Hear the amazing story behind the “Tulipmania” boom and bust of the mid-17th century, admire tulip-themed paintings and get to know the cultivation process of this Dutch floral icon by visiting the Amsterdam Tulip Museum. A tour of the mini museum takes less than 30 minutes, but you could easily spend another half hour in the museum’s tulip and souvenir shop.
The Amsterdam Tulip Museum is located in a former residence in the Jordaan neighborhood of Amsterdam City Centre. As you approach, you’ll know where it is when you spot the flower pots filled with colorful tulips out front.
Tulip madness starts right here because even the benches in the museum are decorated with tulip motifs.
Take a seat to watch the English-narrated video about the history of the tulip and the global interest in this exotic flower. You’ll find out what caused the Dutch to go crazy for tulips in the 1630s and how the Ottomans came to grow these Himalayan flowers in Turkey.
A separate room in the basement has the Tulips Today exhibit with a video presentation that goes into the present-day tulip trade and new technology used to cultivate these blooms.
The museum also exhibits wonderful tulip photos and artworks that depict not only the flower in all its glory, but all the tulip trade across the globe.
Apart from browsing the exhibits, you can ask the expert staff everything about growing tulips and even buy tulip bulbs to grow at home. The museum shop’s shelves full of floral mugs, picture frames, ornaments and vases may prove to be irresistible for those who have contracted Tulipmania. Leaving the shop with a bag for of tulip-themed souvenirs may be the best cure of all.
The shop is free to visit and entry to the museum part of the building is included if you have purchased an I Amsterdam City Card.
The Amsterdam Tulip Museum is just blocks away from the Anne Frank House, which is close to tram and river cruise stops. To see the colorful tulip fields of the Netherlands, travel here in spring and take a trip to the nearby Keukenhof flower show.
