An Art Lover’s Guide to Amsterdam

One of Amsterdam's most visited art museums, the Van Gogh Museum has become an Amsterdam institution. Featuring more than 700 works of art by the master and his students (which included Monet and Gaugin) the purpose-built gallery in Museumplein is renowned for long, snaking lines of tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of some of the most famous art pieces in Amsterdam. Unless you fancy spending more time admiring the exterior of the building than the art inside, you may want to consider pre-booking tickets, and even a tour with a specially trained guide who can tell you more about the life of the long-suffering Dutch legend.

If you’re looking for a lesson in Amsterdam's art history, or a one-stop-shop to see some of the best Dutch art in one place (including must-see works from Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Bosboom), you can’t go past the Rijksmuseum. One of the biggest cultural landmarks in Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum is an art-filled treasure trove. However, with more than 80 galleries to explore—and long queues to even get inside—it can also be a little overwhelming. To make the most of your time in the museum (and the city), consider opting for skip-the-line tickets and even a private or group tour to help curate your personal highlight reel.

Blending grand 19th-century architecture with a very 21st-century extension nicknamed “The Bathtub,” the exterior of the Stedelijk Museum mirrors the interior. Here, visitors will find a wealth of modern and contemporary art and design art from the turn of the 20th century to the present day. An absolute staple of the Amsterdam art scene, art lovers can expect to find an abundance of household names, including Van Gogh (of course), Andy Warhol, Yayoi Kusama, Jackson Pollock, Roy Lichtenstein, and Picasso, as well as an entire gallery dedicated to Dutch Art Nouveau, De Stijl. Tickets also include an audio tour; you can pre-book them for easy, speedy entry.

Short for Modern Contemporary, Moco Museum differs from other art museums in Amsterdam. Even the grand exterior of Moco feels like part of the illusion, with the interior of a classic Dutch mansion (and outside, a sculpture garden), filled with cutting-edge, underground, and sometimes even controversial art. Home to some of Amsterdam's biggest alternative art exhibitions, Moco’s permanent collection includes works by Banksy, Damien Hirst, Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Jean Michel Basquiat, and Dalí. A popular spot on art tours in Amsterdam, visitors can also pre-book tickets or enjoy discounted entry with a city card.

Nowhere does old meets new quite as well as Amsterdam, with STRAAT a prime example. One of the most unusual Amsterdam art galleries, STRAAT is a museum dedicated to street art and contemporary urban art located in an old industrial warehouse in the NDSM Shipyards. Giving visitors an insight into the street art movement in Amsterdam—and the world—many of STRAAT’s massive murals were created onsite, and if you’re lucky, you might see artists at work when you visit. They also run guided tours and street art workshops. Tickets can be pre-booked, with some options also including a canal cruise for the full Amsterdam experience.

The up-and-coming area around STRAAT, NDSM Wharf, is also a popular spot on art tours in Amsterdam. It has a massive art studio, Art City NDSM—known as broedplaats (breeding place)—exhibitions at NDSM Fuse, and public artworks. Visitors can hop on the free ferry from Amsterdam Central Station and be there in 15 minutes.

Ideal for lovers of Amsterdam's art history, the Rembrandt House Museum is not only the place to see some of Rembrandt’s lesser-known art but also a great way to learn more about the life of the Dutch Master. One of Amsterdam’s best-known residents, Rembrandt van Rijn, lived in the house by Waterlooplein from 1639 until 1656, when he declared bankruptcy. Now returned to its former glory, visitors can explore recreated rooms, including the artist’s studio, and see original paintings and etchings. However, if you want to see the Dutch Golden Age artist’s finest works, like The Nightwatch, you must visit the Rijksmuseum. Tickets for both are included in the city card or can be pre-booked individually to save time waiting in line.

Located in a vast 17th-century red-brick building on the banks of the Amstel River near Waterlooplein, the Hermitage Amsterdam is a satellite outpost of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. Featuring Russian and Dutch art, the museum keeps it a little fresher than some of the other Amsterdam art galleries; its curators select from the mother museum to create fascinating historical and cultural art exhibitions in Amsterdam at least twice a year. Entry to the Hermitage Amsterdam is included with city passes.

Amsterdam’s premier photography museum, FOAM, is not only an art lover’s paradise, it’s also an architectural dream. Step inside the historic warehouse-turned-museum on Keizersgracht, and you’ll find an informative and inspirational photography wonderland filled with contemporary and modern art by more than 200 local and international artists. Along with rotating exhibitions, including digital art, constructed images, and video, FOAM runs talks, events, and even publishes its own magazine.

The Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes) may not be listed on too many round-ups of Amsterdam art attractions, but they’re certainly a vital part of the Amsterdam art scene for many people. Filled with bespoke galleries, boutique shops, and cute cafes, the Nine Streets are a perfect pick-me-up when you're all museumed out, fancy browsing some free Amsterdam art galleries, or are looking to buy some art of your own as a take-home reminder of your time in the Dutch capital.