Amsterdam Museums

Written by Viator, August 2010

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The compact center of Amsterdam packs in a huge variety of experience. That’s why it’s one of Europe’s best-loved cities: everyone gets something out of it. Not interested in coffee shops or the red light district? No problem; the city is also a big hitter in the arts, with world-class museums covering everything from Old Masters to beer. Get on a rental bike or hop on (and hop off) one of the buses doing regular circuits of the city to get the most out of your cultural excursion.

Much of central Amsterdam is formed of concentric half-circles of canals fanning out from the city’s main railway station. Just beyond this formation is Museumplein (Museum Square), with its impressive concentration of institutions. Here you’ll find the renowned Van Gogh Museum, with the largest collection of the artist’s paintings in the world. Works you’ll recognize from countless reproductions are here in all their vivid color and painterly texture. Despite a life marked by tragedy, Van Gogh’s lust for life bursts from these beloved canvasses.

If you want to explore art history before and after Van Gogh’s time, you don’t even need to leave the square. The Rijksmuseum is the grande dame of the city’s art museums, focusing on an era when Dutch painters dominated the European art market, and boasts such iconic paintings as Vermeer’s The Milkmaid and Rembrandt’s The Night Watch. And to take the story up to the present day, simply stroll on over to the Stedelijk Museum with its superb collection of 20th century and contemporary art. Not just paintings, but also furniture and decorative objects tell the story of revolution and innovation in the quest for new forms.

As well as fine arts, Amsterdam’s museums cover diamonds, hemp and various aspects of the city’s history. It’s thirsty work taking it all in, so you may want to end your day’s wanderings at the Heineken Experience, where you’ll get to see and – of course – taste the famous Dutch brew.

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Reply by alison.page6, May 2012

Doing what: I amsterdam Card - City Pass for Amsterdam

Great card. Saved us money and encouraged us to visit museums we wouldn't have thought about.
The travel card is a useful bonus espcially for the trams.

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Reply by Sue Ski, May 2012

Doing what: Skip the Line: Van Gogh Museum and Amsterdam Canal Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Day Pass

LOVED this tour! A great way to see the Canal's of Amsterdam, learn a lot of history about the city, and enjoy a relaxing boat ride. I also really enjoyed the Van Gogh Museum, and being able to skip the long line of people waiting to buy tickets. Highly recommend this tour!!

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Reply by Vard N, May 2012

Doing what: Skip the Line: Amsterdam and Holland Pass

Well worth the money - especially for the "skip the line" feature. It should be more clearly stated that when you are selecting your 2 museum admissions that you cannot select both the Van Gogh and the Rijks museum.