9 Under-the-Radar Museums in Amsterdam

The world’s first museum entirely dedicated to microbes, Micropia sits alongside Amsterdam’s Artis Royal Zoo and Hortus Botanica—one of the world’s oldest botanical gardens—covering all aspects of nature, from the microscopic to the mega. Fun for the whole family, Micropia is filled with neon lights, interactive exhibits, and fascinating displays that bring this usually invisible world to the human level.

Don't miss: The Microbe of the Month talk, which is given in Dutch and English.

Lovers of cats and art, rejoice—KattenKabinet is the place to see cat-themed art by the masters, such as Picasso, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh, without any of the lines of the large galleries. Set on the first few floors of a 17th-century townhouse, the museum was originally built as an homage to museum curator Bob Meijer’s cat, J.P. Morgan, but has grown since then, complete with baroque-style curation, a full Cat-a-Logue, and, of course, some feline friends to lead you around.

Don't miss: Petting the resident cats, of course.

If Amsterdam is best known for one thing, it would probably be its canals. More than just a nifty way of cruising around the city streets, these days the canals are also known for their houseboats. From the modern to the magnificent and the cozy to the quirky, the aptly named Houseboat Museum showcases the best of the best, while its location—on a houseboat on Prinsengracht—offers non-boat dwellers a taste of life on the water.

Don't miss: Chatting to the onboard guide who can answer any questions you may have about canal-dwelling.

Not for the squeamish, Museum Vrolik is one of Amsterdam’s most unusual museums. Originally built around the research collections of Gerardus Vrolik, a 19th-century medical professor, and his son, Willem, Vrolik Museum is entirely dedicated to human and animal anomalies. Housed in the University Medical Center, the museum—which is open to the public—includes human remains and skeletons.

Don't miss: The extensive fetal abnormality collection. Again, this museum is not for the faint of heart.

The world has changed a lot since the Tropenmuseum first opened its doors in 1864, and the Tropenmuseum—which was once known as the Koloniaal Museum—has done a great job at keeping up with the times too. Housed in an impressive building in Amsterdam’s leafy Oost, the museum is now dedicated to world cultures and what it means to be human on our planet today, with a focus on the universal themes that underpin life in all countries all around the globe.

Don't miss: The exhibits on the horrors of Dutch colonialism and its repercussions.

The Museum of the Canals is devoted to how Amsterdam’s canal ring came to be and the urban planning measures that went into it. Located inside a 17th-century townhouse, this museum is worth visiting for its interior alone which holds 400 years of history. Throughout the years, it has housed multiple Dutch merchants and today, it features changing exhibitions alongside a standing audiovisual exhibition that guides visitors through Amsterdam's early days.

Don't miss: Classical period rooms, including one with wallpaper dating back to 1776.

During the 17th-century Protestant Reformation, being a practising Catholic was not only illegal, but it could also get you into a lot of trouble, which meant many Catholic churches were built in secret. The Museum Our Lord in the Attic is one such place, with the top three floors of a Golden Age canal house converted into a pink Catholic church. It’s a great way to learn about the history of the Netherlands, and visitors can tour both the church and the house itself.

Don't miss: Guided or self-guided audio tours of the museum, which can provide an extra level of insight.

Across the IJ River in the hip NDSM Wharf area, Straat Museum is one of Amsterdam’s coolest. Entirely focused on street art and graffiti, Straat Museum charts the culture of the art form and its progression from the underground to the mainstream. Set in a former warehouse, the museum is a visual smorgasbord featuring huge pieces by over 150 artists from around the world, who finally have a place to share their stories.

Don't miss: The informative timeline that details the history and key terms related to street art and graffiti.

This small-but-mighty museum in the heart of Amsterdam packs in an eclectic range of photography within a historic canal house. FOAM (Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam) hosts documentary, fashion, and art photography from international artists, though there’s no core collection on display—just temporary exhibits that rotate several times per year and a variety of events that allow you to dive deeper into the art. Located in the historical Canal District, FOAM also makes for a great stop to break up a longer sightseeing day (or escape a sudden rainstorm.)

Don't miss: FOAM’s gift shop features prints and books on the photography on display, as well as the museum’s award-winning in-house publication Foam Magazine.