When visiting Amsterdam, you can’t help but be drawn towards one of the city’s top museums. Whether you’re into classic art, contemporary displays, interactive experiences or history, Amsterdam has a museum that appeals to you. World-class museums, quirky hidden gems and well-kept secrets. Which of these 12 museums in Amsterdam will you visit first?
Plan your visit to Amsterdam
- Find flights to Amsterdam from pretty much anywhere in the world.
- If you’re travelling from the UK, France, Germany or Belgium, taking the train to Amsterdam is often a faster ánd cheaper option.
- There are many (many!) wonderful hotels in Amsterdam, my farourites are Hotel Jakarta and Mr. Jordaan.
- Getting around Amsterdam and visiting one or more museums in Amsterdam is easiest and cheap when using the I Amsterdam City Card.
12 top museums in Amsterdam
Rijksmuseum
As one of the most renowned museums in Amstetdam, the Rijksmuseum boasts an extensive collection of masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age. Notable highlights include Rembrandt’s The Night Watch, Vermeer’s The Milkmaid, and works by Frans Hals. In addition to paintings, the museum features historical artifacts and sculptures. Don’t forget to visit the stunning library, which is one of the most beautiful libraries in The Netherlands.
Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum is one of my favourite museums in Amsterdam and the only museum in the world completely dedicated to the life and works of Vincent van Gogh, housing the largest collection of the artist’s paintings, letters, and sketches. Through these, a visit to the Van Gogh Museum could be described as a journey into the mind of a very troubled genius. Of course iconic pieces like Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, The Bedroom and Almond Blossoms are to be admired, but his early work (made in Nuenen), his self-portraits and paintings from his last years perhaps give an even better insight into the master’s mind. To really get a grasp of Van Gogh’s life and work, I highly recommend a guided tour of the museum.
Stedelijk Museum
If you’re into modern and contemporary art, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam should absolutely be on your list. The museum, located behind the Van Gogh Museum, was designed by one of the Netherlands’ most famous architects and designers Gerrit Rietveld, whose work can also be admired in the museum. But also works by the famous Dutch artists Pier Mondriaan and Charley Toorop adorn the permanent collection. But also international modern artists can be found in the city museum, such as Picasso, Roy Lichtenstein and Anselm Kiefer. Also keep an eye on the agenda for the temporary exhibitions. These are without exception always excellently composed.
Rembrandt House Museum
Rembrandt House Museum welcomes you into the Amsterdam home of Rembrandt van Rijn, the most famous painter of the Dutch Golden Age, the 17th century. The museum is located in the home where Rembrandt lived and work for nearly two decades. A visit to the Rembrandt House Museum offers look into the life of the master, complete with period furniture and works by both Rembrandt and his students, whom he also taught in his house.
Moco Museum
It’s actually quite the treat finding street art and comtemporary art in the stately, historical townhouse in which the Moco Museum is located. The permanent collection features modern artists such as Keith Haring and Jeff Koons, but the museum also embraces more avant-garde contemporary art forms, such as digital art and street art, such as the large collection of works by the mysterious phenomenon Banksy..
H’ART Museum
One of the top museums, and not to be missed, is H’ART Museum (formerly Hermitage Amsterdam) in the heart of Amsterdam. The museum collaborates with international museums in bringing world-class art to the Dutch capital, resulting in cutting edge exhibits show casing the works of the most famous masters of art. Personally, I also love the grand café of the museum, it’s perfect for a short break. If you have a I Amsterdam City Card you can simply visit the museum without having to book a time slot.
Resistance Museum (Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam)
When visiting the Resistance Museum (Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam) it’s a little bit like travelling back in time. To an era of dictatorship, war and resistance. 100 personal stories tell you about the time of German occupation in Amsterdam and what difficult choices the Dutch have to make. The museum absolutely makes you think about what you would do if you would find yourself in a similar situation. Ten years ago, a junior museum was opened within this museum in Amserdam, with an exhibition especially aimed for younger visitors. It’s a must-visit.
Our Lord in the Attic
Of all the museums in Amsterdam Our Lord in the Attic is probably the least known. It’s really one of the best kept secrets of the city, well hidden away in Amsterdam’s Red Light District. The museum is actually a hidden church, originated from the protestant reformation, when catholics had to workship in secret. A visit to Our Lord in the Attic starts in a beautifully maintained 17th-century canal house where narrow corridors lead you to living quarters, a kitchen an bedsteads up the stairs to a complete church in the attic of the house. An absolute wonder and an interesting glimpse into the religious history of the Netherlands.
Fabrique des Lumières
Fabrique des Lumières is not so much a museum in Amsterdam, as much as the city’s latest digital art centers. Here classic master pieces come to life through spectacular light projections, the experience enhanced by beautiful music. Fabrique des Lumières is set in Amsterdam former gas works, a great location for such an experimental center. Afterwards: go for lunch or dinner at Pacific or Cantine de Caron, Amsterdam.
Eye Filmmuseum
Film lovers best head to Amsterdam central station to catch the free ferry across the IJ river and visit the cutting edge Eye Filmmuseum. The groundbreaking building, designed by Austrian architects Roman Delugan and Elke Delugan-Meissl, is worth a visit for its architecture alone, though film enthusiasts will absolutely appreciate art house film screenings, exhibitions on the history of cinema, interactive displays as well as trying out vintage movie equipment. And if that weren’t enough: the drink you order in the restaurant after your visit, is accompanied by the most beautiful view of the Amsterdam skyline.
STRAAT Amsterdam
Another excellent reason to catch a free ferry in Amsterdam is a visit to STRAAT Amsterdam, Amsterdam’s own street art museum. The museum is actually a contemporary art space, set on grungy and colourful NDSM island. Now, while I genuinely feel that street art belongs on, well, the street, I do really appreciate what STRAAT Amsterdam is doing. First of all, you’ll get to see over a hundred works by the top street artists in the world ánd get to know the story behind the works, which often tends to get a little lost when you’re just stumble upon a mural. The museum also hosts rotating exhibitions and performances and the gift shop is also really worth a visit. Read more about street art in Amsterdam.
NEMO Science Museum
If you’re visiting Amsterdam with kids, the NEMO Science Museum is your absolute top pick. The museum, next to Amsterdam central station, welcomes visitors of all age to discover the worldall aspects of science and technology. The museum sports the slogan ‘Make your world bigger with NEMO’ and that is exactly whay happens, when taking on the role of a scientist en really experiencing all the wonders of the world yourself. Plus, the roof top has an amazing view over the city.
Top museums in Amsterdam
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8 Comments
Katherine
May 29, 2019 at 5:12 pmI was only in Amsterdam for a day and I’m totally kicking myself a decade later for not making it to the Van Gogh Museum. I spent a lot of time at Anne Frank House, and got distracted by the beautiful canals for the rest of the time. But we’re definitely planning a trip back to Amsterdam (it’ll be my other half’s first visit) and we’re both excited to see the Van Gogh Museum.
Esther
June 20, 2019 at 9:19 amIt has taken me 37 years to visit the museum, and I only live 25 minutes away. So I am hardly one to judge!
Allison
May 29, 2019 at 8:43 pmThat sounds like an interesting museum. I have a small attention span when it comes to museums and I know next to nothing about Van Gogh but I think my husband would be all over this.
Sammie
May 29, 2019 at 10:16 pmWow this looks fabulous! The closest we got was a Van Gogh exhibition in Vancouver a few years ago and it definitely left us wanting more! And yes, a docent always trumps an audio guide!
Anna
May 31, 2019 at 10:25 pmIt is probably one of the coolest museums I´ve ever been to! I loved it so much that I would visit again if in Amsterdam! Wow – 10 km from Vincent van Gogh´s birthplace! And if I´m to choose one of his paintings I´d go with The Starry Night!
Lolo
June 2, 2019 at 8:17 pmI did a tour of this museum back in 2007 and was quit disappointed that his Starry Nights painting was in NY instead. But I always do love his sunflower painting to be a beauty!
Esther
June 20, 2019 at 9:18 amVan Gogh paintings are not to be moved again, as the colour of them is deteriorating quickly, unfortunately. But hey, it’s a good excuse to fly to NYC and check out the Starry Nights 😉
Sharon
June 3, 2019 at 1:15 amA Context Tour of the Van Gogh museum sounds like a dream! I did tour this museum and felt as you did, in awe while standing in the presence of this art. Context tours offer an in-depth look, and I would love to tour a museum with this company. What a memorable experience!