Amsterdam
Modernist Architecture & Urban Planning

Discover the Van Eesteren Museum in Amsterdam

Explore the history of postwar urban planning and modernist design in Amsterdam.

ArchitectureHistoryDesignLocal heritage

The Van Eesteren Museum showcases Amsterdam's architectural and urban development, with a special focus on Cornelis van Eesteren's influence and the city's garden cities. Visitors can explore exhibitions, a preserved museum house, and take guided walks through the Slotermeer neighborhood to experience modern design principles firsthand.

Dedicated to the architecture and urban planning of Amsterdam, the Van Eesteren Museum explores the legacy of Cornelis van Eesteren and the city's garden cities through exhibitions and guided tours.

Van Eesteren Museum
Van Eesteren Museum: Urban Planning and Architecture

The Van Eesteren Museum in Amsterdam Nieuw-West explores urban planning and architecture history. It focuses on Cornelis van Eesteren's work and the city's garden cities, presenting a modernist vision for design. Through exhibitions and an original museum house, visitors learn about these concepts and the era's residential architecture.

Modern black building with large glass windows and signage reading VAN EESTEREN PAVILJOEN
Van Eesteren Museum opening hours in Amsterdam

Check today’s opening status, weekly schedule, and special date changes for Van Eesteren Museum. Use these opening hours to plan your arrival and avoid closed times in Amsterdam.

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
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12:00-17:00
12:00-17:00
12:00-17:00
12:00-17:00
Van Eesteren Museum Ticket Information

Admission to the Van Eesteren Museum in Amsterdam is generally paid. Children up to 12 years old receive free entry. Visitors holding a Museumkaart, Stadspas Amsterdam, or ICOM card can also benefit from free entry or a discount on combined tickets. There are no specific student, senior, or group ticket options available for standard admission.

Museum entry, Regular
€5.00
Museum entry, Museumkaart
Free

Requires Museumkaart

Museum entry, Stadspas Amsterdam
Free

Requires Amsterdam City Pass

Location of the Van Eesteren Museum

The Van Eesteren Museum is situated at Noordzijde 31 in the Slotermeer neighborhood of Amsterdam. This specific location in Amsterdam Nieuw-West provides a direct, immersive context for its focus on the city's post-war urban planning and modernist architecture. Visitors can explore the museum's themes within the very environment it documents.

© OpenStreetMap contributors

Noordzijde 31

1064 GV Amsterdam

Slotermeer, North Holland, NL

How to Visit the Van Eesteren Museum

Plan for a visit duration of approximately 45 to 60 minutes at the Van Eesteren Museum. Timed entry is in effect, and reservations are recommended to ensure your admission. For those arriving by car in Amsterdam's Slotermeer neighborhood, paid parking is available.

How to Visit the Van Eesteren Museum

Van Eesteren Museum: Exploring Urban Planning and Modernist Architecture

The Van Eesteren Museum in Amsterdam Nieuw-West explores the history and principles of urban planning and modernist architecture, particularly through the lens of Cornelis van Eesteren's influence and the city's distinctive garden cities. Visitors gain insight into the modernist vision for living and urban design, engaging with post-war city development. The museum features a permanent exhibition detailing these concepts, complemented by temporary exhibitions on related themes. A preserved museum house offers a direct glimpse into the era's residential architecture, while daily guided walks through the Slotermeer neighborhood provide a tangible experience of these urban planning principles in action.

Silver dome-shaped metal stove with glass panels on display next to a cylindrical device in a room with red wall section and window
Top exhibition picks at Van Eesteren Museum
Curated museum program highlights and what to see now in Amsterdam
Discover high-interest exhibitions at Van Eesteren Museum, selected to help you prioritize your route, compare show themes, and plan a more rewarding museum visit in Amsterdam.
Watercolor illustration for Afaina de Jong's 'Unruly Process' exhibition at Van Eesteren Museum, depicting gallery furniture and abstract geometric shapes.
From May 29, 2026

Unruly Process: Future. Present. Past. Afaina de Jong Exhibition

A retrospective of feminist architecture and community-centered design.

Discover two decades of work by Afaina de Jong, including contributions to the Venice Biennale and the Rijksmuseum. The exhibition showcases an ongoing commitment to marginalized stories and collaborative urban design practices.

Exhibition Details
Watercolor illustration of the Zandkasteel building in Amsterdam Zuidoost, showcasing its unique organic architecture with multiple towers and integrated landscape elements in purple and green hues.

Rondleiding Zandkasteel: Guided Tour of Organic Architecture in Amsterdam Zuidoost

Explore a unique municipal monument transformed for modern urban life.

Take a guided tour through the Zandkasteel building in Amsterdam Zuidoost, a landmark of organic architecture. Discover its integrated design of light, air, and space as you explore seven of its ten distinctive towers. Learn about its transformation into a dynamic urban space.

Guided Tour Zandkasteel
A watercolor illustration of a guided tour inside the Burgerweeshuis, showing visitors observing art under its distinctive domed ceiling and patios.
From May 1, 2024

Guided Tour: Aldo van Eyck's Burgerweeshuis Architecture and BPD Art Collection

Explore a landmark of Dutch architecture and its contemporary art.

Discover Aldo van Eyck's Burgerweeshuis, a celebrated example of 20th-century Dutch architecture, on an expert-led tour. Learn about its innovative design principles and explore the BPD art collection, selected to complement the building's unique structuralism.

Burgerweeshuis Tour
A watercolor illustration of a guided tour group exploring the modernist Burgerweeshuis building in Amsterdam, designed by Aldo van Eyck, with its distinctive pavilion and patio architecture.

Guided Tour of Aldo van Eyck's Burgerweeshuis Architecture in Amsterdam

Discover a Dutch architectural highlight and its impressive art collection.

Experience an in-depth English guided tour through Aldo van Eyck’s Burgerweeshuis in Amsterdam. Learn about its groundbreaking design and explore the diverse BPD Art Collection it houses, connecting architecture with art.

Guided Tour
Abstract watercolor artwork in purple and lavender hues, featuring abstract shapes and forms on white paper, representing themes of mobility and urban development.
From May 7, 2025

Nieuwelingen - In Transit: Contemporary Art Exhibition at Van Eesteren Museum

Explore emerging artists' reflections on mobility and urban life in Amsterdam.

This exhibition features 15 artists from Amsterdam's outskirts who explore the car's multifaceted meaning. Their works address critical themes such as the housing crisis, personal identity, and the future of urban mobility. Experience a curated look into contemporary artistic expression.

Nieuwelingen Exhibition
Watercolor illustration of a guided walking tour in Amsterdam's Kolenkitbuurt, featuring buildings, trees, and people exploring the neighborhood's past and future with text overlays like 'BUURT', 'VERHALEN', and 'PAST & FUTURE'.

Guided Walk: Hedendaags Nieuw-West in Kolenkitbuurt, Amsterdam Urban Renewal Exhibition

Explore architectural transformations and social history in Bos en Lommer.

Discover Amsterdam's Kolenkitbuurt on a walking tour, delving into its history of urban renewal and architectural evolution. Learn about design visions, award-winning buildings, and the social changes impacting residents in Nieuw-West.

Kolenkitbuurt Walk
A watercolor illustration of a futuristic city with green-covered skyscrapers, flying vehicles, and figures holding a glowing sphere, representing youth-designed sustainable urban visions.
From Feb 1, 2024

De stad van de toekomst! Exhibition: Student Urban Planning for Future Amsterdam

Innovative designs for sustainable and green city development by young planners.

Explore visionary future city plans created by 45 Amsterdam high school students. Their designs address densification, greening, and sustainability, offering a fresh perspective on urban development. The exhibition is free to visit.

Future City Exhibition
Watercolor illustration of the Van Eesteren Museumwoning interior, showcasing mid-century modern furniture and design from the 1950s, with a sign reading 'Goed Wonen in de Jaren '50'.
Until Dec 12, 2026

Van Eesteren Museumwoning: Exploring 1950s Modernist Design and 'Goed Wonen' Principles

A restored 1952 dwelling featuring Dutch design classics in Amsterdam.

Step inside the Van Eesteren Museumwoning to experience 1950s architecture and interior design. This unique historical dwelling in Amsterdam offers insight into the 'Goed Wonen' movement and its influence on Dutch living spaces. Discover authentic objects and design classics.

Van Eesteren Museumwoning

History and Development of the Van Eesteren Museum

The Van Eesteren Museum was founded in 2010 by local heritage associations and residents in the Geuzenveld-Slotermeer district of Amsterdam, honoring urban planner Cornelis van Eesteren. In 2012, the museum expanded its offerings with the *Museumwoning Van Eesteren*, a preserved dwelling furnished to reflect 1950s principles. This development reinforced the area's designation as a protected cityscape in 2007, recognizing its important cultural-historical heritage in architecture and urban planning. The museum further solidified its presence by opening its dedicated Van Eesteren Pavilion in 2017, a main location designed in the modernist spirit.

  • Recognized as protected cityscape due to architecture and urban design

    2007Historical period

    In 2007, a significant area in Amsterdam's Geuzenveld-Slotermeer district was designated a protected cityscape, acknowledging its important cultural-historical heritage, particularly its architectural and urban planning foundations.

  • Museum founded by heritage associations and residents

    2010Founding

    The Van Eesteren Museum was established on May 1, 2010, by representatives from heritage associations and local residents within the former Amsterdam district of Geuzenveld-Slotermeer.

  • Museum officially opened

    2010Opening

    The museum was officially opened on October 15, 2010, by aldermen Gehrels of the municipality of Amsterdam and Bos of the district Nieuw-West, serving as a tribute to Cornelis van Eesteren.

  • Museum dwelling opened

    2012Opening

    On October 12, 2012, a museum dwelling called Museumwoning Van Eesteren was opened at Freek Oxtraat 27 in Slotermeer, furnished according to the principles of the Stichting Goed Wonen from the 1950s.

  • Construction of the museum pavilion begins

    2017Construction

    The construction of the new museum building, the Van Eesteren Pavilion, commenced in January 2017 on a site made ready in December 2016 along the northern edge of the Sloterplas.

  • Museum pavilion design finalized

    Architecture

    Designed by Architectenbureau Korteknie Stuhlmacher, the pavilion features a rectangular structure with extensive glass, larch support beams, and a predominantly black exterior with overhangs, inspired by Van Eesteren's original plans for a cultural destination.

  • Van Eesteren Pavilion opens to the public

    2017Opening

    The newly constructed Van Eesteren Pavilion, serving as the museum's new location, officially opened its doors to the public on October 22, 2017.

Latest museum updates from Van Eesteren Museum
Recent announcements, stories, and institutional updates in Amsterdam
Read the newest updates from Van Eesteren Museum, including exhibition announcements, program changes, and cultural stories that add context before your visit in Amsterdam.
Skateboard City Exhibition Featured at Van Eesteren Museum

Skateboard City Exhibition Featured at Van Eesteren Museum

The Van Eesteren Museum is currently featuring the 'Skateboard City' exhibition, highlighting the intersection of urban culture and skate aesthetics. This display was recently recommended in a local weekend guide, inviting visitors to explore how skateboarding influences city life and design.

ExhibitionSkate CultureUrban PlanningModern Art
Read article
Van Eesteren Museum FAQs: Your Essential Visit Details

Planning a trip to the Van Eesteren Museum in Amsterdam's Slotermeer neighborhood? You've got questions about opening hours, specific closing times, or how to reach us, and we've got the answers right here. Dive into our frequently asked questions for all the practical details you need for a smooth visit.

What is the email address for the Van Eesteren Museum?

For general enquiries, you can contact the Van Eesteren Museum by sending an email to [email protected].

What is the phone number for the Van Eesteren Museum?

To reach the Van Eesteren Museum by phone, please call +31 (0) 20 447 18 57 for general enquiries.

How can I contact the Van Eesteren Museum?

The Van Eesteren Museum can be reached via email, phone, or through their social media channels for any questions, requests, suggestions, or complaints.

What is the full address of the Van Eesteren Museum?

The Van Eesteren Museum is located at Noordzijde 31, 1064 GV Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands.

Tips for Visiting the Van Eesteren Museum

To help plan your visit to the Van Eesteren Museum, allow for an estimated 45 to 60 minutes to explore. It is recommended to make a reservation, as entry is timed, ensuring you secure your preferred visit slot. If you are traveling by car, paid parking facilities are available for your convenience.

Van Eesteren Museum Visitor Profile

The Van Eesteren Museum in Amsterdam is ideal for individuals interested in urban planning, modernist architecture, and local history. Visitors can explore exhibitions focused on postwar city development and the architectural legacy of Cornelis van Eesteren. The experience includes indoor displays, a preserved museum house, and optional guided walks through the Slotermeer neighborhood. It particularly appeals to those who appreciate architectural design, historical contexts, and an immersive understanding of urban development. As timed entry is recommended, consider making a reservation for your visit.

Van Eesteren Museum: Visuals of Urban Design and Heritage

These images invite you to explore the Van Eesteren Museum in Amsterdam Nieuw-West, highlighting its modernist architecture and urban planning themes. Discover bright exhibition spaces with displays on Cornelis van Eesteren's legacy, alongside detailed glimpses into postwar domestic life, including a vintage kitchen exhibit. The visuals collectively showcase the museum's focus on city development and design history.

Coat of arms of Amsterdam with two golden lions, a red shield with a black and white saltire, a crown, and a banner with the motto 'HELDHAFTIG VASTBERADEN BARMHARTIG'
Modern black building with large glass windows and signage reading VAN EESTEREN PAVILJOEN
Modern museum interior with high wooden ceilings, white exhibition displays, and large windows showing a bright, open space
Garden pathway lined with yellow flowers and greenery leading to a wooden pavilion with a dark roof.
Lush garden with vibrant red-leafed trees, green foliage, a small pond, and a winding path under a bright sky
A narrow pathway lined with hedges and autumn-colored trees, fallen leaves covering the ground
Modernist building facade with 'VAN EESTEREN PAVIL' sign, surrounded by trees and green lawn under clear sky
Silver dome-shaped metal stove with glass panels on display next to a cylindrical device in a room with red wall section and window
Round glass table with metal legs, black circular base, and wire fruit bowl holding apples on beige carpet
Vintage kitchen exhibit with white tile walls, wooden shelves holding pots, sink with blue checkered curtain, and old-fashioned stove
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