Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is one of the world’s most renowned museums, home to an unparalleled collection of Dutch art and history. This guide will help you plan your visit to make the most of your experience.

Planning Your Visit

• Book Tickets Online: Tickets are no longer sold on-site and must be purchased in advance online with a specific start time. This applies even if you have an I Amsterdam Card or other passes. Free entry for visitors 18 and under also requires a timed slot booking.
• Best Time to Visit: The museum is busiest in the afternoon. Aim to arrive right at 9:00 AM when it opens or in the late afternoon after 3:00 PM for a less crowded experience.
• Allocate Enough Time: The Rijksmuseum is vast, with 80 galleries and over 8,000 objects on display. While you can hit the highlights in 2-3 hours, a thorough visit could easily take half a day or more.
• Download the Rijksmuseum App: This free app provides maps, multimedia tours (available in multiple languages), and information that will help you navigate the museum and learn about the artworks.
• Check Accessibility Needs: The Rijksmuseum is highly accessible. See the “Accessibility” section below for details.

Opening Hours and Location

• Opening Hours: The Rijksmuseum is open daily, 365 days a year, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Address: Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
• Getting There: The museum is located in Museumplein (Museum Square), easily accessible by public transport (several tram and bus lines stop nearby). Many canal cruise companies also have pick-up points close by.

Tickets and Pricing

• Adults: Approximately €25.00
• Ages 18 and Under: Free
• I Amsterdam Card, ICOM, Vereniging Rembrandt, KOG, VVAK, VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART holders: Free admission (still requires a timed slot booking online).
• CJP and EYCA members: Half-price (€11.25)
• Audio Guide: Approximately €5 (available in multiple languages, including English, Dutch, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Mandarin).

Must-See Artworks

The Rijksmuseum boasts an incredible collection, particularly from the Dutch Golden Age. Here are some absolute must-sees:

• Rembrandt van Rijn:
  • The Night Watch: His most famous and largest painting, a monumental group portrait. Head straight to the second floor to see this first, as it’s often the most crowded.
  • The Jewish Bride
  • Syndics of the Drapers’ Guild
  • The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp
  • Self-portraits
• Johannes Vermeer:
  • The Milkmaid: A small yet captivating masterpiece.
  • Woman Reading a Letter
  • The Love Letter
  • The Little Street
• Frans Hals:
  • The Merry Drinker
  • Marriage Portrait of Isaac Massa and Beatrix van der Laen
• Jan Steen:
  • The Happy Family
  • The Feast of Saint Nicholas
• Jan Asselijn:
  • The Threatened Swan: An intriguing work with an allegorical backstory.
• Vincent van Gogh: While the Van Gogh Museum is the primary place to see his works, the Rijksmuseum has a few, including a famous Self-Portrait.
• Other notable works:
  • The Battle of Waterloo by Jan Willem Pieneman
  • Works by Hendrick Avercamp, Jacob van Ruisdael, Judith Leyster, Floris van Dyck, Pieter Claesz, and more.

Tip: Head directly to the second floor and the Gallery of Honour upon entry to experience the most famous Dutch Masterpieces before the crowds build.

Facilities and Amenities

• Cloakroom: A free, supervised cloakroom is available for coats, umbrellas, and small bags (maximum A4 size). Larger items cannot be stored here; consider using Lockerpoint at Museum Square for bigger luggage.
• Restrooms: Accessible restrooms are available throughout the museum.
• Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available.
• Gift Shop: The Rijksmuseum has a gift shop in the Teekenschool, next to the main building, offering souvenirs and art-related items. You can also shop online.
• Cuypers Library: The largest and oldest art history library in the Netherlands, located within the museum. Visitors and researchers can use it.
• Quiet Areas: The museum can get very busy. The floorplan (available at the information desk or through the app) marks quieter areas in green. Consider visiting these less-known galleries (like the Asian Pavilion and Special Collections) during peak hours.

Dining Options

• The Café: Located in the Atrium, The Café offers coffee, tea, pastries, an extensive lunch menu (sandwiches, soups, salads), and drinks. Open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• RIJKS® Restaurant: A Michelin-starred restaurant located in the Philips Wing, offering “cuisine of the Low Countries” with a focus on authentic Dutch products. Open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. Reservations are recommended for fine dining.
• Espresso Bars & Garden House: For quick coffee and snacks, there are espresso bars near the monumental staircase and in the Philips Wing. A garden house is open during summer months in the museum gardens.

Accessibility

The Rijksmuseum is committed to being accessible to everyone:

• Wheelchair Access: The entire museum is accessible for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Lifts are available on all floors.
• Wheelchair/Mobility Aid Loans: You can borrow wheelchairs, rollators, pushchairs, walking canes, or foldable museum stools free of charge at the information desk.
• Accessible Toilets: Adapted toilets with low sinks are available. A changing room with a mobile lift, bed, and sink is also provided.
• Guide Dogs: Guide dogs on a leash are permitted inside the museum.
• Tours for Specific Needs:
  • Visual Impairment: Special guided tours where you can touch objects are available. Free tours are offered on the first Wednesday of each month for exhibitions and the third Sunday of each month for the permanent collection. Audio tours and a podcast series are also available.
  • Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Multimedia tours in the app are enhanced with visual text. The Auditorium is fitted with a hearing loop. Group tours in International Sign Language can be booked in advance.
  • Sensory Sensitivity: A preparatory document and “Fast Lane Declaration” can be downloaded to help with your visit. The museum also offers special Saturday evening openings for visitors with sensory sensitivities. A quiet room is available if you feel overloaded.
  • Dementia: Free themed tours are organized every second Tuesday of the month for visitors with dementia and their loved ones.
  • Mental Handicap: Special tours with creative tasks can be booked.
• Parking: Three disabled parking locations are available close to the museum. The access road to the museum is for pedestrians and cyclists only.

Enjoy your visit to the magnificent Rijksmuseum!