10 must-see museums in Amsterdam

Are you planning a cultural stay in the beautiful Dutch capital? Here is our top 10 museums to visit in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is no longer a favourite destination for a city trip. The charm of its canals with the 17th century houses but also its underground culture have made its reputation, not forgetting its bike rides. The city combines with the perfect historical heritage and trendy modernity. In addition to being romantic, its cultural and scientific offer, based on centuries of discovery, will delight more than one. It is an opportunity to leave with nice memories in memory and full of new knowledge.

Like most major capitals today, Amsterdam offers a city pass, the Iamsterdam card, which allows to enjoy discounts at the entrance of the main cultural buildings. Depending on what you want to see, it can be very interesting. Let's just say the ticket rates can be pretty expensive.

Are you ready? All you need to do is make your choice among this list of must-see museums to visit in Amsterdam.

1. Van Gogh Museum

It is the flagship museum to visit in Amsterdam, the one that attracts crowds of tourists! As his name suggests, he is entirely devoted to the work of the painter and presents the largest collection in the world of his achievements.

Located on Museumplein, the museum is designed to discover the entire Van Gogh career, from its beginnings to its end in Auvers-sur-Oise. In parallel to his work, works by other artists, who influenced Van Gogh or were influenced by him, are also exhibited. Finally, the top floor provides some of the most interesting insights into the relationship between the painter and his brother, Theo, thanks to the preservation of their correspondence.

2. Le Rijksmuseum

It is impossible to pass next to this museum in Amsterdam without notice as the building is impressive. It is located on the Museumplein square that it dominates royally.

Its collections present the history of Amsterdam from the installation of the Republic to the Golden Age, among others, through the presentation of historical objects. It is also possible to discover some of the people’s morals in rooms dedicated to the doll houses, very popular in the amstellodamian nobility for the education of young girls. But of course, the star of the museum is his department of paintings in which some masterpieces of Rembrandt and Vermeer are exposed.

3. Le Stedelijk museum

Another must-see museum in Amsterdam on the famous Museumplein, the Stedelijk is entirely dedicated to modern art with a section on Dutch design.

You will find all the great movements of modern painting with great names like Matisse and Newman for the most known. With its fun presentations, the museum is aimed at both an informed and novice audience.

4. The Anne Frank House

The waiting line along the canal announces this unmissable museum in Amsterdam for which it is unnecessary to present the tragic story of Anne Frank, a victim of the deportation of Jews by the Nazi regime.

The building, located in the Jordaan district, is the one in which the girl and her family hid to escape persecution. It is also in this place that the famous newspaper was written. The visit, very moving, allows to trace its history and that of the places where it lived.

Note : do not even hope to visit the museum without having to book your tickets in advance, sometimes 2 months before your visit! And again, you will have waiting at the entrance despite that.

5. The Historical Museum of Amsterdam

Located in the centre of the city, in the building of a former orphanage, the museum proposes to discover the history of Amsterdam through paintings, objects, furniture and other archaeological discoveries presented in a playful way for some. Its inner courtyard is a small haven of peace close to the waves of visitors to the central area.

And if you hesitate to launch, the Civic Guard Gallery, which is part of the museum, is visiting for free.

6. The House of Rembrandt

Definitely, there are a number of must-see museums in Amsterdam and this one is part of it! It is not a re-enactment but a real home where the painter lived. Through archives, she was able to be redesigned and organized almost identically to show how the master lived and worked.

Another interesting detail, and not least, the museum presents an impressive collection of engravings made by Rembrandt. In short, if you’re amateur or art lovers, it’s not to be missed so visit Waterlooplein.

7. NEMO

Its original architecture, unmistakable in the docks landscape quickly makes you want to visit this museum and it is well seen! So what is it? Well, it is the museum of science and technology that has been very successful, especially among the young public.

Be sure, the adults who have kept their souls as a child are also welcome. In the program, experiments to understand gravity, magnetism and many other phenomena. As a bonus, there is the roof terrace to enjoy the view!

8. Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder

Behind this mystery name is a must-see museum in Amsterdam. Ranking among the oldest museums just behind Rijk, it is a pity. His name translates to "Our Lord at the attic" and hides in fact a Catholic church! Clandestine, it was built under the roofs of 3 typical houses of the 17th century city.

The course, labyrinthic, passes from one house to another. You go up and go down to discover life in Amsterdam during the Golden Age, before arriving in this extraordinary church in the barn. If you want to learn more about how this atypical construction works, and not the choice: you have to visit it! The game is worth the candle, I promise.

9. Heineken Experience

For some, it is the most famous museum in Amsterdam, the place where you discover all the secrets of this world-famous beer. Before anything, be warned, Heineken designed this museum for tourists only! The good cause? Install it in the historic buildings (all the same). And if the beautiful boilers leave you with marble, you will be seduced by the dynamic mini-cinema that transforms you into beer.

Obviously, a generous tasting included in the ticket awaits you at the end. It is said that certain people lose their sense of balance.

10. Micropia

Dear hypochondriac and phobic little animals, this museum is not for you. For the hardiest, welcome to the microbial museum, perfect candidate to close our selection of museums to visit in Amsterdam!

For the anecdote, it was in Amsterdam that the existence of micro-organisms was discovered in the seventeenth century. Under the age of 10, this place located in the premises of the Artisa Zoo is therefore intended to present the immensity of the microscopic bug community. The ones we house outside... as inside. Originally, most of the microbes presented are alive, all through a playful, even artistic scenography.

Other museums in Amsterdam

Of course, this list is non-exhaustive, it is impossible to list all the museums that the city has in one article!

• For lovers and lovers of ice paper, the museum of photography, FOAM, and his kidneys will certainly please you. Hidden in an old house, it hosts exhibitions of renowned names and its small garden does not lack charm.
• 7th art fans are not in the rest with the new Cinema Museum located on the seafront. A permanent exhibition is dedicated to the history of cinema, temporary exhibitions are also organized and rooms project the whole day of the classics.
• Finally, for those who swear only by the broad, Maritime Museum of Amsterdam Wait for you. Very pointed, it is considered the largest museum in the world dedicated to navigation. Point d’orgue de la visite, la découverte d’un trois mâts de la Compagnie des Indes.