The Best Museums In Amsterdam You Should Visit

Amsterdam is home to some of the most revered art museums and historical landmarks in the world. Plan to spend a day or two touring these museums if you want to get to all of them, because they are as central to Amsterdam as the red light district or the coffeeshops.

Rijkmuseum

The Rijkmuseum is the largest museum in The Netherlands, housing works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and many other famed artists. The museum is laid out chronologically, with each floor as a separate time period. While here, don’t miss the Night Watch by Rembrandt, as it is the museum’s most famous work.
Rijkmuseum, Museumstraat 1 1071 XX Amsterdam Netherlands +31 900 0745

A Creative Commons Image: Rodekolen en ui Vincent Van Gogh

Van Gogh Museum

Oftentimes museums dedicated to one artist can feel a bit tiresome and repetitive, but the Van Gogh Museum is an exception. The museums layout takes you through Van Gogh’s life and brilliantly outlines how he changed and matured as an artist. Many of his works are accompanied by works from his contemporaries or exhibits on relevant historical events, so that you can have a window into what inspired this great artist.
Van Gogh Museum, Paulus Potterstraat 7 1071 CX Amsterdam Netherlands +31 20 570 5200

Anne Frank House

The Anne Frank House is an absolute must while in Amsterdam. It is chilling to stand in this house and imagine the dread and terror the young Anne Frank had to endure. However, it is an important visit to make, as it will open your eyes to a horror that happened less than one hundred years ago. Plan on spending a while here, and give yourself some time to reflect after your visit.
Anne Frank House, Prinsengracht 263-267 1016 GV Amsterdam Netherlands +31 20 556 7105

A Creative Commons Image: Paints at the Rembrandt House

Electric Ladyland

Electric Ladyland is not what you think given the name. Electric Ladyland is incredibly different from any other museum on this list, as it is a museum dedicated to fluorescent light. For those of you who have tried out Amsterdam’s famous coffeeshops this is the museum for you. Guests become part of the art as the lights reflect off of clothing, skin and teeth to create a wild light show experience.
Electric Ladyland, Tweede Leliedwarsstraat 5 1015 Amsterdam Netherlands +31 20 420 3776

Rembrandt House Museum

While the Van Gogh Musuem is dedicated to the artist, the Rembrandt House Museum is actually where Rembrandt himself lived and worked. The museum walks the line between a history of Rembrandt and a celebration of his art. The museum still contains all of the original furniture in the house, and as you tour it, helpful guides will explain how Rembrandt mixed his paint and provide you with other fun facts.
Rembrandt House Museum, Jodenbreestraat 4 1011 NK Amsterdam Netherlands +31 20 520 0400

About the author

Ross Walker

Ross Walker was born in the Napa Valley, California, but moved to New York to study English Literature, Creative Writing, and Web Programming and Applications at New York University. While in school Ross has studied in Madrid, Spain, and Paris, France, and visited many places in between. Ross’s love of writing, travel, food, and the outdoors led him to explore a career in travel writing. Ross wants to explore South America next, hopefully hiking through the highlands of Peru.