10 City Card things to do in Amsterdam for history buffs

Amsterdam Museum

Amstel 51, 1018 EJ Amsterdam

(regular price €18 – free with the City Card)

Dedicated to the history of the Dutch capital, this museum explores Amsterdam through a fascinating collection that starts in the Middle Ages and ends in the present. As the museum's main building is on renovation until 2025, the current Panorama collection is featured in the building of the Hermitage Amsterdam, where you can see the chronological history of Amsterdam, from the 16th century as it is now.

Geelvinck Pianola Museum

Westerstraat 106, 1015 MN Amsterdam

(regular price €9 – free with the City Card)

One of Amsterdam's miniature museums, this charmer is all about the pianolas, also known as player pianos. Classic songs play as if by magic while you wander past the exhibits. This little museum also houses the world's largest collection of pianola scrolls.

Rijksmuseum

Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam

(regular price €22.5 – free with the City Card)

Explore this stunning museum and see some of the art world's greatest works, including Rembrandt's The Night Watch and Vermeer's The Milkmaid up close. More than 2,000 paintings from the 17th century provide a fascinating look into a historical era. But the Rijksmuseum's collection goes further than the Dutch masters. The rich cultural history of the Netherlands comes to life with objects such as ship models, sculptures, archaeological finds, clothing, weapons, prints, photos and more. In addition, thousands of historical objects portray the history of our country in a worldwide context and tell the story of 800 years of Amsterdam, from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Rembrandt House Museum

Jodenbreestraat 4, 1011 NK Amsterdam

(regular price €17.5 – free with the City Card)

Discover 17th-century Amsterdam at the Rembrandt House Museum. The painter's world comes to life as you wander through his cosy studio and look at nearly 300 of his etchings. There's also a rotating series of exhibits and a few things for kids.

Museum Van Loon

Keizersgracht 672, 1017 ET Amsterdam

(regular price €13.50 – free with the City Card)

Start your day by learning all about life in 17th century Amsterdam as it is perfectly preserved in the grand canal house Museum van Loon. Paintings and antique furnishings fill each room, and a fully equipped coach house awaits you across the landscaped garden.

Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder

Oudezijds Voorburgwal 38, 1012 GD Amsterdam

(regular price €16.50 – free with the City Card)

Take a trip back in time on a visit to the Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder, also known as the Our Lord in the Attic Museum. When you pass through the door, you'll enter a wonderfully preserved 17th-century home that brings the past to life. In the attic, there's an ornate church created for secret Catholic worship in 1663.

Amsterdam City Archives

Vijzelstraat 32, 1017 HL Amsterdam

(regular price €10 – free with the City Card)

The historic De Bazel building, previously used as a bank, holds many of the city’s secrets, including a vast array of maps, historical records and drawings, as well as the beautiful art-deco Amsterdam Treasure Room intact with the bank vaults. The City Card grants you access to the exhibitions, which include a permanent collection of attractions, including the UNESCO World Heritage Stage.

Verzetsmuseum

Plantage Kerklaan 61, 1018 CX Amsterdam

(regular price €14 – free with the City Card)

Learn about the impact of World War II on The Netherlands in the Dutch Resistance Museum. The museum masterfully explores ordinary people's personal stories and journeys while evoking the climate of the war times.

Willet-Holthuysen Museum

Herengracht 605, 1017 CE Amsterdam

(regular price €12.50 - free with City Card)

Get a peek into canal house splendour in this stately house and museum on the Herengracht. There is much to see here, from the beautiful Louis XVI-style salons and a symmetrical garden to a vast art collection. This unique estate will pull you into the world of avid 19th-century collectors Abraham Willet and Louisa Holthuysen.

The National Maritime Museum

Kattenburgerplein 1, 1018 KK Amsterdam

(regular price €17.50 - free with the City Card)

Explore the full-size replica of the VOC ship East Indiaman Amsterdam and find the treasure hidden on board. Once you’ve had your fill of playing the explorer, wander among the model ships, naval artefacts, paintings and stunning figureheads to your heart’s content at this beautiful museum.