Eye Film Museum for everything film related in Amsterdam
Iconic building on the River IJ
The Eye Film Museum is situated across the River IJ opposite Central Station. Just head round the back of the station and take one of the free ferries across the river. The Eye Film Museum is next to A’DAM Lookout and This is Holland is sandwiched in-between, which for the visitor means you can visit two of Amsterdam’s iconic buildings and experiences, plus a very popular attraction all in one trip.
Although a museum, Eye Film also shows modern and classic movies, has a restaurant, shop, study and various exhibitions throughout the year.
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The Eye Film Museum is just a free ferry away from Centraal Station and a great way to start or end your day in Amsterdam.
Where is the Eye Film Museum in Amsterdam
The Eye Film’s iconic building is impossible to miss. It is virtually opposite Centraal Station, from the back of which you can pick up the free ferry to Buiksloterweg. These free ferries run 24/7 and take a couple of minutes to reach the other side. Once across the River IJ, you just take a short stroll to the Film Museum or it’s next door neighbours the A’dam Lookout and This is Holland.
Visitor Address: Eye Film Museum, IJpromenade 1, 1031 KT Amsterdam
Tickets for Eye Film Museum
Tickets are purchased from the box office and via the film/exhibition sections of their website. They also have a shop which you can buy from online if you wish.
Ticket prices vary depending on what you are going to see. As there are exhibitions and box office films showing, you’ll need to book in advance, although there can be opportunity to buy upon arrival.
Film Tickets at Eye Film Museum
Standard €12.50
Reduced €10 (student, I amsterdam city card, BGL VIP Card)
Exhibition Tickets at Eye Film Museum
Standard: €15
Students: €10
Eye Society Members: €12
I Amsterdam Card / Museumkaart – FREE
As you can see, if you have an I Amsterdam Card you can visit the exhibitions for free (except the summer exhibition) and get reduced prices on cinema tickets. Learn more about the I Amsterdam City Card.
EyeFilm Museum Opening Times
As the attraction is broken into different sections, here are the opening times for each one:
Box Office
Sunday to Thursday – 10am to 10pm
Friday & Saturday – 10am till 11pm
Exhibition
Daily – 10 am to 7pm
Eye Shop
Daily 10am to 8pm
Eye Bar Restaurant
Sun – Thurs: 10am to 12am
Fri – Sat: 10am to 1am
Eye Study
Tuesday to Thursday only – 11am to 4pm
Holidays
Closed on King’s Day (27 April). Open on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Opening times vary on 31st December and 1st January.
What is at Eye Film Museum?
As its name suggests this is a museum dedicated to everything film. Here you will find historical archives and artefacts as well as a cinema playing both Dutch and foreign films. The museum plays host to the annual International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam and Eye International Conference.
Eye
The museum itself is a national museum for film that manages over 54,000 films from all genres. It is keen to represent not only the past but focus on the future too, so alongside its collection of classic, cult and blockbuster films it is also runs programmes and debates and is constantly looking at new acquisitions. If you have an interest in film then you will find something of interest here, even if you are not from the Netherlands.
Cinema
There are four screens here showing a mixture of classic, cult and modern movies. You can find out the current films showing by checking whats on at Eye.
Eye presentation
This is a permanent exhibition space on the ground floor of the building. Here you will find all sorts of technical equipment that helped create the moving image from the early days onwards. There is a magic lantern, mutoscope, various 35mm movie cameras, among many other interesting artefacts. Walking around you see the 360º space where you become surrounded by various film fragments. There are also interactive elements with film devices that you can turn on yourself. There are set photos from famous movies like Eyes Wide Shut and workshops for children if you time your visit well.
Cafe/Restaurant
This is a lovely spot to stop and take in the views. Its riverside terrace looks across to central Amsterdam, you can enjoy a meal or a pick me up coffee whilst watching the boats sail by and planning the rest of your stay.
Close to Eye Film Museum
The Film Museum is across the River IJ from Centraal Station. Once you have crossed the river you will find a few attractions are easily accessible. Next door to the Eye Film Museum is the equally iconic A’DAM Lookout. Here you’ll find some of the best views of Amsterdam and the surrounding area. There is a restaurant, bar and even an over the edge swing for those looking for something more adrenaline fuelled. These two attractions are so close to one another they are often visited in one trip. Take in the history and ground level views at Eye Film Museum then go up A’DAM Lookout Tower and get the perfect birds eye view.
In-between the Eye Film Museum and A’DAM Lookout is This is Holland. This is an interactive 5D flight experience that takes passengers on a beautiful and exhilirating journey round the rest of the Netherlands.
As the ferry crossing only takes a couple of minutes and is free, there really is no excuse not to visit these three big Amsterdam attractions during your stay.
