Rijksmuseum vs Van Gogh Museum

Q: Can you visit both in one day?

Yes—book consecutive time slots and walk 3–5 minutes across Museumplein. Start at Rijksmuseum at opening, then take a midday or late-afternoon Van Gogh slot; Friday evenings at Van Gogh also work well.

Q: Which is more budget-friendly?

Ticket prices are similar (Rijksmuseum €25; Van Gogh €24 in 2025), with under-18s free at both. If you’re using the I amsterdam City Card, Rijksmuseum is included; Van Gogh is not.

Q: Which is better for first-time visitors to Amsterdam?

Go **Rijksmuseum** for a definitive, wide-angle Dutch art experience—Rembrandt, Vermeer, and more in a single visit. Choose **Van Gogh** if you prefer a focused, emotional deep-dive into one artist’s life and work.

Q: Which is better for kids?

Both work, but **Van Gogh** often resonates with ages 6–12 thanks to narrative galleries and family audio; **Rijksmuseum** adds space to roam and varied subjects to keep attention spans fresh.

Q: How far is Rijksmuseum from the Van Gogh Museum?

They face each other on Museumplein—about a few minutes’ walk between entrances, depending on your route across the green.

Q: What if I only have time for one?

Pick **Rijksmuseum** for breadth and Dutch Golden Age icons; pick **Van Gogh** for an intimate, concentrated visit that you can complete in ~2 hours.

Q: Which has the “better” masterpieces?

Apples and oranges: **Rijksmuseum** showcases national treasures like *The Night Watch* and Vermeer’s gems; **Van Gogh** presents *Sunflowers*, *Almond Blossom*, *The Potato Eaters*, and self-portraits—choose by taste.

Q: Are both included in the I amsterdam City Card?

**Rijksmuseum:** Yes (book a time slot). **Van Gogh Museum:** **No**—book separately online; tickets often sell out in advance.

Q: How long do you need at each?

Plan **2.5–4 hours** for Rijksmuseum, especially if you linger; **1.5–2.5 hours** for Van Gogh. Fridays can extend your Van Gogh window.

Q: Which is bigger?

The **Rijksmuseum** is far larger in footprint and collection scope; the **Van Gogh Museum** is compact and purpose-built for a single artist, making for a shorter, denser visit.

Quick comparison – Rijksmuseum vs Van Gogh Museum

Feature	Rijksmuseum	Van Gogh Museum
Location	Museumplein, Museumstraat 1 (central Amsterdam)	Museumplein 6 (next door to Rijksmuseum)
Price	Adults €25; under 18 free	Adults €24 (2025; €25 from 1 Jan 2026); under 18 free
What is it?	National museum of art & history spanning Middle Ages to modern	Single-artist museum with the world’s largest Van Gogh collection
Built / Architecture	1885, Pierre Cuypers; neo-Gothic/neo-Renaissance; vast Gallery of Honour	1973 Rietveld main building + Kurokawa wing & 2015 glass entrance
Timings	Daily 09:00–17:00	Generally 09:00–17:00; Fridays often to 21:00; check monthly calendar
Duration needed	2.5–4 hrs (more if deep-diving)	1.5–2.5 hrs
Queues / Entry	Timed start required; large capacity keeps lines moving	Timed entry sells out fast; small capacity, strict time slots
Best time to visit	Weekday mornings; shoulder seasons	First entry or late afternoons; Friday evenings can be calmer
Accessibility	Step-free routes, lifts, wheelchairs on loan	Step-free, lifts, companion free, mobility aids welcome
Kid-friendly	Family routes, spacious galleries	Excellent for ages 6–12 with family audio options
Highlights / Famous artworks	Rembrandt’s Night Watch, Vermeer’s The Milkmaid, Gallery of Honour, Cuypers Library, Asian Pavilion	Sunflowers, Almond Blossom, The Potato Eaters, self-portraits, letters
Dining	The Café in the Atrium (09:00–18:00)	Two cafés (Atrium & Rietveld Building)
Nearby	Stedelijk, Van Gogh Museum, Vondelpark, Concertgebouw	Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk, Vondelpark, Concertgebouw
Passes	Included with I amsterdam City Card (book time)	Not included in I amsterdam City Card

Verdict – Which Should You Visit?

Short on time or prefer a broad overview of Dutch art? Choose the Rijksmuseum—central, open daily, and packed with icons across centuries.

Want a focused, emotional journey with a single master? Pick the Van Gogh Museum—intimate but book early.

Have half a day? See both; they’re a 3–5-minute walk apart across Museumplein.

Plan your Museumplein day like a pro

Plan your Museumplein day like a pro Pair a Rijksmuseum time slot with a Van Gogh Museum time slot back-to-back to minimize walking and maximize art. Add a canal cruise or Stedelijk visit to round it out.

See ticket options

Major differences between Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum explained

Rijksmuseum view from Amsterdam canal with bridge and trees.

History & architecture

Rijksmuseum: A grand 19th-century landmark by Pierre Cuypers, its neo-Gothic halls culminate in the Gallery of Honour.

Van Gogh Museum: Modernist Rietveld building joined to Kurokawa’s wing and a striking all-glass entrance (2015).

Visitor viewing Van Gogh self-portrait at Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, on guided tour.

Experience highlights

Rijksmuseum: Rembrandt’s Night Watch, Vermeers in the Gallery of Honour, and the atmospheric Cuypers Library—great for wide-angle art history.

Van Gogh Museum: Sunflowers, Almond Blossom, The Potato Eaters, self-portraits, and letters for a close read of Vincent’s life. I

Visitors in The Great Hall at Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, with stained glass windows and ornate ceilings.

Atmosphere & audience

Rijksmuseum: Large, varied galleries; excellent for first-timers, families, and general art lovers.

Van Gogh Museum: Intimate, narrative-driven; ideal for fans of 19th-century painting or those preferring a focused visit.

Van Gogh Museum entrance with modern glass architecture in Amsterdam.

Location & surroundings

Both sit on Museumplein with Stedelijk, Concertgebouw, and Vondelpark steps away—easy to combine on foot.

Rijksmuseum exterior with canal and flower-lined bridge in Amsterdam.

When to visit

Rijksmuseum: Open daily 09:00–17:00; weekday mornings are calmer.

Van Gogh Museum: Schedules vary by month; Friday late openings help dodge daytime crowds. Always pre-book.

Exhibition room with paintings at Van Gogh Museum, Museumplein, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Other practicalities

Rijksmuseum: Timed start; café open to 18:00; accessible routes and wheelchairs available.

Van Gogh Museum: Timed entry; two cafés; companion free; mobility aids welcome.

What you’ll see at Rijksmuseum

Visitors viewing 'The Night Watch' by Rembrandt at Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

The Night Watch (Rembrandt)

Monumental militia portrait anchoring the Gallery of Honour; ongoing research and conservation deepen interpretation.

Gallery of Honor at Rijksmuseum featuring classic paintings and ornate architecture.

Woman pouring milk in Vermeer's "The Milkmaid," c. 1660, with bread and pottery on the table.

Rijksmuseum Cuypers Library interior with spiral staircase and bookshelves.

Group listening to a guide inside the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

What you’ll see at Van Gogh Museum

Sunflowers

A celebrated version from the series, revealing Van Gogh’s color experiments and impasto brushwork.

Visitors viewing Van Gogh's "Almond Blossoms" painting in a museum.

Five people dining under a lamp in Van Gogh's "The Potato Eaters" painting.

Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam bedroom exhibit with iconic yellow bed and chair.

Self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh, 1887, featuring the artist in a hat against a blue background.

Visiting Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum

Visitors taking photos in the 17th century galleries at Rijksmuseum.

Rijksmuseum: Book a timed start (mandatory). Standard entry covers the permanent collection; major exhibitions may require separate booking. Open daily 09:00–17:00. The on-site Café serves from 09:00–18:00.

Van Gogh Museum: Timed entry is essential and often sells out days ahead. Standard tickets include permanent collection and current exhibitions; hours vary by month, with frequent Friday late openings.

Doing both on one day (DIY): Book adjacent time slots (e.g., Rijks 09:00–11:30; Van Gogh 12:00–14:00). The walk across Museumplein takes 3–5 minutes.

Convenience options: If you prefer guidance, look for small-group Museumplein tours pairing a Rijks highlights walk with a timed Van Gogh slot; city passes do not cover Van Gogh, but the I amsterdam City Card includes Rijksmuseum (time-slot still required).

Tourists viewing paintings and sculpture inside Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam.

1-Day itinerary

Morning – Rijksmuseum (09:00–12:00) Enter at opening to enjoy the Gallery of Honour with lighter crowds. Prioritize Rembrandt, Vermeer, and the Cuypers Library before looping a favorite wing. Coffee break in the Atrium Café. Rijksmuseum.nl+1

Lunch (12:00–13:00) Stay in the Atrium Café for a quick bite, or grab a sandwich on Museumplein before your next time slot. Rijksmuseum.nl

Afternoon – Van Gogh Museum (13:00–15:00) Follow the chronology from early Dutch years to Arles and Saint-Rémy. Don’t miss Sunflowers, The Potato Eaters, Almond Blossom, and the letters gallery; finish in the glass atrium. Fridays can run later. Van Gogh Museum

Evening (Optional) Stroll Vondelpark, hear a concert at the Concertgebouw, or explore De Pijp’s eateries along Ferdinand Bolstraat.

Rijksmuseum

Address: Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam Tram: 2, 5, 12 to Rijksmuseum stop; Airport bus 397 also stops nearby.

Metro: M52 to Vijzelgracht, ~10–12 min walk.

Car: Central location; paid parking limited—public transport recommended.

Van Gogh Museum

Address: Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam

Tram: 3, 5, 12 to Museumplein/Van Baerlestraat.

Metro: M52 (Vijzelgracht) then 10–12 min walk.

Bus: 347/397 serve the area (Concertgebouw/Museumplein).

Visitor admiring paintings at Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam.

Rijksmuseum

Open daily 09:00–17:00 year-round; book a start time. Once inside you can stay until closing. Shop/Café open to 18:00.

Van Gogh Museum

Opening hours vary by month—typically 09:00–17:00 with Friday evenings often to 21:00. Always check the monthly calendar and pre-book a time slot.

Duration & crowd tips

Expect 2.5–4 hrs at Rijksmuseum; 1.5–2.5 hrs at Van Gogh. Aim for opening time or late slots; Fridays at Van Gogh can be pleasantly quiet.

Girl using Rijksmuseum app to explore art exhibit.

Booking reality: Both require time slots; Van Gogh sells out earliest. Lock Van Gogh first, then fit Rijksmuseum around it to avoid awkward gaps.
Best crowd windows: For Rijksmuseum, weekday mornings or late afternoons. For Van Gogh, opening hour or Friday nights.
Family tools: Try Van Gogh’s family audio guide (ages 6–12) and Rijksmuseum’s free app routes—engaging, wayfinding-friendly.
Accessibility: Both are fully step-free with lifts; wheelchairs available; companions free at Van Gogh. Ask staff for accessible routes.<
Photography & pace: Van Gogh allows personal photos without flash; Rijksmuseum policies vary by gallery/exhibit. Be present—crowd flow is smoother if you loop back to favorites near closing.
Eat smart: Save time by using the Rijksmuseum Café (Atrium) between slots or Van Gogh’s cafés before a late session.
Pass math: The I amsterdam City Card covers Rijksmuseum (time slot still required) but not Van Gogh; book Van Gogh separately.

Frequently Asked Questions about Rijksmuseum vs Van Gogh Museum

Can you visit both in one day?

Yes—book consecutive time slots and walk 3–5 minutes across Museumplein. Start at Rijksmuseum at opening, then take a midday or late-afternoon Van Gogh slot; Friday evenings at Van Gogh also work well.

Which is more budget-friendly?

Ticket prices are similar (Rijksmuseum €25; Van Gogh €24 in 2025), with under-18s free at both. If you’re using the I amsterdam City Card, Rijksmuseum is included; Van Gogh is not.

Which is better for first-time visitors to Amsterdam?

Go Rijksmuseum for a definitive, wide-angle Dutch art experience—Rembrandt, Vermeer, and more in a single visit. Choose Van Gogh if you prefer a focused, emotional deep-dive into one artist’s life and work.

Which is better for kids?

Both work, but Van Gogh often resonates with ages 6–12 thanks to narrative galleries and family audio; Rijksmuseum adds space to roam and varied subjects to keep attention spans fresh.

How far is Rijksmuseum from the Van Gogh Museum?

They face each other on Museumplein—about a few minutes’ walk between entrances, depending on your route across the green.

What if I only have time for one?

Pick Rijksmuseum for breadth and Dutch Golden Age icons; pick Van Gogh for an intimate, concentrated visit that you can complete in ~2 hours.

Which has the “better” masterpieces?

Apples and oranges: Rijksmuseum showcases national treasures like The Night Watch and Vermeer’s gems; Van Gogh presents Sunflowers, Almond Blossom, The Potato Eaters, and self-portraits—choose by taste.

Are both included in the I amsterdam City Card?

Rijksmuseum: Yes (book a time slot). Van Gogh Museum: No—book separately online; tickets often sell out in advance.

How long do you need at each?

Plan 2.5–4 hours for Rijksmuseum, especially if you linger; 1.5–2.5 hours for Van Gogh. Fridays can extend your Van Gogh window.

Which is bigger?

The Rijksmuseum is far larger in footprint and collection scope; the Van Gogh Museum is compact and purpose-built for a single artist, making for a shorter, denser visit.