Madame Tussauds Amsterdam

Right on Dam Square, beside the Royal Palace, Madame Tussauds is one of Amsterdam's most popular family attractions — a wax museum where you can get nose-to-nose (and snap photos) with astonishingly lifelike figures of the famous and the historic.

Opened in 1970, it was the first Madame Tussauds to open outside the UK, carrying on a tradition that goes back to wax sculptor Marie Tussaud (1761-1850).

What you'll see

The figures are arranged in themed zones — royals, A-list film stars, music, fashion, sport, Marvel superheroes and world leaders — and the experience is interactive and photo-friendly, with multimedia effects throughout. You're encouraged to touch, pose and take pictures, which makes it a hit with kids and teens.

Good to know

Plan around an hour to an hour and a quarter. It's central and busy, so booking online saves both money and time in the queue. Don't miss the round window on the top floor, with its view over Dam Square.

Behind the celebrity encounters is a craft that combines sculpture, portraiture and costume. Creating a wax likeness involves careful study of a subject’s face, posture and expression, while details such as hair, eyes and clothing help make the result convincing. Look closely at these finishing touches as you move through the collection: they reveal the painstaking work behind an attraction often approached mainly as entertainment. Comparing the figures also offers a different way to think about how recognisable a public image becomes.

For a change of pace afterwards, walk towards the Amsterdam Museum’s historic neighbour, the Begijnhof, a courtyard closely associated with the city’s religious history. Alternatively, head along Damrak towards the Beurs van Berlage, the former stock exchange whose brick architecture contrasts with the surrounding shopping streets. The nearby canals offer a gentler continuation of your visit, while the narrow lanes around the Nieuwe Kerk make it easy to explore the older city on foot.