National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam (opened 2024)

The Dutch National Holocaust Museum in Amsterdam is a new museum in the heart of the city’s Jewish district. It opened in March 2024.

It tells the story of the persecution, deportation and murder of Jews in the Netherlands during the Holocaust (or Shoah) in World War Two, as well as stories of rescue and survival.

The museum is located on the Plantage Middenlaan street in the Hervormde Kweekschool, a reformed former teacher training school. During the war, hundreds of Jewish children being held for deportation at the crèche nextdoor were secretly brought to safety via the school building.

The National Holocaust Museum opened its doors provisionally in 2016 and held 9 temporary exhibitions about the Holocaust with a focus on using personal historical accounts. The museum was closed in February 2020 to undergo the renovation.

On entering the secure double doors you can pick-up an audio guide at the ground floor reception area to start your visit. Lockers and bathroom facilities are found in the basement.

The main ‘Netherlands and the Shoah’ exhibition is held over the two upper floors (levels 1 and 2) and has 12 components:

1. Shattered lives
2. Prelude
3. Occupation
4. Complete isolation
5. Perpetrators
6. The murder starts
7. Hidden from view
8. No way back
9. Trapped
10. Murder
11. End of the war
12. Out of the shadow

Here are a few photos of the exhibition we took from our visit:

On the ground floor is information about the building and the Henriette Pimentel garden. There is also space for temporary exhibitions and a small cafe.

The National Holocaust Museum is part of the Jewish Cultural Quarter (JCK) which also consists of the for Jewish Museum, Portuguese Synagogue and the renovated Hollandsche Schouwburg (across the road).

Since opening the museum has been very busy and timeslot reservations are essential. Due to the graphic nature of some imagery the museum recommends it is only suitable for children from age 10.

It is worthy of a visit for those interested in the themes presented.

Nearby the museum can also be found the Auschwitz Monument in Wertheim Park which consists of 6 broken glass mirrors on top of ashes from Auschwitz.

The National Holocaust Memorial of Names is a monument (2021) which pays tribute to 102,000 Dutch victims of the Holocaust. Consisting of a series of brick walls and stainless steel panels it is located in Weesperstraat by the rear of the H’ART Museum.

National Holocaust Museum Essential Info

National Holocaust Museum Opening Hours Daily 1000-1700.
National Holocaust Museum Tickets & Admission Admission to the National Holocaust Museum costs €20 for adults, €8 for children 13-17, €6 for children 6-12. FREE entry for children 0-5, Museumkaart, I Amsterdam City Card and Go City pass holders. A combi ticket for all 4 JCK locations costs from €30. Book your Jewish Cultural Quarter duo tickets online here (Jewish Museum + Portuguese Synagogue)
How to Get to National Holocaust Museum The National Holocaust Museum can easily be reached from the centre of Amsterdam on foot. Head towards Waterlooplein and continue further east along the Plantage Middenlaan. From Amsterdam Central take tram 14 to the ARTIS stop. Metro lines 51, 53 and 54 serve Waterlooplein.
Address / Contact National Holocaust Museum, Plantage Middenlaan 27, 1018 DB Amsterdam T: +31(0)20 5310 310, jck.nl