Houseboat Museum image

Houseboat Museum

Tourist attraction Museum Tour agency History museum Local history museum Historical place museum Maritime museum

Museum on a 1914 freighter converted to become a houseboat, exploring life on Amsterdam's canals. People often mention houseboat, museum, boat, visit, life, interesting, Amsterdam, live, worth, houseboats,


Address

Prinsengracht 296K, 1016 HW Amsterdam, Netherlands

Website

www.houseboatmuseum.nl

Contact

+31 20 427 0750

Rating on Google Maps

4.30 (1K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Wednesday: 10 AM to 5 PM
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 5 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: houseboat (31) museum (30) boat (24) visit (21) life (18) interesting (18) Amsterdam (14) live (10) worth (10) houseboats (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 John B. 6 months ago on Google • 220 reviews
    Moored on Prinsengracht canal and facing Elandsgracht, a former canal which was filled-in in 1891, and today a busy shopping street, is the Houseboat Museum. One of the city's smallest museums, the "Hendrika Maria" is a former cargo ship, built in 1914. The freighter was mostly used for the transportation of timber, sand, gravel and coal, remaining in active service until the 1960's, after which, like many similar vessels, she was converted into a houseboat. 23 metres in length, the "Hendrika Maria" was deliberately sunk towards the end of the second world war in order to keep the ship out of the hands of the Germans. Supposedly, the world's only museum of its type, the Houseboat Museum shows visitors what it is like to live on the water. Amsterdam is home to more than two and a half thousand houseboats in all shapes and sizes. The entry fee is very reasonable and on-board, there are slideshows and explanatory folders in more than a dozen languages. It takes around half an hour to see everything on offer. There's a café, an ice-cream shop and a great variety of dining options in the immediate vicinity.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Craig P. 1 year ago on Google • 707 reviews
    Found this gem close by our hotel. We stopped in, and were done in about 5-7 minutes. There was no wait to enter. It was cool to see how people can live on houseboats. It was actually quite quaint. The owner was very nice. Entrance is €5/person, but if you have the Amsterdam City Card, it's covered.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hervé M. 3 years ago on Google
    This museum is the perfect stop if you have the iamsterdam city card and a spare half an hour in the surroundings. It shows you how you can live in a tiny space as a boat and explains all the different pros and cons of such an accomodation. Very warm welcoming host and ideal to have a break watching the video in the middle of a rough visiting day.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rogier H. 4 years ago on Google
    Lovely little museum. See how people live and deal with the practicalities of life on a houseboat
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anders I. 11 months ago on Google • 16 reviews
    Took about 30 min to go through but absolutely worth it if you are in Amsterdam. Fun way to experience the life on a house boat. Self guided tour but it works super well as they hand out a “map” that does the guiding.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 John C. 5 years ago on Google
    Very interesting vist to a dutch boathouse. Small gift shop.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Shlomo W. 10 months ago on Google • 301 reviews
    A great way to spend 30 min or so in getting acquainted with this special Amsterdam way of life. An interesting 1-pager guides you in the boat (even in good Hebrew!)
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mark A. 1 year ago on Google • 163 reviews
    I noticed this little gem on my first day in Amsterdam and made sure to visit. A great little tour with history on both the boat itself and the culture/history of houseboat living on the canals. Dont miss it.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Island H. 4 months ago on Google • 47 reviews
    A very unique museum in the heart of Amsterdam. We bought tickets on the day when walking past the houseboat. It looked very small but once inside, we were absolutely amazed! the furniture inside is very beautiful as well as the miniatures. there is lots of information about the history of houseboats (past till now), mechanical facts and a very impressive video with pictures from around the world! we asked lots of questions and the lovely woman on board shared lots of additional facts. we even took a picture outside (still on board) on a little bench. we absolutely loved it and cannot recommend this place enough!!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Wynn C. 10 months ago on Google
    Went in for free from the Amsterdam City Card, but I think its worth a visit even if you pay for the ticket. The whole thing doesn't take more than 15-20 minutes, but I found it utterly fascinating to see how people live on a houseboat. Great place for a quick stop.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tünde T. 4 years ago on Google
    We had some time to pass before going to the Anne Frank museum and we chose to visit this museum. Fantastic experience, it only takes a half an hour or so to visit every room and it's well worth it. It's free with the I am Amsterdam card. They have catalogues about the museum in a wide range of languages also (Hungarian, French, Spanish languages for example).
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Magdalena �. 1 year ago on Google
    Super nice place and interesting things to learn. It's different way of life which wouldn't fit everyone.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Antti K. 6 years ago on Google
    It's a quaint little museum! Surprisingly, they had their materials even in Finnish - and that's a first. Not too expensive, and you get to see a houseboat from inside with some of its history detailed in posters etc. Service was also vert nice, which is not always the case in Netherlands. So that's a bonus! All in all, well worth a visit. You can occasionally get discounts from their website.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Luca R. 1 year ago on Google
    A hidden gem in Amsterdam. The ticket is cheap and you get to experience a small houseboat. There is also a bench to relax and enjoy the canals view. Highly recommended.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jake W. 1 year ago on Google
    Cool museum about houseboats. €3 entry. Lots of information about houseboats in the Netherlands and life on the canals. Definitely recommend.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Arsham M. 7 months ago on Google • 104 reviews
    It's a window to experience life in an old boat. I loved the vibe, the forecabin, the decoration and the illustrative history of the boat. Definitely recommended. The staff are very nice and open to chat. There are plenty of details there that can help you get a feeling of people's life in similar boats back in the years.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Devin D. 6 years ago on Google
    Very beautiful place! Has a good gift shop as well. I have to say, coming here made me want to own a houseboat. They had information in many different languages, so feel free to bring your foreign friends.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jon L. 1 year ago on Google
    Fun to see how it is to live on a houseboat. Very interesting and quite a good arrangement of artifacts.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Инна �. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A small, very atmospheric museum. 15-20 minutes is enough for visiting. You can see how residential boats were arranged before, there are models of modern boat houses. There are ads for the sale of boats, houses)) (Original) Небольшой очень атмосферный музей. Для посещения хватит минут 15-20. Можно увидеть, как были устроены жилые лодки раньше, есть модели современных домов-лодок. Есть объявления о продаже домов-лодок ))
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Izzie m. 1 year ago on Google
    Sweet little place. Variety of exhibits about historical house boats and houseboats today. Tiny cafe inside and a gift shop. Good for 45 mins or so if you have a very detailed look
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aleidis T. 1 year ago on Google
    Cute museum and good if you really want to see a houseboat inside. All seen in 10 minutes. Free entrance with I amsterdam card. Not necessary to book beforehand and not crowded.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lisa-Dee P. 1 year ago on Google
    Excellent little museum, very informative and beautiful and low entrance fee.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 jayesh k. 1 year ago on Google
    We had an amazing experience visiting this cozy museum. The host was nice and everything was well-decorated and maintained. It felt as if we were visiting a real house. Worth visiting for people of any age. Would go again.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael H. 1 year ago on Google
    Sweet little museum with lots to see in a small space. Courteous gentleman runs the place.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rir L. 1 year ago on Google
    Everybody!!! Listen up!!!! You should definitely come here and visit the boathouse!!!! It’s so sweet!!!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 John F. 10 months ago on Google
    A small but well thought out and informative museum. If you’ve ever wondered what the inside of a houseboat is like make sure you stop in here. It was very inexpensive and the owner is eager to answer your questions and make you feel welcomed.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Marjolaine M. 5 years ago on Google
    4,50€ is the entrance price or 3,50€ if you have a museumkaart. So pretty cheap either way. It is not big and it doesn't take long to visit I would say 15 minutes is enough you can sit and read the material in the cabin or enjoy a hot drink in there. The staff is lovely they give you a leaflet to explain each part of the cabin and the life in a houseboat in your own language. It is good to see an interesting as I am guessing most people are intrigued by Living in a houseboat.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 David F. 6 years ago on Google
    Interesting little floating museum tells the story of these barges and what life was like working and living on one. A few short TV films were interesting as is the bedrooms inside. Will take you 20 to 30 minutes. Worth a visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jerzy D. 6 years ago on Google
    Very interesting place. Here you can see how living on a boat looks like. You will have impression that owners just left and be back in a minute.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Věra D. 2 months ago on Google • 18 reviews New
    A super cute houseboat made into a museum. The tickets aren't pricy, so it's a nice short stop, if you'd like to see a houseboat from the inside. They also have paper guides in various languages apart from English and the staff are really helpful and really interested in and knowledgeable about houseboats themselves.

  • 5/5 שלומי �. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Definitely worth a visit (Original) בהחלט שווה ביקור

  • 3/5 Luiz B. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Funny the way to make some coppers (Original) Engraçada a maneira de fazer uns cobres

  • 4/5 Elisabeth K. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Small but nice. Definitely exciting to see such a historic houseboat from the inside. (Original) Klein aber fein. Auf jeden Fall spannend mal so ein historisches Hausboot von innen zu sehen.

  • 4/5 Robert T. 4 years ago on Google
    Interesting place if your curious about houseboat life and need something easy to visit. Convenient.

  • 5/5 Paiten M. 1 year ago on Google
    One of the best museums my friends and I visited on our trip! We were always curious what the inside of a houseboat looked like and this was the perfect way to see for ourselves! Such a cool experience and the gentleman on the boat was super friendly and gave us so much information! Loved it!

  • 5/5 Chiara V. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Great way to better understand what life is like inside one of Amsterdam's many water houses! (Original) Ottimo modo per comprendere meglio com'è la vita all'interno di una delle numerose case sull'acqua di Amsterdam!

  • 5/5 Andreas R. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very nice insight into a houseboat! (Original) Sehr netter Einblick in ein Hausboot !

  • 5/5 Skjalg O. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) An intimate museum with good educational solutions. (Original) Eit intimt museum med gode pedagogiske løysingar.

  • 5/5 craig f. 4 years ago on Google
    Found it quite interesting

  • 5/5 Lianne R. 4 years ago on Google
    Isn't usually my kind of thing went along with my partner but was very interesting

  • 5/5 Alexandre L. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A very interesting little boat museum, which explains life on the canal. The visit is quite quick and a bit expensive (4.5 €) but it is quite original (Original) Un petit musée bateau très intéressant, qui explique la vie sur le canal. La visite est assez rapide et un peu chère (4.5€) mais c'est assez original

  • 5/5 Mahima K. 4 years ago on Google
    Lovely little boat. And an interesting quick visit!

  • 5/5 Enrico T. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Simparico museum that explains how you live in a houseboat (Original) Simparico museo che spiega come si vive in una houseboat

  • 5/5 Mark W. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely little restored houseboat. Interesting displays. An enjoyable visit.

  • 5/5 Jepha K. 11 months ago on Google
    Lovely little spot, absolutely worth a visit. Very close to other attractions & museums and definitely worth the two minute detour to get a look inside a house boat & learn about the history of Dutch canal living.

  • 4/5 Don P. 4 years ago on Google
    Very friendly and a glimpse to life on a houseboat

  • 5/5 Mjz M. 4 years ago on Google
    Small, quick little museum. Worth a stop.

  • 4/5 ЮлиЯ �. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It was interesting to just walk around the boat, which we did. There is nothing supernatural there, but we decided that since we are in Amsterdam, we should ... walk around the boat))). at the entrance they give you a boat plan and you walk on it yourself. The boat is not big. it took about 20 minutes to take a picture and inquisitively))) (Original) Интересно было походить просто по лодке, что мы и сделали. Ничего там сверхъестественного нет, но мы решили, что раз мы в Амстердаме, то должны …походить по лодке))). при входе тебе дают план лодки и ты самостоятельно по ней гуляешь. Лодка не большая. времени заняло минут 20, чтобы пофотографировать и полюбопытствовать)))

  • 5/5 Julia V. 10 months ago on Google
    Small but extremely interesting place. If you ever wondered how boat house are looking inside - this place is for you. You will get complete explanation including connection to water supply etc.

  • 4/5 Eugenio M. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Interesting (Original) Interessante

  • 4/5 Harpreet K. 4 years ago on Google
    Interesting. Not sure if it's worth more than spending 30 minutes there.

  • 5/5 Monika 5 months ago on Google
    Small little museum but only 5€ and you get to see a cool little houseboat that gives a glimpse into how houseboats on the canal once were vs how they are now. Lots of cool little details. Takes maybe 15 min.

  • 5/5 silvia k. 7 months ago on Google
    Great experience. The guy working there is a really nice and helpful person. The guiding card is available in many many languages, hopefully all of them as flawless as Czech. I didn't expect much and I was pleasantly surprised. Definitely worth money you pay. Full of interesting information

  • 5/5 Thomas 4 years ago on Google
    Funny little museum. Price is 5 euros. Inside of the houseboat is very authentic.

  • 1/5 Svitlana A. 5 years ago on Google
    We were not allowed to visit it because we were with our cat laced in a travelling bag. Checked at their page with attention concerning pets before go there - there was no info that pets are not allowed. So have got unpleasant refusal to let us in upon arrival. Can understand reasons (they said allergy) but can't understand why there is no info on a museum internet page. Disapointed.

  • 5/5 Franco C. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful certainly a place to visit (Original) Bellissimo sicuramente un posto da visitare

  • 4/5 Alessia B. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) If you are passing through Amsterdam you must definitely make a jump: a very characteristic and historical small houseboat with explanations in various languages. Very friendly staff (Original) Se passate da Amsterdam sicuramente dovete farci un salto: una piccola casa galleggiante molto caratteristica e storica con spiegazioni in varie lingue .Personale molto cordiale

  • 5/5 Franz Jaeger B. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Interesting and vivid ... (Original) Interessant und anschaulich ...

  • 4/5 Bawaranan von S. 4 years ago on Google
    Lots of "good to know" info.

  • 4/5 Marc R. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Nice museum that shows how former houseboat residents lived (Original) Leuk museum wat laat zien hoe vroegere woonbootbewoners leefden

  • 3/5 Janice T. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very special, if city pass can over and over again (Original) 挺特別的,如有city pass可以去去

  • 5/5 Ted L. 4 years ago on Google
    Always on my list to visit and very glad we did. 9 Euro charge for 2, the boat was beautiful. A must see! Their is a corner pub for cold beers and snacks afterwards!

  • 5/5 L. C. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very interesting little museum where you get an insight into life on a houseboat. (Original) Sehr interessantes kleines Museum in dem man einen Einblick in das Leben auf einem Hausboot bekommt.

  • 4/5 Bob M. 4 years ago on Google
    Very small, but fun. It's free with the Amsterdam museum pass.

  • 5/5 Stefi P. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very interesting to know how you live in a Houseboat! (Original) Molto interessante sapere come si vive in una Houseboat!

  • 4/5 Ari S. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) You can use your lips on your lip wherever you go (Original) Sätkä huulessa käyt damissa ihan missä jas vain

  • 2/5 simona s. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very beautiful place the beautiful paintings suprattuto unique pieces of Van Gogh sin for the guide who did not have much culture (Original) Posto molto bello i quadri bellissimi suprattuto pezzi unici di Van Gogh peccato per la guida che non aveva molta cultura

  • 5/5 Michi H. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very interesting houseboat to visit and warm staff (Original) Sehr interessantes Hausboot zum Besichtigen und auch herzliches Personal

  • 5/5 verhaar 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) This is the place where it all started (Original) Dit is de plek waar het allemaal begon

  • 4/5 Olaf H. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Was cool (Original) War cool

  • 4/5 Tamara C. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Small but very cute. You can understand how you can live on a boat ... all spaces are exploited to the best in a perfect fit. (Original) Piccolo ma molto carino. Si riesce a capire come si possa vivere su una barca...tutti gli spazi sono sfruttati al meglio in un perfetto incastro.

  • 5/5 vlado t. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice place.

  • 5/5 Angela H. 4 years ago on Google
    Fun!!!!!!!!!!

  • 4/5 Mo B. 4 years ago on Google
    Fun place to visit.

  • 4/5 Marcel W. 6 years ago on Google
    Nice chance to see how life on a houseboat may look like. Absolutely worth visiting. And you can have a coffee here, too.

  • 5/5 Ruslan L. 5 years ago on Google
    Can't say it's spectacular, but most important you will get an idea how people live in houseboats. On top of that lady on cashdesk will answer any possible question you have. Really deep knowledge of topic. Can't say it's place which you must visit, but those who interested in locals life will deep dive in atmosphere of life on the boat.

  • 5/5 Peter C. 5 years ago on Google
    Wonderful opportunity to see inside a world very few of us have ever experienced

  • 4/5 Bob W. 5 years ago on Google
    Very interesting 100 year old houseboat, that had been all around Holland, throughout it's working life. You can poke about throughout the boat, to admire all the historical exhibits.

  • 5/5 Abel Esteban de la T. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) An unforgettable € 10 boat ride on the picturesque AMS canals. You will see boats converted into houses, with plants, sun clothes, lounge chairs and all the services on your boat, very well adapted and presented to tourists. There are also little bars. You will be amazed with the crooked houses !!! (Original) Infaltable un paseo en barco de 10€ por los pintorescos canales de AMS. Verás botes convertidos en casas, con plantas, ropa al sol, reposeras y todos los servicios en tu barco, muy bien adaptado y presentado a los turistas. También hay barcitos. Te asombrarás con las casas torcidas!!!

  • 5/5 David L. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice quaint museum with a chance to visit the inside of a house boat which is pretty cool!


Call +31 20 427 0750 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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