The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam (Municipal Museum Amsterdam) is a leading contemporary museum dedicated to modern art and design. With over 250,000 visitors per year, the Stedelijk Museum is among the most visited museums in Amsterdam.
If you’re interested in visiting one of the country’s largest collections of modern and contemporary art, the Stedelijk Museum is an excellent place to add to your Amsterdam itinerary.
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About Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
Construction of the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam was spearheaded by Sophia Adriana de Bruyn, a private collector of art, jewelry, antiquities and other valuables. When the museum opened its doors in September 1895, it came as no surprise that most of the works on display originated from de Bruyn’s private collection.
In the 1930s, the museum began to actively acquire new artworks. In the 1960s, the Society for the Formation of a Public Collection of Contemporary Art (Vereeniging tot het Vormen van een Verzameling van Hedendaagsche Kunst, or VVHK) transferred its extensive collection to the Stedelijk Museum. This included works by renowned artists such as George Hendrik Breitner, Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot and Vincent van Gogh.
Today, the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam houses nearly 90,000 works of art. A visit feels almost like a journey through the most important developments in art and design of the 20th and 21st centuries. The Stedelijk Museum is among the most visited museums in Amsterdam, right behind the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House.
What to See at Stedelijk Museum
There is a lot to see at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. The museum features both a permanent collection and regularly changing temporary exhibitions.
The permanent collection includes:
- Paintings: Works by influential modern and contemporary artists such as Piet Mondrian, Kazimir Malevich and Willem de Kooning.
- Drawings: Sketches and works on paper that offer insight into artists’ creative processes, ranging from early modern art to contemporary pieces.
- Photographs: Both historical and contemporary photography, showcasing documentary, artistic and experimental approaches.
- Works of applied art: Design objects such as furniture, graphic design, typography and industrial design that highlight the Netherlands’ strong design tradition.
- New media and digital art: Video installations, multimedia works and digital art that reflect the latest developments in contemporary art and technology.
Be sure to check the museum’s official calendar before your visit to see which exhibitions are currently on display. If you’re hoping to see a specific artwork or artist, it’s especially important to check ahead.
Plan Your Visit
Make the most of your visit to the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam with the tips below.
Admission and Tickets
Tickets are priced at €22.50 for adults and €12.50 for students (prices as of January 2026). Visitors under 18 years of age enjoy free admission. Entrance is also free with the Dutch Museumkaart and the I amsterdam City Card.
If you plan on visiting multiple attractions in Amsterdam, we highly recommend the I amsterdam City Card, as it can save you a significant amount of money. However, if you’re only planning to visit the Stedelijk Museum and perhaps one or two smaller attractions, purchasing an individual ticket may be the better option. You can read more in our detailed I amsterdam City Card review.
Please note that you must book a specific date for your visit, but not a fixed time slot. Once inside the museum, you’re free to explore the exhibitions at your own pace.
Opening Hours
The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is open daily, 365 days a year, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
How to Get There
The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is easily accessible by public transport, bicycle or on foot. It’s located at Museumplein, where many of Amsterdam’s famous museums are located.
Address: Museumplein 10, 1071 DJ Amsterdam.
- Public transport: The best way to get here is by public transport. Amsterdam’s public transport system (metro and trams) is efficient and easy to use, and it’s included with the I amsterdam City Card. From Amsterdam Central Station, take Tram 2 or Tram 12 and exit at station Museumplein. From there, it’s just a two-minute walk to the museum.
- By car: We don’t recommend driving in Amsterdam, as traffic can be heavy and parking is limited and expensive. If you do choose to drive, the most convenient option is to park in a nearby garage at Museumplein. Car parks are generally cheaper than on-street parking.
- By bike or on foot: If the weather is nice, walking or cycling is a great way to explore the city. Cycling from Amsterdam Central Station to the Stedelijk Museum takes just over 15 minutes via the S100 route. On foot, the walk takes about 35 minutes and covers just over three kilometers.
Our tip: “Stedelijk Museum” translates to “Municipal Museum” in Dutch. If you’re traveling from another city, be sure to search for the full name Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam or use the exact address. Otherwise, you might accidentally end up at a Stedelijk Museum in a different city.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit the Stedelijk Museum is in the early morning or on weekdays, when it’s generally quieter. However, we found Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam really spacious, so it doesn’t really feel crowded, even at peak time.
Most visitors spend around three hours at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. If you’re museum-hopping and only want to see the highlights, one hour is usually enough to get a good first impression.
Amsterdam is famous for its museums, and the Stedelijk Museum is located just steps away from other world-class institutions at Museumplein. You can easily combine your visit with the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum.
Free Amsterdam Travel Ressources
Visiting Amsterdam for the first time? We’ve plenty of articles that help you plan your trip! Check out our articles on Amsterdam. Looking for more inspirations for museums? Head over to our detailed article on the 12 best museums in Amsterdam.
