Amsterdam museums

A selection of Amsterdam museums you must visit during your stay in Amsterdam

Rijksmuseum

Largest collection of art in the Netherlands, the basis of which was laid at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The most visited section is the collection of Dutch old masters from the fifteenth to the nineteenth centuries, including works by Rembrandt (e.g. The Nightwatch), Vermeer, Frans Hals and Jan Steen. There is also a prints room with approximately 700,000 prints and drawings; sculptures, furniture, silver, glass, porcelain; a Dutch History section and an Asiatic Art section. After ten years of building work, renovations and restoration, the opening of the new Rijksmuseum took place on 13 April 2013. Address: Jan Luijkenstraat 1, Museum Square.

Anne Frank House

A museum with a story: The Diary of Anne Frank, written in the years 1942-1944. Anne and her family hid from the German occupation forces until they were betrayed and deported. A number of exhibitions give an impression of the life of Anne Frank, in which the diary takes a central role. Temporary exhibitions demand consideration of racism, anti-semitism etc. Address: Prinsengracht 267.

Van Gogh Museum

Houses the richest collection in the world of works by Vincent van Gogh. The collection comprises over 200 paintings, 500 sketches and 700 letters from the artist, as well as his collection of Japanese prints. There are also paintings by Gauguin, Monet, Toulouse-Lautrec and other artists from Van Gogh’s circle. The museum organizes regular exhibitions highlighting new aspects of art at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century.

On Friday nights the Van Gogh Museum turns into a great night spot. With a bar in place they dim the lights in their central hall, turn up the stereo, pull out some lounge chairs and invite DJs and live acts to perform. Open from 18.00 to 22.00 it’s perfect for unwinding from a week’s work before kicking on elsewhere, into the night. Address: Paulus Potterstraat 7, Museum Square.

Rembrandt house

This house, which dates from 1606 and in which Rembrandt lived between 1639 and 1660, exhibits 250 of the 300 etchings Rembrandt created. The museum also owns a number of sketches by Rembrandt and paintings by, among others, his teacher Pieter Lastman and some by Rembrandt’s apprentices. Address: Jodenbreestraat 4.

Stedelijk Museum

After major renovations of the building and a futuristic new wing built onto the museum (‘the Bathtub’), the Stedelijk Museum and its more than 90.000 pieces of contemporary art collection is absolutely worth a visit. The building’s entrance is in Amsterdam’s famous Museumplein.

The Stedelijk Museum’s collection comprises world-famous works of art. The museum has an interesting collection of Cobra and expressionist works by Karel Appel, Willem de Kooning and other artists and also boasts the most important Malevich collection worldwide. Besides famous works of pop art by the likes of Andy Warhol you will also find paintings by Matisse and Picasso here. All in all a unique museum ranking among the very best in the world. Address: Linnaeusstraat 2, Museum Square.

Hermitage

The Hermitage museum on the Amstel river is the Dutch branch of the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg (Russia). Hermitage Amsterdam is the only dedicated, independently managed venue in the West of St Petersburg’s magnificent State Hermitage Museum. The Hermitage Amsterdam is situated in the Neerlandia Building, adjacent to the Amstelhof building. Phase 1 of the Hermitage Amsterdam has been open to the public since 2004. Phase 2 in the former nursing-home Amstelhof opened it’s doors to the public on June 20th 2009. Art from Russia will be assigned even more space in Amsterdam as the 17th century Amstelhof building is almost ten times the size of the former Hermitage Amsterdam. Address: Nieuwe Herengracht 14

EYE Film Institute Amsterdam

Located in an amazing building on the northern bank of the river IJ. EYE is a modern museum where you can see and do all kinds of things related to film. There are four movie theatres, an exhibition space, a basement for interactive educational purposes and a bar-restaurant with a huge terrace, overlooking the river IJ. The fastest way to get there is by ferry (Buiksloterweg), departing from Amsterdam Central Station that reaches EYE in two minutes. The ferry is free and runs 24 hours a day. Address: IJpromenade 1

Tropenmuseum

The Tropenmuseum is one of Europe’s leading ethnographic museums, renowned for its collection. The permanent and temporary exhibitions display (art) objects, photographs, music and film from non-western cultures. The beautiful and historic building in which the Tropenmuseum is housed provides space for eight permanent exhibitions and an ongoing series of temporary exhibitions. Address: Linnaeusstraat 2.

Beurs van Berlage

The Beurs van Berlage is one of the world’s most important architectural monuments. The interior is certainly worth seeing. In addition to the building itself, you’ll find drawings and mock-ups of the building as well as documents about it and the stock trading that took place inside. You can also visit one of the exhibitions which are held in the Beurs. Address: Damrak 277.

Allard Pierson museum

Rich archeological collection of the University of Amsterdam. You can see exhibits from Egypt, ancient Greece, Roman times, Western Turkey, Iran and prehistoric finds from Europe. Address: Oude Turfmarkt 127.

Amsterdam Museum
Gives an overview of the history of Amsterdam from the thirtheenth century to the present using, among other things, archeological finds, models, silver and gold exhibits, glass, earthenware and porcelain. Also the only “museum street” in the world with a number of group portraits from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Address: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 357/ Kalverstraat 92.

Jewish Historic Museum

Based in the three synagogues of the restored High German synagogue complex from the 17th and 18th century. Subjects: Jewish religion, zionism, persecution and survival, Jewish culture in the Netherlands and the socio-economic history of Jews in the Netherlands. Address: Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1.

Madame Tussaud’s

From Tina Turner to Vincent Van Gogh, Marilyn Monroe to the Dutch Royal Family, the world’s greatest celebrities and legends invite you to join them on a spectacular journey through time and space. Address: Dam Square.

NEMO

National centre for science and technology. NewMetropolis wants to interest people of all ages in science, technology and industry. The building was designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano and has the contours of a ship. The immense green building is located about 15 minutes walk from Amsterdam Central Station. Address: Oosterdok 2.

National Maritime Museum Amsterdam

One of the largest maritime collections in the world: including some 500 authentic ships’ models and dozens of charts, navigation instruments, weapons, flags and paintings, especially from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. At the museum quay is a replica of the VOC ship ‘Amsterdam’, an East Indiaman from the seventeenth century. At the moment East Indiaman Amsterdam is moored at science center NEMO. Address: Oosterdok 2.

De Nieuwe Kerk

The large-scale exhibitions on treasures from other countries, cultures and religions are a household term to many people. Located in the middle of the city centre at Dam Square next to the Royal Palace. The monumental church building is well worth visiting. Address: Dam Square.

Houseboat Museum

Have you been wondering about the interiors of the 2,500 houseboats in Amsterdams canals? On board Houseboat Museum Hendrika Maria you can see how homely and romantic life on the water is. Address: Prinsengracht 296 K.