Visiting Museums in Amsterdam

Art, archaeology, history, literature - find out how to make the most of Amsterdam's monuments, museums and sights using discount tickets and vouchers...

The Netherlands has numerous museums, documenting the history and art of the country.

One weekend each September is National Heritage Weekend. Over these days thousands of monuments and other buildings of interest open to the public free of charge. Many locations also present special activities such as concerts and guided tours. Dates for National Heritage Weekend vary from year to year; details are available on the Holland Tourism website.

Museum Night (Museumnacht)

Amsterdam’s Museumnacht is held annually on the first Saturday in November. For one night participating museums will stay open late (19:00-02:00) and organise special events and shows to entertain visitors.

Museum Cards

The most economical way to visit the museums is to buy an annual museum card (Museumjaarkaart) which, for a single payment, allows free entry to over 400 museums in the country. The price of the card is reduced for under-25s. Local Tourist Information Points and participating museums have information and prices.

  • Museumkaart
    Tel    : 0900 404 0910
    email

I amsterdam Card

The I amsterdam Card is the Amsterdam tourist pass. It consists of:

  • A chip-card for free and discounted entry and offers at participating tourist attractions, museums and restaurants
  • Public transport ticket for use of GVB trams, buses and metro services
  • Full-colour I amsterdam pocket guide

There is a choice of a 24, 48 or 72-hour card. A card is valid within the calendar year. They are sold at the Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board (ATCB) information offices or online.

Museums in Amsterdam

There are 37 museums in Amsterdam with temporary and permanent exhibits. The most famous of these include the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdams Historisch Museum and Anne Frank House.

Rijksmuseum

Rijksmuseum is the largest museum in the Netherlands and houses almost seven million works of art. The collection includes Rembrant’s ‘The Jewish Bride’, Vermeer’s ‘The Milkmaid’ and Jacob van Ruisdael’s ‘The Windmill at Wijk’.

Guided tours and audio guides are available in Dutch, English, German and French.

  • Rijksmuseum
    At    : Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam
    Tel: 020 674 7000
    email
    Open: daily 09:00-17:00

Van Gogh Museum

The largest collection of artwork by Vincent Van Gogh including over 200 paintings, 500 drawings and hundreds are displayed at this museum. There are also exhibits by other 19th century artists.

  • Van Gogh Museum (in Dutch)
    At    : Paulus Potterstraat 7, Amsterdam
    Tel: 020 570 5200
    email
    Open: daily 09:00-18:00 with late opening Friday until 22:00

The Historical Museum (Amsterdams Historisch Museum)

The Historical Museum was originally a convent. It was converted into the city orphanage in 1580 and is now a museum of Amsterdam’s history. There are ten rooms on the three floors dedicated to a different period of the city's history including Amsterdam’s golden age and the German occupation.

The Anne Frank House (Anne Frank Huis)

This museum is dedicated to Jewish diarist Anne Frank and is based in the building where Anne and seven other people hid from the Nazis during the Holocaust. Visitors can see the secret annex rooms. Anne Frank’s diary, documents and other objects left by the hiding families are on display.

  • Anne Frank Huis
    At    : Prinsengracht 267, 1016 GV Amsterdam
    Tel: 020 556 7100 / 020 556 7105
    Open: Seasonal opening hours apply. Weekdays 09:00-21:00 and Saturdays 09:00-22:00 (March 15 to September 14); 09:00-22:00 (July and August); 09:00-19:00 (September 15 to March 14)
  • For a full list of museums from the I Amsterdam website: Click here

Museums in North Holland, Utrecht, Gelderland and Flevoland

The Holland tourist website provides information in English about museums in the Netherlands.