Museums
Looking for a beautiful or fun museum? In and around Alkmaar you’ll find a varied selection, great for both young and old!
Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar
For art lovers, the Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar is an absolute must-see. The extensive city collection, with masterpieces from the 16th and 17th centuries, the largest collection of works by the Bergen School, and unique historical objects, brings people, art, and history together in a special way.
The museum also offers striking temporary exhibitions, highlighting regional greats and showcasing modern and contemporary art. After an inspiring tour, you can visit the museum shop for a beautiful art book or the museum café for a relaxing cup of coffee.
In the new permanent exhibition “Allemaal Alkmaar”, the centuries-old city collection is presented in full glory. Admire stunning works by 16th- and 17th-century masters such as Caesar van Everdingen and Maarten van Heemskerck. History comes alive through artworks and objects that tell different stories.
AlkmaarPas promotion: upon showing your AlkmaarPas, you get a 50% discount on an admission ticket to Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar.
Hollands Kaasmuseum
The Dutch Cheese Museum can be found in the monumental Waag building in the heart of our cheese city Alkmaar. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in the world of traditional cheesemaking and its evolution through the centuries. The museum houses an extensive collection of objects that illustrate the methods of cheesemaking – from milking cows to the full ripening process.
The history of cheese trading, with Alkmaar’s important role as a center, is also extensively covered. Paintings depict rural life and cheese trade of earlier times. The museum offers an educational and enjoyable experience for all ages, with interactive exhibitions and a scavenger hunt for children.
AlkmaarPas promotion: upon showing your AlkmaarPas, you get free entry.
Beatles Museum
For a Beatles museum outing, you don’t need to go to Liverpool: the Beatles Museum in Alkmaar, located on Pettemerstraat, is even larger than its “little brother” in England. Founded in 1981 and established in Alkmaar since 1995, this museum houses a collection of memorabilia that brings the history of the Fab Four to life. You’ll find rare records, instruments, clothing, photos, and countless other items that showcase the rise and success of the band. The museum offers a unique opportunity to dive deeper into the world of John, Paul, George, and Ringo, and to experience the impact they had on pop culture.
Biermuseum De Boom
The Beer Museum De Boom in Alkmaar offers a unique insight into the rich history of the most popular alcoholic drink in our region: beer! Located in a beautiful historic building, the museum takes visitors on a journey through the centuries, focusing on the evolution of beer and the culture surrounding it. You can discover traditional brewing processes and admire historic brewing equipment. Alongside the permanent collection, there are often temporary exhibitions highlighting specific aspects of beer history. After your visit, you can enjoy a delicious locally brewed beer in the tasting room.
Museummolen Schermerhorn
During a visit to the Museummolen in Schermerhorn, you get a glimpse into the fascinating world of Dutch polder mills. The Museummolen is one of the eleven remaining polder mills in the Schermer that drained the polder 400 years ago. You’ll learn about the technique, the daily lives of millers, and the workings of the centuries-old mechanism. You’ll also discover the crucial role these mills played in reclaiming land in the Netherlands. It’s an experience to see how wind power was transformed into water management.
The Museummolen is the middle one of three mills in a row in Schermerhorn. Together, they form a beautiful, quintessentially Dutch picture. The Museummolen is open to the public from April 1 to November 1.
AlkmaarPas promotion: upon showing your AlkmaarPas, you get 25% off the entrance fee.
Museum In 't Houten Huis
In the picturesque village of De Rijp, nestled in a beautiful building with a unique wooden structure, you’ll find Museum In ’t Houten Huis. This museum takes visitors on a captivating journey through the history of De Rijp and the Schermer Island. It reveals the stories of the inhabitants who, driven by the scarcity of peatland, braved the sea as Sontvaarders, herring fishermen, and whalers. Within its walls, the lives of shipowners, merchants, and craftsmen unfold—those who made their living from seafaring. In addition to the permanent collection, which paints a vivid picture of the past, there are thematic exhibitions highlighting specific historical figures and events. Museum In ’t Houten Huis offers a unique chance to experience the rich maritime history of this region and understand the lives of the people who shaped Schermer Island.
AlkmaarPas promotion: upon showing your AlkmaarPas, you get 25% off adult admission.
Nic Jonk Sculpture Garden
In the heart of Grootschermer, amidst the vast North Holland polder landscape, lies the enchanting Nic Jonk Sculpture Garden. This is not just a garden, but a unique fusion of nature and art, where the bronze sculptures of artist Nic Jonk blend harmoniously with the surroundings. Nic Jonk, a renowned sculptor, created a world in which his impressive and expressive sculptures come to life. The garden invites you to wander along paths that lead to hidden corners, where the artworks engage in dialogue with the light, water, and trees. The sculptures of Nic Jonk, often characterized by powerful forms and a sense of movement, seem to breathe in this natural setting. It’s a place where art and nature enhance each other, and where visitors can experience the tranquility and beauty of both.
AlkmaarPas promotion: upon showing your AlkmaarPas, you get €1 off the entrance fee.
