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Plan your visit to Stedelijk Museum

The Stedelijk Museum is a hotspot for modern and contemporary art, stretching across multiple floors and showcasing over 500 works of painting, sculpture, design, and multimedia from 1870 to today. With both permanent collections and temporary exhibitions, you could easily spend hours exploring. A little planning goes a long way, as knowing which galleries to visit first makes the experience smoother and more enjoyable.

Navigating your way

The Stedelijk Museum spans multiple floors, featuring modern, contemporary, and design collections. Planning your route helps you explore efficiently without feeling rushed.

Enter through the Museumplein entrance

👉 This is the primary entrance, leading to the ground floor lobby with ticket desks, visitor information, and access to all major galleries and the museum shop.

Explore the lower level first

👉 Begin with the Modern Art galleries, showcasing works from roughly 1880 to 1980, including key movements like CoBrA and Abstract Expressionism. These galleries provide historical context for the museum’s evolution.

Move up to the upper floors

👉 Visit the upper floors that house Contemporary Art and Design, featuring experimental installations, applied arts, photography, and post-1980 works.

Optional add-ons

👉 Stop by the museum café or shop, or join a guided tour for deeper insights into the collections.

Want to explore more while saving money?

Make the most of your day in Amsterdam with a combo ticket to the Stedelijk Museum and Rijksmuseum. Enjoy skip-the-line entry and an audio guide at the Stedelijk, then join an expert-led English tour at the Rijksmuseum to uncover Rembrandt and other hidden gems.

How to make the most of your time at the Stedelijk Museum

Visit typeDurationRouteWhat you get

Quick visit

1–2 hours

Museumplein entrance → Modern Art galleries → De Stijl & Bauhaus highlights

See the museum’s most iconic works quickly, capturing key movements from early modernism to contemporary art without feeling rushed.

Balanced visit

3–4 hours

Museumplein entrance → Modern Art galleries → STEDELIJK BASE → Temporary exhibitions → Design & Applied Arts galleries

A well-rounded tour combining historical context, contemporary innovations, and rotating exhibitions for a deeper understanding of the museum’s breadth.

Immersive experience

5–6 hours

Museumplein entrance → Modern Art galleries → STEDELIJK BASE → Temporary exhibitions → Design & Applied Arts galleries → Museum café/shop stop

The complete Stedelijk experience, letting you explore permanent collections, temporary shows, and interactive experiences while fully appreciating art and design across eras.

Handy tips

Beat the crowds

  • Reserve ahead: Book your tickets at least two weeks in advance. Skip-the-line tickets let you enter immediately, avoiding long queues and saving time for the galleries.
  • Pick calmer windows: Visit on weekday mornings at opening (around 10 am) or late afternoons (after 4 pm) to enjoy fewer crowds and a relaxed pace.

Explore smarter

  • Check temporary exhibitions: Popular shows can attract extra visitors, so plan your route to see them first or last, depending on your preference.
  • Combo tickets: The Stedelijk Museum is close to the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum. To make the most of your day in Amsterdam, consider a combo ticket with entry to one of these museums or an Amsterdam canal cruise.

Explore the Stedelijk Museum

Dutch Art

Discover the Netherlands’ influential contributions to modern and contemporary art and design. These galleries showcase how Dutch creators pioneered movements while expressing a distinctly local voice.

  • What to look out for: De Stijl masterpieces, Bauhaus-inspired furniture, and works by Dutch avant-garde artists like Bart van der Leck.

Modern Art

Step into the galleries that defined 20th-century art. From early abstraction to experimental forms, these works explore radical ideas in color, composition, and expression.

  • What to look out for: Piet Mondrian’s geometric abstracts, Kazimir Malevich’s Suprematist compositions, and works by CoBrA artists.

Contemporary Art

Dive into bold works addressing today’s social, political, and cultural questions. The large-scale installations, multimedia, and immersive pieces here are worthy of reflection and dialogue.

  • What to look out for: Marlene Dumas, Barbara Kruger and contemporary Dutch artists pushing experimental forms.

Design & Applied Arts

Explore where form meets function, from furniture and industrial design to graphic communication. This section displays pieces that show creativity applied to daily life in inspiring ways.

  • What to look out for: 20th-century modernist furniture, bold typography, and design works by Gerrit Rietveld and Dutch Bauhaus practitioners.

Photography, Media & Installations

Experience photography, video, and moving-image works capturing identity, culture, and social change. These pieces feature experimental and immersive formats that redefine how stories are told.

  • What to look out for: Nan Goldin’s photographic series, immersive video installations, and new media experiments by international and Dutch artists.

The Bathtub Extension

This modern, column-free extension houses large contemporary works and immersive exhibitions, linking historic and new galleries in a flowing layout.

  • What to look out for: Monumental installations, expansive exhibition halls, sunlit galleries and immersive artworks.

Before you get there

About

Get a clear overview of what the Stedelijk Museum covers and what kind of visit to expect before you step inside.

Timings

Check opening hours, last entry times, seasonal changes, and the best time windows to avoid peak crowds.

Directions

Find the easiest ways to reach the museum by tube, bus, or on foot, plus which entrance makes the most sense for your visit.

Know before booking your Stedelijk Museum tickets

  • Decision factors: Choosing the right Stedelijk Museum ticket depends on how you want to explore the galleries and whether you plan to combine your visit with other Amsterdam highlights.
  • Skip-the-line ticket: For full access to the museum’s permanent collections without the wait, skip-the-line tickets are the best choice. They let you avoid long queues at the entrance and head straight inside, giving you more time to enjoy the galleries.
  • Combo tickets: To make the most of a day in Amsterdam, consider combo tickets. These include entry to the Stedelijk Museum, plus the Rijksmuseum, Moco Museum or a 1-hour canal cruise, allowing you to see multiple attractions efficiently without buying separate tickets.
  • Amsterdam City Card: If you want easy access to 70+ museums and top attractions across the city, the Amsterdam City Card is your best option. Choose a pass valid for the duration you need and enjoy free entry to Amsterdam’s highlights with a single digital card, activated when you are ready to start exploring at your own pace.
  • Special exhibition surcharges: Some temporary exhibitions require an additional fee. A one-time surcharge applies per visit, even if you enter multiple exhibitions on the same day.

Your Stedelijk Museum tickets explained

Ticket typeWhat’s includedBest forPrice

Skip-the-line entry ticket

Timed entry, permanent and temporary exhibitions, English or Dutch audio guide

Those short on time and wanting to spend more time inside the museum.

€22.50

Combo: Stedelijk + Moco Museum

Skip-the-line entry to both museums, audio guides, and access to permanent and temporary exhibitions

Seeing two nearby museums back to back without wasting time in lines.

€37.07

Combo: Stedelijk + Canal Cruise

Skip-the-line Stedelijk entry with audio guide plus 1-hour canal cruise

Mixing art with a relaxed city experience on the same day

€36.94

Combo: Stedelijk + Rijksmuseum

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

Covering Amsterdam’s two major museums in one streamlined visit.

€42.75

Combo: Stedelijk + Rijksmuseum guided tour

Skip-the-line Stedelijk entry with audio guide plus guided Rijksmuseum tour

Getting expert insight while avoiding queues and planning effort.

€65.39

I Amsterdam City Card

Entry to 70+ attractions, canal cruise, unlimited public transport

Maximising value across multiple attractions and travel days

From €65

Stedelijk Museum timings

DayTimingsLast entry

Monday – Sunday

10 am – 6 pm

5:45 pm

Note: The Stedelijk Museum operates on consistent daily hours. Timings may change on public holidays or during special events.

Best time to visit

Weekday vs weekend

Weekdays are the best time to visit the Stedelijk Museum, especially Tuesday to Friday. Mornings between 10 am and 12 pm are usually calmer, while late mornings and weekends draw the biggest crowds. Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest, with more tourists, so galleries feel fuller and waits can be longer.

Peak season vs low season

June to August is peak season in Amsterdam, with higher visitor numbers during the summer holidays. November to March is much quieter, making it ideal for a relaxed visit. April to May, just before peak summer, is also a good time to go, barring holidays.

Where is the Stedelijk Museum located?

Address: Museumplein 10, 1071 DJ Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Stedelijk Museum is set in Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter, right on Museumplein, one of the city’s main cultural hubs. The area is easy to explore on foot and well-connected by public transport, making it convenient to reach from across the city.

Getting there

Getting to the Stedelijk Museum

  • Best for: Fast and direct travel
  • Travel time: Around 15–20 minutes from Dam Square
  • Closest stops: Van Baerlestraat or Museumplein

Tram lines 2, 3, 5, and 12 run from central areas toward Museumplein. Both stops are a short walk from the museum, with frequent services throughout the day.

  • Best for: Avoiding surface traffic
  • Travel time: About 15–20 minutes from Dam Square
  • Closest stations: De Pijp or Vijzelgracht

Take Metro line 52 (North–South line) to De Pijp, then walk or transfer to tram 3 or 12 to reach Museumplein.

  • Best for: Reaching the museum from different parts of the city
  • Travel time: Roughly 20–30 minutes from Dam Square
  • Closest stops: Concertgebouw or Museumplein

Several city bus routes stop near Museumplein. From the stop, it’s a short walk to the entrance.

  • Best for: Travel from Schiphol Airport or other cities
  • Travel time: Around 20 minutes to Amsterdam Zuid, then tram or metro
  • Closest stations: Amsterdam Centraal, Amsterdam Zuid, or Muiderpoort

From Amsterdam Centraal, take tram 2 or 12 toward Van Baerlestraat. From Amsterdam Zuid, connect via tram 3 or 5 to Museumplein.

Facilities

  • Audio guides: Free audio tours in English and Dutch are available to add context while exploring the galleries.
  • Lockers and cloakroom: Lockers and a staffed cloakroom are available for storing coats, umbrellas, and larger items during your visit.
  • Restrooms: Restrooms are located on multiple floors and include fully accessible toilets.
  • Fonda Bar & Café: Located inside the museum, Fonda Bar and Fonda Café serve baked goods, coffee, teas, drinks, and light meals in a modern, relaxed setting.
  • Café Restaurant Sandberg: Café Restaurant Sandberg provides a full dining menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a welcoming setting near Museumplein. Opening hours vary slightly depending on museum schedules and seasonal events.
  • Museum shop: The museum shop sells art books, design objects, posters, and creative souvenirs.
  • Wheelchair accessibility: Elevators, ramps, and step‑free routes provide access to all public areas of the museum.
  • Library: The Stedelijk Museum library is available for research and study by appointment rather than open access during every visit.

Accessibility at Stedelijk Museum

General facilities

The museum offers step‑free access, ramps, and elevators that are wheelchair accessible to help visitors move between floors. Accessible toilets are available throughout the venue, and staff are on hand to assist with accessibility questions and needs.

For visitors with physical disabilities

Wheelchairs, folding chairs, and mobility bikes can be borrowed free of charge from the information desk or requested ahead of time. Wide corridors and lifts connect the main galleries, and designated disabled parking is available at Paulus Potterstraat 13.

For persons with dementia

The Stedelijk Museum developed the Unforgettable program for people with dementia. During these guided tours, trained museum guides use art to initiate meaningful conversations and encourage engagement with the exhibits.

For visitors with hearing impairments

Sign language tours are offered on selected dates, and videos in sign language highlight works from the permanent collection. Hearing loops (t-coil or headphones) are available at the entrance for those who need them.

For visitors with visual impairments

Accessible print materials in 18pt. or larger are available to help visitors engage with the content in the galleries.

Visiting with family

  • Children under 19 enter free: Kids and teens don’t pay admission, but booking a free ticket online helps skip lines at the entrance.
  • Baby care and breastfeeding: The museum has a dedicated space where you can breastfeed or express milk in private.
  • Stroller and wheelchair access: Elevators and ramps make it easy to navigate with strollers or prams, and children’s strollers are welcome.
  • Family tours and activities: Weekend family tours and interactive tours help kids engage with art through fun questions and shared discovery.
  • Family‑friendly drop‑in programs: Workshops, sketch sessions, and kids’ audio tours give children creative ways to explore art during a visit.

Rules and restrictions

  • Entry to the museum requires a valid ticket.
  • Handbags up to A4 size are allowed, while larger bags, umbrellas, and food and drinks must be left in the free cloakroom or lockers.
  • Touching exhibited objects and exhibition materials is not permitted unless explicitly allowed by the museum.
  • Flash photography and tripods are not permitted. Photography is allowed for personal use only and subject to exhibition‑specific rules.
  • Loud noise and mobile telephone use in the galleries are prohibited to avoid disturbing other visitors.
  • Pets and animals are not permitted inside, with the exception of registered guide dogs.
  • Smoking is prohibited throughout the museum complex.

Where to eat

Fonda Café and Coffee Bar

Fonda Café and Fonda Coffee Bar inside the Stedelijk Museum serve coffee, pastries, light meals, and refreshing drinks, allowing visitors to relax without leaving the venue.

  • Highlights: Quality coffee and tea and a convenient spot for a museum break.

Café Restaurant Sandberg

Café Restaurant Sandberg, located on Museumplein next to the museum, provides seasonal lunch and dinner options featuring Dutch-inspired and creative dishes.

  • Highlights: Guests can enjoy a seasonal menu made with local produce in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Blushing

Blushing is a casual café a short walk from the museum that serves contemporary breakfast and lunch dishes.

  • Highlights: It provides casual dining, fresh breakfast and lunch options, and a relaxed environment for a quick meal.

Where to shop

Stedelijk Museum shop

The Museum Shop, located near the museum entrance, offers a wide selection of books, design objects, posters, and creative souvenirs related to the museum’s collection.

  • Highlights: Visitors can purchase art books, exhibition catalogs, design gifts, and unique museum-themed souvenirs.

Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat boutiques

Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat, a luxury shopping street a short walk from the museum, features high-end fashion stores, designer labels, and unique gift shops.

  • Highlights: Shoppers can explore designer labels, fashion accessories, and curated gifts in a stylish setting.

Bloemenmarkt

Bloemenmarkt, Amsterdam’s floating flower market, offers Dutch-themed souvenirs, flower bulbs, and other gift items in a classic location along the canal.

  • Highlights: Visitors can purchase traditional Dutch souvenirs, tulip bulbs, and enjoy a market with local character.

Where to stay

Conservatorium Hotel (2–4 min walk)

The Conservatorium Hotel is a luxury hotel located near Museumplein and the Stedelijk Museum, offering refined rooms and top-tier services.

Jan Luyken Amsterdam (5–7 min walk)

Jan Luyken Amsterdam is an upscale boutique hotel situated on a tree-lined street in the Museum Quarter, ideal for visitors interested in art and culture.

Conscious Hotel Museum Square (3–6 min walk)

Conscious Hotel Museum Square is a sustainable hotel located close to Museumplein, offering cozy modern rooms and a relaxed atmosphere.

Frequently asked questions about visiting the Stedelijk Museum

Most visitors spend about 2 to 3 hours exploring the permanent collection and selected temporary exhibitions comfortably.