Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Vermeer. Amsterdam is home to so many famous artists it’s hard to name them all, let alone see all of their masterpieces in just one trip. Beyond the big-hitters, there are a handful of smaller museums and hidden gems, too. When I lived here, some of my favorites—the ones that I returned to again and again—were located outside the hubbub of Museumplein.
The city has a mind-boggling amount of art: 75 museums and galleries, some of which sell out of tickets weeks in advance. So, I don’t blame you if you feel overwhelmed. To help parse through Amsterdam’s iconic collections and can’t-miss exhibits, I’ve created the ultimate museum guide with a few insider tips as well.
If you want to hit the big ones
If you only visit one museum in Amsterdam, this should be it. Rijksmuseum has an extensive collection of more than 8,000 works, spanning centuries of Dutch history, from the Middle Ages to today.
The showstoppers are undoubtedly the Dutch masters. The Night Watch, Rembrandt’s largest painting, is currently being studied and painstakingly restored in plain view. It’s equally interesting to watch the researchers with their high-tech tools as it is to see the 400-year-old portrait itself.
My favorite place in the museum is Cuypers Library, with its arched skylight and thousands of rare books. Get a good look from the balcony on the second floor. For families with kids in tow, check out Petronella Oortman’s extravagant doll houses or the scale models of navy ships.
Tip: For those short on time, book the guided Best of the Rijksmuseum tour to hit the highlights in an hour. If you’re really in a crunch (or just have a quick layover), go to the free mini-outpost of the Rijksmuseum at Schiphol Airport, which has a rotating selection of about a dozen paintings.
Exhaustion level: 9/10
Van Gogh may not have been appreciated in his lifetime, but his art now draws 2.2 million fans every year. The permanent collection includes more than 200 of Van Gogh’s paintings, including Sunflowers, Almond Blossom, and The Potato Eaters. You’ll also find 500 drawings, along with most of the letters Van Gogh wrote, giving painful insight into the artist’s difficult life.
Though you could zip through this museum in roughly 90 minutes, I recommend saving a few hours just in case. The audio guide and signage do not shy away from his mental illness and financial struggles, so things can get a bit heavy, but you’ll come away with a deeper understanding of the artist and his process.
Tip: The Van Gogh Museum is right between Stedelijk and Moco, so make the most of your day by booking an early timeslot here and tackling one (or both) of the other museums after.
Exhaustion level: 6/10
If you’re into modern art
I love this contemporary art museum because there are rarely large crowds—so it’s easier to take my time and really admire the pieces that interest me most. The collection is divided into three chronological sections, displaying works by Picasso, Piet Mondrian, and Yayoi Kusama, among others. My favorite part is how the curators play creatives off each other. In one gallery, a Jeff Koons sculpture (for which he was accused of appropriating from a female artist) is paired with feminist works to explore the higher value often placed on art created by men. Elsewhere, industrial design objects like chairs and lamps appear alongside paintings of the same period to showcase how fine art and popular culture evolve together.
Tip: Don’t forget to download the free self-guided Essential Tour on your phone. And make sure to take in the quirky architecture as well. From the outside, the museum’s newest wing really does look like a giant bathtub.
Exhaustion level: 3/10
I’ll cut to the chase: Banksy is the biggest draw here. The highly secretive street artist and political activist never confirms (nor denies) the legitimacy of the murals. But, all the infamous pieces at Moco—including Girl with Balloon and Flower Thrower—do have certificates of authenticity from Pest Control, the body that verifies Banksy’s work.
Even if Banksy’s controversial illustrations aren’t your thing, Moco’s permanent collection is still impressive. This small museum features some of the most important names in modern and contemporary art. We’re talking Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Damien Hurst, and Keith Haring, all housed in a classic villa.
Tip: If you’re near Moco (especially on a sunny day), stop in its sculpture garden. The art is completely free—no admission ticket needed.
Exhaustion level: 1/10
If you’re a history buff
Amsterdam is practically synonymous with Anne Frank. Though it’s not a traditional museum, this preserved home is very moving. You’ll walk through the events of WWII, following in the footsteps of the Frank family. Behind the bookcase, you’ll explore the secret annex where Anne and seven other Jews hid from the Nazis for more than two years before being discovered.
We all know Anne from her writing, but actually being in her room and reading the real diary brings her experience to life. This one is powerful, but it packs a hard punch. Plan your day accordingly.
Tip: I can’t stress this enough—you must book far in advance. Tickets go on sale every Tuesday for six weeks out. Don’t skip the audio tour, either, as it provides important context about the occupation in the Netherlands.
Exhaustion level (emotionally): 10/10
This thought-provoking ethnographic museum houses a collection of cultural objects from former Dutch territories, including India, Taiwan, and Guyana. Colonialism is a central theme, not as something that happened in the past but as a force that continues to shape the world today. Recent exhibitions have highlighted the impact of colonialism in global finance and climate change. Beyond this, curators and art historians are actively sorting through the archives to identify and repatriate culturally important objects taken during the colonial era.
Exhaustion level: 5/10
If you want a unique experience
Whenever I had friends come to Amsterdam, I always took them to this hidden gem. The 17th-century canal house has grand living spaces (the kitchen is covered in beautiful blue-and-white Delft tile) and period furniture like tiny box beds.
But the real attraction is the large church in the attic, complete with a pipe organ and an elaborate altar. Catholic worshippers would gather here when mass was banned, and secret churches were the only safe space. This one is ornate—and, surprisingly, very pink.
Tip: Since this is a historic canal house, you’ll have to deal with Dutch stairs. They’re steep and narrow, so climbing up might not be easy for everyone.
Exhaustion level: 2/10
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