Interior del Museo Van Gogh con pantalla vertical que muestra varias pinturas de flores en jarrones de Van Gogh.

Tour of the Most Famous Museums in Amsterdam

by

Amsterdam is a city where art and history intertwine on every corner. From masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age to contemporary installations that challenge the senses, its museums offer a vibrant, diverse cultural experience for all tastes. Here is a tour of Amsterdam’s most outstanding museums: the must-sees, as well as some lesser-known gems that may surprise you.

Rijksmuseum

The great national museum of the Netherlands. The Rijksmuseum houses some of Rembrandt’s most important works, along with masterpieces by Vermeer, Frans Hals, and many other Dutch masters. It also features an impressive collection of decorative arts, Dutch history, and Asian art. The building itself and its gardens are already worth the visit.

Must-see works:

  • The Night Watch – Rembrandt
  • The Milkmaid – Vermeer
  • The Merry Drinker – Frans Hals
  • Self-Portrait – Van Gogh

Curious or lesser-known works:

  • The Battle of Waterloo – Jan Willem Pieneman (the largest painting in the museum)
  • 17th-century dollhouses with astonishing details
  • Delftware porcelain and decorative arts
Man photographing a Rembrandt painting in a gallery at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
The Rijksmuseum allows photography of many of its artworks, including those by Rembrandt.

Van Gogh Museum

Home to the largest collection of works by the artist, the Van Gogh Museum allows visitors to follow Vincent’s life and artistic evolution through his most famous paintings. It also includes personal letters, sketches, and works by contemporaries who influenced him—or were influenced by him.

🔗 Tickets for the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam

Must-see works:

  • Sunflowers
  • The Bedroom in Arles
  • Wheatfield with Crows
  • Almond Blossom

Curious or lesser-known works:

  • Skull with a Burning Cigarette – his most ironic side
  • The Yellow House – his artistic utopia in Arles
  • Illustrated letters to his brother Theo

Stedelijk Museum

The center of modern and contemporary art in Amsterdam. The Stedelijk Museum features works by artists such as Mondrian, Kandinsky, Chagall, Warhol, and Yayoi Kusama. It also has a strong focus on graphic and industrial design and digital media. Highly recommended for those seeking avant-garde art and creativity.

Must-see works:

  • Composition No. III – Mondrian
  • Works by Kazimir Malevich
  • Campbell’s Soup Cans – Andy Warhol

Curious or lesser-known works:

  • Sensory and interactive installations
  • Designs of chairs, lamps, and everyday objects from the 20th century
  • Experimental digital art and multimedia pieces

Moco Museum

A young, visual, and irreverent museum. The Moco Museum exhibits works by Banksy, Basquiat, Warhol, and contemporary artists who combine art with social critique. Ideal if you are interested in urban art, visual activism, and immersive experiences.

🔗 Tickets for Moco Museum Amsterdam

Must-see works:

  • Girl with Balloon – Banksy
  • Campbell’s Soup Cans – Andy Warhol
  • Infinity Mirror Room – Yayoi Kusama

Curious or lesser-known works:

  • Beanfield – Banksy
  • Works by KAWS and NFT collections
  • Urban sculptures in the garden
Street advertising in Amsterdam featuring Banksy’s “Flower Thrower” artwork promoting the Moco Museum.
The Moco Museum promotes its exhibitions with iconic urban art such as Banksy’s “Flower Thrower.”

Anne Frank House

Although not a museum in the traditional sense, the Anne Frank House is one of the most visited places in the city. The secret annex where Anne wrote her diary during World War II remains a powerful testimony to history. The visit is short, but deeply moving.

Don’t miss:

  • Anne’s original diary
  • The movable bookcase that concealed the entrance
  • Photos, clippings, and personal objects preserved by the family

Other Museums Worth Visiting

🏙️ Amsterdam Museum

Explore the city’s evolution from the Middle Ages to the present day. Ideal if you want to understand Amsterdam’s urban history in an accessible and visual format.

Highlights:

  • Interactive city models
  • Civic portraits from past centuries
  • Urban art and modern subcultures

📸 FOAM (Photography Museum)

Specialized in contemporary photography, FOAM combines exhibitions by emerging artists with retrospectives of renowned photographers.

Highlights:

  • Documentary and experimental photography
  • Visual and thematic installations
  • Gallery of new Dutch talent

🖼️ H’ART Museum (formerly Hermitage Amsterdam)

International exhibitions that once came from the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, now presented through global collaborations.

Highlights:

  • Temporary exhibitions of classical and contemporary art
  • Art from ancient civilizations
  • A constantly evolving cultural program

🧪 NEMO Science Museum

An interactive museum focused on science and technology. Perfect for families or for anyone who enjoys learning by touching, experimenting, and playing.

Highlights:

  • Physics, light, and sound experiments
  • Exhibition about the human body
  • Rooftop with views and interactive solar panels

🎬 Eye Filmmuseum

Dedicated to cinema, this museum offers exhibitions, archives, and screenings in an architecturally striking building across the IJ River.

Highlights:

  • History of Dutch cinema
  • Vintage film posters
  • Special screenings and rare short films

⚓ Museo Marítimo Nacional

A journey into the Netherlands’ maritime past. It includes old maps, naval objects, and the impressive replica of the 18th-century ship Amsterdam.

Highlights:

  • Boarding the historic ship
  • Celestial maps and nautical charts
  • Navigation simulators
Visitors at the Van Gogh Museum admiring several of the artist’s paintings in an exhibition gallery.
The Van Gogh Museum offers one of the most comprehensive collections of the artist’s work, visited by millions of people each year.

Tips for Your Cultural Route

  • Book your tickets in advance, especially for the Van Gogh Museum, Moco Museum, and the Anne Frank House.
  • Get around easily by tram or bicycle. Most museums are located around Museumplein or are well connected.
  • Mix styles: visit a classic museum in the morning and a more modern or alternative one in the afternoon to vary the experience.

Did you enjoy this tour?

Then don’t miss our article on Amsterdam in One Day, where we suggest a route that combines art, history, and charming hidden corners.

Leave a Comment