Amsterdam is a European capital that seduces with its architecture, its canals and its relaxed atmosphere. It is a city brimming with culture and home to several fascinating museums. We have all heard at least once about the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum or the Anne Frank House. Another place worth visiting in the Dutch capital is the ARTIS-Groote Museum. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, this unique museum invites you to ask yourself big questions about life and to better understand how humans are connected to the rest of the natural world. The following article gives you all the information you need about this cultural place that is a must-see during a stay in Amsterdam.
What is the ARTIS-Groote Museum in Amsterdam?
The ARTIS-Groote Museum first opened its doors in 1855. Located on the site of today's Artis Zoological Park, where the Natura Artis Magistra zoological society carried out research and imparted knowledge about nature, the museum had to be closed in 1947 for lack of funds. 75 years later, in May 2022, the ARTIS-Groote Museum reopened its doors to welcome visitors to Amsterdam, where it focuses on the links between humans and all other forms of life on earth.
What can you see and do at the ARTIS-Groote Museum in Amsterdam? What not to miss
If you're making a list of must-visit museums in Amsterdam, be sure to include the ARTIS-Groote Museum. As you stroll through the historic center of the Dutch capital, a moment in this cultural venue is a great way to learn more about the different forms of life and what connects them.
The museum comprises two galleries with 14 interconnected zones. Each zone, animated by interactive installations, videos and photographs, explores a part of the body, such as the heart, intestines or vocal cords. This part of the body is the starting point for an exploration of the self, our place in the world and how it relates to animals, plants, microbes and even the Earth itself.
We learn, for example, that intestines have the same functions as tree roots, or that infants who move about do so in the same way as crocodiles. Visiting the ARTIS-Groote Museum means taking part in a variety of activities along the way. Test your memory against that of a chimpanzee in a game, or learn how the sense of smell can arouse emotions and revive memories. The museum also invites you to play games and take part in small-group discussions!
We're always full of questions about our origins and what we have in common with other forms of life. The Groote Museum helps us to see the world differently once we set foot outside again.
Can the ARTIS-Groote Museum be visited by the whole family?
TheARTIS-Groote Museum is a must-see in Amsterdam on a family trip. Children will love taking part in the interactive experiments that help them better understand how their bodies work in relation to other forms of life on earth. They'll also love using all their senses. However, it is recommended to bring children aged 8 and over. The interactive installations, stories and exhibits have been specially designed to be accessible to children of this age.
A visit to the ARTIS-Groote Museum can be combined with a visit to the ARTIS RoyalAmsterdam Zoo and the ARTIS-Micropia Museum, dedicated to micro-organisms.
What practical information should I know before visiting the ARTIS-Groote Museum in Amsterdam?
The ARTIS-Groote Museum is open to the public every day of the week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of Thursday, when it is open until 10 p.m.. This gives you the opportunity to visit the museum at night, and take advantage of the day to stroll through the different districts of the city. Please note that opening times change during the Christmas vacations in the Netherlands. The museum is open
- December 24, 9am to 5pm
- December 25, 9am to 5pm
- December 26, 9am to 5pm
- December 31st, 9am to 4pm
- January1st, 10am to 5pm
- April 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
Admission is €17.50 for adults and children aged 13 and over. Admission is free for children aged 0 to 12. Student card holders pay €10.
How long does it take to visit the ARTIS-Groote Museum in Amsterdam?
Visitors to the ARTIS-Groote Museum can stay as long as they like once they've entered the museum. a minimum of 2 hours is recommended to fully enjoy the different areas and interactive experiences.
How do I get to the ARTIS-Groote Museum in Amsterdam?
From the Central Station, it takes a little more than 20 minutes to walk to the ARTIS-Groote Museum. Only 8 minutes by bike! Also from the Central Station, travelers can take streetcar 14 to the Artis stop or metro lines 51, 53 and 54 to the Weesperplein stop.
Those arriving by car can park in the parking lot, which is about 300 meters from the main entrance to the Artis esplanade. Parking cards can be purchased at the parking lot, at the Artis ticket office or at the pay station on the forecourt.
Where can I buy tickets for the ARTIS-Groote Museum?
Tickets can be purchased at the entrance to the ARTIS-Groote Museum. Alternatively, you can buy them in advance online by visiting the museum's website, under the " Tickets " tab. The platform invites you to select the relevant price, date and time of your visit. All that's left to do is pay by credit card, then present the dematerialized receipt on the day of the visit.
