Rijksmuseum Tickets 2026

VISIT THE RIJKSMUSEUM

Visiting the Rijksmuseum means walking down hallways full of Dutch history. With over 8,000 items spanning eight centuries, and the works of the country’s finest artists, it is a must-see museum while in Amsterdam, perfect for learning more about the Netherlands. The museum also has a collection of Asian art, armor, dollhouses, and model ships. It is also known for the charming Cuypers Library.

REMBRANDT, VERMEER, ASSELIJN, AND MORE!

Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch” is one of the most famous paintings in the museum. He painted it for the Arquebusiers’ Guild Hall, the city’s police at the time. Another highlight is his “Self-Portrait”. Walking around the Rijksmuseum, you will get to Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid”, which shows a woman pouring milk out of a jug. You can see what the mundane tasks looked like in the past and what the typical clothes of the era were. Asselijn’s “The Threatened Swan” depicts a swan defending its nest from a dog. It is a painting from the 17th century, and what is interesting about it is that years later, it was seen as a metaphor for the statesman Johan de Witt protecting the Netherlands from its enemies.

VIEW VAN GOGH’S PAINTINGS

See what the artist looked like in his famous “Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat”. Created in Paris, this painting shows the moment Van Gogh abandoned dark, traditional Dutch colors for the vibrant palette and bold brushstrokes that made him world-famous. An interesting fact is that Van Gogh painted 'View of Amsterdam' during his visit to the city in 1885, the same year the Rijksmuseum first opened its doors. He spent hours inside the museum admiring Rembrandt’s masterpieces, and then, while waiting for his train at the (temporary) station, he captured this famous view of the city skyline.

MORE TO EXPLORE

The Rijksmuseum has even more interesting exhibits to see. For example, you can see a collection of board games and see what fun on a Saturday night meant in the past and how the Dutch once used to spend their leisure time! One of them was called The Game of the Goose. You can also see a dice glass, which was used to play a drinking game. The game was simple - you had to take as many sips as the dice indicated. There is also a fancy chess set made with silver and ebony pieces. There is also a collection of Asian art, such as a statue of Shiva Natarja, statues of temple guardians from 14th-century Japan, and a haori, a woman’s clothing item from Japan, with beautiful red and white cranes on it.

If you truly want to explore art and culture in Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum is the perfect place to start. If you’re planning to go a step further and visit more museums and attractions, we suggest getting the Amsterdam City Pass. It includes entry to the Rijksmuseum and several other must-see sights, making it a great option for an easy and smooth visit.