Opening times

Closed only 4 days a year

The museum is closed on 30 April, 3 October, 25 December and 1 January.

When are the quiet times

The museum is busier during school holidays and weekends than on weekdays. However, many school groups visit the museum during school hours. As the number of group bookings varies, we can only estimate the crowds in the museum.

School terms

Naturalis welcomes fifty to sixty thousand pupils on school visits a year during school terms. School groups create a cheerful bustle in the museum, but mean it can be noisier in the mornings. Calm returns around 14.30.

Busy times during the week

The museum is generally less busy on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays than on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Visitor numbers on Saturdays and Sundays depend on the weather: the better the weather, the quieter the museum.

School holidays 2011

Naturalis usually welcomes many visitors in the school holidays. Then, too, the museum is generally less busy after 14.30. The weather is the main deciding factor, especially in July, August and September: the better the weather, the quieter the museum.

Spring holidays

19 February to 27 February

Easter weekend

22 to 25 April

May half-term holidays

30 April to 8 May
(museum closed on 30 April)

Ascensions Day, Whit Sunday and Whit Monday

Ascension Day (2 June)
Whit Sunday and Whit Monday (12 and 13 June)

Summer holidays

2 July to 4 September

Autumn half-term holidays

15 October to 30 October

Christmas holidays

24 December 2011 to 8 January 2012
(museum closed on 25 December and 1 January)