Let Me Show You Around Madurodam

Experience The Real Holland, But Smaller

If you are in Holland and you think of spending a nice day outdoor with a family,  kids or friends, Madurodam would be a great idea! Located in the Scheveningen district of the Hague, it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country. It is also a perfect place for those who have not managed to see much in Holland (apart from Amsterdam) and they are interested in Dutch architecture, history and landmarks.

The whole country in one place – how innovative!

Train station in Hague
The train station in Hague

About Madurodam

Madurodam is a very unique open-air theme park, a mini-city on a 1;25 scale. Here, you will be able to experience the authentic and rich history of the country through amazing scale models – from Dutch bridges, windmills, major landmarks and canals from all around the Netherlands.

The entrance to Madurodam, Holland
The entrance to Madurodam

The best time to visit Madurodam is definitely summer (remember it’s an open-air place) so you can enjoy the sun while doing your walk through the Land of Tulips and Windmills. I was lucky that day as it was warm and nice outside and it rained a lot the following day, so my advice is to check the weather forecast before you plan to go there.

A girl in Madurodam
Me exploring Madurodam. Looks at these little Dutch houses behind me!

The whole walk though the theme park took me 3 hours, but you can do it either longer or shorter depending on what you  want to do and see. I watched every single video related to the history and culture of Holland and often stopped to take some photos.

See also  Postcards From Rotterdam

You can get a free map of Madurodam at the entrance so you can plan your walk carefully.

A girl is checking a map of Madurodam
Getting familiar with a map of Madurodam

Madurodam was created 61 years ago (first opened in 1952) and since that day more than 10 millions of people have visited it.

Mini windmills in Madurodam
Mini windmills and ship

Parents with kids can have a lot of fun there.  They can load and unload ships in the Port of Rotterdam or operate a scale model of the Oosterscheldekering storm surge barrier.

Miniature buildings in Madurodam
Miniature buildings

Madurodam is also a very educational place as you can experience the stories behind many buildings in the Netherlands. There are plenty of interactive screens on which (after swapping the card you are given at the front door) you can watch short movies explaining some stories about other highlights of Dutch history and culture.

Miniature cathedral in Madurodam
Miniature churches and cathedrals – all you can find here

Madurodam is divided into three theme areas:

  • WaterRijk (water as friend and foe)
  • StedenRijk (old town centre)
  • VindingRijk (The Netherlands as a source of inspiration for the world)
Miniature people and cars in MAdurodam
Miniature people and cards

In my opinion, the globe-shaped Wereldkijker was the most interesting area. I could see what the Dutch have accomplished in the world and experienced what makes a small country so big.

Mini dutch houses in Madurodam
Dutch architecture

There is also a huge playground where kids can have fun and mini park where you can have a snack or a picnic if you bring your own food.

Madurodam
Madurodam
Inside Madurodam
Inside Madurodam
Madurodam
Inside Madurodam

How to Get to Madurodam

  •  Madurodam is located within the Hague (between Central Hague and Scheveningen  you can easily get to it by car and park there for a fee (€ 8.50 per day)
  • From Amsterdam: you need to take a train (leaving every 15 minutes) from Central Amsterdam to Den Haag HS (return train ticket costs €21,70) and you will get there within 1 hour
  • When you get to the train station in Haag, you need to take Tram 9 to Madurodam which stops in front of entrance, about 20 minutes (one way tram ticket costs €3 )
  • You can also walk there (takes about 1 hour) or you can have a stroll on the way back (as I did) visiting the city center of Hague which is lovely in summer
Miniature trees, boats and houses in Madurodam
Miniature trees, boats and houses
Inside Madurodam
Inside Madurodam

Expenses

  • Entrance ticket to Madurodam costs €15
  • Tram tickets to get there €6
  • No food expenses if you pack your own food (recommended fruits, nuts, chopped veggies and water)
  • There is also a shop with some souvenirs for tourists (high prices) so don’t go overboard with buying way too much stuff
  • The train from Amsterdam to Hague €21,70
  • In total: €42.70 
Church in Madurodam
Inside Madurodam
Miniature Amsterdam and Dam Square in Madurodam
Here it is – miniature Amsterdam and its famous Dam Square
Madurodam
Inside Madurodam
a huge Dutch windmill in Madurodam
My favourite photo – a huge Dutch windmill

Additional info

  • No pets allowed
  • Madurodam is daily open from 9:00 – 19:00
  • The ticket office closes at 18:00
  • If you buy your ticket online you can save €1
  • The official website of Madurodam (in English)
Miniature stadium in Madurodam
Miniature stadium in Madurodam
Madurodam
Inside Madurodam
Typical Dutch houses in Madurodam
Typical Dutch houses
Lovely Garden in Madurodam
Lovely garden
Inside Madurodam
Inside Madurodam

If you were ever thinking how one might be able to see an entire country in one day, this is it! You will definitely have a lovely afternoon discovering what Holland has to offer to its visitors, from amazing harbor, huge windmills, local trains and airports.

Miniature Schiphol Airport in Madurodam
Miniature Schiphol Airport

I spent a nice day there and I have definitely learnt a lot about Dutch history and culture while relaxing and chilling in the sun. Madurodam made me realize how beautiful, diverse and small Holland is and how charming it can be.

The view of Madurodam
The view of Madurodam

Surprisingly, there were not many foreigners at that day. Instead, I saw plenty of Dutch families with their kids strolling around the park, taking photos and playing games together. They all smiled to me and waved!

The view of Madurodam
The view of Madurodam

If Madurodam Is Not Enough, Go Explore Hague

If you still have some time left, you can go to the city center of Hague, sit down in one of the parks and admire its beauty.

Hague city
Hague

If you look at the list of must-see attractions in Hague, you will get a headache as this city has so much to offer – from The Municipal Museum, The Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis to Noordeinde Palace. It is one or two day walk to see it all, so I only passed by the city center to grab some waffles on my way to the train station (no budget travel tips on Hague this one).

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Have you ever visited Madurodam? How did you enjoy your walk through miniature Holland?

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Agness Walewinder
Agness Walewinder
Travel freak, vagabond, photography passionate, blogger, life enthusiast, backpacker, adventure hunter and endless energy couchsurfer living by the rule "Pack lite, travel far and live long!"
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