Visit the national museum of the Netherlands: the impressive Rijksmuseum.
Staff favourite
4.8
99589 bookings
4 hours
Rijksmuseum
25 pts
Normal price:
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Location
Essentials
- Discover Dutch masters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh
- See the world-famous The Night Watch and Milkmaid
- Includes access to selected special exhibits
Practical info
For more information and opening hour, go to rijksmuseum.nl
Accessibility
Wheelchair friendly
Free access to bathroom
With audio description
Getting there
Rijksmuseum
Public Transport
The nearest stops are Vijzelgracht (metro 52 and tram 24) and Museumplein (tram 2 & 12).
Parking
You can park at a reduced daily rate with Qpark via this link.
About
If you’re going to visit one museum in Amsterdam… this is the one.
With the Explore Pass Amsterdam, you get access to the legendary Rijksmuseum the Netherlands’ most famous museum and home to some of the greatest artworks ever created. Located at Museumplein, the Rijksmuseum is more than a museum. The stunning 19th-century building alone is an artwork, so get ready to see what is inside!
You’ll walk through 800 years of Dutch art and history, from medieval masterpieces to the Dutch Golden Age and beyond. Learn about Dutch culture and history, as told by these artworks.
Meet the Masters
The Rijksmuseum is world-famous for its collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings, including:
- The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn
- The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer
- Collection of works by Frans Hals, Jan Steen and other Dutch legends
Besides the brilliant paintings, roam around to see the picture perfect Cuypers library, the collection of Delft Blue pottery, armour and much more. And the collection doesn't stop once you are done inside. The Rijksmuseum gardens are dreamy palace-like gardens filled with sculptures and colourful flowerbeds.
Add Rijksmuseum to your Explore Pass itinerary and discover the ultimate Dutch masterpieces!
Reviews
660 reviews
helenandpaul13
★
★
★
★
★
The art is good the place does not have the same feet as the Mauritshuis which I would recommend.
Visited here for the day after booking timed tickets online, which is a must. The place gets quite busy and is situated in the city itself. However, it's easy to find and get to. We walked here from our hotel and picked up some breakfast on the way. The place is full of old masters over three floors. The best thing to do is start at the top and work your way down. You can pick up a floor map before you start and I would advise you do this. One of the most famous paintings here is the Nightwatch. This was painted by Rembrandt and is smaller than it's initial completion. Apparently it was too big to fit on the intended wall so sections were cut from the left edge as you look at it and from the top. The painting is about 400 years old and currently going through a period of repair to remove the old varnish and replace it so conserving the piece for generations to come. Sadly, it is behind glass with people working on it, but you can still get a decent view so sit back and enjoy while you can. For those interested in getting up close there is a copy on the wall at the top of the stairs so can can still get a great view, although not of the original. There are other famous masters here including Van Gogh and Vermeer, although these collections are small but there is a self portrait of Van Gogh. Such a pity he only sold 1 painting in his lifetime as his paintings collectively are now worth hundreds of millions. Again. you can get right up close to the art. There are also tapestries to see for those interested in this. We took most of the day to walk round and were somewhat disappointed in comparison with the Mauritshuis. There is a cafe on site but the queues were tremendous so we didn't get to have a drink. Finding the Van Gogh's were tricky as they were not in the main area. You have to walk back down and then up another staircase to the right before turning to the left. Sadly, there were few paintings of his great works. However, there are lots of masterpieces to view but it just didn't have the feel to it like The Hague and we left at the end of the day feeling a little let down overall. There is a gift shop inside as well as one outside, but there's nothing special in them to be honest. Overall, a bit of a letdown but I'm glad I went.
Feb 22, 2026
markandsusiepinchin
★
★
★
★
★
Must see for art lovers.
A must see for art lovers. A return visit for us to see some masterpieces. The restaurant is very good too.
Feb 21, 2026
lturvert
★
★
★
★
★
Great museum for art and history lovers
Amazing museum full of wonderful works of art and lots of variety to keep you interested. Staff were very helpful and the cloakroom was efficient and a great idea so you’re not trudging round in your coat all day! Lovely cafe and reasonably priced. Would definitely recommend a visit if in Amsterdam.
Feb 17, 2026
sunrise99
★
★
★
★
★
Rijksmuseum Trip 2025
We pre-booked tickets but noticed people were easily buying tickets in a day. So much to see and we didn’t have enough time to look all the way round so maybe consider more than one days visit. A highlight for me was the Exhibition: ‘American Photography’. And viewing some of the Vermeer paintings.
Feb 13, 2026
louisewrit
★
★
★
★
★
Tour
Very interesting, booked the tour and really enjoyed the information.
Feb 13, 2026
MicheleParis
★
★
★
★
★
A must-do
While in Amsterdam the last weekend (Feb. 8), I opted for the Guided Tour The best of the Rijksmuseum". The guided tour lasts one hour, but afterwards you can stay in the museum for as long as you like. In my opinion, the guided tour is a must because it gives you a better understanding of the works and the guide can answer your questions, which the audio guide cannot do. The group consisted of 20 people. There are obviously the "Masterpieces" such as the famous Night Watch which is Rembrandt most famous canvas or the Milkmaid by Vermeer or Self-Portrait by Van Gogh. However, the museum is full of outstanding pieces such as navy models (level 0), the Gallery of Honor (level 2) with the masterpieces. I was very impressed with the Doll's Houses (which actually are not toys). Important: the museum (like all the museums in Amsterdam) closes at 5pm. Therefore, make sure you arrive early to enjoy the museum. Reservation is highly recommended.
Feb 12, 2026
eliasn549
★
★
★
★
★
Absolutely incredible - a must see in Amsterdam!
I’m not usually one for spending hours in museums, but the Rijksmuseum is just something else. I went in thinking I’d stay for an hour and ended up staying for nearly four. The building is huge and honestly feels more like a palace than a gallery. The Night Watch is obviously the main event and seeing it in person is pretty wild because of how massive it actually is, but don't sleep on the other rooms. The old library looks like it’s straight out of a movie set and the collection of old model ships was surprisingly cool even for someone who isn't an art buff. One tip: definitely book your tickets online before you go. The line for people trying to buy them at the door was crazy long, but we walked right in with our QR codes. It gets busy around the famous stuff, but the place is so big that you can always find a quiet corner to just take it all in. If you’re in Amsterdam, this is definitely worth the money. One of the best things we did all trip!
Feb 12, 2026
oscarmX4068EQ
★
★
★
★
★
Excellent museum with a calm layout
The building is impressive and the galleries are easy to follow. Some rooms get crowded, but there are plenty of quieter sections. Great choice even if you are not an art expert.
Feb 9, 2026
victoriaaW6393GY
★
★
★
★
★
Rijksmuseum visit
Visiting the Rijksmuseum was really impressive. The building itself is beautiful, and there’s so much to see that it never felt boring. I especially liked how clearly everything was laid out, so you can take your time without feeling lost. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in Amsterdam.
Feb 7, 2026
guillermos753
★
★
★
★
★
Must see, comfortable, elegant, simple, well laid out and easy to navigate.
Incredibly easy to navigate, the simple guide alone is sufficient to get you well oriented, and includes suggestions of pieces of art as "must see", which was very useful, since otherwise you can easily invest 4+ hours here. Night Watch, Van Gogh Self Portrait, The Milk Maid and a dozen others are must see of course, but the "Doll House" exhibit is something you absolutely must see. Waterloo is another must see impressive drawing. The Cuypers Library, the largest art history library in the Netherlands with an interior that looks like it's from Harry Potter .. it will blow you away. My only "regret" is not having gotten the Amsterdam Card as my admission fee and instead paid the €25. Since I visited this museum, MOCO, took a Canal cruise and wanted to do the Rembrandt museum as well, it would have worked out. I had the 9am time slot to enter, so basically had the whole place for myself. By the time I completed my visit it was after 12pm, and even a bit earlier, it started to fill up a bit, but it was very sparse and non disruptive.
Feb 3, 2026
alanap630
★
★
★
★
★
Beautiful museum, easy to enjoy
The building is impressive and the galleries feel well paced. I liked that it has famous works but also plenty of quieter rooms where you can slow down. It felt organized without being strict, and the staff were helpful when I asked for directions. If you only have a short visit, pick a few sections and do them thoroughly.
Feb 3, 2026
saidaC5621UI
★
★
★
★
★
Rijksmuseum is nice
The Rijksmuseum was absolutely amazing and way bigger than we expected. Seeing the Night Watch in person was unreal and def the highlight for us. The museum is super well organized and easy to walk through, even if you’re not a huge art person. We spent hours there and still felt like we couldve stayed longer. 100% a must do when you’re in Amsterdam.
Jan 18, 2026
katmZ6329TR
★
★
★
★
★
LOVE
we absolutely loved this museum and would recommend for all (even if not particularly into art/history). it’s a well organised museum with so much to look at and keeps you occupied with each section. the perfect size to get around in a couple of hours (if looking at every section). there’s a lovely gift shop and cafe also.
Jan 17, 2026
Reservarlden
★
★
★
★
★
Excellent
This museum is huge and has an enormous collection of exhibits over several floors. There is also a cafe and a large gift and bookshop. No visit to Amsterdam is complete without visiting here. It might take several visits to view and appreciate everything as there is so much to see. Staff are friendly enough and the location is easy to get to using public transport and is close to several other museums, all only several minutes walk away. Looking forward to another visit on my next trip to Amsterdam.
Jan 12, 2026
MakingMemories72
★
★
★
★
★
Great masterpieces
Recently visited and thoroughly enjoyed the experience with the self-guided audio tour of the highlights of the masterpieces, free to download via the App. Use of cloak room was great & easy secure entry. Well worth a visit when in Amsterdam.
Jan 11, 2026
robgN3328GE
★
★
★
★
★
Enjoyable Even for Casual Visitors
Not usually someone who spends a lot of time in art museums, but this was well worth it. I went right when they opened on a Monday and it was very manageable until late morning, when it started to get crowded. The building itself is impressive and the exhibits are easy to enjoy without feeling overwhelming. The Night Watch is currently under restoration, which was a bit disappointing, but still interesting to see the work in progress. Overall, definitely worth a visit
Dec 29, 2025
braveride4505
★
★
★
★
★
One of the best in the world
Rijksmuseum is one of the best museums I've been to in the world. The outdoors around the museum has items of interest with sculptures and gardens. I went midday on a Monday and it wasn't too crowded. I will be back!
Dec 27, 2025
amodeosmit
★
★
★
★
★
Rijks
We loved the kids activity. It was really fun! The night watch was spectacular! Very close to the Van Gogh museum as well.
Dec 21, 2025
catscam
★
★
★
★
★
Must visit when in Amsterdam
An amazing art museum. We had only one day in Amsterdam, and everyone advised that we must make time to visit it. It’s massive, so wear shoes to suit! The building itself is worth the visit. I’m not a big fan of art, particularly art from the middle ages up to the 1700s. But I have to admit that even I began to appreciate Rembrandt. There are free lockers for coats etc. We went in the morning, and it wasn’t too crowded. By the time we left in the early afternoon it was getting quite crowded. The cafeteria was busy but worth the short wait to get in — really excellent food.
Dec 7, 2025
24joshuag
★
★
★
★
★
Lots of Dutch paintings to explore
Turned up on the day and bought tickets. Massive museum with lots of different collections. Great highlights include seeing the night watch by Rembrandt and a number of Van Gogh paintings Potentially you could spend all day if you wanted to.
Dec 7, 2025
Y2145COkerstins
★
★
★
★
★
Don’t miss out the Rijksmuseum
Despite the size and impressive architecture, the museum doesn’t feel too overwhelming or impersonal, on the contrary. In addition to selected parts of the permanent collection, I also checked out the temporary exhibition (Life in the 17th century) which was really interesting. A nice surprise and bonus !
Dec 6, 2025
denewton
★
★
★
★
★
Super museum
When in Amsterdam, we always visit here as their range of artefacts are so wide that you can spend hours in there on each floor. Well worth a visit !
Dec 4, 2025
BartEcc
★
★
★
★
★
If coming to Amsterdam then put the Rijksmuseum on your must see list.
This is a must do visit. Lots of art and artefacts some good and some great. I personally don’t like the Rembrandt paintings as I find them gloomy but I still appreciate the mastery of the craft. De Nachtwacht was under renovation behind glass when we visited. The Vermeer paintings on the other hand are fantastic and show great wizardry capturing light on the subject. Lots of wonderful furniture pieces, other artists work, model ships and an exhibition of 17th Century living were on show when we visited. The Dolls House was fantastic. The cafe is great with excellent service and the museum staff were very knowledgeable and ready to help. So much to see you might need an entire day.
Dec 4, 2025
bandyamama
★
★
★
★
★
Bandya Mama - a perfect blend of world-class art.
Great museum. Hadn’t been for a few years, better than I remembered. Amazing art spread over four floors in the heart of the museum area. Saw huge works of art, great sculpture too and even an aircraft up on floor 3. And a condom that dates back to 1830 A must see. Only takes a couple of hours to get a good feel. You can then return to explore more.Had a wonderful guided tour led by Jorinde, who beguiled us with lots of interesting tidbits and amusing tales of some of the lesser known works, before I wandered the museum alone. The Night Watch is being restored, and will be for the next 10 years(!), and it was fascinating to see the restoration in process. The building itself is interesting, albeit a bit difficult to navigate at times, but given the history, it makes sense.
Nov 26, 2025
W2026FKpatriciaf
★
★
★
★
★
Dutch artists and Dolls House exhibits and lovely restaurant
This is an Historic museum with DUTCH ARTISTS such as REMBRANT and VERMEER of note in addition to exquisite DOLLS HOUSES on display and a lovely cafe
Nov 15, 2025
Drum_Davey
★
★
★
★
★
Incredible Exhibition Of Paintings
I must have spent 2-3 hours inside the museum, it was great to see some masterpieces from Van Gogh and Rembrandt. Was near my accommodation and was easy to get to.
Oct 30, 2025
264brams
★
★
★
★
★
Rijksmuseum – Amazing collection, but crowded experience dulls
The Rijksmuseum is undoubtedly rich in history and art, but I did not fully enjoy the experience. There was a lot of crowd inside, so some important paintings such as The Night Watch could not be seen properly. The ticket price was a bit high. The number of exhibits is so large that it is difficult to see everything at once. Museum cafes and shops are fine, but seating is limited. Great for those with a keen interest in the arts, but can be a bit overwhelming for casual visitors. So that's three stars.
Oct 28, 2025
bobbycath
★
★
★
★
★
Realy worth a visit.
Lots to see , get there early, Free lockers. a lot to take in .Its a national museum after all. It covers a lot so pace yourself. Book on line 25 euro pp. Take some food the cafe gets really busy and you have to wait in line.
Oct 28, 2025
tourGuideLt
★
★
★
★
★
Fast paste exploration stop for Rembrant(renovation on Night Watch) and Vangoh
Sąd part that they dont give discount no tickets because one of the main printing is on renovation But in All It’s was realy nice But Louvre i linkęs more But IF u are in Amsterdam u should visit ir☺️
Oct 26, 2025
mariaaasy
★
★
★
★
★
Worth the money
Took us probably 30sec-1min to get inside the museum. Lots of stuff to see and not just paintings but ships, vases, furniture etc. We spent around 2hours here:) Worth the money👍
Oct 24, 2025
Happiness34317323181
★
★
★
★
★
Great museum!
Very friendly staff, a great collection and although we didn’t look at the paintings for hours, it was more interesting than I was expecting. Even our teenagers were enjoying it. The museum is quite big and routing isn’t super logical due to the path that goes through the middle. So keep an eye on the map to make sure you visit both sides.
Oct 23, 2025
douglassF2159ZI
★
★
★
★
★
Fantastic Museum
This is a fantastic museum. There is so much to see. We spend 3 hours there and we didn't have time to see everything. We also had a nice lunch in their cafe. Food was good and the service was quick, even at lunch time.
Oct 20, 2025
johncS9706VI
★
★
★
★
★
An amazing art museum
I’ve been to the Louvre and many other wonderful art museums, and I have the same. This museum is at the same level as those the quality of the paintings in the museum are quite impressive. You’ve got a large number of one of the kind type paintings that are in some cases 500 years old. I did find the audio guide system to be quite confusing in the end. I just gave up on it and just punched the number of the painting I was next to there is a large number of people at this facility. You do have to buy a ticket online. You might have to buy it weeks in advance. It is a time ticket so you have basically an hour to get into the museum if you’re not there within the hour of your ticket, you will don’t get to go. I had a problem with my ticket. My flight was cancelled and I wasn’t gonna be able to make the museum that day and the museum was kind enough to reschedule my ticket to a different date which I was extremely happy about.
Oct 12, 2025
RA0094
★
★
★
★
★
Don’t come to Amsterdam and not visit
What a fantastic and complete review of Dutch art history. We went on the introductory tour which was a great way to get a sampling of the museum. We then returned to many of the areas that we wanted to spend time exploring the art. The cafe is also excellent.
Oct 11, 2025
M1357GVmatthewr
★
★
★
★
★
Nice but crowded
This museum feels like a “must do”, but I wouldn’t sweat it if you can’t fit it in. It was extremely crowded. It looks huge but was somehow smaller inside? We were done in about an hour after seeing the major pieces.
Oct 10, 2025
Resort810373
★
★
★
★
★
It’s not sold out! Go to the gift shop for tickets!!
This is a magnificent collection in a spectacular building. Not to be missed. We were there on a very busy weekend and were told all of the tickets were sold out. We asked four different guards and they all told us the same thing. They said there was no way to get in and we were heartbroken. Then one of the guards said it’s sold out but you can try the gift shop a half a block away. We did and with no trouble at all there was a booth selling tickets! We walked right in. It was a thrill and a bucket list item fulfilled.
Oct 8, 2025
JWAJJEJELL
★
★
★
★
★
Fantastic collection
You have to book a timed slot to go. This the most expensive museum in Amsterdam but boy is it worth it. We spent 3.5 hours and still could have spent longer. The collection is huge. Everyone goes to see Rembrandts Night Watch or the Van Gough but we loved lots of the other parts of the collection. Unfortunately even though it has had it's revamp it is not well organised. You want to find the oldest dated parts of the collection and come forward to the newest but it is not as easy as that. Also there is only one restaurant serving drinks and a coffee stop with a few seats which is not enough for the volume of people attending. Unfortunately the queue was too large each time we passed so we left to go elsewhere which us lost revenue. After all that said I would still highly recommend this museum. If you're visiting other museums on your trip the IAmsterdam card includes this museum.
Oct 7, 2025
Trail07536681959
★
★
★
★
★
wide range of art pieces
museum was pretty huge with wide range of collections, but wasn't that easy to navigate around as my sense of direction is pretty bad. was allowed to carry my backpack into the museum but was requested to carry it in front which was fine with me.
Oct 6, 2025
dyamimillarson
★
★
★
★
★
Beautiful, Dreamy Collection
On Sunday 6 October 2024, I travelled from Leeuwarden to Amsterdam to spend a day at the Rijksmuseum and left with a quiet, satisfying sense that the trip was well worth it. A few practical things to know up front, then the good stuff. When I arrived, I discovered the museum operates on timed entry, you need a reservation for a specific time slot. That was a little surprise, but luckily I was able to make a same-day reservation and get in without too much hassle. If you want to avoid that small scramble, book ahead. Security is prominent, you’ll be asked either to carry your bag on your front (on your belly) or to put it in a locker. Wearing a bag on your front felt awkward and a bit distracting while viewing the art, so I strongly recommend using a locker if you can; it really frees you up to focus on the galleries. The Rijksmuseum is so vast that navigating it can feel like wandering through a labyrinth. Picking up a museum map at the information desk was a huge help in finding my way. Many works felt soft and contemplative, almost dreamlike, and I noticed a strong thread of religiously inspired paintings throughout the galleries. Rooms flow into one another, and there’s plenty to linger over. The museum rewards slow looking rather than rushing from room to room.
Sep 30, 2025
827eileene
★
★
★
★
★
Well-rounded visit
We only had time for one museum visit in Amsterdam, so chose the Rijksmuseum for its variety, and especially for Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh. I knew The Night Watch was large, but its massive size and impact was more than I anticipated! They were restoring it at the time, so it was also a treat to see the process in action (and the view isn’t blocked). It’s not a massive museum, so perfect if you want to take a full day or if you only have a couple of hours to see its highlights. The architecture and stained glass windows are also beautiful. I can’t speak to wait lines as we purchased our tickets online in advance, so went right in. But it wasn't too crowded at all on a Friday afternoon.
Sep 30, 2025
williamfQ9118IV
★
★
★
★
★
The dutch proud museum
Beautiful museum with a lots of art and objects to see and enjoy also very crowded. The only negative point is the ventilation. I dont know if there is a system inside the museum to purified the air but on my experience it was very warm unside even now end of september (autumn time)
Sep 29, 2025
GLC3102
★
★
★
★
★
World class museum on our trip to Amsterdam
Lovely to see a world class museum on our trip to Amsterdam We did not have timed tickets...just bought at the door. There is a processing fee to buy tickets with your phone. But not if you stand in the queue. Handicap accessible/elevtors
Sep 29, 2025
kalazhars_quest
★
★
★
★
★
The Museum of the Netherlands is a must when visiting Amsterdam.
If you're visiting Amsterdam, then a visit to the Rijksmuseum is a must. The museum of the Netherlands tells the story of 800 years of Dutch history, from 1200 to the present. The Collection covers many areas of interest and one can spend many hours in the galleries.
Sep 25, 2025
X8539YNdebras
★
★
★
★
★
Dutch Golden Age
Amazing museum with incredible art. We booked a private 2-hr tour with an outside company (get your guide) that really brought the museum and the art to life.
Sep 22, 2025
cristinasW2623UL
★
★
★
★
★
Dutch Masters at Rijksmuseum
Absolutely wonderful museum to get a glimpse of the Dutch Masters. DEFINITELY recommend a private or semi private tour as it could be very overwhelming
Sep 21, 2025
T9920VTbarbaram
★
★
★
★
★
Spectacular
This lived up to our expectations. What a beautiful building and So many beautiful paintings. We took 2 hours ( probably about the minimum you would want to spend) and then stopped at the museum cafe for a bite.
Sep 20, 2025
ashj540
★
★
★
★
★
Outstanding experience
Very well presented experience from start to finish. Easy access, great audio tour and we liked the layout. Gallery of Honour was a stand out. Nightwatch is currently under repair so partially obscured. Food and service in the cafe were great.
Sep 20, 2025
DayTrip50072367579
★
★
★
★
★
A strong collection
Gorgeous architecture and a strong collection, with an interesting mix of artwork and artefacts. The headline ‘The Night Watch’ was undergoing restoration, and Vermeer’s ‘Girl With a Pearl Earring’ had recently been moved to another location, so I was slightly underwhelmed, however this is my fault for not checking ahead of time. Despite this, there’s still more than enough here to enjoy for a couple of hours.
Sep 18, 2025
Erico2709
★
★
★
★
★
Very educational experience
If you have only 1 museum to see in Amsterdam, I will pick this. It's best to book in advance for sure and choose and early time slot. The other interesting thing is that although the museum do provide audio guides (as at cost), you can also choose to download a free iOS/Android app as well. However, for best experience, you should bring your ear piece with you to make it more convenient. Great exhibits with big halls to enjoy the experience.
Sep 15, 2025
hallshols2023
★
★
★
★
★
Didn't quite meet expectations
Huge museum, tremendous range and number of exhibits. Lost a star as too busy with groups which were both intrusive with their guides/commentary and by blocking areas, disappointing number of Impressionist paintings and the cafe has a limited range of food.
Sep 13, 2025
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