Rijksmuseum: reviews, price and practical tips

+28
recos
4.6/5 9 reviews
Museumstraat 1, 1071 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Museumstraat 1, 1071 Amsterdam, Netherlands
From $27*
Booking recommended
Book now
Rijksmuseum d'Amsterdam
Vitraux du Rijksmuseum
De Rembrandt

Visiting the Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum, located in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is the most famous museum in the country. By 2014, it welcomed over two million visitors, and that number continues to climb. Take it from us, it is highly recommended to book your skip-the-line ticket online several days in advance, or be prepared to wait in a long line.

Its History

The Rijksmuseum was originally a national gallery, founded in 1800 in The Hague. Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland, ordered its transfer to the Royal Palace, but King William I of Orange-Nassau later moved it once more to the Trippenhuis mansion. The museum was subsequently renamed the Rijksmuseum and became the subject of numerous competitions aimed at enhancing its exterior and interior architecture. In 2003, architect Pierre Cuypers led a vast renovation plan that lasted a decade. The brand-new Rijksmuseum was inaugurated in 2013 in the presence of Queen Beatrix and has been packed ever since, bolstered by its international reputation. It is now one of the primary points of interest during a trip to Amsterdam.

What to see at the Rijksmuseum?

The Rijksmuseum holds over 200 exhibition rooms spread across three floors and 10,000 square meters of space. It houses more than one million works of art, of which 8,000 are on permanent display. The collections cover a wide period of art history ranging from 1100 to the present day. The Rijksmuseum is especially renowned for its magnificent collection of paintings representing the Dutch Golden Age (1620-1680). The most admired painting is The Night Watch (De Nachtwacht) by Rembrandt, but works by Johannes Vermeer (including the famous The Milkmaid), Frans Hals, and Jan Steen are also featured. Do not miss the print room (Rijksprentenkabinet), the 17th-century dollhouses, the Delftware ceramics, and the rich collection of Asian art.

From $27*Booking recommended
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Opening hours

Daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Hours are indicative and subject to change

*Information subject to change

Reviews of Rijksmuseum

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Summary of 9 reviews
4.6/5
Average rating
+28
Total recommendations

Ratings by visit type

With family
3.9
As a couple
4.8
With friends
4.6

Avygeo ranking

#61
in the world
#59
in Europe
#1
in Netherlands
#1
in Amsterdam

Incredible museum

Very beautiful museum, a must-see for art lovers. It has an impressive collection of Dutch paintings, including works by Rembrandt. There are also many sculptures and ancient objects. Plan for several hours for the visit, because it is very big.

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So huge

I was surprised by the size of this museum, which is truly very rich. It offers so many works, especially Flemish paintings. It is the ideal place to discover this very unique world. To see everything, you will need to stay for several hours.

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Fabulous Flemish paintings

I am a huge fan of Flemish painting, and after getting a good look at it at the Louvre, I definitely did not want to miss this museum. I headed over right at opening time to avoid the crowds and spent three hours there. The building is stunning, and the collections are packed with masterpieces. I loved the huge section dedicated to the Flemish masters, especially Vermeer's famous The Milkmaid, but also some lesser-known canvases by Steen and Hals. Do not miss the magnificent room with the naval models.

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Beautiful and big but repetitive

One of the most beautiful and largest museums in Amsterdam, which will delight fans of Flemish paintings. For everyone else, it might lack a bit of variety.

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A must-see for Dutch painting lovers

The great Dutch masters are very well represented here, and even painters from the rest of Europe.

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Classic and comprehensive

One of the biggest art museums in Amsterdam and the Netherlands. Very complete collections of paintings where, of course, the Dutch school is heavily represented.

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Beautiful paintings

As a personal fan of the great Dutch masters like Rembrandt and Vermeer, this museum is a real treasure for me.
A must-see in the Netherlands.

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A treat for painting lovers

Lots of canvases by the great Dutch masters. Plan on at least 2 to 3 hours.

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A great collection of Dutch masters

For those who love the great Dutch painters (in my case, I really like Vermeer), the Rijksmuseum is a must-do on any trip to Amsterdam.

There are really so many paintings to see, but also sculptures and craftsmanship.

Quick tip: get your ticket in advance (order online, buy at an office, etc.). It could save you a lot of time at the entrance.

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