Museums are glittering jewels in the vibrant tapestry of Dutch culture. Each one is a magical treasure trove of discovery, learning, and visual stimulation that powerfully connects the past to the present. Dutch museums highlight their unique collections, as well as our shared cultural heritage, creating an inspiring landscape of knowledge that can be enjoyed alone or, even better, shared with family or friends.
This is where the Museumkaart, the powerful key to this treasure trove, comes in handy. This personal pass is your golden ticket to all of these fantastic attractions, making museum visits easier. Ideal for a detailed museum visit during the holidays or a quick art-infused snack during your lunch break.
The Museumkaart puts the substantial beauty of Dutch culture in your palm, whether you’re a loyal patron returning to your favorite museum or a curious soul exploring new destinations each week.
The Museumkaart is a personalized card that provides a year of unlimited access to over 450 museums throughout the Netherlands (in other words, unlimited access during your short stay in the Netherlands).
(Note: You can enable English subtitles in this video.)
Getting a Museum Pass
Obtaining a museum pass is simple for locals but challenging for tourists. However, it is not an impossible task. A museum pass can be obtained at 200 of the country’s larger museums. Do you need help locating one of these 200 locations? Simply go to museum.nl and you’ll be fine.
The card can be used immediately following a purchase. It is available to anyone who is a resident of the European Union. You’ll need a European Union address.
So, what if you don’t live in the EU? Don’t be worried! You can always ask your hotel receptionist or Airbnb host if you can use their address.
Price
There’s a card for everyone — an adult card (19 years and older) for €64.90, a youth card (13 to 18 years) for €32.45, and a kids’ card (up to 12 years) for €32.45. (This is 2024 prices.)
Benefits of the Museumkaart
- Free entrance to over 400 museums in the Netherlands.
- Visit museums more frequently than you could otherwise.
- Enjoy liberal museum visits.
- You get to support Dutch culture.
However, every card has its flip side. Here are the drawbacks of the Museumkaart:
- The museum card is not cheap. (Having said that, it quickly pays for itself after visiting just a few museums.)
- There are some museums where the museum card is not accepted.
Already picturing yourself strolling through nostalgia-inducing museums like the Toy Museum on a lazy Sunday afternoon? Or how about taking your grandchildren to the delightful Miffy Museum or the well-known Railway Museum during the school holidays? Believe me, the magic of the Dutch museum landscape unfolds right before your eyes with a Museumkaart in hand!