Maritime museums in North Holland

The National Maritime Museum holds one of the world's largest and most notable maritime collections including paintings, ship models, navigation instruments and sea charts. Discover 500 years of Dutch maritime history and its strong link to society of today and tomorrow. Fun and educational for all

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

The Dutch Navy Museum is dedicated to the past and present of the Dutch Navy. The museum illustrates five hundred years of history of the Dutch navy. Important in the museum are the three museum ships, of which submarine ‘Tonijn’ is most striking. On board stories about the navy are told by former c

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.

Maritime and Beachcomber Museum Flora is the largest beachcomber museum in the world. The museum displays old beachcomber finds and beachcombers talk about their experiences and wanderings on the beach. Various exhibits are on display and films are shown. For children there are scavenger hunts, vari

The Reddingmuseum Dorus Rijkers is housed in the engine workshop of the former shipyard of the Navy. The museum is named after the famous Dutch savior Dorus Rijkers (1847-1928). The collection illustrates the story of the history of Dutch sea rescue. It exhibits real life boats, models, paintings an

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

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

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

Museum van Egmond is the cultural history museum of Egmond. Life of people around 1900 near the sea. Beautiful paintings.

The Flessenscheepjes Museum is housed in the 17th century ‘Spuihuisje’. The museum’s collection consists of more than one thousand bottles with small ships from around the world and from different time periods, including the VOC era and of fishing, lifesaving and whaling. Regularly there is a so cal

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

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

Museum Ship Castle Vlotburg sails from place to place. For the current berth, check the museum ship's website. On Museum Ship Castle Vlotburg the visitor imagines himself in another world. A historical world with knights, castles and damsels. In Museum Ship Castle Vlotburg, lady Christel and knight

Pampus is a monumental Fort Island off the coast of Amsterdam with 400 years of Primitive Dutch history and adventure. Fort Island Pampus is full of stories, dating back to the VOC era, when ships from the East came to Pampus on their way to Amsterdam.