In a nutshell
- We show you the 17 best museums in Amsterdam – art museums, historical museums and very special museums.
- Don’t have much time? Then we recommend our top 3 museums: Anne Frank House, Rembrandthuis and Rijksmuseum.
- If you want to visit more than 3 museums, the I Amsterdam City Card is worth it. With it you can save money and time!
- Good to know: The Museumplein in Amsterdam is a museum square south of the city center where many art museums are lined up.
The 3 Best Museums in Amsterdam
Amsterdam has so many famous museums to offer. But if you ask us, these 3 are by far the best museums in the city and real must-sees.
Anne Frank House

What do you need to know? The Anne Frank House is undisputedly the most important museum in Amsterdam. It was here that Anne and her family hide from the Nazis and wrote her famous diary.
Is it worth it? The Anne Frank House should be at the top of your list for Amsterdam. Yes, the subject is difficult to digest, but it’s also super important. We’ve been to the house on the Prinsengracht several times and are always overwhelmed. It’s not just worth it, it’s a must.
Our tip: You should book tickets about 6 weeks in advance! Demand is so high that the museum does not have a daily quota. A spontaneous visit is not possible.
The museum visit takes about 1 to 2 hours.
Book your ticket for the Anne Frank House online
Rembrandthuis

What do you need to know? Rembrandthuis is the former home of the Amsterdam painter Rembrandt van Rijn. He lived, painted and taught here with his family in the 17th century.
Is it worth a visit? For us, the Rembrandthuis is the best and most authentic art museum in Amsterdam. Not only do you see important works of art here, but also how a famous artist lived and worked. A really successful combination!
Our tip: Don’t miss out on the audio guide! It’s really great and even reveals one or two of Rembrandt’s family secrets.
The museum visit takes about 1 to 2 hours.
Book your ticket for the Rembrandthuis online
Rijksmuseum

What do you need to know? The Rijksmuseum is one of the most famous museums in Amsterdam. World-famous art, impressive halls and even a library await you here.
Is it worth it? We have visited the Rijksmuseum several times and are always overwhelmed. Everyone finds that one painting here that never lets them go. Of course, we particularly like the visitor magnet “The Night Watch” by Rembrandt – Amsterdam’s Mona Lisa.
Our tip: Take enough time for the Rijksmuseum. We always plan a visit to the museum for an entire morning. If you need a break in between, you can have a drink and a bite to eat at Het Café right in the museum.
The museum visit takes about 3 hours.
Book your ticket for the Rijksmuseum online
The Best Art Museums in Amsterdam
Do you enjoy art and want to see even more museums in Amsterdam besides the Rijksmuseum and Rembrandthuis? Then we recommend 4 more museums.
Van Gogh Museum

What do you need to know? The Van Gogh Museum on Museumplein is the largest Van Gogh collection in the world and was even built by Vincent van Gogh’s sister-in-law and nephew.
Is it worth it? The museum is great for fans of the painter! Some of his best works are on display here and his tragic life story is brought closer to you in a varied way. The audio guide gives you great additional information.
Our tip: Make sure you book your ticket online in advance! There are no purchase options on site.
The museum visit takes around 2 hours.
Book your ticket for the Van Gogh Museum online
Stedelijk Museum

What do you need to know? The Stedelijk Museum on Museumplein is Amsterdam’s best museum for modern and contemporary art.
Is it worth it? If you like modern art, then the Stedelijk Museum will blow you away. Here you’ll find works from Cézanne, Picasso and Matisse to Warhol. Super cool. And on top of that, there’s a really creative museum store for nice souvenirs.
Our tip: The museum also offers constantly changing special exhibitions. You can find out about the exhibition on the Stedelijk website and decide whether you would like to see it as well. You don’t need an extra ticket for this.
The museum visit takes about 2 hours.
Book your ticket for the Stedelijk Museum online
Moco Museum

What do you need to know? The Moco Museum is a museum for modern and contemporary art in an old villa on Museumplein. Banksy and Warhol, among others, are exhibited here. And there are really cool digital immersive art exhibitions with music and lights.
Is it worth it? The mix of graffiti, videos, painting and photography is really well done and the pieces are all beautifully staged. Something different and super exciting for the eye. And to be honest, the pretty Villa Alsberg alone is worth a visit to the museum.
The museum visit takes about 2 to 3 hours.
Book your ticket for the Moco Museum online
Foam Photography Museum

What do you need to know? The unusual Foam Photo Museum is located in a renovated canal house and shows the pictures of the world’s greatest photographers on the one hand and works by up-and-coming young talents on the other.
Is it worth it? We love photography museums. That’s why a visit to Foam was an absolute must for us. The museum always has changing exhibitions and has an excellent reputation. No matter what kind of pictures the curators choose, the quality of the exhibitions is considered outstanding.
The museum visit takes about 1 hour.
Book your ticket for the Foam Museum online
Straat Street Art Museum

What do you need to know? The Straat Museum Amsterdam is located in Amsterdam Noord and features a lot of street art and impressive graffiti art. The museum itself is located in a part of the former NDSM-Werf. Mega impressive!
Is it worth it? For fans of modern art, street art and the industrial vibe, the Straat Museum Amsterdam is a great destination. However, we wouldn’t recommend it to first-time visitors because the museum doesn’t focus on Amsterdam at all.
The museum visit takes about 1 hour.
Book your ticket for the Straat Museum online
The Best Historical Museums in Amsterdam
Want to learn more about the history of Amsterdam? The city also offers great museums for this.
Royal Palace

What do you need to know? The Royal Palace is still one of the residences of the Dutch royal family and is located directly on Dam Square in the city center. You can visit the palace when there are no award ceremonies or state visits.
Is it worth it? The building is beautiful – inside and out. However, in most cases you don’t enter the rooms but look at them through plexiglass. That’s a real shame.
Our tip: If you don’t have enough time in Amsterdam for all the museums, then the Royal Palace is definitely a building where viewing and photographing from the outside is also completely sufficient.
The museum visit takes about 1 to 2 hours.
Book your ticket for the Royal Palace online
Het Grachtenhuis

What do you need to know? The Grachtenhuis is a museum on Amsterdam’s Herengracht canal, housed in one of the best-preserved canal houses from the 17th century.
Is it worth it? Yes, you can travel back in time and learn all about the construction of Amsterdam’s historic canal belt. After seeing the interactive exhibition, you will see the idyllic canals with completely different eyes.
The museum visit takes about 1 hour.
Book your ticket for Het Grachtenhuis online
Amsterdam Museum

What do you need to know? The Amsterdam Museum is located in the old town and is – as the name suggests – a museum about the history of Amsterdam. In addition to the permanent exhibition, there are changing exhibitions on various cultural themes.
Is it worth it? If you are interested in the history of the city and the Dutch Golden Age, you will find a great exhibition here that is not as crowded as other museums in Amsterdam. The additional interactive installations and the audio guide round off the visit really well.
The museum visit takes about 1 to 2 hours.
Book your ticket for the Amsterdam Museum online
Het Scheepvaartmuseum

What do you need to know? The Maritime Museum is located right on the Oosterdok and is huge! Here you will find the world’s largest maritime collection with paintings, ship models, navigation instruments and nautical charts.
Is it worth it? Whether you’re a ship enthusiast or not, there’s a lot to see here! You get a great insight into the maritime history of the Dutch and can even visit an entire ship. Varied and authentic.
Our tip: The area around the museum is also super beautiful. You can stroll along the water, look at ships and, if you’re hungry, eat delicious fish, for example in the harbor restaurant Hannekes Boom.
The museum visit takes around 3 to 4 hours.
Book your ticket for the Maritime Museum online
Unusual Museums in Amsterdam
Do you look for something entirely different? Then Amsterdam is the place for you. There are not only totally educational museums here, but also some really unusual ones.
Red Lights Secret

What do you need to know? The Red Lights Secret Museum is also known as the Museum of Prostitution and is located in the middle of Amsterdam’s Red Light District – a popular attraction in Amsterdam. Here you can learn all about the history of prostitution in Amsterdam since the 14th century.
Is it worth it? The Red Lights Secret gives a good insight into the work of the women and also tells you about the dangers of the business. We never felt uncomfortable and the museum is also great for a spontaneous visit.
The museum visit takes about 1 to 2 hours.
Book your ticket for the Red Lights Secret Museum online
Heineken Experience

What do you need to know? Heineken beer from Amsterdam is known all over the world. That’s why the Heineken Experience is one of the city’s best-known and most popular attractions. You can visit the building of the original brewery and taste the beer.
Is it worth it? If you enjoy a beer every now and then and are interested in the brewing process, then this is the place for you. You can tap your own beer, get a look behind the scenes and a full 3 glasses of beer on the tour!
The brewery tour lasts around 2 hours.
Book your ticket for the Heineken Experience online
Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum

What do you need to know? The Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum is located in Amsterdam’s red light district. The exhibition focuses on the processing and use of hemp, which is known to be very popular in Amsterdam.
Is it worth it? The museum is manageable and therefore great for a spontaneous visit. You get some interesting and funny information about hemp and have lots of opportunities to take fun photos.
The museum visit takes about 1 hour.
Book your ticket for the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum online
Read more about hash in Amsterdam in our coffeeshop guide:
Torture Museum Amsterdam

What do you need to know? The Torture Museum is one of the most bizarre museums in Amsterdam. Historically accurate instruments of torture are exhibited in labyrinthine rooms and explained with pictures and information boards. Tickets are available retro at the entrance.
Is it worth it? On the condition that we learn something, it can also be a little macabre. And you’ll definitely find that combination here – macabre, but educational. When else can you learn so vividly how terrible the Middle Ages were – even in Amsterdam?
Our tip: You can visit the Torture Museum spontaneously and it’s also a great option when it’s raining in Amsterdam.
The museum visit takes about 1 hour.
NEMO Science Museum

What do you need to know? NEMO is the largest science center in Holland and is specially designed for inquisitive children between the ages of 6 and 16. Here, science and technology are shown in an entertaining way.
Is it worth it? The museum is perfect for a trip to Amsterdam with children. Kids can try out, touch, smell, hear and see lots of things for themselves.
Our tip: Read more about our experience at NEMO Amsterdam. We’ve written down everything you need to know for your visit.
The museum visit takes about 3 hours.
Book your ticket for the NEMO Museum Amsterdam online
Which Museums are Inlcuded in the I Amsterdam City Card?
If you want to visit more than 3 museums in Amsterdam, then the I Amsterdam City Card is definitely worth your while!
The time-based pass has different purchase options between 24 and 120 hours and gives you access to 70 museums and attractions in Amsterdam.
The card not only saves you money, but also time and nerves.
The following of our favorite museums are included in the I Amsterdam City Card:
- Rembrandthuis
- Rijksmuseum
- Stedelijk Museum
- Moco Museum
- Amsterdam Museum
- Foam Photography Museum
- Het Grachtenhuis
- NEMO Museum
You can read our review of the Amsterdam Card here or buy the card directly here.
Read more about city passes in Amsterdam
FAQ about the museums in Amsterdam
Which museums are free in Amsterdam?
There are only a few free museums in Amsterdam. Here is a small selection of central museums that are free of charge:
- Rijksmuseum Gardens
- The Mouse Mansion
- Some exhibitions in the Eye Museum
- Museumhaven
What is the best pass for museums in Amsterdam?
The I Amsterdam Card.
Read also the section above the FAQs.
These were our tips for the 17 best museums in Amsterdam!
Have you already visited one of the museums in Amsterdam or do you know of another cool one? Please leave us a comment. We look forward to hearing from you!