Huis Bartolotti

The basics

You can see Huis Bartolotti from the water on many Amsterdam canal cruises, but it’s worth discovering its lavish interior. The front section, commissioned around 1620, is the original merchant’s house, with the rear section dating to the mid-18th century, when a whaling magnate expanded it. Friendly staffers are happy to answer questions, and there are often fresh-baked cookies to enjoy in the kitchen.

Things to know before you go

• Huis Bartolotti is a great choice for history buffs, architecture lovers, interior design fans, and families.

• There’s ticketed entry to the house (free for visitors under 18).

• Photographers will find the exterior looks most impressive after dark, when it’s lit up.

• Huis Bartolotti is not wheelchair accessible.

How to get there

Huis Bartolotti sits on a bend in the Herengracht canal, less than a 1-mile (1.5-kilometer) walk or cycle southwest of Amsterdam Central Station. Tram options include the #5, #13, and #17 to Westermarkt, less than a 5-minute walk away, while the closest metro is Rokin (Line 52). Alternatively, you can take a taxi or rideshare, or hop on a tour.

When to get there

Huis Bartolotti is open Wednesday to Sunday. Visit on a weekday for a quieter experience, and consider booking a timed ticket in advance if coming on a Saturday or Sunday. Most visitors spend less than an hour exploring the mansion.

Amsterdam’s best canal house museums

To learn more about how Amsterdam’s one percenters lived, head to Museum Van Loon, a mansion with a garden and a coach house that was built in 1672, but decorated in high Gilded Age style. The Willet-Holthuysen House preserves another double canal house as it was in 1895, when its wealthy owner bequeathed it and her opulent collection of art and antiques to the city. For something a little more domestic, hit the Houseboat Museum, a slice of life in a traditional Amsterdam houseboat, converted from a working cargo vessel.