Tickets for Rijksmuseum: Skip The Ticket Line
See the world's biggest Rembrandt collection, and 800+ years of Dutch history
- Get up close to 8,000 objects across 80 galleries, including renowned Dutch masterpieces like The Night Watch by Rembrandt and The Milkmaid by Vermeer
- One of the most visited museums in the Netherlands, the Rijksmuseum can have lengthy ticket lines – luckily our handy tickets get you in via the Fast Lane!
- It's not just paintings – the Rijksmuseum also has sculptures, an exhibition of clothing and weapons, and one of the finest libraries you'll ever see
The last time it was worked on, Rembrandt's Night Watch lost a couple of centimeters on all four sides – just to fit a frame. This time, you can keep a close eye on it during its public restoration at the Rijksmuseum. Years of gathered dirt (which gave the painting its nocturnal appearance, rather than the intended daytime setting), being slashed in 1911, and an acid attack in 1990 have left the Night Watch with some scarring.
This massive public restoration sees a glass enclosure built around the enormous painting, as experts work on uncovering hidden truths beneath the layers of dirt and patchwork paint jobs. Be a witness to the most ambitious year-long restoration project of the 21st century during your Rijksmuseum visit.
Rembrandt – Velázquez showcases the artistic dialogue between two of the great masters of the 17th century. Exhibiting masterpieces by Rembrandt and his Spanish contemporary Diego Velázquez in pairs alongside works by Murillo, Vermeer, Zurbarán, Hals, and Ribera, the exhibition investigates the artistic cross-pollination between northern and southern Europe during the height of the Dutch Golden Age.
The Rijksmuseum has some of the world's most famous paintings (including Rembrandt's Night Watch), with an emphasis on the Dutch Golden Age. Its collection spans over 800 years of art history in a beautifully restored building. Located smack-dab in the heart of Amsterdam's Museumplein, the Rijks is an Amsterdam must-see.
The national museum of the Netherlands underwent a ten-year renovation between 2003 and 2013. It's come out looking great – airy, bright and inviting. Plus, it's filled with more paintings and objets d'art than you can possibly absorb in an afternoon's ramble. Still, it's fun to give it a try.
The highlight is Rembrandt's Night Watch, one of the museum's most famous (and largest!) paintings. Vermeer's The Milkmaid is another classic to be viewed here, and there are many other lesser-known, but equally intriguing works of art that provide a window into life in another time.
Another spectacular – though underrated – section of the museum is the collection of weapons and ship models, with its exotic, ornate and even combat-used weapons.
The Rijksmuseum also offers an excellent multimedia tour app that can be downloaded straight to your smartphone. Check it out on the App Store or Google Play!
- Enter the museum via the 'Visitors with ticket' lane and show your smartphone ticket at the entrance to the galleries
- Your ticket is valid for the whole day, so you can grab some lunch near the museum and go back when you're done
- When you arrive, don't forget to reserve a timeslot at the information desk to visit the Rembrandt-Velázquez exhibition
- Cancellations are not possible for this ticket
- Changes are possible for this ticket
RIJKS®, this busy museum's Michelin-starred restaurant, is one of the best in the city. It's open for lunch and dinner and, if the weather cooperates, the terrace is a lovely place to eat and relax.
