The Upside Down
Europaboulevard 5, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1079 PC
Trippy and surreal though it might be, Amsterdam’s The Upside Down is not a Stranger Things tribute act. Instead, it’s one of Europe’s largest social media extravaganzas, serving up world-class selfie fodder across 25 separate rooms. You can capture the Insta-magic in a pink private jet, a super-sexy ball pit, a Mondrian-inspired room, an upside-down throne room, and more.
The basics
Tickets for The Upside Down are only available online, and they’re precision timed to within 15 minutes—although once you’re in, there’s no limit on how long you snap and frolic. As the museum’s name would suggest, many rooms are designed upside down, making it look as though you’re suspended from the ceiling when you stand up. The private jet and the “Pool”—which features more than 80,000 transparent balls and 2 miles (3 kilometers) of LED lighting—are the right way up, however, and feel hyper-real as a result.
Things to know before you go
The Upside Down is fun for both families and social media mavens, with discounts for kids—although families may want to avoid Friday and Saturday afternoons and evenings, when DJs and cocktails abound.
Don’t bother bringing multiple outfits and a makeup bag: You’re only allowed to bring your phone and/or camera into the space, although there are lockers for smaller bags and own-risk storage for large luggage.
Befitting its high-tech environment, The Upside Down is a cash-free zone. Bring a card that won’t hit you with heavy conversion charges.
The Upside Down has an elevator and basement parking; most rooms are wheelchair- and stroller-friendly.
How to get there
The Upside Down sits near the Europaplein square in Amsterdam South, about 2 miles (3 kilometers) south of the Canal Ring. It’s close to both the Amsterdam RAI train station, which connects to Amsterdam Central Station and Schiphol Airport, and the Europaplein metro station (North-South Line).
When to get there
The Upside Down’s default opening hours are 9:30am–7pm Sunday through Thursday and 9:30am–8pm on Friday and Saturday, though hours may vary during the holidays. DJs and cocktails get the party spirit flowing starting at 2pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are timed so there’s never too much of a crush—but if solitude is key to your shots, plan to visit at 9:30am or 9:45am, when fewer slots are sold.
Where to up your selfie game in Amsterdam
If The Upside Down hasn’t quenched your selfie lust, Amsterdam offers a wealth of options to pack your camera roll with enviable content. WONDR Experience is all about the candy themes and pastel hues, from confetti showers to a marshmallow bath and a bouncy castle. Amaze Amsterdam delivers a psychedelic audiovisual maelstrom of lasers, lights, and smoke effects, all washed down with 11D sound. Or head to Nxt Museum for weird, wonderful, and futuristic digital artworks, including video on a truly epic scale.
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