Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands, and the place to see the whole country's story under one roof. Cyclists ride through the passage beneath the building, and inside a nation unfolds in miniature. Paintings, ship models, dolls' houses, weapons and porcelain cover eight centuries of history. Most visitors come for The Night Watch by Rembrandt. That makes sense, but if you only see that one painting, you miss a lot. Below you read what to look for in the Rijksmuseum, how the building came about and how to plan your visit.

What you see in the Rijksmuseum

The heart of the museum is the Gallery of Honour on the second floor. Masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals, Jan Steen and Judith Leyster hang close together there. At the far end waits The Night Watch, the huge militia painting Rembrandt completed in 1642. You will find yourself standing still in front of it for a while. Look out for The Milkmaid and The Little Street by Vermeer as well, two small paintings that stand out for their calm among all the large canvases. Vincent van Gogh is here too, with four paintings, including a self portrait from 1887.

More than paintings at the Rijksmuseum

If you think the Rijksmuseum is only a picture gallery, you are in for a surprise. The dolls' house of Petronella Oortman shows, down to the smallest spoons, how a wealthy Amsterdam household looked around 1700. In the Special Collections you find ship models, musical instruments, silver, weapons and Delftware. The Asian Pavilion, a separate building in the garden, shows sculpture and art from Asia. That turns your visit into a journey through seafaring, trade and daily life rather than a walk past famous frames. If these rooms appeal to you, plan extra time, because they are easy to underestimate.

The building by Pierre Cuypers

The Rijksmuseum started in 1800 in The Hague and moved to Amsterdam a few years later. The current building by architect Pierre Cuypers opened in 1885. Cuypers also designed Amsterdam Central Station, and you can see the family resemblance in the red brick, the towers and the rich decoration. From the outside the Rijksmuseum looks like a cathedral, inside more like a palace. Between 2003 and 2013 the museum was thoroughly renovated. Do not skip the Cuypers Library, the largest and oldest art history library in the Netherlands, with iron galleries full of books rising up to the roof.

Tips for visiting the Rijksmuseum

Booking a start time online is required for every visit to the Rijksmuseum, also if you have a Museumkaart, the Dutch annual museum pass. Tickets at the door depend on availability, so buy yours before you travel. You can see the highlights in about an hour; if you also want the Special Collections and the Asian Pavilion, allow half a day. The free Rijksmuseum app has hundreds of audio stories. The garden is free to visit, even without a ticket. The Van Gogh Museum is right next door, and the Stedelijk Museum is a short walk across Museumplein.

Frequently asked questions about the Rijksmuseum

Read more