museum
Allard Pierson
The University of Amsterdam's archaeology museum — Egypt, Greece, Rome and more.
Photo: Casey K / Google
Tucked between the Rokin and Muntplein in the old centre, the Allard Pierson is the archaeology museum and heritage institute of the University of Amsterdam. It's a refined, refreshingly quiet alternative to the city's blockbuster museums — a place to spend a thoughtful hour or two among genuinely ancient things.
The museum lives in a grand neoclassical building that once housed the headquarters of De Nederlandsche Bank, the Dutch central bank. Look closely and you can still spot traces of that past, including the old rails that once carried trolleys of money in from the quay.
What you'll see
The permanent exhibition, 'From Nile to Amstel', walks you through some 10,000 years of cultural history — original art and everyday objects from ancient Egypt, the Near East, Greece, Etruria, Cyprus and the Roman world, dating from around 4000 BC onwards. Alongside the antiquities, the collections reach into the history of books, cartography and graphic design, and two larger special exhibitions are staged each year.
Good to know
It's centrally located and rarely crowded, making it easy to combine with a walk through the historic centre. There's a nice museum café, lockers at the entrance, and treasure hunts to keep younger visitors engaged.
Tips from locals
It's far quieter than the Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh — come here for a calm, unhurried look at antiquities without the queues.
It's a short walk from the Spui, Rokin and Munttoren, so it slots neatly into a wander through the old centre.
Allow about 1 to 1.5 hours; the permanent 'From Nile to Amstel' route is compact but dense.
Check what special exhibition is on before you go — there are two big ones a year, and they're often the highlight.
Visiting with kids? Ask about the treasure hunts, which make the ancient galleries a lot more fun.
Did you know?
The museum is housed in the former headquarters of De Nederlandsche Bank, the Dutch central bank.
You can still see the old rails once used to wheel trolleys of money from the quay into the building.
It's named after Allard Pierson (1831–1896), the University of Amsterdam's first professor of classical archaeology.
The collection began as plaster casts of classical sculptures that Pierson assembled between 1877 and 1895.
Since 2019 the museum has merged with the University of Amsterdam's Special Collections, covering everything from cartography to book history.
FAQ
- What is the Allard Pierson?
- The archaeology museum and heritage institute of the University of Amsterdam, displaying antiquities from Egypt, Greece, Rome and beyond.
- Where is it?
- On the Oude Turfmarkt in the old city centre, between the Rokin and Muntplein.
- When is it open?
- Daily from 10am to 5pm, closed on Mondays.
- Is it good for children?
- Yes — there are treasure hunts that make the ancient galleries engaging for kids.
- How long should I plan?
- About 1 to 1.5 hours for the permanent collection, a bit more if there's a special exhibition.
Allard Pierson, Amsterdam
Oude Turfmarkt 127, 1012 GC, Amsterdam