museums and galleries

Despite its small size, Amsterdam is home to nearly 80 museums and galleries. Whether you’re into history, art, or something quirky, there’s a museum for you.

Most of the city’s major museums are conveniently located at Museumplein (‘Museum Square’), making it easy to visit several in one go. If you’re planning to explore a few, the I amsterdam City Card is a great way to save money. Priced at around £60, it includes free entry (and queue jump) to top attractions like the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Rembrandt House, and the Stedelijk Museum, plus unlimited public transport for your trip.

If you’re visiting in November, don’t miss Museum Nacht (‘Museum Night’). For one night only, Amsterdam’s museums stay open late—some until 2 AM—offering entertainment, food, drinks, and DJ sets alongside their exhibitions. This year, it falls on Saturday, 1st November 2025.

Check out my top 8 must-visit museums and galleries below!

1. Rijksmuseum

One of the most well-known museums in Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum is a Dutch national museum dedicated to the arts and history in the Netherlands. 

Highlights:

  • Rembrandt’s best-known masterpiece the ‘Night Watch’ (nothing to do with Game of Thrones..) and Johannes Vermeer’s ‘The Milkmaid’.
  • The Dolls House (a collection of dolls’ houses that shows life in the 17th century; including the one that inspired the novel The Miniaturist – by Jessie Burton). 
  • It is the only museum in the world that you can cycle through.
  • Cuypers Library – the biggest and oldest art history library in the Netherlands. 
  • The Rijksmuseum building itself!

€25 entry

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2. Stedelijk Museum

If you’re more of a Modern Art fan, the Stedelijk museum displays 90,000 works from the early 20th and 21st century including pieces by Kazimir Malevich, Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse, and Andy Warhol. You’ll recognise the Stedelijk due to a recent extension to the building that’s dubbed “the bathtub” by locals – because it looks like a huge, shiny-white bathtub. 

Highlights:

  • Jacqueline Kennedy II by Andy Warhol
  • The “Stedelijk Base” – a 700 piece exhibition that brings together paintings, furniture, jewelry, sculptures, installations, and everyday objects and accessories into one amazing integrated experience. 

€22.50 entry

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3. Van Gogh Museum

Even for the less arty visitors, chances are you’ve heard of Van Gogh.. Here in Amsterdam you’ll find the largest collection of his work in the world with 200 of his paintings, 400 drawings and 700 letters. Often there are also rotating exhibitions by Monet and Pissarro.  

Highlights: 

  • The Potato Eaters by Vincent van Gogh
  • The Bedroom by Vincent van Gogh
  • Tulip Fields near The Hague by Claude Monet

€27.50 entry 

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4. Nemo Science Museum

Located not far from Amsterdam Central is Nemo Science museum, an immersive experience exploring science and technology. At weekends it gets very pretty busy with families and young kids, so be prepared to battle them for the interactive games…

Highlights: 

  • The sloping roof with an outdoor cafe offering great views over the city.
  • Five floors filled with continuously updated exhibitions, theatre performances, demonstrations, workshops and demonstrations. 
€21.50 entry
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5. Anne Frank House

Explore the house where 13-year-old Frank hid with her family for two years during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam. This museum on Prinsengracht portrays the life of Anne Frank through old objects, photographs and historical documents from the time. A moving and informative experience. Book in advance as the queues can get very long. 

Highlights: 

  • Anne Frank’s original red-checked diary. 
  • Hinged bookcase that led to the secret annex.
  • Located in the picturesque area of The Jordaan.
€16.00 entry
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6. Foam

This canalside photography museum can be a welcome break from the more traditional paintings and masterpieces of Amsterdam’s galleries. At Foam they have a rotating series of exhibitions featuring up and coming photographers.

Highlights:

  • Foam 3h – a programme focussed  on exhibiting the work of recently graduated photographers/artists.
  • Free tours of the exhibitions are every Saturday at 11.00 hrs (Dutch) and 12.00 hrs (English) 

€16.00 entry

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7. EYE Filmmuseum

Housed inside a striking, large, white building on the River IJ,  the Eye Filmmuseum is said to be designed to play with light, space, and movement in much the same way as film. Inside you’ll find a collection of movie posts, equipment, 40,000 films and other objects that reflect Dutch film culture.  

Highlights:

  • The four intimate cinemas onsite that screen both blockbusters and limited-release arthouse films.
  • Panoramic cafe overlooking the river.
  • Best reached via passenger ferry, a 5 minute trip which departs from the back of Centraal Station. 

€12.50 Standard film

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8. Moco Museum

Sandwiched between the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh museum is Moco, a lesser-known, boutique museum with a wide range of inspiring modern and contemporary art. 

Highlights:

  • Works by Banksy, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Yayoi Kusama.
  • Girl with Balloon, Banksy. 
  • Dollar Sign, one of Andy Warhol’s most iconic images. 
  • ‘Moco Garden’, outdoor sculptures by contemporary masters.

€21.95 entry

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