Navigate by the Stars - National Maritime Museum
Discover how seafarers once found their way, from sun and stars to astrolabes and compasses. A journey through art, science, and adventure.
How do you find your way when there’s nothing but sea, sky, and stars?
In Navigate by the Stars, you’ll discover how sailors managed to stay on course for centuries without GPS, radar, or digital maps. Using the sun, moon, and stars, and clever instruments like astrolabes, compasses, and sextants, they navigated across unknown oceans.
This exhibition at The National Maritime Museum takes you on a journey past centuries-old navigation tools and stories of discovery, science, and daring. You'll see how inventive people were, how knowledge evolved, and how navigation made the difference between getting lost—and coming home.
A fascinating journey where science meets imagination. For curious children, families, and anyone who enjoys drifting between sky and sea.
An admission ticket grants full access to the museum, including Diver Doris, The Whale Story, and a visit aboard the VOC ship Amsterdam.
This is an estimated duration.
All exhibitions and facilities inside the museum are accessible by lift.
If you are visiting with a companion, this companion may enter the museum free of charge.
They must, however, reserve a (free) online ticket for the correct day.
Mobility scooters are not allowed due to collection safety.
You may borrow a wheelchair.
You can reserve one before your visit by calling 020 523 22 22 or emailing info@hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl.
Seating & museum stools
Benches are placed throughout the museum if you need to rest.
Museum stools are also available to borrow at the entrance of the Republic at Sea exhibition and on the east side of the ground floor.
You or your companion may take a stool and bring it to any exhibition.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome in the museum.
museum | Monday–Sunday | 10:00–17:00
museum shop | Monday–Sunday | 10:00–17:00
library | Monday–Friday | 10:00–17:00