Amsterdam has museums for Dutch art, modern design, Second World War history, science, photography and maritime heritage. The hard part is not finding one: it is choosing the right museums for your interests and booking tickets in the right order.
Last checked: September 2026
| Museum | Choose it for | Book ahead? | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rijksmuseum | A broad introduction to Dutch art and history: Rembrandt, Vermeer and more | Time slot required for everyone | Museumplein |
| Van Gogh Museum | Vincent van Gogh’s art and life story in depth | Yes, online timed tickets only | Museumplein |
| Anne Frank House | The history of Anne Frank and the people who hid in the annex | Yes, weeks ahead, only on annefrank.org | Canal Ring |
| Stedelijk Museum | Modern and contemporary art and design | Usually available on the day | Museumplein |
| NEMO Science Museum | Interactive science, especially with children | Time slot required, also with a pass | Near Centraal |
| National Maritime Museum | The Netherlands’ seafaring past | Usually available on the day | Oosterdok |
If this is your first visit and you only have half a day, pick one large museum rather than rushing through several. For a full day, combine two museums in the same area and leave time for lunch.
More than 8,000 works of Dutch art and history, including Rembrandt’s The Night Watch and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid. It is a large museum, so decide beforehand whether you want a highlights visit or a longer route through several floors.
Tip: A start time is required for every visitor, including Museumkaart holders. Book online to secure the time you want.
Follows Vincent van Gogh’s work and life through paintings, drawings and letters, with world-famous works such as Sunflowers and Wheatfield with Crows, plus changing exhibitions.
Tip: It pairs well with the broader Rijksmuseum next door, but visiting both properly on one day is tiring. Leave a real break in between.
The canal-side building connected with Anne Frank’s hiding place. This is the museum that needs the most careful ticket planning.
Tip: Tickets are released every Tuesday at 10:00 for visits six weeks later and are not sold at the door. The building has steep stairs and a high step: check the accessibility information before booking.
The Museumplein choice for modern and contemporary art and design, from Mondrian and Malevich to today’s artists. The experience depends partly on the exhibitions running during your stay.
Tip: Check the current programme before deciding how much time to allow.
Exhibitions, demonstrations and hands-on science in a striking green building by the water. Ideal for families and anyone who prefers interaction to paintings.
Tip: Weekday visits after 14:00 are often quieter. The rooftop square is free, even without a ticket.
Het Scheepvaartmuseum tells the story of the Netherlands and the sea, from Golden Age trade to navigation. A replica of the 18th-century ship Amsterdam is moored outside.
Tip: Combine it with NEMO and a walk along the Oosterdok waterfront.
The house where Rembrandt lived and worked, with his studio and etching demonstrations. Included in the I amsterdam City Card.
Amsterdam’s photography museum in a canal house on the Keizersgracht, with changing exhibitions.
Film exhibitions, screenings and a waterfront café across the IJ, a free ferry ride from Centraal Station.
The Verzetsmuseum examines daily life, collaboration and resistance in the occupied Netherlands.
A complete 17th-century Catholic church hidden in the attic of a canal house in the old centre.
The Jewish Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue and the National Holocaust Museum, visited with one ticket.
These are useful when the major museums are sold out, or when you want a more specialised subject. Always confirm current admission conditions with the venue.
Free entry to 70+ museums and attractions (including the Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk), public transport and a canal cruise.
Museumplein brings the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum together in a compact area of Oud-Zuid, which makes it the easiest place to combine two museums without crossing the city.
A balanced plan is one major museum in the morning, lunch away from the entrance queues, and a second museum in the afternoon. Don’t schedule entry times too tightly: large museums take longer than you expect, and cloakrooms and security checks add time. Need a break? The Vondelpark is a five-minute walk away.
Choose the Rijksmuseum for a broad overview of Dutch art and history, or the Van Gogh Museum for a visit focused on one artist. Your interests matter more than a standard checklist.
No. Tickets are sold only online on annefrank.org, for a specific date and time.
Often, yes. The Rijksmuseum requires a start time for all visitors, including Museumkaart holders, and NEMO asks pass holders to reserve a timed ticket. Check each venue separately.
Yes, they are both on Museumplein. Choose your priorities in advance, reserve both entry times and leave a proper break between visits.
Yes, but rain increases demand, so don’t count on same-day tickets. Book the museums that matter most to you in advance.