Rijksmuseum: a practical visitor guide

More Rijksmuseum guides

• Rijksmuseum in 2 hoursA 2-hour route through the Rijksmuseum: The Night Watch, The Milkmaid, Frans Hals and Jan Steen, with timings, the best order and tips to beat the lines.
• Hours & ticketsRijksmuseum opening hours, ticket price, who gets in free, how to book a time slot and the best time to visit without crowds. Checked in 2026.
• Must-see paintingsThe 10 key works at the Rijksmuseum and why they matter: The Night Watch, The Milkmaid, Frans Hals, Jan Steen, Van Gogh and more, with locations by floor.
• Rijksmuseum with kidsHow to visit the Rijksmuseum with kids: a 75-minute route, looking games, free entry for under 18s and practical tips for families.

Why the Rijksmuseum is a must

The Rijksmuseum is the Netherlands' national museum and holds the finest collection of Dutch Golden Age art. Rembrandt's The Night Watch, Vermeer's The Milkmaid and Frans Hals' portraits hang in the Gallery of Honour, the backbone of any visit. There are also ship models, 18th-century dolls' houses, Asian art and design. Cuypers' 1885 building and its grand library are part of the experience.

How to plan your visit

• Buy your ticket at rijksmuseum.nl and pick a time: without it entry isn't guaranteed, even with a Museumkaart.
• Arrive at opening (9:00) to see the Gallery of Honour with fewer people.
• Start on the second floor (17th century) and then work down through the other periods.
• Last-minute box-office tickets can sell out, so book ahead.
• Download the museum's free app and, as a bonus, use AnyArt to identify any painting with your camera and hear its story.

Combine it with the rest of the Museumplein

The Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk are a five-minute walk away. With only one day, do the Rijksmuseum in the morning and the Van Gogh in the afternoon, both with booked slots. The garden and square are a good place to rest.