Amsterdam is high on many people’s bucket list. The 17th-century capital of the Netherlands has countless sights and attractions. One of the best things about Amsterdam is its museums. The city is home to more than 50 museums, including several world-famous institutions that attract millions of visitors each year.
In this article, we cover 12 of the best museums in Amsterdam. From must-visit classics to lesser-known gems, these museums are perfect if you want to learn about history, admire art or simply have a great time. Let’s dive right in.
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1. Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam is the national museum of the Netherlands and one of the most visited museums in the city. For many travelers, it’s a must-see attraction and often the first museum on their Amsterdam itinerary.
The museum is home to some of the world’s most famous artworks by leading Dutch artists. Highlights include The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn and The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer. Beyond its masterpieces, the Rijksmuseum displays more than 8,000 objects across 80 galleries, offering a comprehensive look at Dutch art and history spanning roughly 800 years. The collection also includes decorative arts and historical artifacts. Our personal favorite is the famous Delft Blue pottery.
Originally established in The Hague in the late 18th century, the museum moved to Amsterdam in 1808 and has been housed in its current iconic building since 1885. If you want to understand Dutch art, culture and history in depth, this is the place to be. Plan to spend at least three hours here. Art lovers could easily stay an entire day.
💡 Check out our Rijksmuseum travel tips to plan your visit.
2. Van Gogh Museum
Vincent van Gogh is one of the most famous Dutch painters of all time. The 19th-century artist is known not only for his powerful and emotional paintings, but also for his tragic life story. During his lifetime, Van Gogh sold only one painting, yet today his work is admired worldwide. The Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam houses the largest collection of his art and attracts around two million visitors each year.
Inside the museum, you’ll find hundreds of paintings, drawings, and personal letters that offer insight into Van Gogh’s artistic development and inner life. While most works are by Van Gogh himself, the collection also includes pieces by artists who influenced him or were influenced by his style. Museum highlights include Sunflowers, The Potato Eaters, and the extensive series of Van Gogh self-portraits.
💡 Read our article for more Van Gogh Museum travel tips here.
3. Anne Frank House
Despite its relatively small size, the Anne Frank House is one of the most visited attractions in Amsterdam. Anne Frank is one of the most widely known Jewish victims of the Holocaust. The historic house is where she and her family went into hiding during World War II, and where Anne wrote her world-famous diary.
Today, the museum allows visitors to walk through the rooms of the Secret Annex and see original objects from the hiding place, including Anne Frank’s diary. A visit to the Anne Frank House is a deeply moving and thought-provoking experience that leaves a lasting impression.
💡 Read our article for more Anne Frank House travel tips here.
4. Amsterdam Cheese Museum
Cheese is one of the most iconic symbols of the Netherlands. The country is among the world’s leading cheese producers, and while well-known varieties such as Gouda are enjoyed worldwide, there are countless other types of Dutch cheese to discover.
Located just a five-minute walk from the Anne Frank House, the Amsterdam Cheese Museum is a small but enjoyable stop dedicated entirely to Dutch cheese. The museum introduces visitors to the history of cheese-making in the Netherlands and explains why Dutch cheese has become famous across the globe. If you’re short on time, this is an ideal place to learn about traditional cheese-making methods, sample different varieties, and purchase authentic Dutch cheeses to take home.
Amsterdam is just one place to explore Dutch cheese culture. If you’re traveling beyond the city, don’t miss the famous cheese market in Alkmaar or a visit to a traditional cheese factory in Volendam, a popular day trip from Amsterdam.
5. Amsterdam Museum
As the name suggests, the Amsterdam Museum tells the story of the city itself, from the Middle Ages to the present day. The museum is housed in a former orphanage dating back to the 16th century.
Through archaeological artifacts, paintings and interactive displays, the museum brings Amsterdam’s history to life. It’s suitable for both adults and children. If you’re short on time, opt for the Amsterdam DNA tour, a one-hour multimedia presentation that gives a concise overview of the city’s history. In addition to its permanent collection, Amsterdam museum hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
6. The Rembrandt House Museum
If Rembrandt van Rijn’s famous artwork The Night Watch impressed you, a visit to the Rembrandt House Museum is a natural next stop on your visit to Amsterdam. This museum is located in the house where Rembrandt lived and worked for nearly two decades in the 17th century.
While Leiden is Van Rijn’s birthplace and the the place where he spent his early years as an artist, he later moved to Amsterdam which was then the most important artistic and commercial center in the Dutch Republic. This move greatly boosted his career. He lived and worked in Amsterdam for most of his adult life, including in the house on the Jodenbreestraat (now the Rembrandt House Museum).
After Rembrandt declared bankruptcy in 1656 (he was 50 years old), he had to sell his house and much of his art collections to pay creditors. Decades later, the former lavish house was carefully renovated and restored and officially opened as the Rembrandt House Museum in 1911. Today, visiting the museum feels like stepping into the artist’s home and studio. It’s a stark reminder that fame and talent don’t always protect against financial trouble.
7. Moco Museum
The Moco Museum Amsterdam (Modern Contemporary Museum) is a must-visit for fans of modern and contemporary art. Housed in Villa Alsberg, a striking townhouse built in 1904 at Amsterdam’s vibrant Museumplein, the building itself is an architectural gem designed by renowned Dutch architect Eduard Cuypers.
Inside, the museum offers a carefully curated collection of modern and contemporary art. The founders of Moco aimed to make contemporary art accessible to everyone, showcasing iconic works by globally celebrated artists such as Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Banksy alongside pieces by emerging talents. This mix creates a dynamic experience that highlights both art history and today’s creative innovators.
By the way, while Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is the country’s largest museum for modern and contemporary art, Moco Museum is a wonderful museum to visit if you’d like to have a first glimpse of modern art, without spending too much time at one museum.
💡 Check out our full article and travel tips on Moco Museum Amsterdam.
8. NEMO Science Museum
The NEMO Science Museum in Amsterdam is a hands-on museum dedicated to science and technology. Its eye-catching building, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, resembles a futuristic ship rising from the water, though the copper-green structure actually sits atop a tunnel, making it a city landmark in its own right.
Unlike traditional museums, NEMO feels more like a large interactive science center. Spread across five floors, the museum encourages visitors to actively explore science through experiments, games and interactive exhibits. Themes include scientific discoveries through the ages, water management and the Dutch expertise in preventing floods, mathematics in everyday life, and modern technology.
NEMO is a fantastic destination for families with children, thanks to its highly engaging hands-on exhibits, but adults with an interest in science and technology will also find plenty to enjoy.
💡 Check out our visitors’ guide on the NEMO Science Museum.
9. Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
Fans of modern and contemporary art should not miss the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. Since its founding in 1874, the museum has built a collection of over 90,000 works. It’s considered to be one of the country’s largest collections of modern and contemporary art.
You’ll find art by renowned names such as Van Gogh, Matisse, Monet, Picasso, Chagall, Andy Warhol and Mondrian, among many others. The museum features paintings, sculptures, photographs, books and design objects, along with a varied program of temporary exhibitions.
By the way, Moco Museum and Stedelijk Museum are both located at Museumplein and focus on modern and contemporary art, but the visitor experience at each museum is quite different. While Moco is a small, fast-paced museum, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is much larger and more traditional in its approach. It’s a must-see if you have an interest in modern art and want to have a more in-depth museum experience.
💡 Check out our full article on Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam.
10. Amsterdam Tulip Museum
Whether or not you’ve visited the Netherlands’ famous tulip garden, Keukenhof, you likely know that tulips are one of the most iconic symbols of Dutch culture and history. What many visitors don’t realize is that Amsterdam even has a museum dedicated entirely to tulips.
Located in the Jordaan district, the Amsterdam Tulip Museum may be small, but it offers fascinating insights into the history of tulips in the Netherlands and their enormous economic impact during the 17th-century Tulip Mania. You’ll learn, for example, that tulips are not native to the Netherlands at all, and that although they bloom in spring, the bulbs are planted months earlier, typically in October or November.
The Amsterdam Tulip Museum is a compact yet worthwhile stop for anyone interested in Dutch history, culture, and one of the country’s most recognizable symbols.
11. Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds Amsterdam is part of the world-famous wax museum chain founded by French artist Marie Tussaud. The Amsterdam location was the second Madame Tussauds museum to open in Europe, following the original museum in London.
Inside, visitors can explore 11 themed zones. One of the highlights is the A-List zone, where you’ll find wax figures of international celebrities such as Taylor Swift and George Clooney.
In addition to global stars, Madame Tussauds Amsterdam also features wax figures of well-known Dutch personalities. Members of the Dutch royal family are displayed in the dedicated Royals Zone, which is especially popular with visitors.
A typical visit takes about one hour and is easy to combine with sightseeing in Amsterdam’s city center. Located directly on Dam Square, the museum sits close to many of Amsterdam’s most popular attractions and shopping streets. It’s a fun and accessible museum for visitors of all ages.
12. Body Worlds
Body Worlds The Happiness Project offers a unique look inside the human body through more than 200 plastinated specimens. While the concept may sound confronting at first, the exhibition is designed to be educational and informative rather than frightening.
The museum’s core philosophy is to help visitors better understand how the human body works. It explores the impact of emotions, health and lifestyle choices on our physical well-being. The Happiness Project focuses specifically on how happiness can influence our overall physical state. If you’ve ever wondered what makes that we’re happy or not and what’s the effect of happiness on our body, Body Worlds Amsterdam is a fascinating place to explore.
We found the museum to be highly educational, with a thoughtful and positive approach to both physical and mental well-being. Displays showing what families around the world eat in a typical week, as well as the physical effects of obesity, injuries, and everyday habits, are especially striking and eye-opening.
And while it might not be obvious at first glance, Body Worlds is also surprisingly popular with families with children, thanks to its interactive elements and accessible explanations.
I amsterdam City Card
If you plan to visit multiple museums in Amsterdam, the I amsterdam City Card is an excellent investment. Starting at €65 for 24 hours, the card includes free entry to many of Amsterdam’s most popular museums and attractions, several of which are featured in this article. In addition to museum access, the I amsterdam City Card offers unlimited use of public transport within Amsterdam on the GVB network, a free canal cruise, and a range of extra discounts and perks. It’s a convenient and cost-effective option for sightseeing and museum-hopping.
💡 Check out our detailed review of the I amsterdam City Card where we break down what’s included and whether the city card is worth it, and in which cases.
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