The 10 Best Architecture in Amsterdam (2024)
Written by Cedric Rutten March 2023, updated January 2024
Amsterdam is famous for its canals and adjacent canal houses. But over the years, the architecture has developed, making space for more modern and contemporary examples of architecture. We've put together 10 of our favorite architectural highlights in this guide you won’t want to miss on your trip.
Read the full Amsterdam Travel Guide here
1. NEMO Science Museum
© Velvet, via Wikimedia Commons
NEMO Science Museum Amsterdam is a bold new addition to the city's cultural landscape. The museum, which opened its doors in July of 2018, is built on top of a tunnel that was originally used as part of the city's transport system. It seems to rise out of the water—which can be seen through windows in the exterior façade—and is designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, known for his designs in London and New York City.
Address: Oosterdok 2, 1011 VX Amsterdam
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© Rijksmuseum
The Asian Pavilion is a breathtaking space that houses one of the world's most impressive collections of Asian art. The Pavilion was designed by architects Cruz and Ortiz, and constructed from Portuguese sandstone and glass. Inside, it houses a rich collection of Asian art with close to 8000 objects brought together from China, Japan, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, and Thailand from the period between 2000 BC and 2000 AC.
Address: Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam
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3. Pathé Cinema Tuschinski
© Fred Romero, via Wikimedia Commons
Pathé Cinema Tuschinski was built in 1921 under the direction of architect Hijman Louis de Jong. The building is a mixture of different styles of architecture, including the Amsterdam School, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco.
The building is regularly credited as the most beautiful cinema in the world. The cinema is still accessible today and has 6 screens showing films daily, and also hosts a number of international film festivals.
4. ARCAM
© Elekes Andor, via Wikimedia Commons
The Architecture Centre Amsterdam, also known as ARCAM, is a prominent institution in the Dutch capital that seeks to promote architectural excellence and to encourage a public debate on urban development issues. Located on the waterfront of the city's Oosterdok, the center was designed by the renowned Dutch architect René van Zuuk, and was opened in 2003.
The building is a striking, four-story structure made of glass, steel, and concrete, with a distinctive curved shape that stands out in the surrounding urban landscape.
5. The Whale
© Andrea de Poda, via Wikimedia Commons
‘The Whale’, is a residential block on Borneo/Sporenburg in Amsterdam designed by De Architekten Cie, and was completed in 2003. By raising the building on two sides, the lower floors string sun and views under the building. These diagonal lines create a playful effect that is popular with photographers and architecture enthusiasts alike.
6. Amsterdam School
© Janeri Cloebe, via Wikimedia Commons
The Amsterdam School is a unique architectural style that emerged in the Netherlands in the early 20th century, specifically in Amsterdam, and was active between 1910 and 1930. It is characterized by its expressive and sculptural forms, the use of unconventional materials, and a strong emphasis on the decorative and ornamental. Look out for great examples of this style such as De Dageraad, Jeruzalem Church, Het Schip, and Het Sieraad. while walking around the city.
7. Stadsarchief De Bazel
© Amsterdam Municipal Department for the Preservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings and Sites (bMA), Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons
This iconic building was designed by architect Karel Petrus Cornelis de Bazel in the early 20th century and has become a prominent feature of the city's architectural landscape.
The building was originally constructed as the head office of the Nederlandsche Handel-Maatschappij (NHM), a major Dutch trading company, and was completed in 1926. The architecture of Stadsarchief De Bazel is characterized by a combination of Art Deco and Amsterdam School styles, which were popular in the Netherlands during the interwar period.
Address: Vijzelstraat 32, 1017 HL Amsterdam
8. Silodam
© FaceMePLS, via Wikimedia Commons
Gett off well-trodden paths and explore the outskirts of Amsterdam with the Silodam. Designed by Dutch architect MVRDV, the building is a prominent example of contemporary architecture in the city completed in 2002. The building is characterized by its unique design, which combines a variety of materials and forms to create a striking and innovative structure.
The facade is made up of a combination of glass, steel, and brick, which gives the building a dynamic and modern appearance. The building's most notable feature is its many balconies and terraces, which provide residents with sweeping views of the river and the surrounding area.
Address: Silodam 351, 1013 AW Amsterdam
9. Stedelijk Museum
© TxllxT, via Wikimedia Commons
The new wing of the Stedelijk Museum, which was added in 2012, is certainly a departure from the original building's 19th-century design. Architect Benthem Crouwel was deeply influenced by the museum's former director, Willem Sandberg use of white as a neutral background for the art, and he wanted to incorporate this approach into the design of the new wing.
The museum's collection includes works by some of the most important artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Piet Mondrian, Kazimir Malevich, Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, and Jeff Koons.
Address: Museumplein 10, 1071 DJ Amsterdam
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10. EYE Film Museum
© Dennis Jarvis, via Wikimedia Commons
The EYE Film Museum Amsterdam, designed by Delugan Meissl Associated Architects holds the largest film archives in the Netherlands. The museum's striking facade is an instantly recognizable landmark on the banks of the IJ River. There’s an entrance fee for most exhibitions, but the permanent collection is free to visit.
Address: IJpromenade 1, 1031 KT Amsterdam
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