16 of the best museums in Amsterdam

Van Gogh Museum

Vincent van Gogh is one of The Netherlands’ most famous sons and, in fact, one of the most famous artists of all time, so it’s no surprise that Amsterdam’s dedicated Van Gogh Museum is one of the city’s most popular cultural destinations. Visitors come from around the world to see the largest collection anywhere of works by the artist and the collection comprises more than 200 paintings, 500 drawings and 700 letters. This is actually one of the busiest museums in the world so be sure to book your slot in advance as the collection is truly unmissable. 

Amsterdam Cheese Museum

The Netherlands has a rich heritage of great cheese-making that stretches back over 600 years and the tradition is still going strong today. The Dutch are the second biggest exporters of cheese in the world, with only Germany ranking higher. If you’re looking for an unusual yet fascinating (and delicious) museum to visit during your stay, the Amsterdam Cheese Museum is the perfect spot. Taste speciality cheeses, learn about the history of your favourite varieties, from Edam to Gouda, and you can even dress up like a traditional Dutch farmer.

Amsterdam Museum

If you want to learn more about the beautiful city of Amsterdam, this is the museum for you. The space is home to a wide collection of artworks, everyday items, including household objects, and archaeological discoveries. Together the artefacts tell the story of the city and its people over the years, from its very beginnings through the Dutch Golden Age to the present day. This is an immersive museum that offers great interactive and multimedia exhibits.

Anne Frank House

Anne Frank is one of Amsterdam’s most famous former residents. The house where she lived in hiding for two years has been converted into a museum charting the experience of Anne and her family during World War II, as well as the wider discrimination of Jewish people during that time. This is a sobering but important exploration of a period that shaped European history in the 20th century and beyond.

Eye Filmmuseum

Eye Filmmuseum is an absolute must-visit for film lovers. Part cinema, part museum, it showcases the best films in cinematic history, often screening exclusive newly restored versions. It is also a national film archive, meaning you can browse classic movies independently and sit in your own booth to watch your picks. Look out for temporary exhibitions on intriguing cinematic themes and be sure to pay a visit to the waterside café and restaurant.

Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam

The Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam – Resistance Museum – is a celebration of Dutch courage and strength in the face of adversity during World War II. The vibrant space features colourful posters, videos and audio exhibits, with huge photographs taking visitors on a journey through the Netherlands from the 1930s to the late 40s. As well as the permanent collection, the museum holds around five temporary exhibitions a year so there’s always something new to discover.

Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder

Meaning Our Lord in the Attic, Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder comprises a beautifully preserved 17th-century house with a tiny but beautiful church in its attic. Climb the stairs to the top, past floors furnished in the style of the Dutch Golden Age, to arrive at the church itself. What it lacks in size it makes up for in splendour – marble columns, ornate carvings and religious wall paintings create a beautiful space you simply wouldn’t expect to find at the top of a house.

Museum Het Rembrandthuis

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn was a Dutch draughtsman, painter and printmaker. He is one of the most important visual artists of all time, not just in the Netherlands but in the world, and there are few better ways to learn more about this creative genius than at the Museum Het Rembrandthuis – Rembrandt House Museum. Located in the building that the artist called home between 1639 and 1656, the space has been meticulously restored with furniture, art and objects from that time. It is designed to give an accurate glimpse into his life there and as such houses an extensive collection of Rembrandt’s etchings, paintings by his contemporaries and an assortment of tools he would have used. It’s like stepping back in time.

Hermitage Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s Hermitage is the Dutch branch of the world-famous State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. The space hosts a rotating selection of pieces from its Russian counterpart, from paintings to sketches, sculptures to archaeological finds. There is a focus on Russian history and culture, and the space also hosts internationally acclaimed exhibitions on leading artists and movements – past and present – from around the world. Previous shows have covered Matisse, Van Gogh and the Dutch Masters of the Golden Age.

Moco Museum

The Moco (modern contemporary) Museum is aimed at engaging as wide an audience as possible with great contemporary art. As such, it hosts works by many of the world’s most famous modern and current artists – Andy Warhol and Banksy are two names of particular note. Many of the pieces on display are privately owned and showcased here to the public for the first time. This is a really engaging space that gives a fresh and relevant perspective on art today.

Rijksmuseum

The architecturally beautiful Rijksmuseum is one of Amsterdam’s most famous and popular attractions. If you only have time to visit one museum in the city, this is a great choice as the collection comprises art and artefacts covering more than 800 years of Dutch and global history. You’ll find famous paintings by artists such as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh, artefacts ranging from historic Delftware ceramics to Asian art, and pieces exploring everything from Dutch maritime history to 20th-century high fashion. The museum is also home to picturesque gardens and a highly acclaimed restaurant.  

Nemo Science Museum

Amsterdam’s Nemo Science Museum is a highly interactive space designed to appeal to young and old alike, making it the perfect destination for family groups. Its five floors host constantly updated exhibitions as well as theatre performances, films, workshops and demonstrations. It’s a perfect example of learning through fun. The striking building has a sloped roof which is open to the public and home to an outdoor café that offers fantastic views across the city.  

Museum Van Loon

Museum Van Loon is the former home of the Van Loons, a family of Dutch nobility who lived here in the 19th century, and Willem van Loon was one of the co-founders of the Dutch East India Company. The house is a beautiful design from 1672 and is filled with paintings, antique furniture and objects such as fine porcelain and silver from across the centuries. The interiors will give you a glimpse into the life of Amsterdam’s wealthy citizens in the 18th century. At the rear is a gorgeous garden that offers a little spot of calm in the heart of the city.

Tassenmuseum

Fashion lovers should be sure to pay a visit to the Tassenmuseum – Museum of Bags and Purses. The space holds the widest collection of exhibits of any such museum in the world, and is one of the most prestigious fashion museums. The permanent collection tells the story of bags and accessories, from the Middle Ages to the present day. This is enhanced with regular temporary exhibitions as well as showcasing young and contemporary designers from the Netherlands and beyond.

Museum Het Schip

The Amsterdam School is a style of architecture that was prominent in the Netherlands from around 1910-1930, and the School was part of a wider international movement towards expressionist architecture. Museum Het Schip is dedicated to exploring the Amsterdam School, placing the architectural style into social, political and artistic contexts. The building itself – Het Schip – is a great example of the School’s style, making this a truly immersive experience.

Scheepvaartmuseum

Built in 1656 and previously the official warehouse of the Dutch navy, the Scheepvaartmuseum – National Maritime Museum – is a striking building right on the water. Inside, you can discover all the ways in which the sea has shaped Dutch culture, with a collection covering 500 years of the nation’s maritime history. There are also special exhibitions aimed at children, so everyone will enjoy a visit here. A replica of the famous Dutch East India Company ship Amsterdam is moored outside, so be sure to climb aboard and take a look around.