In this guest post Tiffany Jansen, an American ex-pat living in the Netherlands, author of Clogs and Tulips, passes on her Europe travel tip about the Dutch Museumkaart.

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam by jan.tito

Whether you’re living in the Netherlands, or just dropping by for a visit, consider a Museumkaart as your key to unlocking the Netherlands. For just €35 (€17.50 for students) and a €4.95 one-time administration fee, this card is your ticket to discovering the rich history, culture, and sites that the Netherlands has to offer. Good for one full year, this card allows heavily discounted and often free access into some 400 of the castles and museums located throughout the country. As the website is completely in Dutch, here’s what you need to know to get your hands on one of these treasures.

• You can purchase a Museumkaart online at the official website or at any one of the 135 locations listed on the site. These locations can be browsed by city, postcode, province, or the whole of the Netherlands.
• Cards must be purchased individually. Each card is personalized, meaning that only the cardholder can use the Museumkaart for entry into the chosen museum or castle. As of now, there are no partner or family deals.
• The card can be used immediately after purchase and is good for one year.
• Prices are €35 for adults and €17.50 for youth up to age 24. You will also be charged a €4.95 one-time administration fee.

A Breakdown of the website:

On the Museumkaart website you can find a wealth of information. The only set-back is that the website is all in Dutch. Browse the website to find special offers for cardholders listed by museum and answers to frequently asked questions. There is also an option for checking the expiration date on your card – just enter your card number and postcode. Another great offer is the E-Magazine which is free to all cardholders and includes articles, special offers and discounts in participating museum stores, exclusive evening events, and tour information.

Each participating museum and castle also has its own page on the website. These pages include such information as opening and closing times, entry prices, ratings, location, facilities and provisions, current expositions, and a list of other museums in the vicinity. Separate pages for each city containing participating museums are another feature of the website, and display a map of the city and museums in that city by topic (Natural History, Art, Archaeology, History, Photography, etc).