Why you should visit Madurodam to see Holland in miniature (2024)

January 29, 2019 by Karen Turner 1 Comment

As someone who loves living in the Netherlands, I have fallen in love with Dutch architecture and sights. I was so afraid that Madurodam would be something for children, but I was really surprised by it (in a good way). I include why you should visit Madurodam, a bit about the history of the most visited war memorial in the world, highlights of visiting Madurodam, and logistics of getting to Madurodam (including cost-cutting tips).

Why visit Madurodam

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Madurodam will make you feel like a kid again, even if you’re an adult. There’s something so delightful about wandering around the miniatures, peering down at them, and trying to take photos as if you’re in the frame. All the photos here were taken by Jacob Turner who had a blast pretending that he was at eye-level! (Definitely plan on spending at least two hours at the Madurodam to take in all the miniatures of the Netherlands.)

If you’ve traveled around a lot of the Netherlands, it’s really cool to admire the details of the miniatures as you can more easily compare what they look like in real life. I absolutely loved the miniature of the Red Light District in Amsterdam (with its own worker) and Paleis Het Loo!

You’ll find other exhibitions, including a scale where you can weigh yourself in cheese wheels, stack containers at the Rotterdam port, operate a barrier at the Oosterschelde estuary, and bid at a flower auction.

There’s also some indoor rides, including the new Waterwolf where kids will learn how the Dutch reclaimed so much land from the sea. Simply, it will be both an educational experience as well as a fun experience. 😉

History of Madurodam

The Madurodam is a strange one. Both a miniature theme park and a war memorial, however majority of the money that it earns as a theme park is actively donated to charity each year! The charity changes yearly, but you can check on the website for the recent donation!

George Maduro (its namesake) was a Dutch war hero who helped lead an attack against the Nazis within the Hague during World War II. He was captured and imprisoned prior to dying within a concentration camp. In his honor, his parents decided to build this war memorial as a way of inspiring the Dutch public at a time when the country was rebuilding itself. In 1952, the Madurodam opened with many miniatures of popular Dutch cities at a 1:25 scale.

Madurodam Tickets and Entry

Don’t worry: Madurodam is open daily although the hours fluctuate depending on the time of the year. During peak season, the complex is usually open between 9am and 8pm, however it’s generally open in the afternoons.

Entrance to the Madurodam is not included in the iAmsterdam pass, but it is included in the Holland Pass. This card allows you entrance into some of the major attractions in the Netherlands, but it’s only worthwhile if you’re visiting quite a few museums in Holland. If you’re spending several days in Amsterdam prior visiting the Hague, I usually say that the iAmsterdam card is worthwhile, but visiting family and friends generally haven’t found the Holland Pass that helpful as it’s generally cheaper to buy tickets on your own.

Children over three do not get in free and you’ll need to pay full-price for children. Admission is usually around 19.50 euros (you can save 1-2 euros by buying them in advance). That said, if you’re visiting from the US, I’d recommend buying your Madurodam tickets here in USD to get a better exchange rate. (There’s also a family package for four people where 1 person gets in free after three pay admission.)

Getting to Madurodam

The real hidden cost of Madurodam is getting there. If you’re visiting the Hague by train from Amsterdam, you can click for my guide on how to get to the Hague. That said, you’ll need to buy tickets for the tram using the machines at Den Haag Centraal (HTM Service Point) or on the tram itself using your debit card. You can also use a OVchipkaart if you have one. It’s a ten-minute ride along tram 9 towards Scheveningen.

If you’re planning on driving to Madurodam, the parking at Madurodam is obscenely expensive. Expect to pay minimum 8.50 for parking, however my insider’s tip is to park at the ParkBee on Eisenhowerlaan or Bronovolaan where you only pay € 1.50 per hour (at time of writing).

You can also cycle to Madurodam. It’s an absolutely lovely bike ride as you cut through the Scheveningse Bosjes. Be sure to stop off at Westbroekpark if it’s a nice day as it’s a great place for a picnic.

Food and other things to do near Madurodam

On a nice day, I’d recommend heading towards Denneweg for a nice meal after the Madurodam. You’ll have standard Dutch food within the cafe attached to the souvenir shop, but I’d recommend heading to Depot Podjok for a tasty Indonesian lunch at a reasonable price, Ted’s for a nice brunch in the Hague, or FOAM for a nice vegetarian-friendly lunch!

If you’re in the area, I’d recommend exploring the Archipelbuurt, one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of the Hague. This area has countless beautiful homes and I always love walking through here. If you hop back onto the tram, you can head towards the beach and the old village of Scheveningen.

Similarly, you can keep going to explore the lovely parks surrounding the Madurodam. Westbroekpark is famous for its Rosium and it’s beautiful lake where you can go rowing in summer. Otherwise, the Scheveningse Bos is always perfect for a relaxing stroll no matter the season.

Have you been to Madurodam?

• Escher in Het Paleis Museum
• Your perfect Dutch itinerary
• Things to do in the Hague
• Your one-day itinerary for the Hague
• Where to eat in the Hague
• Your guide to the government buildings of the Hague