Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is the Netherlands’ most important museum and one of Amsterdam’s absolute must-visits. Its vast collection presents more than 800 years of Dutch art and history, from medieval religious objects and Golden Age masterpieces to Delftware, historical weapons, elaborate doll’s houses and modern art.

The museum’s grand building was designed by Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers and opened in 1885. Its richly decorated halls, stained-glass windows, tiled floors and monumental galleries make the architecture almost as impressive as the collection itself.

The Gallery of Honour forms the heart of the museum. This spectacular corridor brings together masterpieces by Rembrandt, Johannes Vermeer, Frans Hals and Jan Steen. Highlights include Vermeer’s The Milkmaid and Woman Reading a Letter, alongside Rembrandt’s The Jewish Bride, The Syndics and several remarkable self-portraits.

At the end of the gallery hangs Rembrandt’s monumental The Night Watch. The painting is currently undergoing its most extensive research and restoration project ever. Known as Operation Night Watch, the work takes place inside a transparent glass chamber, allowing visitors to watch the museum’s specialists at work.

Beyond the Dutch Masters, the Rijksmuseum contains a famous Van Gogh self-portrait, an extraordinary collection of model ships, historic armour and weapons, intricate doll’s houses and the spectacular Cuypers Library. The separate Asian Pavilion displays sculptures, ceramics and decorative objects from across Asia.

The collection is enormous, so visitors should allow at least two to three hours. Those with limited time can concentrate on the Gallery of Honour and follow one of the free highlight routes in the Rijksmuseum app.

Insider tip: Reserve the earliest available entrance or visit after 15:30, when the museum is generally quieter. Tuesdays and Wednesdays also tend to attract fewer visitors. Head directly upstairs to the Gallery of Honour before exploring the less crowded historical collections, Asian Pavilion and library.
Download the free Rijksmuseum app before your visit for audio stories, themed tours and routes through the building.

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