Tropenmuseum

Is it hot in here? Spend an Amsterdam afternoon in the tropics at the Tropics Museum

A statue in the Tropenmuseum, AmsterdamMaybe because the winters here are so cold and icy, or maybe because the Dutch Empire once had footholds in many of the world's warmest climes, Amsterdam's ethnographic museum focuses on life in the tropical corners of the globe.

The Tropenmuseum investigates the indigenous cultures of the country's former colonies in India, Indonesia, and the Caribbean.

The best exhibits are set up as typical villages you can wander through. These exhibits are so realistic that you almost wonder where all the inhabitants went.

This place may be a good bet when the kids' (or your own) interest in Dutch old masters starts flagging.

Tips

• Take a tour: Book a tour with a professional guide via our partners at Viator.com:
  • I Amsterdam Card City Pass
  • Amsterdam Canal Bus Hop-On Hop-Off (stops nearby)
    

Unless otherwise indicated, all photographs © the Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board