Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
1
Hermitage Amsterdam
MUSEUM
Given Peter the Great's admiration for Golden Age Amsterdam, this satellite of St Peters-
burg's State Hermitage Museum makes perfect sense. It occupies the vast Amstelhof, an
alms house since the 17th century. Prestigious exhibits, such as treasures from the Russian
palace or masterworks by Van Gogh and Gaugin, change about twice per year, and they're
as blockbuster as you'd expect.
(
530 74 88;
www.hermitage.nl
; Amstel 51; adult/child €15/free;
10am-5pm;
9/14 Waterlooplein)
2
FOAM
Simple, functional but roomy galleries, some with skylights or grand windows for natural
light, make this museum an excellent space for all genres of photography. Two storeys of
exhibition space create a great setting for admiring the changing exhibits from photograph-
ers of world renown, including Sir Cecil Beaton, Annie Leibovitz and Henri Cartier-
Bresson.
(Fotografie Museum Amsterdam;
www.foam.nl
;
Keizersgracht 609; adult/child €8.50/free;
MUSEUM
10am-6pm
Sat-Wed, to 9pm Thu & Fri;
16/24/25 Keizersgracht)
3
Museum Van Loon
Arguably the best of the canal-house museums, this 1672 mansion was first home to painter
Ferdinand Bol. In the 19th century the Van Loon family (descendants of Willem van Loon,
cofounder of the Dutch East India Company) moved in, and they still occupy the upper
floors. Take your time wandering through the shadowy rooms adorned with rich wallpaper,
worn carpets and well-used Louis XV furniture.
(
MUSEUM
624 52 55;
www.museumvanloon.nl
;
Keizersgracht
672; adult/child €8/4;
11am-5pm Wed-Mon;
16/24/25 Keizersgracht)
