Rijksmuseum
Rijksmuseum
Last updated 2026-10-29
By Global Travel Guide Editorial Team
Introduction
The building designed by Pierre Cuypers opened in 1885 and was renovated between 2003 and 2013. The Gallery of Honour leads to the Night Watch; the library and gardens are worth a detour. Tickets are timed and cheaper online, and the museum is busiest from late morning. Tram 2, 5 or 12 stops at the museum; allow at least three hours.
Ticket Price
Adult EUR 25; under 18 free. Timed tickets are sold online. The nearby Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk need separate tickets.
Opening Hours
Daily 9:00-17:00, including weekends; check the official site for holiday closures. Timed tickets are sold online, and the galleries are busiest 11:00-15:00.
Transportation
Tram 2, 5 or 12 to Rijksmuseum, or metro to Vijzelgracht and a 5-minute walk.
Best Season
In Netherlands, May-Sep is driest and warmest; indoor sights work year-round. Indoor collections can be visited year-round; weekday mornings are quietest.
Pro Tip: Book a timed ticket and pick highlights
Local Tips You'd Only Learn After Visiting
The details official guides skip — save time, avoid crowds, and get better photos.
1
Book a timed ticket and pick highlights The museum is large, so choose the Gallery of Honour, Rembrandt and Vermeer rather than trying to see everything. Book online and enter at opening.
Member-Only Tips
Upgrade to unlock insider hacks, best photo spots, and crowd timing advice.
Frequently Asked Questions3 questions
Rembrandt's Night Watch in the Gallery of Honour, Vermeer's Milkmaid and the Cuypers Library. The 17th-century galleries and the dollhouse are also highlights.
Three hours covers the highlights; a full day is needed for the whole collection. The Night Watch alone draws a crowd, so go there first.
Right at opening or after 15:00; weekday mornings are calmest. Weekends and school holidays are busiest, especially around the Night Watch.