Hi all!
I'll be going to Europe for a week at the end of April. While there I plan to spend 2 days in Amsterdam. So I'm trying to decide whether to purchase a Museumkaart, Holland Pass, or I Amsterdam Pass. I definitely plan on going to visit the Mauritshuis and Delft as the reason of my trip is to see as many Vermeer artworks as possible.
~ TIA
At EUR 59,90 a Museumkaart is already the smart choice with five museums. For me the major advantage is that you get into minor (and not so minor) museums you would otherwise probably not visit. Some suggestions.
The Hermitage in Amsterdam has the wonderful semi-permanent exhibition »Look at us!«. I'd also recommend a visit to the Jewish Historical Museum, if only to admire the huge seventeenth-century so-called Portuguese Synagogue, for my still a symbol of a tolerant Republic.
On the way to The Hague or Delft take the train which goes via Haarlem. The Frans Hals and Teylers museums are both very well worth a visit. In The Hague you'll find the Haags Historical Museum at three minutes' walk from the Mauritshuis. They might have an interesting exhibition. If only for curiosity's sake have a look at the Panorama Mesdag, one of the very few panoramas left in the world.
Delft is a very nice city and indeed Vermeer's stamping ground, but as far as I know presently without any of his paintings to be seen. The Old and New Church (not with the Museumkaart) are both impressive.
You can combine a visit to Delft with Schiedam, a mere 10 minutes away. Undeservedly almost on nobody's itinerary.
I loved my visit to Delft! I took it as part of a daytrip combining the Zaanse Schans windmills, Marken, Volendam, The Hague and Delft. In Delft I toured the Delft pottery factory and had the most delicious lemon pie ever at the Willem Van Oranje Grand Café in the square. My mouth waters just thinking about it! I can't advise you on a pass, but I do wish you well on visiting some great places!
Lisa
Don't buy iAmsterdam or the Holland Pass. Consider the Museumkaart if you are visiting at least five museums. The Mauritshuis in the Hague is one of my favorite museums because it's so intimate. There are great Rembrandt and Hals paintings as well and the classic Vermeers. Also, if you love Vermeer, the Vermeer Center in Delft might be worth your while--even though it's not covered by the Museumkaart. There's detailed information on his paintings and the techniques he may have used.
We are interested in purchasing the Museumkaart once we arrive in Amsterdam, which is good for the admission to the Anne Frank house. How does that work since we also want to avoid lines by purchasing tickets for Anne Frank house in advance on line.
@klabunde Between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., you can only see the Anne Frank House if you've made a reservation in advance. These advance reservations are very hard to get. Exactly two months prior to the date of your visit, you need to go to their website. The tickets are released between 8 and 10 a.m. Amsterdam time, plan ahead for your time zone. It is possible to reserve a spot for a Museumkaart holder--even though you don't have your pass yet. Just scroll down through the options until you see the Museumkaart option. It will only cost you 50 cents to make your reservation. When you get to Amsterdam, do not buy your Museumkaart at Anne Frank House. Buy it at another site prior to your visit--preferably a place that's not busy such as the Royal Palace or the New Church on Dam Square.
If all the tickets are sold out for the dates you will be in Amsterdam, buy your pass in advance and try to go to the museum late in the day--say 7 p.m. Usually there isn't much of a line at that time and in summer the museum stays open until 10 p.m. Good luck and you'll love Amsterdam.
