Amsterdam boasts some of the best museums worldwide, attracting millions of visitors each year. The Rijksmuseum, with over 2 million visitors annually, showcases masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer. The Van Gogh Museum’s 1.5 million visitors explore the iconic artist’s works. Planning ahead ensures access to popular attractions and saves time in queues. The best Museums in Amsterdam offer unforgettable cultural experiences that shouldn’t be missed.

Amsterdam Museum Finder

With more than 100 museums, galleries, exhibitions, and pop up attractions, Amsterdam is a cultural center in Europe. Do you want to know which museum is the best for your trip? Below just click on everything YOU consider important and we’ll show you the best museums for you and your travel companions.

Amsterdam Museum Finder

The 25 Best Museums in Amsterdam

Do you want to know the best museums in Amsterdam? We have selected among the most famous and visited museums in Amsterdam those that you can definitely put on your list of attractions in the city:

1. 01

   Anne Frank House

   Museum in Jordaan
   

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   Considered one of the Best museums in Amsterdam, this is the building where Anne Frank’s family hid. The tour of the Anne Frank House begins with the entrance and the goods shipping area, followed by the spice mill room, and then the warehouse where the goods were packed for distribution on the first floor in the back. A staircase leads to the second floor where Otto and his employees worked. Photos from the time, testimonies, and selections from the book fill the empty rooms. Otto Frank left these elements intentionally so that all who pass by there share the same pain, feelings, and experiences they had in the house. During the visit to Anne Frank’s house, the small door leads to the hidden annex, a 46 m2 space divided into two rooms with a kitchen, toilet, and attic, inhabited by two families, eight people in total. There is silence in the rooms as if guests relive the daily life of the house’s inhabitants. The tension, anxiety, concern about not making noise during the day, and the fear of being discovered are in the air.

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2. 02

   Rijksmuseum

   Museum in Museumplein
   

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   Why does the Rijksmuseum make it onto the list of Amsterdam’s best museums? My highlight of the Rijksmuseum is the corridor that connects the various internal galleries. The atrium consists of two rooms connected by a tunnel under the passage, with an entrance in the passage. The original brick walls of the route have been replaced by large glass surfaces through which visitors can admire the internal courtyards. In addition, directly across from the Rijksmuseum, you’ll find another view of Amsterdam: The red and white sculpture „I AM STERDAM,“ with which you should take a souvenir photo.

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3. 03

   Street Art Museum Amsterdam (STRAAT Museum)

   Museum in NDSM
   

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   In the middle of the alternative NDSM neighborhood is the Amsterdam Street Art Museum. Unlike traditional museums with a curator and a direction team, the Straat Museum is a community cooperation where various artists always present new expressions of the streets. Altogether there are more than 300 panels of street art, among them the grandiose street painting of Anne Frank by the world-renowned Kobra.

   The works at the Straat Museum are composed of graffiti, canvases, sculptures and all in a super open and alternative space.

   The large shed where is located on the north side of Amsterdam, easily reached by a free ferry from Central Station to the NDSM station.

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4. 04

   Van Gogh Museum

   Museum in Museumplein
   

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   Unlike other art museums in Amsterdam, Van Gogh Museum is smaller and more intimate. Here, you will find not only his works of art but also a lot of information about the painter’s life, who also influenced art history.  The Van Gogh Museum is in Amsterdam’s museum district, „Museumsplein,“ where you can also find other famous museums, such as the Rijksmuseum, the Diamond Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum. The Van Gogh Museum welcomes around 1.6 million visitors every year. No wonder a visit to the museum belongs to the list of the best Museums in Amsterdam!

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5. 05

   Stedelijk Museum

   Museum in Museumplein
   

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   The Stedelijk Museum is one of the largest art museums in Amsterdam and Europe. Here you will find more than 1.5 km of corridors filled with art pieces. It includes a permanent exhibition with over 750 works and special exhibitions. The Museum Stedelijk also offers guided tours to immerse you deeper into the works, backgrounds, and meanings.

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6. 06

   Moco Museum

   Museum in Museumplein
   

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   The Moco Museum was founded by Lionel and Kim Logchies, owners of the Lionel Gallery in Amsterdam. The couple specializes in art, including the works of Banksy, Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Picasso, and Salvador Dali. They offer visitors an incomparable collection of provocative art in which irony and humor are used to reflect on modern society. A unique experience intended for a broad audience, a visit to the Moco is to see things in a new way. Although relatively new, the Moco Museum is definitely on the list of the best museums in Amsterdam.

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7. 07

   Amsterdam Museum on the Amstel

   Museum in Plantage
   

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   Do you know the history of Amsterdam? That is precisely the purpose of the Amsterdam Museum: to tell the stories that have shaped the city of Amsterdam. The collection of the Amsterdam Museum amounts to more than 100,000 works and objects. Most are works of art by local artists from the past, but also by contemporary artists. In addition to works by icons such as Lingelbach and Rembrandt, works by recently exalted artists such as Raquel Haver, Natasja Kensmil and Brian Elstak stand alongside.

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8. 08

   Nxt Museum - Amsterdam Digital Art Museum

   Museum in Buiksloterham
   

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   Is it possible to create boundaries between the digital and the physical? That is the challenge of NXT Museum, The Museum of Digital Art Amsterdam. Located in a former TV station, this museum surprises with its giant technological exhibition that mixes Art and Technology.

   With sensory experiences, the NXT Museum investigates the next steps in a world that every day develops faster and faster in terms of technology. Besides provoking questions about our life in a digital and physical world, NXT is a unique experience in Amsterdam.

   The name of the museum, NXT, comes from the word NEXT! What else is coming?

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9. 09

   Nemo Science Museum

   Museum in IJ Waterfront
   

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   The Nemo Science Museum is an excellent Amsterdam museum for adults and children because, here, interaction is essential. Instead of walking through the museum and looking at numerous exhibitions, you can participate here, touch and try out. This is what makes the museum particularly interesting for families. On four levels, you can explore different areas of physics, biology, chemistry, and technology and participate in experiments and exciting shows.

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10. 10

    Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder

    Museum in Red light District
    

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    The Museum Ons‘ Lieve Heer op Solder is a typical canal house converted into a church and opened its doors to visitors to show the impressive architecture from the 17th century. Here you can see rooms, an entrance hall, the church, a chapel, and even a confessional. And all this in one and the same building. One of the greatest highlights of the Museum Ons‘ Lieve Heer op Solder is undoubtedly the interior of the church.Although small and with a short visitation time (max 1 hour), Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder is very worthwhile and could not be left out of the best museums in Amsterdam.

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11. 11

    Hasch Marihuana & Hanf Museum

    Museum in De Wallen
    

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    A hash museum? That’s right! Since the 1980s, the Hemp Museum exists in Amsterdam’s red light district “De Wallen” and is entirely dedicated to the cannabis plant. It is the very first museum of its kind. Because it gained popularity so quickly, the Hemp Museum expanded to Barcelona just a little later.

    Here you will be surprised by the versatility of the plant and learn how it is made and used. Part of the museum is also a hemp gallery that exhibits art by painters and photographers.

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12. 12

    WONDR Experience in Amsterdam

    Museum in Buiksloterham
    

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    Can you call the WONDR Experience a museum? We don’t really know how to categorize this experience that is perfect for adults, teenagers and children.
    A museum surrounded by different colorful, Instagrammable, interactive rooms. The place is perfect for those traveling with children and want a light and fun activity.
    If you love photos, we also guarantee one of the BEST museums to ensure great photos of your trip.

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13. 13

    Rembrandt House Museum (Museum Rembrandthuis)

    Museum in Jodenbuurt - Jewish neighbourhood of Amsterdam
    

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    The Rembrandt Museum has been showing the life and works of the Dutch artist since 1911. The museum includes both Rembrandt’s old home, where he lived for a full twenty years and a more modern facility. The museum gives you insights into the studio, living quarters and paintings of the world-famous artist from the 17th century. In total, you will encounter more than 260 etchings here. However, you will not find his most famous work „The Night Watch“ here. You can find it in the  Rijksmuseum. Besides Rembrandt, the Rembrandt Museum also exhibits works by his contemporaries, such as his own teacher Pieter Lastman.

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14. 14

    Eye Film Museum (EYE Film Instituut Nederland)

    Museum in Buiksloterham
    

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    Not only one of the best museums in Amsterdam, but the Eye Film Museum is the only museum dedicated to national and international cinematography. In all, visitors can find more than 55,000 films on file.  In addition to an impressive collection of film archives, visitors will also find photos, artifacts, and numerous electronic panels that show in a technological way the greatest and most important scenes in the history of cinema.

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15. 15

    Amsterdam National Maritime Museum (Scheepvaartmuseum)

    Museum in Amsterdam Old City
    

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    The Scheepvaartmuseum (Maritime Museum) – free admission with the I Amsterdam Card. Next to NEMO (where admission is also free with the I Amsterdam Card!), this museum is one of the most family-friendly. They make a special effort there to make you understand the theme of the museum, the great history of Dutch shipping. The collection of the National Maritime Museum is one of the largest and most remarkable maritime collections in the world, with some 400,000 objects, including paintings, ship models, navigational instruments and world maps. Yet it is far too often overlooked by foreign tourists.

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16. 16

    Red Light Secrets Museum (Museum of Prostitution)

    Museum in Red light District
    

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    Red Light Secrets Museum is also known as the Museum of Prostitution. The museum is located in the building of a famous brothel in Amsterdam and is a great alternative for those who want to take a look behind the oldest profession in the world. Here you can see what it’s like to sit in one of the sex windows and be watched. The museum also addresses serious and controversial issues that are part of sex workers’ lives. Without glamorizing, but also without judging, the Museum of Prostitution tells a bit of the story and what goes on behind the many windows in Amsterdam’s red light district.

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17. 17

    Tropenmuseum (Tropical Museum)

    Museum in Plantage
    

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    The Tropenmuseum, which is translated as Tropical Museum, is a secret tip for anyone traveling to the capital of the Netherlands.
    Very little known by tourists, the Tropenmuseum is an excellent choice of museum in Amsterdam. The permanent ethnographic exhibition with numerous cultural items from all over the world, the Tropenmuseum takes you on a journey to America, Asia, Europe, Africa and Oceania.

    Some of the highlights of the Tropenmuseum are:
    The incredible building in East Amsterdam is an attraction in itself. Incredible staircases, glass ceilings and long, luxurious corridors.
    The exhibits are surrounded by visual panels, interactive activities and technological elements.
    Many temporary exhibitions. You will hardly visit the same Tropenmuseum twice. Every month, the Tropenmuseum offers different temporary exhibitions.

    The museum is even super for families with children and people with motor difficulties. The museum also offers a cafe with breakfast, lunch and dinner options, as well as an amazing store with items from all over the world.

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18. 18

    Architecture Museum Het Schip

    Museum in Spaarndammerbuurt
    

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    The Architecture Museum Het Schip takes you to get to know the details and curiosities of the city’s architecture. You can explore the Het Schip Museum of Architecture on your own or participate in one of the hourly tours that show a presentation of the main rooms of the museum.

    Besides being an impressive museum located in one of Amsterdam’s most impressive buildings, the museum surprises with its exhibits

    The permanent exhibition is the Constructed Ideals, which looks at different types of Dutch houses, from construction to decoration.

    The temporary exhibitions change from month to month, but always bring new themes around decoration, architecture from various parts of the world.

    The museum ticket can be bought online or you can use the I Amsterdam Card to enter free of charge.

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19. 19

    Foam - Amsterdams Photography Museum

    Museum in Amsterdam Canal Belt
    

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    Photography fans take note! At the Foam Museum, you can keep an eye on photos by both world-famous photographers and up-and-coming young talent. There are no set themes. The exhibitions in the Foam change every 2-4 months, so that a visit here is worthwhile even on a repeated Amsterdam vacation. No matter when you visit the museum, there are at least three exhibitions on display at any given time. In the building you will also find a café, a library with books on photography and a bookstore.

    The museum derives its name Foam from the name Fotografie Amsterdam.

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20. 20

    Grachtenmuseum (Museum of the Canals)

    Museum in Amsterdam Canal Belt
    

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    The canal museum Het Grachtenhuis, focuses on the origin, development, and use of the canals in Amsterdam, which led to the nickname Venice of the North. The museum itself is located on the famous canal belt, which consists of the Herrengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010. Your visit to the museum begins with the first plan for the expansion of the city in the 17th century and takes you, with the help of 3D animations and multimedia exhibitions, over 400 years to the canals of today. In my opinion, the Canal Museum is one of the best Amsterdam museums due to the fact that it is so specific to the city.

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21. 21

    Museum of WWII Dutch Resistance (Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam)

    Museum in Plantage
    

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    It is natural to be curious about life and events during World War II. It is precisely this period of history that is told in the WWII Resistance Museum. What happened to the Netherlands during the Nazi occupation? How did the Dutch fight against Germany’s impositions? What are the personal and private histories that were only recognized after the end of the war? This and hundreds of other stories are told in the Verzetsmuseum Amsterdam (Museum of WWII Resistance). The Museum of Resistance tells through articles, posters, books and letters the stories of many Dutch people who fought against Nazism.

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22. 22

    Madame Tussauds Amsterdam

    Museum in Dam Square
    

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    Madame Tussauds is a visitor magnet in every big city – and Amsterdam is no exception. In the Dutch capital, Madame Tussauds is located directly on the central Dam Square, where the Royal Palace is also located.

    At the waxworks, you’ll meet the world’s most famous celebrities, from Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga to Dutch artists. To be deceptively real, photos with the stars make for great souvenirs of your trip. But just when you tell yourself that the characters aren’t real, animations and sounds keep trying to convince you otherwise.

    If you don’t want to stand in line at Madame Tussauds, you should book your tickets in advance! I advise you to do this whenever tickets for an attraction are available online. This will save you valuable time and a lot of stress in Amsterdam.

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23. 23

    ARTIS Micropia

    Museum in Plantage
    

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    A zoo? Yes, this is a zoo of living things that are invisible to the human eye. Micropia discovers a world that few have the opportunity to see.
    Through a very visual and technological exhibition, where visitors have the possibility to see a world behind the microscope.
    You can even scan your body and understand a little of what happens on a microscopic scale.

    Entrance to Micropia is included in the I Amsterdam Card or as a single ticket. Reserve at least 1 hour to visit Micropia.

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24. 24

    Allard Pierson Museum of Antiquities

    Museum in Red light District
    

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    The Allard Pierson Museum of Antiquities is the archaeological museum of Amsterdam. It is located in an imposing building in the De Wallen district and features pieces from Greek, Roman and Egyptian cultures. The museum’s beautiful rooms display ceramics, sculptures, sarcophagi, glass tablets and much more.

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25. 25

    Fabrique des Lumières in Amsterdam

    Museum in Westerpark Amsterdam
    

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    Amsterdam is known for its vibrant art scene and cultural attractions, and one place that stands out is the Fabrique des Lumières.
    The Fabrique des Lumièress exhibitions offers an enchanting and immersive journey into the world of digital art. With its captivating exhibitions, vibrant visuals, and breathtaking soundscapes, this attraction is a must-visit for art enthusiasts, families, and anyone seeking a unique and sensory experience.

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Tickets to the best museums in Amsterdam

To avoid queues or even miss the opportunity to visit the best museums during your trip to Amsterdam, secure the tickets for the museums you want to visit in advance. For some museums, it is indispensable not only to buy the ticket in advance but also to select the time of the visit. The visiting hours determine a window of time to enter the museum, but there is no maximum time limit. Many museum tickets in Amsterdam allow cancellation from 1 day up to 1 hour before the scheduled time, depending on the option. However, if the museum entrance time is missed, no rescheduling is possible.

Museums in Amsterdam with compulsory reservation

These Museums in Amsterdam do not sell tickets on-site and require a reservation time:

• Anne Frank Museum
• Rijksmuseum
• Van Gogh Museum
• Moco Museum
• Amsterdam Museum
• Nemo Science Museum
• NXT Museum
• Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder
• WONDR
• Rembrandt House Museum
• Tropenmuseum
• Foam Photography Museum
• Amsterdam Madame Tussauds
• ARTIS-Micropia Microbe Museum

How to save on tickets to the best museums in Amsterdam?

If you like to visit exhibitions and don’t want to miss the best museums in Amsterdam, the I Amsterdam Card gives you access to over 70 museums in the city. During the period of use of the I Amsterdam Card, you can visit as many museums as you like. Here you can read all about how the I Amsterdam Card works, which museums are included, and what other activities you can enjoy with this City Card.

• 24 hours – 60€
• 48 hours – 85€
• 72 hours – 100€
• 96 hours – 115€
• 120 hours – 125€

Buy I Amsterdam Card

Amsterdam Museum Finder

With more than 100 museums, galleries, exhibitions, and pop up attractions, Amsterdam is a cultural center in Europe. Do you want to know which museum is the best for your trip? Below just click on everything YOU consider important and we’ll show you the best museums for you and your travel companions.