The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam is home to an impressive selection of Dutch masterpieces. Make sure you visit during your stay in Amsterdam! In this post, we walk you through selecting the best time to visit to avoid crowds, buying your ticket in advance, and planning your visit (complete with our recommendations for the paintings you don’t want to miss while you’re there!). Book your tickets to the Rijksmuseum here.
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How to get to the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
The Rijksmuseum is right in the heart of Amsterdam on the museumplein. It is easily accessible by foot if you are staying in the heart of Amsterdam. It is also accessible by public transportation.
Book your tickets to the Rijksmuseum here.
When to visit the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
Whether you have 2 days in Amsterdam, or you’re planning a longer stay, you want to use your time in Amsterdam wisely. If you’re anything like us, that means more time for fun visits, delicious meals and coffee breaks.
You can visit the museum any time of year. It is cool in the Summer and warm in the Winter making it a haven during months with harsher weather conditions in Amsterdam.
The biggest issue is timing your visit to avoid the crowds. Of course, avoiding crowds is not an exact science – but we have had good luck avoiding crowds by traveling during off-peak seasons (think January or November for Amsterdam) and also visiting the last few hours of the day before the museum closes.
Book your tickets to the Rijksmuseum here.
How to book your tickets to the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam is one of the most popular museums to visit in the world and tickets sell out far in advance.
Make sure you book your ticket online so that you are sure to be able to visit during your trip to Amsterdam.
Book your tickets to the Rijksmuseum here.
Our favorite paintings at the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
There are so many incredible things to see at the Rijksmuseum, including a vast selection of Dutch paintings.
Beauty and “favorites” are, of course, always subjective, but this a selection of the paintings that touched us during our most recent visit to the Rijksmuseum.
We hope you enjoy them too!
The Milkmaid, Vermeer, 1657
Vermeer masterfully painted movement which you can see in this painting.
The entire painting is still while it seems you can see the stream of milk moving as it is poured from the pitcher.
You can also see Vermeer’s skillful use of light on objects in this painting.
Read more about this painting on the Rijksmuseum website here.
The Night Watch, Rembrandt, 1642
This is Rembrandt’s largest and most famous painting!
He painted it for the Arquebusiers Guild Hall, one of several halls for Amsterdam’s civic guard (the city’s police and militia).
Rembrandt was the first painting to have his subjects in a group portrait engaging in a variety of activities (rather than sitting still).
Again, he skillfully uses his mastery of light in the painting to highlight the captain’s movement as well as the young girl in the background of the painting.
Read more about this painting on the Rijksmuseum website here.
Flower Painter Maria Van Oosterwijck, Wallerant Vallant, 1671
Maria Van Oosterwijck was a accomplished artist, famous both at home and abroad.
In this painting, Wallerant Vallant has painted her holding an artist’s palette and paintbrushes and a bible; representing her success as a painter and reputation as a pious woman, respectively.
Oosterwijck’s flower still lifes were part of the art collections of Louis XIV, Emperor Leopold 1, and the English royal couple, William III and Mary Stuart.
Read more about this painting on the Rijksmuseum website here.
View of Houses in Delft, known as “the little street”, Vermeer, 1660
This gorgeous painting is so precise and realistic, it almost looks like a photograph.
By painting the bottom of the houses white, he draws our attention to the painted figures.
Recent research into this painting has led to the discovery of the actual street represented in the painting. Head to 40 and 42 Vlamingstraat to see the present-day site of the painting.
Watch a video to learn more about this painting on the Rijksmuseum website here.
Man in Oriental Dress, Rembrandt, 1635
This is a particular type of painting called a “character head” (not a portrait).
They were extremely popular in the 17th century.
What’s most impressive in this gorgeous painting, is again, Rembrandt’s masterful use of light to illuminate one side of the sitter’s face, while casting a shadow over the other side of his face.
Read more about this painting on the Rijksmuseum website here.
Book your tickets to the Rijksmuseum here.
Address
Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam
Where to stay in Amsterdam
- The Pulitzer – this is such a special place to stay if you want to have the experience of staying in an authentic canal house that has been converted into a luxury boutique hotel. The small hotel has rooms with canal views, a gorgeous hotel bar and fabulously chic restaurant.
- The Dylan – such a special hotel located in the heart of Amsterdam. This hotel is so elegant and chic. Enjoy the beautiful bar and 3-Michelin star restaurant.
- Eden Hotel Amsterdam – this affordable 4-star luxury boutique hotel is well-located and beautifully decorated.
- NH City Centre Amsterdam – you can always count on NH hotels to offer comfortable and clean lodging in great locations and the NH City Centre Amsterdam is no exception.
Don’t miss these other activities in Amsterdam!
- Book a canal cruise with unlimited cheese and wine – we’ve tried several canal cruises and this was our favorite!
- Visit the Van Gogh Museum – enjoy this gorgeous museum dedicated to Van Gogh’s work.
- Visit the Anne Frank House – learn more about Anne Frank’s story and see where she and her family hid.
- Visit Rembrandt’s House – experience the home where Rembrandt lived and learn about his life and work.
More Amsterdam posts to help you plan your trip!
- 2 Days in Amsterdam (what to see, where to stay, what to eat & more!)
- Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam (everything you need to know to plan your trip!)
- Monkey Bar Amsterdam (In’t Aepjen) (our favorite brown bar in Amsterdam!)
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
The Rijksmuseum is such an impressive museum filled with beautiful paintings, objects, furniture and more! Don’t miss it on your trip to Amsterdam.
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