Tickets Amsterdam

Plan your visit to the iconic Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

Visiting the Rijksmuseum is an immersive journey through Dutch art and history, featuring over 8,000 artworks across multiple galleries. From Rembrandt’s iconic The Night Watch to Vermeer’s The Milkmaid, the museum’s layout spans several floors and zones, which can feel overwhelming without a plan. A little preparation helps you prioritize masterpieces, navigate the galleries efficiently, and enjoy the museum at a comfortable pace without missing the highlights.

Navigating your way

The Rijksmuseum spans four floors and multiple galleries. Follow this route to explore efficiently and avoid backtracking or missing key highlights.

Best time to visit

Getting to the Rijksmuseum

Frequently asked questions about visiting the Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily throughout the year.

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Your Rijksmuseum tickets explained

Ticket typeWhat’s includedGuideUpgrade optionsWhy choose this
Rijksmuseum Entry Tickets

Timed entry to the Rijksmuseum with access to permanent collections and temporary exhibitions

No

Audio guide, 2-hour English-guided tour, or 75-min canal cruise

A simple entry ticket with the flexibility to add guided insight or a canal cruise if desired.

Combo with Sightseeing Cruise

Entry to the Rijksmuseum with a multimedia tour in 10+ languages, plus a 60-min glass-top canal cruise

Audio

None

Covers Amsterdam’s top museum and canals in one easy, time-efficient booking.

With Audio Guided Tour

Museum entry, full access to exhibitions, and a multilingual audio guide

Audio

2-hour English-guided tour

Adds expert narration while allowing you to explore the museum at your own pace

Small-Group Guided Tour

Entry to the Rijksmuseum, 2- or 2.5-hour guided tour, and access to all exhibitions

Live

2.5-hour Hidden Gems private tour

Offers a more personal experience with direct access to a knowledgeable guide

Combo with Stedelijk Museum

Skip-the-line entry to both museums, with an audio guide at the Stedelijk Museum

Audio

None

Ideal for seeing both modern and classic Dutch art without separate tickets.

Combo with Heated Canal Cruise

Entry to the Rijksmuseum and a 60-min heated canal cruise with multilingual audio guide

Audio

None

Balances museum exploration with a comfortable canal cruise.

Rijksmuseum Audio-Guided Tour

Multilingual audio guide. Museum entry not included

Audio

None

A low-cost way to add context if you already have museum tickets.

Hidden Gems Private Tour

Skip-the-line entry, access to all exhibitions, and a 2.5-hour private tour

Live

None

Focuses on lesser-known stories in a private, unrushed setting

Professional Photoshoot

Outdoor photoshoot with a local photographer and edited digital photos

No

Longer photoshoot options

Lets you take home polished photos without managing the shoot yourself.

Rijksmuseum timings

AttractionDayTimingsLast entry

Rijksmuseum (main galleries)

Monday–Sunday

9 am – 5 pm

4 pm

Rijksmuseum Shop & Café

Monday–Sunday

9 am – 6 pm

Until 5 pm with a ticket; 6 pm without a ticket

Rijksmuseum Gardens (seasonal)

Monday–Sunday

9 am – 6 pm

5 pm*

Cuypers Library (Research/Study)

Monday–Saturday

10 am – 5 pm

4:30 pm

Note: The gardens are typically open seasonally (summer months) with extended hours through 6 pm when weather permits.

Best time to visit

Where is the Rijksmuseum located?

Getting to the Rijksmuseum

Facilities

  • Cloakroom: Supervised storage is provided for coats, umbrellas, and small bags.
  • Restrooms: Restrooms are located throughout the museum, including accessible toilets.
  • Free Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is available across the museum for visitor use.
  • Museum shop: There is an on-site museum shop selling books, art prints, souvenirs, and design items.
  • Café and restaurant: There are on-site cafés and restaurants, including The Café and Rijks Restaurant, offering meals, snacks, and drinks.
  • Wheelchair access: Step-free routes, elevators, and accessible facilities are available throughout.
  • Baby care facilities: Changing tables are provided in designated restroom areas.
  • Stroller access: Strollers are allowed, with limited borrowing available on-site.
  • Cuypers Library: The public reading room showcases historic interiors and collections.

Accessibility at the Rijksmuseum

Visiting with family

  • Baby changing facilities: Changing tables are available in designated restrooms throughout the museum.
  • Stroller access and rental: You can bring your stroller or borrow one at the information desk for easier navigation.
  • Family rest areas: Quiet spaces are available for breaks and feeding.
  • Kid-friendly cafés: On-site cafés offer children’s menus, snacks, and drinks suitable for younger visitors.
  • Family shopping: The museum shop has toys, activity books, and kid-focused souvenirs.

Events & Exhibitions at the Rijksmuseum in 2026

Young man gazing at his reflection, inspired by Ovid's Metamorphoses, at the Rijksmuseum.
Flying car over Mulberry Bend Park, New York, showcasing historical visual illusion.
Modern abstract sculpture by Carel Visser in a park setting, featuring geometric metal forms.
Visitors engaging with photo displays at an exhibition.
Willem de Kooning abstract sketch with vibrant colors at the Rijksmuseum exhibit.
1/5

Metamorphoses (6 February–25 May 2026)

A special exhibition inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, bringing together over eighty works from renowned artists such as Titian, Caravaggio, Magritte, and Louise Bourgeois.

FAKE! Early Photo Collages and Photomontages (6 February–25 May 2026)

This show explores the history of photographic image manipulation from the medium’s early days up to the Second World War, featuring more than fifty historical images from the museum’s collection.

Carel Visser in the Rijksmuseum Gardens (5 June–25 October 2026)

An outdoor sculpture exhibition dedicated to Dutch sculptor Carel Visser, with over fifteen works displayed in the museum gardens.

Ed van der Elsken (19 June–13 September 2026)

A summer exhibition highlighting the life and career of Ed van der Elsken, one of the Netherlands’ most influential 20th‑century photographers.

Willem de Kooning at Work (9 October 2026–17 January 2027)

A major exhibition focused on Willem de Kooning’s creative process, featuring around 120 works, including drawings alongside key paintings and sculptures.

Rules and restrictions

  • Entry to the Rijksmuseum requires a valid ticket with a reserved start time.
  • All belongings are subject to a security check before entry.
  • Only small bags no larger than A4 size are allowed inside exhibition areas. Larger items must be stored in the cloakroom.
  • Personal photography without flash is permitted. Flash, tripods, props, and additional lighting are not allowed.
  • Eating and drinking are not permitted inside the galleries. Food and drinks must be consumed in designated café areas.
  • Smoking, including e‑cigarettes, is prohibited throughout the museum.
  • Pets are not allowed inside except for certified assistance animals.
  • Mobile phones should be used considerately. Avoid loud calls that disturb other visitors.
  • Touching artworks or display cases is not permitted. 
  • Re‑entry on the same ticket is not allowed once you exit the museum.

Where to shop

Where to eat

Where to stay

Insider tips

  • Avoid the main line at the Museumplein entrance by arriving 30 minutes before opening. This puts you ahead of the morning crowd and gives you first access to the Gallery of Honour.
  • The Rijksmuseum is large, with over 8,000 artworks. Pick 5–10 highlights, such as The Night Watch, The Milkmaid, and the library, to structure your visit and avoid fatigue.
  • Use the official Rijksmuseum app for an interactive audio guide and offline maps. Pair it with your own headphones to stay immersed without distractions.
  • If you want to see Rembrandt’s Night Watch without crowds, head there right after entering in the morning or in the last hour before closing.
  • If you want extra quiet, visit on weekdays, especially Tuesday to Friday, and avoid 11 am to 3 pm when the museum is busiest.
  • Hidden gem: The Cuypers Library is often overlooked. Take a moment to enjoy the historic interior and rare collections.

Frequently asked questions about visiting the Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily throughout the year.

More reads