Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is Amsterdam's crown jewel and one of the most important art museums in the world. In a magnificent neo-Gothic building from 1885 (architect: Pierre Cuypers), it presents 8,000 objects from 800 years of Dutch art and history — from Delftware to Rembrandt and Vermeer to more modern works.

The Highlights

• Rembrandt's "Night Watch" (1642): The most famous painting in the Netherlands hangs in the center of the Gallery of Honour — the most theatrical museum presentation imaginable: a long, dark corridor leading to the illuminated monumental painting. The painting has been undergoing live restoration since 2019 (Operation Night Watch), which adds to the fascination.
• Vermeer's "The Milkmaid" (1660): This small masterpiece depicts a woman pouring milk — so calm, so perfectly lit, so timeless that one can stand before it for minutes. Vermeer painted only 35 known works, four of which are displayed here.
• Gallery of Honour: The central corridor with masterpieces from the Golden Age — this corridor alone is worth the museum visit.
• Asian Pavilion: Often overlooked but fantastic: Art from Japan, China, Indonesia, and India from the Dutch colonial period.
• Library: The Cuypers Library on the 1st floor is the most beautiful library in the Netherlands — open iron galleries, wood-paneled ceiling, stained glass windows. Free access.

Practical Information: Admission: €22.50. Opening hours: Daily 9 AM–5 PM. Be sure to book online in advance! The queues at the entrance can be up to 2 hours long in summer. With an online ticket: 15 minutes. Allow at least 2–3 hours, art lovers need a whole day.