The best museums in Amsterdam

Fancy adding a cultural activity to your trip? Discover the 10 best museums in Amsterdam for a day full of art, history and lots of fun.

What would Van Gogh think if he discovered that there was a museum dedicated to his work in the capital of his country, despite the fact that he only sold one painting in his entire career?

Perhaps he would not believe it, as luck did not smile on him during his lifetime, but the truth is that today he is one of the most acclaimed artists by the public and the Van Gogh Museum is one of the most visited museums in Amsterdam.

Although several of his works are scattered around the world, the Van Gogh Museum has some of the most important ones such as "Peasants Eating Potatoes", "Sunflowers", "The Bedroom in Arles" or "The Yellow House", among others.

The museum has a collection of 1,450 works, including 500 drawings, 200 paintings and 750 written documents. It also has an exhibition of paintings from the 19th century, where you can appreciate the relationship between artists contemporary to Van Gogh and his work.

Why I like this museum

I find the Van Gogh Museum a fascinating place, as throughout its first floor we can learn about the painter's story told canvas by canvas.

His paintings are arranged chronologically through five periods according to the stages of Van Gogh's life, so you can see his artistic evolution from the country scenes of his early days to the troubled works of his last days.

I recommend you take a private guided tour of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam to see the incredible work of the Dutch artist in detail.

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Considered the best museum in Holland, the Rijksmuseum is one of the must-see art galleries for any traveller visiting the country, as it is home to the most outstanding collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings in the world.

Located right in the centre of Amsterdam, the Kingdom Museum houses not only canvases signed by such important Dutch artists as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Jan Steen and Frans Hals, but also has an interesting repertoire of ancient objects from Dutch culture (engravings, drawings, photographs, etc.) and from other cultures such as Egyptian and Asian.

Why I like this museum

The Rijksmuseum is the largest museum in the Netherlands and one of Amsterdam's main tourist attractions. It displays 800 years of Dutch history, from the year 1200 to the present day.

Within its walls it holds a little piece of European history and art and reveals the cultural and political impact of the Dutch Golden Age on the continent through pieces that belonged to the wealthiest families of the time.

But beyond that period, the Rijksmuseum also preserves many objects of great historical value such as sculptures, weapons, jewellery and costumes belonging to past eras, so this museum is a place that I recommend to all lovers of ancient art because you are going to have a great time.

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If you like modern art, the Stedelijk Museum is a must-see during your stay in Amsterdam. Founded in 1874, this art gallery houses one of the world's leading collections of modern art and focuses on movements such as Bauhaus, Pop-Art, De Stijl (The Style), Colorfield, Neo-Impressionism and Minimalism.

With over 90,000 works of art from the 19th century to the present day, the Stedelijk Museum is a must-see.000 works spanning from the 19th to the 21st century, this is Amsterdam's most important museum of contemporary art and design and one of the most prominent internationally.

Interestingly, when the Museum of Modern Contemporary Art opened its doors it was not without controversy, as many people were unhappy with its choice of art. Today, however, the Stedelijk Museum has become one of the most entertaining and beloved museums in the Netherlands.

Why I like this museum

On the one hand, I like the Stedelijk Museum for its architecture, as it presents a strong contrast between the old neo-renaissance building and the futuristic building nicknamed "The Bathtub", which is the entrance to the museum through its main door. It even contrasts with other museums in the neighbourhood such as the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. It is quite striking.

On the other hand, because of the art collections it houses inside. There are very interesting pieces by Van Gogh, Matisse, Renoir, Newman, Picasso, Warhol, Jackson Pollock and Rauschenberg, among others.

In addition, the Museum of Modern Contemporary Art has a collection of objects representative of some modern art trends such as photographs, sculptures, drawings, engravings or graphic design.

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Madame Tussauds may not be at the top of your list of Amsterdam museums to visit, but it's sure to be one of the most enjoyable places to visit during your stay.

Madame Tussauds Amsterdam opened in 1972 in front of Dam Square but has more than 20 locations in Asia, Europe, America and Oceania, with the London and New York museums being the two most famous.

If you are travelling with children or teenagers to the Dutch capital, this is one of the best museums in Amsterdam to visit as a family because they will have a great time exploring the different floors and all the surprises that await them there.

Why I like this museum

Many people wonder if Madame Tussauds is as worthwhile and spectacular as they say it is and I can guarantee you that its fame is well deserved.

Not only because of how much its wax sculptures resemble the celebrities they represent, but also because you can interact with them in the different sets and take home a fantastic photo album of your visit.

The current collection at Madame Tussauds Amsterdam includes figures of royalty and politicians (such as the King and Queen of the Netherlands, Angela Merkel and Barack Obama), actors and singers (Marilyn Monroe, Lady Gaga, Adele and Daniel Craig) as well as fictional characters such as Marvel superheroes.

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With the motto 'No touching allowed', Amsterdam's NEMO Science Museum is the perfect place to visit with the whole family as it focuses on visitors young and old discovering how the world around them works through experiments and interactive exhibits.

Located very close to the Central Station in a large greenish building in the shape of a ship, this five-storey museum proves that learning about technology and science doesn't have to be a drag.

Why I like this museum

What's more, in its rooms you can enjoy interactive exhibits about the human mind, magnetism, gravity and other everyday phenomena that we live with and that can surprise us, as well as different scientific experiments in which you can participate.

The NEMO Science Museum is a space designed to experiment with science and make visitors feel like real researchers for a while. And I must say that it really succeeds. Children will have a fun day out, but adults will also be surprised by what they see there.

And from the museum's terrace there are sensational views of the historic centre of Amsterdam, so don't miss out on a visit!

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Located in the centre of the Dutch capital, this is the best place to learn about the history of Amsterdam and its importance in Europe.

A visit to the Amsterdam Museum will give you an insight into how the city was born, its evolution during the Middle Ages, how it became the first world port in the 16th century and its subsequent transformation into the cosmopolitan city it is today.

Why I like this museum

I think it is a very interesting museum to learn about the roots of Amsterdam. Not only because of its exhibitions, where models, plans and drawings present the history of the city in chronological order, but also because it shows the social aspects of the daily life of the Dutch, their folklore and their religion.

In addition, the Amsterdam Museum is located in a former orphanage in Classicist style, which in itself is also worth a visit as it is considered a beautiful historical monument of the city.

Surprisingly, the theme of the museum and the structure of the building merge perfectly to create a very complete historical perspective experience, so I recommend you to visit it.

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The Moco or Modern Contemporary Museum is an avant-garde art centre based in the Villa Alsberg on Amsterdam's Musemplein. It houses a collection of iconic works of art by modern authors that will make your visit a unique moment, inspiring you with its wide range.

Discover works of great social impact by renowned artists such as Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, but perhaps the most surprising collection is the museum's contribution to the work of street artist Banksy.

Can you imagine seeing the legendary "Girls with Balloon" or "Love is in the air" murals? In the permanent exhibition "Laugh Now" of this museum, which commemorates the anonymous graffiti artist with remains of his rescued works, it is possible.

Why I like this museum

If you like modern art, if you want to let art move you, you can't miss this museum that defies the rules and gives a voice to street artists as well as masters of contemporary art. Book your tickets in advance and skip the queues.

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The figure of Anne Frank has become an icon against totalitarianism and the unreasonableness of barbarism. Thanks to her famous diary, her story is known throughout the world and every year thousands of people visit the house where she took refuge with her family during World War II to escape Nazi persecution.

The recreation of the atmosphere of what was the Frank family's home for more than two years takes us back to a turbulent time. This museum in Amsterdam gives us an insight into the situation of the Jewish community in Europe in the 1940s through the innocent eyes of a young girl.

Why I like this museum

Anyone who has read "The Diary of Anne Frank" will want to see first-hand the place where the events described in the story took place, and those who have not yet done so will be able to learn about the moving story of this teenager who has touched millions of people all over the world.

The visit to Anne Frank's House, the former office of her father's company which served as their hiding place, is very well planned and guided. You can see every room in the house and put yourself in the shoes of the Frank family in those difficult times.

During the visit you will inevitably get a lump in your throat. Especially when you see the original notebooks from the girl's diary and the tremendous sense of emptiness inside the building.

Anne's father and sole survivor of the family, Otto Frank, after leaving the concentration camp returned and decided not to rebuild the hiding place but to leave it empty to represent the emptiness he himself felt for the loss of his relatives.

In short, I recommend a visit to the house-museum because it is a way of keeping alive the memory of Anne Frank and passing on her legacy to future generations so that the horror they lived through will never be repeated.

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You don't always have the opportunity to visit the place where one of the great geniuses of painting lived, but in the centre of Amsterdam the Rembrandt House-Museum still stands, a must for art lovers.

It is a very interesting experience to enter this completely restored 17th century house. It will give you an insight into what the houses looked like back then and how the artist, who bought it in 1639 when he had already achieved success, worked and lived there.

Why I like this museum

It is a highly recommended visit because it tells the story of Rembrandt as a painter, businessman, collector and inhabitant of Amsterdam in the middle of the Dutch Golden Age.

If there is one thing I liked, it is that the museum staff did a meticulous job of recreating the original house with furniture, works of art and objects from that period based on an inventory that was made when Rembrandt was ruined by debt.

A visit to the Rembrandt Museum is quite an experience because you can walk through the different rooms that the artist lived in, such as the living room, the kitchen or the workshop (in my opinion the most important space in the house), where he painted several of his masterpieces. It's amazing to walk through this place!

But that's not all! Another reason why I recommend visiting this museum is because they organise daily workshops on the technique of engraving and how painting was done in Rembrandt's time. It is very, very interesting.

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Not that this is one of Amsterdam's top museums, but history buffs will find it an exciting journey through the history of the Netherlands during the Nazi occupation told interactively and through the personal stories of many Dutch people who worked and risked their lives to weaken the enemy during WWII.

Why I like this museum

The Resistance Museum provides visitors with a wealth of information about one of the most recent episodes in the country's history. It is very well documented and decorated and I recommend you to visit it because it tells what happened in a very dynamic way through photos, letters, objects of the time and newspapers that will help you understand how the invasion and the subsequent resistance took place.

In addition, if you are visiting Amsterdam with your family and you want to go to the Resistance Museum with your children, this institution has a special exhibition dedicated to them that tells the story of four little children and their experiences during the war.

The visit is by no means boring and you can learn many things about one of the most convulsive chapters in the history of Europe.

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The Amstelkring Museum is one of the most surprising and oldest museums in Amsterdam. It is striking because from the outside it looks like a normal little house in the neighbourhood, but there is nothing to suggest what you will find inside: a clandestine church!

But how is it possible that there were clandestine churches in the city? It turns out that after Luther's Reformation, Amsterdam became a Protestant city where the Catholic faith was not allowed to be practised in public.

That's when the first secret Catholic churches such as the Amstelkring or the Begijnhof chapel emerged in commercial buildings, reminiscent in some ways of the Roman Christian catacombs that spiritually assisted the Catholic population out of public view in times of cruel persecution.

Why I like this museum

It is truly amazing to see how well preserved this church-museum built 350 years ago is and how the interior of the building was adapted with galleries, openings and beams for religious worship without touching the architecture of the exterior façade. Nothing was to give any hint that a forbidden religion was being practised there or it could have serious consequences for the faithful.

The church of Our Lady of the Attic is reached via narrow, steep stairs. Together with its beautiful late baroque altar, it is the most impressive part of the museum. Did you know that this church could seat more than 150 people?

The rest of the visit to the Amstelkring Museum takes place in the other rooms of the house. In this way, besides the church hidden in the attic, you will be able to see other rooms such as the confessional, its kitchen and some other rooms where collections of Catholic heritage are exhibited.

This is one of the most surprising and interesting museums in Amsterdam that I recommend you to discover because of the uniqueness of its construction and purpose. Its incredible history and good preservation is well worth a visit on your holiday - you'll love it!

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Amsterdam is a lively city with a wide range of cultural offerings that make this destination even more interesting. In addition to the great museums that are a must-see, there are many other recommended experiences that you can experience on a second trip to the Dutch capital, which is well worth it. These are summarised below:

• Ripley's Museum Amsterdam: A totally different museum where you won't cease to be amazed by the oddities in its collection.
• The Upside Down Museum in Amsterdam: If you're an Instagram fanatic and want to take home a repertoire of photos, don't miss this interactive museum where you'll lose track of space.
• Red Light Secrets Museum in Amsterdam: A former brothel converted into a museum to highlight the world of prostitution.
• Body Worlds exhibition in Amsterdam: Discover the incredible human body from all perspectives.
• WONDR Experience in Amsterdam: Art gallery and recreational space for a day of great fun.

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If it's the first time you travel to the Dutch capital and you don't know where to start your visit, the museums of Amsterdam are a good option but I recommend you also take inspiration from the article What to see and do in Amsterdam where you will discover its main tourist attractions.

In case you prefer to tour the city in the company of a guide who will show you all the secrets of Amsterdam, don't miss the post The best tours in Amsterdam. It's a very comfortable and enjoyable way to explore the city.

Another of the city's most famous tourist attractions is Amsterdam's Red Light District, well known for its liberal lifestyle and controversial origins. If you're interested in getting to know this quirky place with a guide, check out the post Amsterdam Red Light District Tours to find out more.

Finally, if you haven't already, it's always a good time to take a canal cruise in the 'Venice of the North' and relax while enjoying the beautiful urban sights. Find out more about this experience at Amsterdam Canal Cruises.