BODY WORLDS Amsterdam (The Happiness Project)

BODY WORLDS Amsterdam: The Happiness Project is a permanent anatomy exhibition on Damrak in central Amsterdam that uses more than 200 real plastinated human specimens to show how our bodies work and how happiness, stress and lifestyle choices affect our health, spread over seven floors a short walk from Centraal Station.

• Standard dated entrance ticket for BODY WORLDS Amsterdam: The Happiness Project, valid for one visit on a specific day and time slot.
• Self guided route over seven floors with more than 200 plastinated full body figures and organ specimens that reveal muscles, blood vessels, bones and organs in detail.
• Themed zones that explain how happiness, stress, love, addiction, exercise, sleep and nutrition leave visible traces in the body, with clear panels and interactive elements.
• Free InBody body composition scan with most tickets, so you can see your own fat, muscle and water balance compared with reference ranges.
• Use of on site facilities such as toilets, cloakroom hooks or lockers where available, lifts for most levels, and a small shop at the end of the route.
• NOT included: food and drinks, printed photos, third party guided tours, transport to and from Damrak 66, or combo tickets with other attractions unless specifically purchased.

• Ideal if you are curious about anatomy, health and lifestyle and want a very visual, sometimes confronting look at the real human body.
• Suitable for adults and older children; the exhibition uses real donated human bodies and organs, so it is usually recommended for visitors aged 6 and above rather than very young children.
• Works for solo travellers, couples, families with mature kids and students in health related fields who want more context around how the body functions.
• Many people find the exhibition fascinating; some find it emotionally or visually intense, so it is best to skip if you know you are very squeamish around medical content or human remains.

• Arrive at Damrak 66, a few minutes' walk from Amsterdam Centraal Station, and check in at the entrance with your online ticket on your phone.
• Take the lift or stairs to the start of the exhibition and follow the marked path floor by floor, moving past full body plastinates in different poses plus display cases of individual organs.
• Read information panels about how happiness, stress, smoking, diet, exercise and relationships affect organs such as the heart, lungs and brain, and compare healthy and unhealthy examples.
• If included with your ticket, step onto the InBody scanner for a quick body composition test and collect your printout to compare with what you have just learned in the galleries.
• Finish with a last look at your favourite specimens, then exit through the shop area where you can buy books, anatomy themed gifts and souvenirs before heading back out onto Damrak.

• Tickets / price (starts from): recent official and partner information puts the standard adult online ticket at around 22.50 EUR, with children from about 13.50 EUR and free admission for children under 6; on site adult prices are higher, around 24.95 EUR. Treat 22.50 EUR as a realistic starting price for one adult bought online in advance.
• Opening hours: BODY WORLDS Amsterdam is typically open daily from 10:00 to 22:00, with last admission about one hour before closing time. Exact hours can change on holidays or special event days, so always confirm for your chosen date.
• Age guidance: there is no strict minimum age, but because the exhibition shows real human bodies, it is generally recommended for visitors 6 years and older with parental guidance; school groups and families should prepare children for what they will see.
• Respect and behaviour: specimens are real donated human bodies and organs. Photography is usually allowed for personal use, but flash, tripods and intrusive behaviour are discouraged; treat the space with the same respect as you would any site involving human remains.
• Accessibility & safety: the route runs over several levels connected by lifts and stairs; most areas are accessible, but visitors with reduced mobility should allow extra time and may want to confirm the latest accessibility details in advance. Large bags, suitcases and strollers may need to stay in the entrance area.

• Location: BODY WORLDS Amsterdam is at Damrak 66, right between Centraal Station and Dam Square, making it easy to combine with canal cruises, the Red Light District, Dam Square and other central sights.
• Getting there: walk from Amsterdam Centraal in about 5 minutes, or take any tram that stops at Dam or Damrak and walk a short distance along the main street.
• Time needed: the official suggested duration is around 90 minutes, but many visitors spend 1.5 to 2 hours depending on how much they read and whether they do the InBody scan.
• Best timing: mornings and late evenings are usually calmer; mid afternoon and rainy days can be busier as people look for indoor activities.
• Emotional impact: even if you are comfortable with anatomy, expect some strong moments; planning something lighter, like a canal walk or cafe stop afterwards, can be a good idea.

Budget about 22.50 EUR per adult online and plan roughly 1.5 to 2 hours for BODY WORLDS Amsterdam: The Happiness Project — a seven floor anatomy exhibition on Damrak that uses real plastinated human bodies and a free body composition scan to show how happiness, stress and lifestyle choices appear inside the human body.