– This post was written by Mick Murray –
Tiqets’ annual tourism awards series, the Remarkable Venue Awards, shines a spotlight on museums and attractions that are moving the industry forward and providing incredible visitor experiences – based on reviews by over 850,000 customers as well as expert judges including Barbera Bosma from National Geographic Traveler and Anouk van Eekelen from the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions. Read on to find out more about this year’s winners across five different categories, and what makes these venues truly remarkable.
Most Remarkable Venue: Van Gogh Museum
“Amazing museum, I love how the exhibition is structured according to the timeline of his life!”
– Sarah, The Netherlands
Every year, the Most Remarkable Venue award goes to the venue that is the most popular and top-rated with visitors, based on customer reviews on Tiqets.com.
As one of the most-visited museums in the Netherlands, the Van Gogh Museum is an iconic part of Amsterdam’s famous Museumplein. It features over 200 of works by arguably the most famous Dutch artist of all time, Vincent van Gogh, displayed alongside works by his contemporaries as well as Van Gogh’s extensive series of personal letters, to give a full and fascinating overview of the troubled genius’s life.
It’s the world’s largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings and drawings, and the perfect place to see masterpieces like his Sunflowers, The Potato Eaters, Almond Blossoms and more.The museum has over 7,000 reviews on Tiqets.com, with the vast majority being a resounding five stars. Some of the most common adjectives used by visitors include “wonderful”, “excellent”, and “amazing”.
Best Museum: STRAAT Museum
“Fabulous. It is an incredibly impressive space with absolutely jaw-dropping art.”
– Johane, The Netherlands
The Best Museum award recognises the best museum or art gallery in the country, based on customer reviews on Tiqets.com.
STRAAT Museum is one of the newest and most exciting additions to Amsterdam’s museum scene, with a unique angle: this is the world’s single-biggest street art museum. Featuring incredible wall-sized works by a wide range of international and local artists, STRAAT has quickly become one of the best museums in the Netherlands for anyone with an interest in alternative art forms.
Located on the city’s NDSM wharf in a monumental building, this gigantic open-space museum is filled to the brim with incredible works of art – to the point where some of them (like the beautiful Anne Frank mural) are actually on the outside walls of the museum itself. A relatively new museum that’s continuing to evolve and develop, STRAAT has so far received unanimous praise by users on Tiqets.com for both the content of its exhibitions and the friendly, expert staff.
Best Attraction: Madurodam
“Great. Never seen something similar. I was there with my family. My son was very glad.”
– Roman, Russia
The Best Attraction award honors the best attraction, from theme parks and zoos to guided visits of cultural locations. It recognises venues that stand out for their appeal to all types of visitors.
A quick look at the reviews on Tiqets.com will show you that Madurodam is a staple for families, couples, and even solo travellers from all over the globe. This iconic miniature world lets visitors experience Dutch culture and history at a micro-level, with the nation’s top landmarks and highlights all represented on a 1:25 scale. It provides visitors with a fascinating giant’s-eye-view of all the amazing things the Netherlands has to offer.
Madurodam isn’t limited to simply walking around admiring the sights – its appeal to all different age groups and backgrounds is reflected in the diversity of activities that visitors can enjoy. A trip to Madurodam will let you witness the founding of New York (formerly known as New Amsterdam) in the 17th century, enjoy the interactive ‘Waterwolf’ attraction that lets you reclaim land from the water in true Dutch style, and much more.
Best Landmark: Het Nationale Park De Hoge Veluwe
“Beautiful nature to explore! The park had a variety of different landscapes to enjoy!“
– Mengjia, The Netherlands
The Best Landmark category recognises venues such as cathedrals, churches (or any place of worship), castles, natural landmarks, historical or iconic buildings, and observation decks. In this case, it’s rare to find a natural landmark in the Netherlands more remarkable than the Hoge Veluwe National Park.
Nature and culture blend seamlessly at this unique landmark, featuring 55 square kilometers of natural landscapes, free-roaming wildlife, and a world-class art museum. Reviews on Tiqets praise the park for its variety of stunning scenery, exceptional art by the likes of Picasso, Monet, and Van Gogh at the Kröller-Müller Museum, and excellent biking and walking trails.
Best Onsite Experience: Mauritshuis
“Great museum of Dutch painters. Wonderful to learn the history of this place.”
– Cesar, United States
This category is focused on recognising the venue that offers – you guessed it – the best onsite experience. The selection for this award is based on customer reviews on Tiqets.com relating to the onsite experience, including staff interaction and information available at the venue.
Even just seeing iconic works of art like Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring and Fabritius’s The Goldfinch would lead to a world-class visit, but The Hague’s revered Mauritshuis has taken their venue to the next level. Reviews on Tiqets.com praise the museum for their innovative approach to managing visitor traffic (especially important during the last 1.5 years), the presentation of their collection, and the friendly staff.
Best Hidden Gem: STRAAT Museum
“Amazing. I wish I could live inside this museum.”
– Angela, Belgium
No, you’re not seeing double, this unique newcomer on the Amsterdam museum scene has won two prizes! As one of two application-based awards, this year’s Best Hidden Gem was chosen by a panel of industry experts and evaluated by our global judging partner, Douglas Quinby from Arival.
STRAAT recently celebrated its first anniversary, and remains a bit of a hidden treasure – though it’s quickly gaining popularity through word of mouth by excited visitors. While this magnificent new museum is still making a name for itself and introducing its unique approach to street art, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes an established part of ‘must-do’ Amsterdam itineraries for Dutch locals and international visitors alike. To discover more about STRAAT Museum and its artistic treasures, don’t miss our interview with the museum’s curator and creative director, David Roos.
Most Innovative Venue: Remastered
“A special experience. You really need to feel this for yourself. Beautifully made, as if you’ve walked into a painting that’s come to life”
– Mieke, The Netherlands
The second and final application-based award is Most Innovative Venue. This award spotlights museums and attractions that found new and original ways to appeal to customers – which is exactly what Rotterdam’s Remastered is all about. This dazzling digital art exhibition reinterprets classic paintings as immersive experiences using 60 state-of-the-art projectors and Europe’s largest indoor LED screen.
The cutting-edge technology at Remastered lets visitors immerse themselves in colourful scenes by Van Gogh, Hieronymus Bosch and Rembrandt, as well as walk through a pixel waterfall, sail through clouds, and swim with schools of digital fish. It’s a remarkably innovative experience that stimulates multiple senses, leaving visitors stunned and amazed at what they’ve just witnessed.
