Museums in Amsterdam: Tickets and Tours

The grande old city of Amsterdam is filled with museums, with a shrine to knowledge seemingly available around every second corner.

And fortunately for the inquisitive traveler, the types of museums in Amsterdam are as diverse as the inhabitants of the city — with the quirky, the stately, the tragic, and even the ghoulish all finding a home within its walls.

Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum houses some of the Netherlands’ greatest treasures — a collection of artworks from almost every Dutch master.

Through the means of this peerless exhibition, the museum tells the stories of the Netherlands from a budding republic to a global power — providing valuable glimpses into historical events through the eyes of artists like Rembrandt van Rijn, Vermeer and Jan Steen.

Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum is home to the largest collection of this brilliant artist’s works. Here, you’ll get to see iconic works like his deceptively simple Sunflowers, the somber Potato Eaters, and the hauntingly beautiful Wheatfield With Crows.

Van Gogh’s works are like a diary of his life and you’ll get a sense of the man while you explore his works.

Several of his other great works are also exhibited from time to time — giving you the rare chance of appreciating paintings that are usually kept in private collections.

Moco Museum

Moving from the past to the present, the Moco Museum in Amsterdam is home to some of the world's best modern and contemporary artists.

It’s conveniently nestled between the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum — making it an essential stop on your day of museum hopping.

The museum has one mission — to make art accessible to everyone and to this goal they exhibit artists like Banksy, Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds promises fun for the entire family — I mean who’ll scoff at the opportunity of getting face-to-face with your favorite celebrity? Yes, it may be a wax face, but in lieu of the real thing, it’s still pretty good.

So good in fact, that these famous wax sculptures still attract droves of people in the days of Photoshop, face swaps and AI. It seems there's no replacement for the real thing, or the semi-real thing, at least.

Rembrandt House Museum

Rembrandt van Rijn is considered one of the most influential artists that ever picked up a brush.

While you’ll find most of his works in the Rijksmuseum, the Rembrandt House Museum offers something else completely — the opportunity to explore the very house where this great master once worked.

The highlight of a Rembrandt House tour is undoubtedly the live painting demonstration. Here, an artist will show you how Rembrandt mixed his colors in the same workshop where he painted most of his masterpieces.

National Maritime Museum

Housed in a historic building that was once the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company, the National Maritime Museum offers a captivating collection of nautical artifacts, interactive exhibits, and immersive displays that provide insight into the maritime heritage of the Netherlands.  

You'll also have the opportunity to learn about the personal stories of sailors and experience life on board a ship through interactive exhibits with a rich collection.

The museum offers stunning views of the Amsterdam waterfront, making it a perfect spot to take in the city's picturesque scenery.

The Upside Down

The Upside Down in Amsterdam is a mind-bending attraction that defies gravity with furniture hanging from the ceiling and upside-down rooms.

Visitors of all ages can enjoy an immersive and interactive adventure, with opportunities to capture unique photos and challenge their perception of reality.

From optical illusions to gravity-defying experiences, The Upside Down offers an unforgettable and offbeat destination for those seeking a truly unique experience in Amsterdam.

Youseum Amsterdam

Youseum is an interactive art museum that offers a truly unique and Instagrammable experience. This innovative museum is designed to be an immersive playground for creativity and self-expression.

You can explore a variety of interactive installations and capture stunning photos for social media. From vibrant and surreal rooms to optical illusions and interactive exhibits where you'll create memorable moments.

WONDR Experience

Wondr Experience in Amsterdam is an immersive art playground with colorful and surreal installations and sensory experiences.

From jumping into a ball pit of confetti to exploring neon-lit rooms, Wondr Experience offers a captivating and whimsical adventure for all ages.

Other Amsterdam art museums and galleries

Amsterdam has long been a center for the arts and that much has not changed. The city is specked with galleries, small and large, and you can spend days exploring them all.

One of the must-visit spots is the Stedelijk Museum, home to some of the best modern and contemporary art in the world. Here you’ll enjoy artists like Mondrian, Cézanne and Chaghal.

FOAM — Amsterdam’s largest photography gallery and museum — should also be on your list. The exhibitions are evocative, challenging, and sometimes downright confrontational, making the museum an unmissable stop for art aficionados.

Finally, those travelers that like to augment the artistic with the historical should make their way to the Amsterdam Museum.

The museum is dedicated to the city and its inhabitants and it tells their tales by weaving narratives, artworks and videos into one seamless presentation.

Amsterdam Dungeon

The infamous Amsterdam Dungeon is next on the list, moving along swiftly from the eerie to the downright ghastly. The museum offers a unique blend between history, horror and theatre to create a truly spine-chilling experience.

Discover the hidden history behind the city as you lay bare the tales of witches burned at the stake, tragedies brought on by the plague — and the haunting tales of the dungeon’s inhabitants who’ve not yet found their rest.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not

Ripley’s Believe It or Not is the manifestation of one man’s love for the uncanny. Robert Ripley traveled the world, collecting items for his museum of curiosities as he went along.

Today, many of those specimens and stories are exhibited in Ripley’s Beleive It or Not Amsterdam — forever challenging visitors’ incredulity.

NEMO Science Museum

The NEMO Science Museum makes learning fun for the entire family. There are 10 informative and engaging exhibitions, covering everything from how the human body works to the natural forces around us.

The museum is located nearby Amsterdam’s Central Station, making it a great option for a day of learning.

Other science museums

Along with the arts, Amsterdam has always been dedicated to the sciences. This is still evident in the number of institutes at which you can stimulate your grey matter.

One of the most interesting of these is the Micropia Museum — with its exhibits dedicated to the world of microscopic organisms. You’ll see microbes projected onto large screens and learn about the vital roles that these tiny critters play in our existence.

Another great stop for the inquisitive sort is Body Worlds — a museum that shows the inner workings of the most wondrous instrument any of us will ever own, the human body.

Tropenmuseum Of World Cultures

The Tropenmuseum of World Cultures in Amsterdam offers a captivating journey through various cultures from around the world, with its diverse collection of art and artifacts.

From African masks to Asian textiles, the Tropenmuseum provides a thought-provoking and educational experience for visitors interested in global cultures and world history.

Dutch Resistance Museum

If you’ve visited the Anne Frank House or the Holocaust Memorial, you would’ve already encountered some of the tales from Amsterdam’s darkest period.

The Dutch Resistance Museum tells the story of how the citizens of this tiny nation fought against fascism and tyranny. It provides an invaluable perspective into what occupied life was like and how the Dutch made it as difficult as possible for the Nazis.

House of Bols Museum

If you’re a lover of tipples, the House of Bols is an unmissable stop on your journey through Amsterdam. This museum is dedicated to the history of spirits and liqueurs and will leave you with a deeper appreciation of your favorite libation.

However, if you’re interested in other ways of relaxing after a long day you might want to consider the Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum.

This fascinating institute will show you exactly how versatile this plant is while also shedding light on its history.