Plan ahead to lock in your tickets and time

Ticket Guide​

The Rijksmuseum of the Netherlands implements an advance reservation system, and it is very convenient to buy tickets on the official website. The adult ticket price is 22.5 euros, and visitors aged 18 and under can enter for free. When purchasing, you need to select a specific visiting time and be sure to arrive on time. If you miss the admission time, the ticket will be invalid. Please note that the museum does not accept cash payments. It is recommended to prepare bank cards or other electronic payment methods. ​

Visiting time selection​

The museum is open from 9:00 to 17:00 every day, all year round. If you want to avoid the surging crowds, 9:00 to 11:00 on weekdays is the best time. When the museum just opens, there are relatively few tourists and you can enjoy the exhibits quietly. If it is inconvenient in the morning, after 3:30 in the afternoon is also a good choice. Most tourists have finished their visit at this time. May to August is the peak tourist season, and the flow of people in the museum will increase significantly. If you go during this period, try to avoid weekends. The visiting experience is better on weekdays. If you arrive at 4pm, you can enter the museum, but the museum will close in 1 hour, so the visiting time is tight.

Use tools to plan your own tour route

Utilize the APP​

Downloading the official Rijksmuseum APP in advance has many benefits. It not only provides free Chinese audio guides, but also allows you to customize your tour route according to your preferences. There are many collections in the museum, and it is easy to get lost if you visit blindly. The map function in the APP can help you quickly locate the location of the exhibits and plan a reasonable route. In addition, the APP can also display high-definition pictures and detailed introductions of the exhibits, so that even if you don’t see enough at the time, you can always recall them later. ​

Research official website Rijks Studio​

The Rijks Studio on the museum’s official website is powerful and can help you understand the collections in the museum in advance. Through it, you can view the collections in each exhibition hall, determine the must-see exhibits based on your personal interests, and then make a visit plan based on this, making the visit more efficient and avoiding the omission of important exhibits. ​

Recommended route​

The Rijksmuseum is large in scale, distributed over 4 floors and about 80 exhibition halls. If you don’t know where to start, you can refer to the following classic route: Start your journey from the Gallery of Honours on the second floor, which is the essence of the museum and brings together many outstanding paintings from the Dutch Golden Age. As you follow the route, you will see Rembrandt's immortal masterpiece "The Night Watch". Then head to the Great Hall to appreciate its grandeur. Then head to the Vermeer exhibition area to admire his delicate and moving paintings such as "The Milkmaid". If you have enough time, you can go to the third floor and the Asian Pavilion, which are usually less crowded and allow you to appreciate art treasures from different cultural backgrounds.

Explore in depth and don't miss the wonderful exhibits

Must-see paintings​

In the Rijksmuseum, there are many art treasures that are dazzling. Rembrandt's "Night Watch" is definitely the top priority. This huge painting was created in 1642 and depicts the scene of the Amsterdam militia going to war. There are many characters in the picture, but Rembrandt arranged them in a staggered manner, and the use of light and shadow is even more superb. It is a pinnacle of Dutch art history. Vermeer's "Milkmaid" is also not to be missed. The painter outlines the ordinary life scene with delicate brushstrokes. The moment when the maid concentrates on pouring milk is portrayed vividly, with soft colors, showing the beauty of daily life. In addition, there are many famous works such as "Jewish Bride", "Little Street" and "Self-Portrait", each of which contains profound artistic value and historical connotation. ​

Other treasures​

In addition to paintings, the first floor of the museum displays a large number of traditional handicrafts, including ceramics, glass art and silverware. These handicrafts are exquisitely crafted, reflecting the craftsmanship and aesthetic style of the Netherlands in different periods. Take a stroll through the museum, as if you are traveling through time and space, and feel the charm of the past.

Enhance your experience and participate in special activities

Take part in a guided tour​

The museum offers a variety of guided tours. If you want to learn more about the stories behind the collections, it is a wise choice to follow a professional guide. The tour lasts about 2 hours, and the guide will explain the famous exhibits and the history of the museum in detail. Some guided tours also offer skip-the-line admission services to save time. With the guidance of a guide, you will appreciate the artworks from a new perspective and gain an experience far beyond visiting alone. ​

Pay attention to activities in the museum​

The Rijksmuseum of the Netherlands often holds various temporary exhibitions, lectures, workshops and other activities. Before visiting, you can check the recent event schedule on the official website. If there are any activities you are interested in, sign up in advance to participate, which can further enrich your visit experience and deeply experience the artistic and cultural atmosphere.

Rest and food, replenish energy before setting off

Dining in the museum​

If you are tired of shopping, you can take a break in the restaurant in the museum. Rijks Restaurant in the Philips Wing is a Michelin-starred restaurant that offers exquisite cuisine. Although the price is relatively high, you can enjoy the food while experiencing the unique experience of the fusion of art and food. If you just want to eat something simple, the Rijksmuseum Café located above the atrium museum shop is a good choice. It serves coffee and light meals, which is convenient and fast. ​

Nearby Food​

There are also many food options around the museum. Cobra Café is close to the museum, with affordable prices, delicious apple pie, and a comfortable terrace. Lunch Kiosk Museumplein is a snack stand that provides fast food such as hot dogs, which is convenient for tourists to quickly replenish energy and continue to explore the wonders of Amsterdam.

Visiting the Rijksmuseum is like embarking on an art journey through time and space. Plan ahead, make reasonable arrangements, and make full use of various resources. You will have an unforgettable experience in this art palace and deeply appreciate the charm of Dutch art and history.