If you’re visiting Amsterdam for the first time, chances are you’ve got the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and Anne Frank House on your list—and for good reason. They’re world-class and definitely deserve all the hype they get.
But did you know the city is home to over 40 museums? While most travelers stick to the famous three, Amsterdam is packed with quirky and unusual museums that are just as fascinating, minus the crowds.
Whether you’re into history, art, or just looking for something a little different, here are 9 underrated museums in Amsterdam to get you off the main tourist track.
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KattenKabinet (Cat Cabinet)
A museum dedicated entirely to cats? Yes, please—sign me up!
Set in a beautiful, historic canal house, KattenKabinet is one of the quirkiest spots in Amsterdam.
It may be small, but it offers a fantastic glimpse into how cats have inspired artists for centuries. Every inch is covered with cat-themed drawings, paintings, sculptures, artifacts, and vintage posters—not just by any old artists but by big names like Picasso, Rembrandt, and Toulouse-Lautrec.
It’s the perfect little stop if you’ve got an hour to spare, want to do something a bit different, or just need an excuse to hang out with the museum’s resident cats. Honestly, my main reason for visiting!
If you’re curious what it’s actually like inside and whether it’s worth the entry fee, I’ve shared more in my full KattenKabinet guide. And if you already know it’s your kind of place, you can book your tickets here.
STRAAT
Located in Amsterdam’s hippest creative hub, NDSM Wharf, STRAAT is the city’s coolest street art museum.
Set inside a former shipyard, it’s massive, colorful, and packed with incredible murals from artists all over the world.
I visited last year, and the sheer scale of this place is unreal—it completely blew me away. The murals are huge and it’s so cool to walk through the exhibition space admiring them. While all of the pieces are absolutely amazing, my two favorite bits were the giant flamingo and a real-life van hanging from the ceiling!
If you’re into graffiti or just want some cool pics, this one’s worth the trip. Here’s my full guide to visiting STRAAT Museum from Amsterdam—plus a great combo ticket that includes a canal cruise.
Amsterdam Cheese Museum
A museum dedicated to cheese—need I say more?
The Amsterdam Cheese Museum might look like just another shop (yes, they sell cheese, and yes, there are lots of free samples), but head down the little stairway to the basement, and you’ll find a tiny museum devoted to all things cheese.
The space is a bit cramped, but it’s a fun spot to learn a bit more about the history of the cheese-making process. There are also some cool photos and vintage tools on display. And if you’re in the mood, you can even dress up in traditional clothing to snap some pictures.
Since it’s one of the few free things to do in the city, it’s perfect for anyone on a budget or craving some free cheese! Try the lavender and smoked goat’s cheese—both blew me away!
The museum has a little app you can download, but just a heads-up: it never worked for me! Hopefully you have more luck.
- Data: I use Airalo for eSIMs. It’s easy to set up and works instantly when you land.
- Attractions: I book skip-the-line tickets or tours through GetYourGuide or Viator to avoid queues and last-minute stress.
- Accommodation: I use Agoda and Booking.com to compare prices, location, and cancellation options.
- City Pass: The I amsterdam City Card is a great way to save money if you’re visiting many sights. It includes free entry to top attractions, unlimited use of GVB trams, buses, and metros, and a canal cruise.
- Travel Money: I use Wise to pay in local currency at the real exchange rate and skip hidden bank fees.
Moco Museum
The Moco Museum isn’t exactly a hidden gem, but I feel like it doesn’t always get the hype it deserves.
Situated right on Museumplein in a historic mansion, this museum is all about contemporary art. Think Banksy, Andy Warhol, and Yayoi Kusama (a Japanese artist I’m totally obsessed with—she’s famous for her polka dot patterns and massive pumpkin sculptures, like the one on Naoshima Island in Japan).
The museum has a fantastic collection, ranging from contemporary paintings to cool digital art and immersive installations. If you’re into contemporary art or simply love modern pop culture, Moco is the place for you!
If you’re curious what it’s actually like inside, here’s what to expect when visiting the Moco Museum. Or, if you already know it’s your kind of place, you can book your tickets online to skip the lines and save a bit.
Our Lord in the Attic
You could easily walk right past this museum in the city center without realizing there’s a secret Catholic church hidden in the attic. If it weren’t for the crowd of people outside, I would have totally missed it!
Built in the 17th century when Catholicism was banned in the Netherlands, hidden churches like this were the only way people could continue practicing their faith.
Inside Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder, you can follow a self-guided route with a free audio guide. Honestly, I found it super informative—it gave a great overview of each room, the objects inside, and the history behind them.
The museum spans three floors, and there are quite a few narrow stairs to climb! But it’s worth it to see the beautifully preserved rooms and fascinating collection of artifacts for yourself. Two original oak staircases dating back to the 17th century still remain today, though only one is open to the public.
Like most attractions in Amsterdam, it’s a good idea to book your entry ticket in advance, especially if you’re visiting during peak season.
Fabrique des Lumières
Fabrique des Lumières has to be one of the most underrated places I’ve been to in Amsterdam. It’s not a typical museum—there are no paintings on the walls or glass cases to peek into. Instead, you’re surrounded by floor-to-ceiling projections, music, and light that turn the entire space into a moving visual show.
It’s set inside a massive old gasworks building in Westerpark, and they run different exhibitions throughout the year. Most focus on a specific artist or theme, like Dalí, Gaudí, the Dutch Masters, ancient Egypt, The Sea, or even pop culture stuff like Tintin.
What I like most about it is how relaxed it is. You can walk around, sit on a bench, or climb up to the mezzanine for a different view. I’ve got a full guide to visiting Fabrique des Lumières if you want tips on timing, what to expect, and what else to do nearby.
It’s a great pick for a rainy day or when you need a break from traditional museums. However, tickets can sell out in high season, so I recommend booking your time slot online in advance.
Museum Van Loon
If you’ve ever walked along Amsterdam’s canals and wondered what those grand houses actually look like inside, Museum Van Loon on Keizersgracht gives you the chance to find out.
Originally built in 1672, the house was once home to Ferdinand Bol, a pupil of Rembrandt. It was later bought by the Van Loon family, who had strong ties to the Dutch East India Company — so yes, serious wealth.
You can wander through the family’s former reception rooms, bedrooms, and even the old kitchen downstairs. Along the way, you’ll see chandeliers, portraits, antique furniture, and a huge porcelain dinner service that hints at the lavish dinners once hosted here. There’s even a lovely garden and a grand coach house out back with some of the family’s former carriages.
If you’re curious what a historic canal house really looks like inside and how wealthy Amsterdam families once lived, this is a great place to visit. I’ve shared more details in my full guide to visiting Museum Van Loon, and you can book your tickets here.
Pianola Museum
I haven’t been to this one yet, but I can’t wait to check it out. The Pianola Museum is housed in a former police station in Jordaan, and it has to be one of the city’s quirkiest hidden gems. If you love music or just enjoy finding truly unusual spots, this tiny museum is for you!
So, what exactly is it? Well, it’s dedicated to an incredible collection of pianolas (basically self-playing pianos). It also houses over 40,000 music rolls, some more than a century old! But the real highlight will be seeing these antique instruments in action! It’s hard to believe they still work after all these years!
The museum is only open on weekends, so be sure to plan ahead.
Houseboat Museum
In a city famous for its 17th-century canal ring, it’s not surprising that there’s a museum dedicated to life on a boat!
The Houseboat Museum [book tickets] is another little gem that I hope to check out soon. It’s set aboard a former cargo boat, the Hendrika Maria, built in 1914.
The boat is decked out with everything from a living room, kitchen, sleeping area, and a captain’s cabin. Inside, you can learn about the history of the city’s waterways, the challenges of living on the water, and how these unique homes have evolved over time.
While the museum is tiny, it’s worth a quick stop if you’re in the Jordaan area and want to combine a trip here with the famous Anne Frank Huis, just a 9-minute walk away.
So, which unique museum is on your list?
These are my top picks for underrated museums in Amsterdam that go way beyond the usual hotspots. Whether you’re into hidden churches, immersive art, historic canal houses, or even cheese, there’s plenty to discover outside the big-name attractions.
I hope you found at least one underrated spot here to add to your list.
If you’re still figuring out how to spend your time in Amsterdam, you’ll find all my favorite neighborhoods, must-see spots, and insider tips in my first-timer’s guide to Amsterdam.
I’ll keep adding to this list as I discover more under-the-radar spots. Which one would you visit first?
