ARTIS-Micropia is the world’s first and only museum dedicated to microbes and micro-organisms, which actually make up two-thirds of all living matter. You can book Micropia tickets here.
Micropia opened its doors in 2014 at a cost of €10 million and is part of the Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo complex in the Plantage district of Amsterdam which now includes the Artis Groote Museum.
It is located in part of a monumental building called de Ledenlokalen (built in 1870) which is found on Artisplein, an attractive public square at Artis.
On entering the museum on the ground floor level, you take a slow lift ride up to the first floor – as you ascend look up to watch an animation about the mites living on your eyelashes and the even smaller bacteria living on those mites!
The first floor exhibition is in a darkened area and resembles a scientific laboratory with lots of microscopes and bubbling glass containers.
There are plenty of interactive displays on offer including:
• A body scanner which can show you what types of microbes live on your body.
• A Kiss-o-meter which can count the number of microbes transferred during a kiss!
• An impressive and colourful display of Petri dishes with various bacteria as well as everyday household objects and what is lurking on them – you will never think the same way about a hotel TV remote control again!
• A comprehensive collection of animal faeces and a preserved human digestion system. You will see films of different animals decomposing.
• There is a real-life working laboratory visible through a window where white-coated technicians undertake research projects and manage the exhibits.
• Various other displays and information on bacteria, viruses, fungi and algae. You are given a card on entry which you can “stamp” with microbes then check it later under a scanner.
Head back down the spiral staircase to the ground floor where there exhibition continues. A tall bank of screens show impressive images of microbes.
At the ground floor exhibit, you will learn how microbes are essential for life – how algae is used in various products from supplements to food; how microbes are used in the making of foods, biofuels and bioplastics; there are interesting displays of rotting food (and probably seen at many a student house!)
The Fungal Wall is a large artwork by Dutch artist Lizan Freijsen using woolen carpets ‘inspired by the beauty of the invisible life around us’. Finally there are glass model impressions of various viruses.
A visit to Micropia will certainly open your eyes to the hidden world of microbes. Whether you want to go immediately to lunch or dinner afterwards is another question…
ARTIS-Micropia Essential Info
Micropia Opening HoursDaily 10:00-17:00. |
ARTIS-Micropia Tickets & Admission€18.00 for adults (ages 13+), €10.50 for students, free for children 0-12, Museumkaart and I Amsterdam City Card holders. You can book Micropia tickets online here. Combined Artis+Micropia tickets are priced €38.50 for adults (13+) – book an ARTIS+Micropia combi ticket here. Alternatively, order the I Amsterdam City Card online here which includes free entrance to Micropia, Groote Museum and Artis Zoo. |
How to Get to ARTIS/MicropiaArtis/Micropia can easily be reached from the centre of Amsterdam on foot – head towards Waterlooplein and continue further east along the Plantage Middenlaan. From Amsterdam Central take tram 14 to the ARTIS stop. Metro lines 51, 53 and 54 serve Waterlooplein. |
Address / ContactMicropia, Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, 1018 CZ Amsterdam |
This article was first published in 2014. Last checked and updated 11 June 2026.
Links on AmsterdamTips.com may pay us an affiliate commission.
