National Museum of Antiquities

National Museum of Antiquities at a glance

The Dutch National Museum of Antiquities is the national archaeology museum. Its Rapenburg galleries cover Egypt and Nubia, the ancient Middle East, Greece, Etruria, Rome and Dutch archaeology from prehistory to the Middle Ages. The complete Temple of Taffeh is the best-known object.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially for visitors interested in Egypt, archaeology and classical antiquity. The collection is stronger than that of an average museum and adult admission is modest. Expect a relatively traditional museum with many original objects, display cases and texts rather than constant hands-on interaction.

Temple of Taffeh

The two-thousand-year-old temple was divided into 657 sandstone blocks in Egypt and rebuilt in Leiden. Egypt presented it to the Netherlands in recognition of Dutch help saving Nubian monuments. It stands in the freely accessible Temple Hall and is used for a permanent light show.

Egypt and Nubia

More than 1,400 objects form the permanent Egyptian exhibition. The museum describes its collection as one of the world’s ten most important Egyptian collections. Coffins, human and animal mummies, statues, reliefs, jewellery, papyri and Maya and Merit make this the museum’s strongest section.

Other permanent collections

The Classical World covers Greeks, Romans and Etruscans. The Ancient Middle East spans thousands of years. Archaeology of the Netherlands follows roughly 300,000 years of Dutch history, from prehistoric tools and the Ommerschans sword to Roman finds and medieval jewellery.

Current exhibitions

On 6 August 2026, exhibitions included Galleria through 1 November 2026, Monsters and mythical creatures through 27 June 2027, Contrarian through 23 August 2026, The beauty of letters through 27 September 2026 and Pewter through 31 December 2027. Temporary exhibitions are normally included in admission.

Families and children

Admission is free through age eighteen. Children’s audio tours, trails and holiday activities are available. The temple, mummies and Monsters exhibition work particularly well from about age seven or eight. For younger children, focus on one or two sections rather than the entire object-heavy museum.

Prices and opening hours

Adults pay €14 including an audio tour. Admission is free through age eighteen, for vocational and university students and several pass holders. CJP 18+ and groups of ten or more pay €10. The museum opens daily from 10:00 to 17:00 and again every Thursday from 19:00 to 22:00.

Time needed

Allow two to three hours. A focused visit covering the temple, Egypt and Classical World takes about ninety minutes. Add a temporary exhibition, audio tour and café for a half-day visit.

Accessibility

The museum is wheelchair accessible and provides five loan wheelchairs, portable seats, lifts and gender-neutral toilets. Assistance dogs are welcome. Mobility scooters cannot be accommodated; visitors must transfer to a loan wheelchair with a companion, who receives free admission.

Getting there

Leiden Central is about a ten-minute walk away. There is no regular museum parking. Use Haagweg parking with its free shuttle or a city-centre garage. Central street parking often requires a €30 day ticket.

Visitor reviews and strict score

The combined visitor rating is 4.5/5 from 6,747 ratings. Google determines almost the entire average. Our strict score is 8.5/10. The collection is exceptional, but traditional presentation, limited interaction, parking and the mobility-scooter restriction prevent a higher score. The expected 50/50 score is 8.8/10.