Things to do · Amsterdam
Heineken Experience tickets: how to choose
The smell of malt still clings to the walls. The copper kettles gleam in the brewhouse, and in the stables stand the big brewery horses that once pulled the beer wagons through the city.
In short: the Heineken Experience
The Heineken Experience fills the old brewery on the Stadhouderskade, on the edge of De Pijp. You make your own way through the history, the brewing process and a few interactive rooms, and finish with a beer at the bar. It is more entertainment than serious tasting, but most people leave happy. Book ahead to skip the queue.
How to choose a ticket
Most visitors: a standard ticket, ideally with rooftop access.
Beer lovers: the VIP tour, with a guide and a tasting in a smaller group.
Short stay: a combo with a one-hour canal cruise, so the canals come thrown in.
Three ways to do the Heineken Experience
Choose by how much time you have, and how much you care about beer.
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Good to know
Getting there
Tram to Stadhouderskade, or metro to De Pijp. From the Rijksmuseum it is under ten minutes on foot.
Age
You must be 18 to be served beer. Check the terms if you are bringing children.
Time
Allow an hour and a half, a little more with the rooftop.
Best time
A weekday morning. Afternoons and weekends are busy.
Afterwards
Walk on to the Albert Cuyp market and the cafés of De Pijp, a couple of blocks away.
How Picolo chooses
Our editors pick every hotel and experience themselves, and most of them we have tried. Nobody can pay to be included or ranked higher. When you book through our links, Picolo earns a small commission. It never changes the price you pay, and it never decides what we write.
Stay in De Pijp
De Pijp
Sir Albert Hotel
- Close to the brewery
A former diamond factory in De Pijp, with tall windows and plenty of light. The brewery and the Albert Cuyp market are a few minutes away.
Best for: For the neighbourhood
Museumplein
Conservatorium Hotel
- Museums on the doorstep
A former music conservatory built around a bright glass-roofed courtyard. Museumplein is on the doorstep and the brewery a short walk away.
Best for: For a treat
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More things to do in Amsterdam
Heineken Experience: frequently asked questions
Is the Heineken Experience worth it?
Yes, if you treat it as entertainment in a historic brewery. If you want serious tasting, one of the city's small breweries or the VIP tour will suit you better.
Is beer still brewed at the Heineken Experience?
No, production moved out many years ago. The building is now a museum and visitor attraction, but the kettles and the stables have been kept.
How long does the Heineken Experience take?
Around an hour and a half. With the rooftop and an extra beer it soon becomes two.
Can children visit the Heineken Experience?
Children can come with an adult but will not be served beer. Check the terms for the ticket you choose.
Do I need to book the Heineken Experience in advance?
It is worth it. Tickets are sold with a time slot, and the queue at the door can be long at weekends.
Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles