The KattenKabinet is a cat-art museum at Herengracht 497, open Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 to 17:00. Standard adult admission is €12.50. We suggest it for guests who enjoy a focused collection and a canal-house setting, with time afterwards to explore the Herengracht.
Checked on 12 September 2026 against the museum and its ticket shop. The retained 2024 illustration shows a cycling group, not the museum interior or an included tour. Our HOSTELAMSTERDAM code applies to accommodation.
KattenKabinet tickets, opening hours and museum cards
The museum’s visitor information lists the following prices. Its usual schedule is Tuesday–Sunday, 12:00–17:00; Monday is not a regular opening day. Check for exceptions before travelling.
| Ticket or card | Listed admission |
|---|---|
| Adult | €12.50 |
| Student or school pupil | €7.50 |
| Senior | €7.50; confirm eligibility if unsure |
| Child under 12 | Free |
| Stadspas | €7.50 on the museum’s visitor page |
| Museumkaart / Museumjaarkaart | Not valid here |
The official ticket shop separately lists an I Amsterdam City Card ticket at €9.50. This is a paid category, not free admission. Select only a category you qualify for and check the booking conditions and proof required.
For budgeting, two standard adult tickets cost €25; an adult and an eligible student cost €20, before any other trip expenses. A reduced ticket is only useful if you meet its conditions. These figures are calculations from the listed rates, not a package offered by our hostel.
A museum created in memory of a cat
The museum’s own history identifies its founder as Bob Meijer, who established it in 1990 in memory of his ginger cat, John Pierpont Morgan. The canal house dates from 1667 and stands in the Herengracht’s Golden Bend.
The collection includes paintings, drawings, sculpture and other cat-related art, with artists including Sal Meijer, Théophile Steinlen and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The museum describes birthday gifts made for Morgan, including a portrait that placed him on a dollar-style banknote. Some gifts can be seen in his own room.
There are also living cats at the museum. We would treat seeing them as a possible part of the visit, not a guaranteed encounter with a fixed number of animals. Go for the art and the house; give any cats you meet their space.
How to get more from a small collection
Our suggestion is to choose one painting, one poster and one three-dimensional work to look at closely. Compare how the cat is used: as a companion, a character or a visual symbol. This gives the visit a focus without requiring specialist art knowledge.
Leave enough room in your afternoon to browse at your own pace. Avoid scheduling an important onward journey immediately afterwards. If a particular work is your reason for visiting, ask the museum whether it is currently on display.
For access needs, large bags or photography rules, contact info@kattenkabinet.nl or +31 20 626 9040 before booking. We have not verified a step-free route through the collection. The museum also offers an official virtual tour to help you preview the setting.
Plan the canal-belt visit from our hostel
We are at Warmoesstraat 87; the museum is at Herengracht 497, 1017 BT Amsterdam. Use live directions for your departure time rather than the old video’s 15-minute walking estimate. A useful afternoon plan is the museum first, then a canal walk, leaving an optional second attraction until you know how much time you have.
Check your ticket confirmation and keep it available for entry. Booking ahead lets you see the available visit dates, but we do not promise a museum discount for booking direct.
Book your Amsterdam stay
Compare our rooms and book with us through Cloudbeds, using HOSTELAMSTERDAM for the available accommodation offer. Review the final price and terms for your dates. This hostel code is separate from the museum’s ticket categories.
Earlier PDF and video
We have kept the original KattenKabinet PDF brochure and video. They incorrectly name the founder as William Meijer and mention unverified museum collaborations, interactive exhibitions, five resident cats, extended weekend hours and direct-ticket discounts. Use the corrected history, current hours and ticket information above; those earlier claims are not promises for your visit.