Netherlands Open Air Museum
Arnhem, Netherlands
Farmhouses, windmills and workshops moved here from all over the country, spread through woodland on the edge of Arnhem. Allow half a day.
The Netherlands Open Air Museum (Nederlands Openluchtmuseum) lies on the edge of Arnhem in Gelderland. On about 44 hectares it shows historic houses, farms and factory buildings from different parts of the country; Wikipedia counts around forty buildings, Atlas Obscura more than a hundred, so the figure evidently depends on what is included. Frederic Adolph Hoefer proposed the museum in April 1912, inspired by Scandinavian examples, and it opened to the public on 13 July 1918.
The focus is on everyday life before industrialisation: how did people live, work and dress? You can see a row of houses showing life in the 1860s, 1910s, 1950s and 1970s, demonstrations of paper-making, linseed processing, beer brewing and cheese-making, and a collection of historic clothing.
A heritage tram has run along a line of about 1.75 kilometres since 1996. In 2005 the museum won the European Museum of the Year Award. Please check opening hours and programme in advance.
- Nearest town
- Arnhem, Netherlands
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 52.0105, 5.9075
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Netherlands: No motorway tolls for cars. 100 km/h on motorways between 6:00 and 19:00.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- WarnsbornCampsite3 km from Netherlands Open Air MuseumTentsCaravansElectricityShowersWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Arnhem Vakantiepark OostappenCampsite4 km from Netherlands Open Air MuseumTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Oosterbeeks RijnoeverCampsite6 km from Netherlands Open Air Museum · 25 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Camping LindenhofCampsite7 km from Netherlands Open Air MuseumTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Camperpark - Jachthaven 't EilandMotorhome stopover10 km from Netherlands Open Air Museum · 44 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Natuurkampeerterrein QuadenoordCampsite12 km from Netherlands Open Air MuseumTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Netherlands · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Netherlands Open Air Museum?
Netherlands Open Air Museum is in Arnhem, Netherlands, at GPS 52.0105, 5.9075. It is about 12 km from Hoenderloo.
Can you camp near Netherlands Open Air Museum?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Warnsborn, about 3 km away; within 25 km there are 169 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Netherlands Open Air Museum?
Netherlands Open Air Museum is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Hoge Veluwe and the Hanseatic IJssel.
What is there to see near Netherlands Open Air Museum?
Places worth a stop nearby: Posbank (8 km), Kröller-Müller Museum (11 km), Paleis Het Loo (25 km) and Dom Tower (54 km).
When is the best time to visit Netherlands Open Air Museum?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)