The Reopened ARTIS Aquarium

The ARTIS-Aquarium is among the oldest and most celebrated public aquariums in the world. Following an exhaustive and technically complex five-year restoration, this historic Amsterdam crown jewel reopened its monumental doors on June 13, 2026.

Originally opened in 1882 and designed by master architects Gerlof and Abraham Salm, the Aquarium underwent the most extensive structural restoration in ARTIS’s two-century history. Hundreds of new foundation piles were driven beneath the monument, 19th-century cast-iron columns and decorative masonry were restored, and a closed circular water treatment system was engineered beneath the floors.

The renewed Aquarium centers around one overarching narrative: water as the source and connector of all life on Earth. Visitors walk through immersive dry and wet experiential zones that illustrate how a single droplet links high mountain streams, urban canals, deep ocean trenches, and human communities.

Tickets & Admission: 100% Included with ARTIS Day Tickets

Planning your visit is straightforward: the Aquarium does not require a separate ticket or surcharge. Full access is included with every standard ARTIS Royal Zoo day ticket.

[!TIP] Book Online to Save Time and Money: Purchasing your admission online saves approximately €3 per person compared to walk-up gate rates and lets you scan directly through the automated barcode turnstiles.

The Iconic Amsterdam Canal Aquarium

One of the most beloved and celebrated exhibits at ARTIS has returned: the Amsterdam Canal Aquarium (Grachtenaquarium). This basin offers a captivating window into the aquatic world thriving just steps outside the park in Amsterdam’s historic waterways.

• Native Urban Wildlife: Spot pikes, perches, bream, carp, and European eels swimming between freshwater flora.
• Authentic Canal Bottom Realism: Resting at the bottom of the tank are submerged, algae-covered bicycles and historic railings, demonstrating how urban objects become unexpected habitats and shelters for small fish and water beetles.
• Water Quality Storytelling: Interactive displays showcase how Amsterdam transformed its canal water quality from stagnant industrial runoff in the 19th century into the clean, living waterways of today.

Tropical Coral Reef & The Power of the Ocean

Transitioning from Amsterdam’s freshwaters, visitors are immersed in the brilliant colors of the ocean. The Tropical Coral Reef Hall is a thriving, living marine ecosystem.

• Live Coral Cultivation: ARTIS has cultivated coral colonies for decades. The restored reef tank features stony and soft corals thriving under custom spectrum-tuned lighting that replicates equatorial sunshine.
• Marine Diversity: Watch clownfish, surgeonfish, butterflyfish, and invertebrates like sea urchins and anemones interact across dynamic coral formations.
• Conservation Science: Discover how zoological institutions collaborate globally on coral gene banks to restore threatened barrier reefs in the wild.

An 1882 Masterpiece by Gerlof Salm

Beyond its biological treasures, the Aquarium is recognized as one of the Netherlands’ prime National Heritage Monuments (Rijksmonument):

• The Grand Hall: The monumental central atrium with its double staircases, high ceilings, and graceful cast-iron pillars reflects the elegance of the 19th century.
• Exposed Structural Arches: Robust masonry arches and foundation pillars were engineered in 1882 to support almost one million liters of water without modern reinforced concrete.
• Restored Natural Skylights: The restoration brought back Salm’s original lighting philosophy, opening historic ceiling lanterns to filter soft daylight down into the central visitor halls.

Water & Sustainability: Circular Engineering

Beneath the historic floor tiles lies a state-of-the-art technological achievement: a completely circular biological filtration plant.

1. Water Conservation: Over 95% of all water across the freshwater and marine habitats is continuously filtered, purified, and recirculated on site.
2. Heat Recovery: Thermal energy generated by cooling pumps is captured to warm tropical exhibits, cutting carbon emissions dramatically.
3. Zero-Waste Marine Salinity: Seawater is mixed on site with specialized mineral blends, avoiding fossil-fuel-intensive bulk seawater transportation.

Practical Visitor Tips for the Aquarium

• Optimal Visiting Times: The quietest hours inside the Aquarium are right after opening (09:00 to 10:30) and in the late afternoon (after 16:00).
• All-Weather Highlight: Because the Aquarium is fully indoor and heated, it provides an ideal shelter during rainy or chilly Amsterdam days.
• Photography Etiquette: Non-flash photography and filming are welcome. Always ensure your camera flash is disabled to safeguard fish and nocturnal creatures.
• Accessibility: Fully accessible for motorized wheelchairs, manual chairs, and strollers with modern elevator access to all levels.

Getting Here & Location in the Park

The Aquarium is located in the northeastern quadrant of the ARTIS estate, next to the Savannah and the Groote Museum.

• Public Transit: Tram 14 from Amsterdam Central Station stops directly in front of the zoo entrance (ARTIS stop). Alternatively, Metro lines 51, 53, and 54 stop at Waterlooplein or Weesperplein, a pleasant 10-minute stroll away.
• Cycling: Ample bicycle parking racks are situated directly across from the main entrance gates on Plantage Kerklaan.
• Address: Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, 1018 CZ Amsterdam.