Muiderslot Castle had been on my radar for ages, but somehow I never realized it was only about 20 minutes from my front door. A few weeks ago, I finally went — and it turned out to be both easy to reach and a rewarding afternoon out. With its moat, drawbridge, towers, and gardens, this medieval fortress is one of the best-preserved in the Netherlands and makes a refreshing break from a typical day in Amsterdam.
Muiderslot is also one of the oldest castles in the Netherlands, dating back to 1280. It’s in the quaint town of Muiden, just 15 kilometers southeast of Amsterdam. And because of its location, it’s sometimes also called Amsterdam Castle.
If you’ve been researching what to do in the Netherlands, you’ve probably heard of Castle de Haar. It’s the most extravagant castle in the country—but it was rebuilt in the 1800s. Muiderslot, on the other hand, is the real deal. Its original medieval layout is still largely intact—making it over 100 years older than De Haar.
If you’re short on time but want to visit a real Dutch castle without going far, this is the one to see. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to get there, what’s inside, and whether it’s worth a visit.
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What is Muiderslot Castle?
Like any good medieval fortress, Muiderslot has had its fair share of changes over the centuries.
It was first built by Count Floris V in 1280 to control trade on the Vecht River, but after his assassination, the castle was destroyed shortly after. It was rebuilt around 1370, and over the centuries, became part of several Dutch water defense systems—including the Old and New Dutch Waterlines and, later, the Defence Line of Amsterdam, which is now UNESCO-listed.
In the early 1600s, poet and historian P.C. Hooft moved in while serving as bailiff of Muiden. He lived here with his family, and the castle became a gathering spot for artists, musicians, and writers—what’s now known as the Muiderkring. The Renaissance gardens you see today have been restored to reflect that era and are still a highlight, especially in spring and summer.
What to Expect When You Visit
I didn’t know much about Muiderslot’s history before visiting, but the audio guide really helped bring the place to life—so I recommend grabbing one as soon as you arrive. Just don’t make the same mistake I did—I handed mine back after doing the Tower Route, thinking I was done, only to realize I still needed it for the Knight’s Route.
There are three self-guided routes through the castle. You can do them in any order, but I’d recommend starting with the Knight’s Route.
Knight’s Route
I recommend starting here because it’s the most complete route and takes you into the oldest part of the castle.
It begins with a spiral staircase up the west tower and leads through the main furnished rooms—the kitchen, armory, bedrooms, dining areas, and Knight’s Hall. It’s the best route for getting a feel for how people actually lived here and takes about 25 to 30 minutes. The Knight’s Hall, with its high ceilings and fireplace, was a highlight for me.
Another interesting stop is the dungeon. It’s right by the entrance to the tower, so you might want to start here before heading up the 83 steps. There’s a poster of medieval punishments that’s pretty graphic, but also pretty fascinating.
Tower Route
The Tower Route takes around 15 minutes and moves through old guard rooms, including the bridge master’s quarters. The open sentry walk had great views of Muiden and the Vecht River through the narrow stone slits.
I also liked the small chapel and the chaplain’s room, where you can watch a short video about the castle’s history—it gives good context if you want to understand more about the building and its role over time.
Castle Gardens & Orchard
Outside, you’ll find the castle gardens and orchards, which ended up being my favorite part. It takes about 30 minutes to explore and includes a tree tunnel that was originally designed so women could walk outdoors without getting sunburnt.
The gardens include herb beds, vegetable plots, and flower beds. I really liked the three-layered lime tree, too—it was a peaceful spot to take a break and admire the castle from a different angle.
Behind the castle, there’s also a plum orchard that’s been restored to look exactly as it did in P.C. Hooft’s time here. If you’re in Amsterdam on the first Sunday in September, it’s a great time to visit Muiderslot because visitors can try some of the plums from the castle orchard.
Just a heads-up—the garden tour isn’t actually part of the main audio guide. For this part, you’ll need your phone. Just scan the QR code near the garden entrance to start. I held my phone to my ear while walking around, which wasn’t ideal if you’re also trying to take photos, so I’d recommend bringing earphones.
Getting There from Amsterdam
By Public Transport
There’s no direct train to Muiderslot, but it’s still pretty straightforward and only takes about an hour from Amsterdam.
Take a Sprinter train from Amsterdam Centraal to Weesp. The ride takes about 16 minutes. Once you arrive, head outside the station and catch bus 110 to Muiden Centrum. From there, it’s an easy 11-minute walk to the castle.
Google Maps is helpful for planning the route, but it’s always a good idea to double-check the latest schedules on the NS app. If you’re curious about other tools that make trip planning easier, I’ve shared my favorites in this guide to the best travel apps for the Netherlands.
By Ferry (Seasonal)
If you want something a bit more scenic, there’s also a tourist ferry from Amsterdam IJburg to Muiderslot. It only runs from May to October, and it doesn’t sail every day—so check the schedule before you go.
Tickets are €29 per person and include both the ferry ride and admission to the castle. If you have a city pass, you’ll get a discount—it’s €14.50 with a Museumkaart and €11 with the I amsterdam City Card.
The boat ride takes about 45 minutes, and you’ll have just over 2.5 hours to explore the castle before heading back. The whole trip takes around four hours.
By Car
I drove to Muiderslot, and it was super easy. If you’re coming from Amsterdam, just take the A1 motorway and follow the signs for exit 3: Muiden/Weesp. There’s a paid parking area right in front of the castle with plenty of shade, but it’s pretty pricey at €3.40 per hour.
If you don’t mind a short walk, there are two free parking lots just outside the village. I parked at Parkeerplaats P2 on Mariahoeveweg, which was an easy 15-minute walk to the castle. There’s also one on Maxisweg (Parkeerplaats P1) on the other side of the Vecht River. I chose P2 because I wanted to walk along the waterfront, which turned out to be a lovely way to arrive.
If you’re planning to rent a car for day trips like this, you can check rental options here.
Practical Info & Things to Know Before You Go
Opening Hours
Muiderslot is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00, but it’s always a good idea to check the official website for up-to-date hours before you go. It’s not open Mondays, which is worth keeping in mind if you’re planning a midweek visit.
I went on a weekday, which worked out well—it was much quieter than I imagine weekends would be.
Entry Tickets and Pass Options
Tickets cost €19.50 for adults, and entry is free with a Museumkaart or the I amsterdam City Card.
You can buy tickets at the door, but I’d recommend booking online if you’re visiting on a weekend or during schoolholidays.
How Long Does It Take to Visit Muiderslot?
I spent about two hours at the castle, and I’d say you won’t need more than three to see everything. The castle is compact but thoughtfully laid out, and the three routes are easy to follow without feeling rushed.
If you’ve got time afterward, it’s worth wandering through Muiden. There are a few cafés along the waterfront where you can sit with a drink and enjoy the view.
I popped into Bob Bakt for a kaasstengel (cheese stick). But next time I’d love to try one of the other cafés like Piet de Leeuw or Café Ome Ko, which is more than 200 years old.
Accessibility
The castle isn’t accessible for visitors with mobility issues. Most of the rooms are only reachable via narrow staircases, including the 83 spiral steps in the west tower.
There’s a paved path around the outside of the castle and through the gardens, though some areas include steps or uneven ground. While the gardens were a highlight for me, I’m not sure visiting just the outside and skipping the interior would justify the full ticket price.
Museum Café
There’s an on-site vegan café called De Tuinkamer, and it’s lovely. They serve things like toasted sandwiches, salads, and sweet treats—mostly made with fresh ingredients from the garden.
I stopped for a coffee and a slice of apple pie, and it was honestly one of the best I’ve had in the Netherlands—spiced apples, soft crumb base, caramel sauce, and almonds on top.
They also sell a small selection of Muiderslot and Dutch-themed souvenirs if you want to take something home.
Is Muiderslot Castle Worth Visiting?
If you’re into castles, history, or just want an easy day trip from Amsterdam, Muiderslot is a solid option.
I enjoyed visiting—it’s well laid out, easy to explore, and the gardens were one of the best parts of the visit. Inside, I liked climbing the towers and walking through the different rooms. The kitchen, dungeon, Knight’s Hall, and armory were the parts that stood out most.
That said, if you’ve been to places like Pena Palace in Sintra, don’t expect the same level of opulence or detail. Dutch castle interiors—even De Haar, in my opinion—don’t compare. If you’re expecting that kind of grandeur, you might leave a little underwhelmed.
If you’re genuinely curious about Dutch history or enjoy castles, it’s worth it. But if you’re just going for a quick photo of the exterior, the ticket price might feel a bit steep. Pair it with lunch or a stroll through Muiden, though, and it makes a really nice half-day trip.
Hope this guide helps you plan your visit! Been to Muiderslot or thinking about going? Let me know in the comments, or feel free to pin this for later.
