Amsterdam Cheese Museum, Amsterdam

Situated a short distance from the renowned Anne Frank House, this petite yet delightful museum exclusively focuses on Dutch cheese, a product with a venerable heritage extending over six centuries.

Many Dutch cheese varieties derive their names from various cities across the Netherlands, including Gouda, Edam, Leerdammer, Leyden, Maaslander, Maasdam, and Old Amsterdam. The European Community laws protect some of these cheese names, which are produced only in certain regions of the Netherlands, under a designation called Protected Geographical Status. However, most Dutch cheese names are used worldwide to specify types of cheese that are also produced elsewhere.

Upon entering the Amsterdam Cheese Museum, visitors are greeted with a shop that offers a wide variety of Dutch cheeses. On the ground floor, you can sample and taste different types of traditional Dutch Gouda cheese. Downstairs, you can also access the little Gouda cheese museum, which offers an exhibit of various educational materials such as videos, pictures, and written texts about the history and production of Dutch cheese. Additionally, the staff provides guided tours, and there is also a "photo corner" where visitors can dress up as Dutch farmers and take a picture.

As you step inside the Amsterdam Cheese Museum, you'll find yourself welcomed by a shop featuring an extensive selection of cheeses. On the main floor, visitors have the opportunity to savor and experience a range of traditional Dutch Gouda. Descending to the lower level, you'll discover a compact Gouda cheese museum, which showcases an array of educational resources, including videos, images, and written materials detailing the rich history and production of Dutch cheese. Moreover, the museum's knowledgeable staff offers guided tours, and there's even a "photo corner" where guests can don Dutch farmer attire for a memorable snapshot.