the worldwide culture of pipe smoking

The wondrous design of smoking pipes

The world's largest collection of smoking paraphernalia, housed in a canal house dating from 1670. In this welcoming museum, every visitor receives a personal welcome and a tailored tour.

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Now Now closed · open Mon–Sat 12–18 Mon–Sat 12–18 · Sunday closed Holidays & special hours →

Entrance € 15 · youth € 7.50 Up to age 6 – free Museumkaart – free (supplement) IAmsterdam City Card – (supplement) Buy tickets →

Address Prinsengracht 488 1017 KH Amsterdam Plan your route →

Contact 020 – 42 11 779 All contact details →

Accessibility A historic canal house with steep stairs and no lift — unfortunately not wheelchair accessible. More info

The museum

An modest canal house, an unexpected treasure

The historic interior of the building, dating back to 1670, provides the setting for a private collector's collection. Managed by a foundation since 1989, it is an Accredited Museum.
Step inside and marvel at the shapes, materials, and artistry of pipes from every continent. They reflect society, embodying status, symbolism, and tradition.

Our history Collectors and their passion

Film — the collector takes you through the house and a few of its most remarkable pieces.

Not to be missed

No world-famous masterpieces — but objects you won't find in any other museum.

Long before tobacco reached Europe, people already smoked. This early pipe shows how old the ritual is, and where the collection's history begins. Read more

550 BC The oldest pipe in the world Over two thousand years old, and the starting point of everything that came after.

Twenty clay pipes, each a metre long, braided together by hand. A feat of craftsmanship, made to show what is possible with clay. Read more

1897 Twenty braided clay pipes A work of art of twenty intertwined pipes, each one metre long.

An ingenious meerschaum showpiece pipe: as soon as it is smoked, smoke rises from the seven little silver cannons on the lid. Read more

Meerschaum Pipe with seven cannons A lid with seven silver cannons that steam as soon as you smoke the pipe.

In China, opium was smoked lying down, with long pipes like this one. The ivory and fine finish reveal that this piece was made for a wealthy smoker. Read more

China Ivory opium pipe From Chinese opium culture — far beyond the European tobacco tradition.

Object of the month

Chic packaged pipe stopper

Each month the curator highlights one piece from the collection: its origin, its maker and the customs it sprang from.

View object Archive

Gold pipes on a chain

Acquisitions, research and news from the museum.

View message News archive

The collection online

Search thousands of objects

Browse the collection Documentation Sub-collections Highlights Library

Shop & webshop Take the museum home with you Visit the museum shop on site, with pipes, books and gifts, plus service and repairs. Or order online. Every purchase supports the museum.

To the webshop About the shop

What visitors say

4.6 Tripadvisor 4.5 Google

★★★★★ “A wonderful, relaxing and very knowledgeable guide.” Tripadvisor

★★★★★ “We thoroughly enjoyed visiting this truly beautiful museum. The owners showed us around with great enthusiasm and answered all our questions.” Google

Support us

This museum receives no subsidy

Not from the state, not from the city. The museum exists thanks to visitors and private gifts and is run by volunteers. As a cultural ANBI, your gift is tax-deductible: 125% for individuals, 150% for companies.

Donate an object Stichting Pijpenkabinet · NL07 INGB 0003 1040 88 · RSIN 088.81.376