The interiors of this museum and its library are really beautiful—a mosaic of polished wood and marble surfaces. And its contents are very timely, about the history of immigration and former Dutch colonies and slavery. The library is a bit of an insider secret—a quiet hideaway. —Maartje Van Den Noort

Linnaeusstraat 2, 31/(0) 20-568-8200. This story appeared in the May/June 2011 issue. Photo by Rene Mesman. See all of Maartje van den Noort’s favorite places in East Amsterdam.