Artis Museum
Historic Amsterdam zoo with botanical gardens and aquarium
In Amsterdam, Artis (Natura Artis Magistra) combines a 19th-century zoo, an aquarium and a small planetarium; families and natural-history fans visit for animal enclosures, historic greenhouses and riverside paths.
Artis at a Glance#
Address: Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, 1018 CZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Website: https://www.artis.nl/
Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00am-5:00pm (closed Mondays)
Admission: General admission approx. €22 for adults (varies by exhibit); concessions available for children and seniors.
About Artis#
Artis (formally Natura Artis Magistra) is Amsterdams historic city zoo and natural history complex located in the Plantage district. The institution combines animal enclosures with a small planetarium, aquarium and landscaped botanical and historic grounds.
Exhibits and facilities include traditional animal displays, an aquarium, a planetarium offering scheduled shows and gardens with mature trees and botanical plantings. The layout is compact and integrated into the urban fabric, with 19th-century architecture and pedestrian pathways.
Artis was established in the 19th century as both a zoo and a scientific educational institution and has developed exhibitions and public programmes focused on conservation and natural history.
The zoo sits close to Amsterdams city centre in the Plantage neighbourhood, within easy walking distance of the canal belt and other central museums and cultural sites.
- Founding: Founded in 1838, the site combines a traditional city zoo with scientific and educational facilities in Amsterdams Plantage district.
What to See#
- Planetarium: A small planetarium offering scheduled shows on astronomy and the night sky, located within the zoo grounds.
- Aquarium: A public aquarium housing freshwater and marine exhibits and smaller aquatic displays near the zoos older pavilions.
- Botanical and historic grounds: Historic 19th-century zoo grounds and landscaped paths that include mature trees and a modest botanical collection.
How to Get to Artis#
Artis is a short walk from Amsterdam Centraal (about 15-20 minutes) or a 5-10 minute tram ride (Tram 9 stops nearby). The zoo is also accessible by bicycle; bike parking is available near the entrance.
Tips for Visiting Artis#
- Buy tickets online in advance to avoid weekend lines, especially for temporary exhibits.
- Combine a visit with a walk in the Hortus Botanicus or the quickly accessible Artisplein if time allows.
- The aquarium and planetarium (when open) are popular with families - plan a morning visit to avoid the afternoon rush.
Best Time to Visit Artis#
Spring and early summer are lively for both animals and visitors; weekday mornings are best to avoid crowds.
Weather & Climate near Artis#
Artis's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (864 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 74 mm | overcast | 91% | 5.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.1h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 54 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.7h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 9° | 2° | 67 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.1 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Good | 4° - 12° | 6° | 47 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Very Good | 8° - 17° | 13° | 54 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.5h |
| June | Good | 11° - 20° | 15° | 75 mm | overcast | 79% | 4.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.5h |
| July | Good | 13° - 22° | 17° | 72 mm | overcast | 79% | 4.0 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.0h |
| August | Very Good | 13° - 22° | 17° | 63 mm | overcast | 80% | 3.8 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.5h |
| September | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 86 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.0 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 14° | 11° | 91 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 4° | 96 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.7 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.6h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 7° | 1° | 85 mm | overcast | 92% | 5.0 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.5h |
