp. The main part of the museum’s collection consists of this 18th century Dutch porcelain. Besides porcelain, Wees
  34. Museum Betje Wolff34

    Museum Betje Wolff

     Middenbeemster
    Museum Betje Wolff is housed in a former rectory. The name of the museum is derived from the 18th century Dutch writer Elizabeth (Betje) Wolff, who lived in the house during her marriage. The ‘style rooms’ illustrate three centuries of working and living in the Beemster area. The library contains ne
  35. Archeologisch Museum Haarlem35

    Archeologisch Museum Haarlem

     Haarlem
    The Archeologisch Museum Haarlem is located in the basement of the Vleeshal. The museum is dedicated to the cultural heritage of Kennermerland. It illustrates how in four thousand years Haarlem has become what it is today. In showcases archaeological finds are displayed, including earthenware pots,
  36. Museum of Egmond36

    Museum of Egmond

     Egmond aan Zee
    Museum van Egmond is the cultural history museum of Egmond. Life of people around 1900 near the sea. Beautiful paintings.
  37. CRASH Air War and Resistance Museum '40-'4537

    CRASH Air War and Resistance Museum '40-'45

     Aalsmeerderbrug
    CRASH Luchtoorlog- en Verzetsmuseum '40-'45 illustrates the story of aircraft crews in the war and their mission. The collection includes documents, photographs, old newspapers, and personal items. The remains of the aircraft are also exhibited. Important in the museum is the wreck of a Dutch fight
  38. Museum Kennemerland38

    Museum Kennemerland

     Beverwijk
    Museum Kennemerland is housed in the former town hall from the early 20th century. The regional museum has a historical collection, that focuses on the history of Central Kennemerland. It includes children's toys, various tools, rhetoricians coats of arms, objects related to the industry and househo
  39. Gemeentemuseum Het Sterkenhuis39

    Gemeentemuseum Het Sterkenhuis

     Bergen (NH)
    Gemeentemuseum Het Sterkenhuis is located in a 17th century longhouse farm. It is a historical museum that is dedicated to the cultural history of Bergen. The farm is reminiscent of rural life in the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum exhibits furniture, costumes and household items from that time,
  40. Texels Erfgoed Museum Waelstee40

    Texels Erfgoed Museum Waelstee

     De Waal
    Texel Heritage Museum Waelstee gives a comprehensive picture of life in the past on Texel. The museum features various authentic agricultural machines, sledges, and farm wagons and carriages that were used on Texel in the past. In addition, the museum displays several machines and objects for milk p
  41. Agrarisch Museum Westerhem41

    Agrarisch Museum Westerhem

     Middenbeemster
    Agrarisch Museum Westerhem is housed in a farmhouse from 1877. The museum illustrates working and living in the region around 1900. The collection of the museum includes tools, cars and images. The North Holland Haubarg is characterized by its pyramid shape and placement of the ‘dars’, stable and li
  42. Boerderij- en Rijtuigmuseum Vreeburg Schagen42

    Boerderij- en Rijtuigmuseum Vreeburg Schagen

     Schagen
    Boerderij- en Rijtuigmuseum Vreeburg Schagen is a regional museum that is partially housed in a restored old style 17th century farmhouse. The museum features a section dedicated to farm life and a section dedicated to carriages. The rooms in the farm feature authentic utensils and furniture. In the
  43. Museumwinkel Albert Heijn43

    Museumwinkel Albert Heijn

     Zaandam
    Museumwinkel Albert Heijn is an old grocery store. The museum exhibits the original furnishings and inventory. It illustrates grocery shopping in more than a century ago. Among other things, the museum exhibits jars with white and black candy, licorice, ‘suikerbrood’, rennet used for cheese and pepp
  44. Zijper Museum44

    Zijper Museum

     Schagerbrug
    The Zijper Museum is the very starting point where the history of polder the Zijpe comes alive. Visitors learn many remarkable facts about one of Hollands oldest polders in a modern, interactive manner. In the permanent exposition history is presented through objects, maps, movies and animations. Pa
  45. Museum In 't Houten Huis45

    Museum In 't Houten Huis

     De Rijp
    Museum In 't Houten Huis is housed in a wooden structured house from the 18th century. The museum illustrates the rich history of the Schermereiland and its seafaring residents. It exhibits a diverse collection on the history of De Rijp and Schermereiland. Topics that are covered in the museum inclu
  46. Poldermuseum Het Grootslag Andijk46

    Poldermuseum Het Grootslag Andijk

     Andijk
    The Polder Museum is housed in the former pumping station ‘Het Grootslag’, with the National Saet and Cruyt Museum. The museum organizes exhibitions on 5000 years living and working in the polder 'Het Grootslag’. The collection of the museum includes archaeological finds, tools, photographs and vari
  47. Aviation & War Museum Texel47

    Aviation & War Museum Texel

     De Cocksdorp
    The Aviation and War Museum Texel focuses on the history of aviation and events during the Second World War on and around the island of Texel. A Kolibrie ('Hummingbird') helicopter, a replica of a Scheldemusch and a Fokker Spin, and a Saab Safir are some of the aircraft on display. The part about
  48. Museum Hilversum48

    Museum Hilversum

     Hilversum
    Museum Hilversum is the photography museum of Central Netherlands, specializes in showing photography and explores the boundaries of photography by combining it with other art forms. Museum Hilversum amazes, touches and connects. The museum has a wide range of changing exhibitions and is a lively pl
  49. Purmerends Museum49

    Purmerends Museum

     Purmerend
    The Purmerend Museum is housed in the former town hall from 1912. The museum is dedicated to the history of Purmerend, which grew from fishing village to medieval market town. By displaying images, objects, architectural models and postcards, visitors learn about the development of the city. Importa
  50. Museum 't Kromhout50

    Museum 't Kromhout

     Amsterdam
    Museum 't Kromhout Kromhout is a ‘working museum’ that features a collection of engines that are manufactured by Firma Kromhout. All engines that are on display are still functional and will be demonstrated. The museum also features an original forge from the nineteenth century and a film room with
  51. Regionaal Museum 1940-1945 Schagen en omstreken51

    Regionaal Museum 1940-1945 Schagen en omstreken

     Schagen
  52. Oudheidkamer Kaaphoornvaarders52

    Oudheidkamer Kaaphoornvaarders

     Hoorn
    Oudheidkamer Kaaphoornvaarders seeks to keep alive the memory of the search for the third route to India. Among other things, the museum displays antique nautical instruments and models of the historic sailing ships Netherlands, Europa, Pamir and Potosi.
  53. Wieringer Eiland Museum ’Jan Lont’53

    Wieringer Eiland Museum ’Jan Lont’

     Hippolytushoef
  54. Poldermuseum Heerhugowaard54

    Poldermuseum Heerhugowaard

     Heerhugowaard
    Poldermuseum Heerhugowaard is located in the former pumping station on the southern ring dike. The museum displays cultural-historical objects related to the Heerhugowaard polder. Among other things, there is a permanent collection of two archaeological finds from the polder as well as jewelry, maps
  55. Museum Stoomgemaal Halfweg55

    Museum Stoomgemaal Halfweg

     Halfweg
    Stoomgemaal Halfweg is the oldest steam pumping station in the world. It was built as a basin pumping station, to discharge the water pumped out by the Haarlemmermeer Lake to the sea. The pumping station still operates several days a year.
  56. Oudheidkamer Texel56

    Oudheidkamer Texel

     Den Burg
  57. Museum Jan Boon57

    Museum Jan Boon

     De Rijp
  58. Museumboerderij Tante Jaantje58

    Museumboerderij Tante Jaantje

     Callantsoog
  59. Museum Amsterdam Noord59

    Museum Amsterdam Noord

     Amsterdam
    Museum Amsterdam Noord is located in the former Municipal Bathhouse of Vogeldorp, the first characteristic 'tuindorp' of Amsterdam. The museum illustrates the history of the north of Amsterdam.
  60. 60

    Museum Eenigenburg

     Eenigenburg
  61. 61

    Nationaal Saet & Cruytmuseum

     Andijk
    The Nationaal Saet & Cruytmuseum is housed in the former pumping station "Grootslag", along with the Poldermuseum. It is dedicated to the cultivation, processing, packaging and sale of horticultural seeds and propagating plant material. It covers both the importance of propagating material as an (ex
  62. 62

    Museumboerderij De Anloup

     Zuidermeer
  63. 63

    Grietje Tump Museum

     Landsmeer
    The Grietje Tump Museum bears the name of its last occupant, Grietje Tump. She was the daughter of rentenier Cornelis Tump. His ancestors operated the ferry ferries across the IJ to Amsterdam. The museum's permanent collection consists of furniture, utensils, jewelry and old textiles.
  64. 64

    Enkhuizer Almanak Museum

     Enkhuizen
    The Enkhuizer Almanac Museum displays the centuries-old headings of the famous almanac. The museum pays attention to such headings as timekeeping, the position of celestial bodies, the water tides, the departure times of diligences to Haarlem or Leiden and the ringing of the gate bells of Amsterdam.
  65. 65

    Theepottenmuseum The TeaRat

     Amsterdam
    In a Victorian living room, host Martin Oudbier tells the story of the teapots that are exhibited in the museum.
  66. 66

    Jordaanmuseum

     Amsterdam
    The Jordaanmuseum organizes exhibitions, walks and themed days.