Known for its impressive wax recreations of famous celebrities, Madame Tussauds attracts millions of tourists around the world every year. Although most people are familiar with the original London branch, not everyone is aware that there are Madame Tussauds in many cities around the globe, including Amsterdam.
So is Madame Tussauds Amsterdam worth the hype? Are the wax figures as breathtaking as in London?
This article will go through why Madame Tussauds is a must-see when going to Amsterdam. It will also explain everything you need to know before visiting the wax museum.
What is Madame Tussauds?
Madame Tussauds is a chain of wax museums that show lifelike waxworks of famous celebrities. There are museums in dozens of cities around the world, including London, Amsterdam, Beijing, and Sydney.
A brief history of Madame Tussauds
The first Madame Tussauds was founded in 1835 in London by Marie Tussaud, a skilled French wax sculptress. She started wax modelling from a very young age, completing her first wax figure at the age of 16.
For years, Marie Tussaud travelled around Europe, displaying her amazing wax collection. She had inherited many sculptures from Philippe Curtius, a master wax sculptor who took Tussaud as an apprentice at a young age.
During the Napoleonic Wars, Tussaud was exiled from France and came to London to pursue her career. She settled down in Baker Street where she opened her museum.
Madame Tussauds Amsterdam
In 1970, Madame Tussauds opened in Amsterdam. It was the first branch that opened outside the UK.
The Amsterdam branch is housed in a building that is considered a rjiksmonument, a Dutch cultural heritage site.
Who is displayed at Madame Tussauds Amsterdam?
Like any Madame Tussauds, the Amsterdam branch has a wide selection of wax figures. These include:
- Members of the Dutch Royal Family like William of Orange, the queen consort Máxima, or the current king Willem-Alexander.
- World leaders like Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Barack Obama, or the Dalai Lama.
- Famous actors and actresses like Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, Brad Pitt, or Angelina Jolie.
- Famous musicians like Bob Marley, Britney Spears, Beyoncé, or Michael Jackson.
- Famous painters like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, or Vincent van Gogh.
- Famous athletes like Lionel Messi or David Beckham.
- Marvel superheroes including the Avengers and Spider-Man.
Are all wax figures always on display?
Usually, all wax figures will be on display at Madame Tussauds Amsterdam. However, the museum does maintenance on the figures from time to time, so some of them may be unavailable when you visit.
You can contact the museum directly to ask whether your favourite celebrity will be on display.
Am I allowed to touch the figures at Madame Tussauds Amsterdam?
Madame Tussauds Amsterdam makes more than just lifelike waxworks of celebrities, they create a one-of-a-kind interactive experience for visitors.
So yes, touching the figures is allowed, if not encouraged, at Madame Tussauds Amsterdam. The museum wants visitors to have the most interactive and immersive experience possible.
What are the opening times at Madame Tussauds Amsterdam?
Usually , Madame Tussauds Amsterdam is open from 10 am to 6 pm every day. Be sure to check opening times on the day however, as they could be subject to change.
Buying tickets to Madame Tussauds Amsterdam
Madame Tussauds Amsterdam is a very popular destination, so you should buy tickets in advance to get the best prices. You can also buy tickets at the door, but they will be more expensive and you are likely to queue for a long time.
How expensive are tickets to Madame Tussauds Amsterdam?
Online Saver Ticket
This ticket, available online from 23 € on the official Madame Tussauds Amsterdam website, can make you save up to 10%. You will get the best prices if you book at least one day in advance.
You will have to select a time for your ticket. Bear in mind that this time represents the time at which you can join the queue, not your entrance time.
The ticket is flexible, so you can reschedule free of charge.
Anytime Ticket
With the Anytime Ticket, you get all the benefits of the Online Saver Ticket AND you can arrive at the museum at any time of the day. This gives you a lot of flexibility, as you can come earlier or later if your plans change.
On the official website, Anytime Ticket prices start at 36 €.
Exclusive FAME Experience
This ticket grants you the ultimate experience at Madame Tussauds Amsterdam.
Not only will you be able to see all the waxworks, you will receive exclusive perks that will make your visit immersive and unforgettable!
Some perks include your own photographer, the cold beverage of your choice, a personalised Oscar, and much, much more. There’s lots in store that’s sure to surprise and delight you.
Another perk is that you won’t have to queue. When you arrive, you can go straight to an employee and skip the long queues!
Like the other two tickets, you can reschedule free of charge.
Bear in mind that this ticket has to be booked in advance. If you buy the ticket online, you have to do so at least 2 days before your visit. Tickets cost 75 € online, whereas they cost 99 € on the door.
Group Tickets
Tickets to Madame Tussauds are less expensive per person if you reserve as a group. The Online Saver Ticket costs 20 € per person online, for example, and can cost 26 € on the door.
School Tickets
Madame Tussauds always encourages school visits. We highly recommend that you book online, however, as tickets cost 9.5 € per person online and 26 € per person on the door.
How can I save money on tickets to Madame Tussauds Amsterdam?
As mentioned above, one of the best ways to save money on tickets is to book online in advance. The official Madame Tussauds website offers great deals, but there are also third-party websites that show the best prices for the museum.
There are also other things you can do get cheaper tickets:
Buy combi tickets
A great way to save money on tickets to Madame Tussauds Amsterdam is to book combi tickets.
A common combi ticket is the Madame Tussauds + The Amsterdam Dungeon ticket. Both located in Amsterdam’s city centre, these are two of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.
They are just a 5 minute walk away from one another, making it easy to visit both attractions in one day if you want to.
With this ticket, you have 30 days to visit both attractions. You have lots of flexibility, so there’s no pressure to cram both visits in one day if you don’t want to!
Like most online tickets to Madame Tussauds, it is recommended that you book at least one day in advance. Rescheduling is also an option.
A combi ticket can cost on average 37 € on the official Madame Tussauds website. If booked separately, the two tickets would cost at least 52 € for the same dates — that’s a 30% discount!
Another option is the Madame Tussauds + THIS IS HOLLAND ticket. THIS IS HOLLAND offers an immersive, 5D experience of Holland’s most beautiful sights.
You can expect to fly over the country, seeing the stunning landscapes the country has to offer.
This combi ticket is valid for two months. Bear in mind, however, that you need to book a slot for the THIS IS HOLLAND experience.
The combi ticket costs 37 €, whereas it would cost 52 € if the tickets were bought separately — that’s also a 30% discount.
You can also get a combi ticket for all 3 experiences. This would cost 53 € instead of 72 € — a 25% discount!
As you can see, Madame Tussauds Amsterdam is definitely worth the hype! The huge selection of celebrities on display, from world leaders to famous pop stars, makes the museum a must-see during your trip to Amsterdam.
With Trazler, you can book your trip to Amsterdam with as little hassle as possible. Our website lets you book, accommodation, travel, and car rentals all from the same place. What’s more, our website aggregates all these booking prices, so you’re sure to find the best prices on our website.
We hope you have a lovely time in Amsterdam and that you stop by Madame Tussauds Amsterdam to discover its magic!
