Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

About the Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands and one of the world's great art institutions. Housed in an extraordinary 19th-century building designed by Pierre Cuypers, the museum's 80 galleries contain over 8,000 objects spanning art and history from the Middle Ages to the present day.

The collection is dominated by Dutch Golden Age painting — the extraordinary burst of artistic genius that produced Rembrandt, Vermeer, Jan Steen, Franz Hals and dozens of other masters in the 17th century. No other museum on earth presents this period with the depth and quality of the Rijksmuseum.

Must-See Artworks

The Night Watch — Rembrandt (1642)

The Rijksmuseum's most famous work and one of the most celebrated paintings in the world. At 3.6 metres high and 4.4 metres wide, it's larger than most visitors expect — a monumental depiction of Amsterdam's city guard, painted with Rembrandt's extraordinary mastery of light and shadow.

The Milkmaid — Vermeer (c.1657-58)

A small but astonishing painting — a kitchen maid pouring milk in a shaft of light. Vermeer's meticulous attention to texture, light and material quality makes this one of the most studied paintings in art history.

The Threatened Swan — Jan Asselijn (c.1650)

A dramatic, large-scale animal painting that became one of the Rijksmuseum's most beloved works — a white swan defending its nest with fierce intensity.

Visiting Tips

• Arrive at 9am: The museum opens at 9am and the first hour is significantly quieter. This is the best time to see The Night Watch without crowds.
• Use the audio guide: The Rijksmuseum's audio guide (available via the app) is excellent and adds substantial depth to the key works.
• Visit the library (free): The museum's extraordinary Gothic library corridor is free to enter and one of Amsterdam's great architectural interiors.
• Allow 2–3 hours: The museum is large. Trying to see everything is impossible — focus on the Golden Age galleries and your personal interests.
• Museumkaart: If visiting multiple Amsterdam museums, the €69.90 museum pass offers free entry to the Rijksmuseum and 400+ other Dutch museums.