Adult Admission — €25
Standard admission provides access to the Rijksmuseum's permanent collection. Temporary exhibitions may require an additional reservation or separate time slot.
Rijksmuseum Tickets & Prices
Choose the admission option that suits your visit. The Rijksmuseum uses timed entry, so visitors should reserve a start time before arriving. Once inside, you can stay until the museum closes.
Visitors Aged 18 and Under — Free
Admission is free for visitors aged 18 and under. A ticket and entry time should still be reserved before the visit.
Passes & Reduced Admission
Free or reduced admission may be available for holders of eligible museum, city, cultural, or youth cards. Some passholders still need to reserve an entry time before visiting.
Rijksmuseum Highlights
With hundreds of years of art and history under one roof, it is easy to spend several hours exploring the museum. If this is your first visit, these six highlights are an excellent place to start.
The Night Watch
Stand before one of the museum's defining masterpieces. Displayed in its dedicated gallery, The Night Watch is one of the centrepieces of the Rijksmuseum collection.
The Gallery of Honour
Walk through the museum's celebrated central gallery, where major works of Dutch art are displayed in a sequence of impressive alcoves leading toward the Night Watch Gallery.
The Milkmaid
Discover one of the best-known works in the collection: an intimate scene that has become an icon of Dutch Golden Age painting.
Dutch Masters
See works by some of the most influential artists associated with Dutch art, including Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals, and Jan Steen.
Van Gogh Collection
Explore works from a later chapter of Dutch art, including paintings by Van Gogh. The museum's collection includes several of his works, including a self-portrait.
Decorative Arts & Historic Objects
The Rijksmuseum extends far beyond painting. Discover elaborate doll's houses, model ships, sculptures, jewellery, historic objects, and other works that bring different periods of Dutch history to life.
Rijksmuseum Opening Hours
The Rijksmuseum welcomes visitors throughout the year, making it easy to include the museum in almost any Amsterdam itinerary.
| Area | Opening hours | Visiting information |
|---|---|---|
Museum Hours | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | The museum is open daily, including public holidays. Your reserved time indicates when your visit begins; after entering, you may remain inside until closing. |
Shop & Café | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM | The museum shop and café remain open later than the galleries. Until museum closing time, they are accessible to museum visitors; afterwards, they can be entered without a museum ticket. |
When to Visit
For a quieter experience, consider arriving earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. The museum notes that visitor numbers are generally lower before 11:00 AM and after 3:30 PM.
Tip: Reserve your preferred entry slot ahead of time, especially if you have a fixed sightseeing schedule.
Plan Your Visit to Rijksmuseum
A little preparation can make it easier to spend more time enjoying the collection and less time organising your visit.
1. Book a Timed Entry
Most visitors need a reserved start time, including holders of many free-admission passes. Choose your slot before arriving to avoid limited availability.
2. Allow Enough Time
You can see a selection of major highlights in around an hour, but a longer visit gives you more time to explore the permanent collection and lesser-known galleries.
3. Start with the Highlights
First-time visitors can prioritise the Gallery of Honour and Night Watch Gallery before exploring other periods, collections, and museum floors.
4. Travel Light
Only smaller handbags are permitted in the museum galleries. Larger bags, umbrellas, daypacks, and similar items can be left in the free supervised cloakroom. Very large luggage cannot be stored there.
5. Use the Museum App
The free Rijksmuseum app provides audio stories and routes that can help you navigate the collection and learn more about individual artworks. Bringing your own headphones can make the experience more convenient.
6. Accessibility
The Rijksmuseum is accessible to wheelchair and mobility-scooter users, with lifts and accessible facilities available inside. Service dogs are welcome, and mobility aids can be borrowed at the museum subject to availability.
Rijksmuseum Reviews
Visitors often highlight the museum’s world-famous masterpieces, impressive galleries, and the ease of exploring the collection at their own pace. Here are six perspectives that capture what a visit to the Rijksmuseum can feel like.
“One of the Highlights of Amsterdam”
I had wanted to see the Rijksmuseum for years, and it absolutely lived up to my expectations. Seeing The Night Watch in person was the highlight for me, but I also loved discovering smaller works in the surrounding galleries. The museum is large, yet the layout made it easy to focus on the areas that interested me most. I would definitely allow at least a few hours for a first visit.
Emma R.“Worth Booking in Advance”
Booking a timed entry made the whole experience feel straightforward from the start. I arrived close to my selected time and was able to begin exploring without having to plan anything else on the spot. The Gallery of Honour was especially impressive, and I spent much longer there than I expected. I was glad I booked ahead because it gave me a clear schedule for the rest of the day.
Daniel M.“So Much More Than Famous Paintings”
I came mainly to see the best-known Dutch masterpieces, but I ended up enjoying many other parts of the collection too. The decorative objects, historical pieces, and detailed interiors added a lot of variety to the visit. There was always something different to see from one gallery to the next. It is a museum where you can easily find something interesting even if painting is not your main passion.
Sophie L.“Beautiful Museum and Excellent Collection”
The building itself was one of the first things that impressed me. Inside, the galleries felt elegant and well organised, and the major artworks were presented beautifully. I especially enjoyed being able to move between iconic pieces and quieter rooms with fewer visitors. The whole experience felt like much more than simply checking famous paintings off a list.
James T.“Perfect for a First Visit to Amsterdam”
The Rijksmuseum was one of the places I most wanted to visit during my trip, and I am very happy I included it. It gave me a much better sense of Dutch art and history while still being enjoyable without much prior knowledge. I used the museum app for extra context, which made several artworks more interesting to me. I would recommend planning enough time so you do not have to rush.
Olivia K.“Easy to Spend Half a Day Here”
I originally planned to stay for about two hours, but I ended up spending most of the morning inside. There is a lot to see, and I appreciated being able to explore at my own pace after entering. Some galleries were busy, but moving to another section usually made the visit feel more relaxed. For anyone who enjoys art or history, there is enough here to justify a longer visit.
Michael B.Rijksmuseum FAQs
Answers about booking, admission, visit length, and museum facilities.
Do I need to book Rijksmuseum tickets in advance?
Advance booking is recommended. Most visitors need to reserve a start time, and booking beforehand gives you a better chance of getting the entry slot you want.
How much are Rijksmuseum tickets?
Standard adult admission is €25, while admission is free for visitors aged 18 and under. Free or discounted entry may also be available with eligible passes and cards.
Is the Rijksmuseum free for children?
Yes. Visitors aged 18 and under can enter free of charge, although a ticket and entry slot should still be reserved.
How long should I spend at the Rijksmuseum?
A highlights visit can be completed in around an hour, but allowing two to three hours gives you more time to explore the major galleries and collections at a comfortable pace. The museum does not impose a fixed visit duration once you are inside.
Can I stay longer than my booked time slot?
Yes. Your time slot determines when your visit begins. Once you have entered, you can remain in the museum until closing time.
Can I buy Rijksmuseum tickets at the entrance?
A limited number of tickets may be available at the museum entrance, subject to availability. Booking online in advance is recommended if you want to secure a particular entry time.
Can I take photos inside the Rijksmuseum?
Yes. Personal photography is permitted, but flash should not be used. Visitors are also asked to be considerate of others while taking photographs.
Is there a cloakroom at the Rijksmuseum?
Yes. A free supervised cloakroom is available for bags, umbrellas, daypacks, and similar items. Large travel luggage and other oversized objects cannot be stored there.
Is the Rijksmuseum wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The museum is accessible to wheelchair and mobility-scooter users, and lifts and accessible restrooms are available. Service dogs are also welcome.
Can I leave the Rijksmuseum and come back later?
Generally, no. Re-entry after leaving the museum is not normally permitted, so plan to complete your visit before exiting.