The Museums of Amsterdam

Amsterdam is known for its canals, gorgeous architecture, coffee shops, and red-light district. The city is home to lively nightlife, cultural festivals, and scrumptious cuisine. However, Amsterdam is mostly famous for its interesting museums. Some of these museums have higher entrance ticket prices, and some are cheaper, so plan accordingly. And if you're looking for an affordable place to stay, check out our list of the best hostels in Amsterdam here or cheap hotels in Amsterdam here.

Some of the must-see museums in this dynamic city are listed here. Don't miss them!

Van Gogh Museum

Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most famous artists in history. This fascinating museum houses his largest collections of paintings, drawings, and letters. You can see famous paintings, such as Almond Blossom, Sunflowers, and The Potato Eaters. In the museum, there are over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and 700 letters. You can also learn about his life and how he worked. It is one of the most famous museums on the planet, as millions of people from all over the world visit the museum each year.

Anne Frank Huis

Anne Frank is a beloved and sympathetic figure in history. She is famous for writing her diary while hiding from the Nazi's in World War II. This museum brings her story to life. This is the actual house where she and her family hid. You can see pictures of Anne and her family, short films, and interviews. You can also view her actual diary. You can visualize a young, scared girl living in this somber atmosphere. You can then imagine the horror when soldiers entered the house and seized Anne and her family. Visiting this museum is a very interesting and emotional experience. Tickets are only sold online.

Heineken Experience

Heineken is one of the most popular beers in the world. The Heineken Brewery in Amsterdam shut down in 1988, and a museum was opened. The architecture at the museum is fascinating. Situated in the center of Amsterdam, you can learn about how the beer is brewed, and bottled. This story of how Heineken was able to turn a small brewery into a world-renowned factory is captivating. The Heineken Experience museum will be enticing for everyone, not just beer lovers.

Museum Vrolik

This bizarre museum houses a large collection of human and animal deformities. You will see bone pathology, a dental assortment, and numerous other mutations. You will view odd skulls, irregular embryos, and pathological specimens. Gerardus Vrolik put together these oddities that are in the museum. The molecular research that is occurring today gives these items more value. Walking through the museum is both spooky and eerie, but it is worth visiting. This is definitely one of the best unusual things to do in Amsterdam.

Rijksmuseum

Situated near the Van Gogh museum, this intriguing museum is devoted to the arts and history of Amsterdam. It is one of the most visited museums in the world. It houses the largest collection of art and memorabilia in the country. You will view Dutch paintings, including Rembrandt's Night Watch. You can also see Vermeer's Kitchen Maid and Woman Reading a Letter. The museum is home to silver and porcelain from the 17th century and antique doll houses. You can learn about how the interior of canals looked, and you can see statues, ceramics, weaponry, and costumes. See Rijksmuseum info here.

Stedelijk Museum

This museum of modern art opened its doors in 1895. It contains a large collection of modern and contemporary art and design. You will view works by Karel Appel, Cezanne, Chagall, Koons, Picasso, and many more. There are also works by Andy Warhol. You can learn about the history of design, and you can see furniture, posters, ceramics, and jewellery. You can take a trip through the last 150 years of art. The museum houses more than 90,000 works of art and other collections. The museum consists of paintings, sculptures, photography, film and video exhibitions.

Museum Ons' Lieve op Soldier

You can really learn about the history of Amsterdam at this lesser known museum. The building was erected in 1663. The attic was a secret church, and it was used by Catholics after they were banned from worshipping. It is one of the oldest museums in the city. Jacob de Wit is responsible for the beautiful alter painting. The gorgeous lower-floor rooms show what it was like to live in the 17th century. A merchant bought the building, and he lived on the 1st floor. In 1888, the lower floors were converted into a museum. You can see paintings, silver, and religious artifacts.

Foam

Located in a beautiful canal, this museum is dedicated to photography. You can see fascinating photos by photographers from all over the word. The photography depicts, crime scenes, challenges in society, and much more. If you love the world of photography, this museum will be perfect for you.

EYE Film Museum

The fascinating Eye Film Museum allows you to explore the world of cinema. You can learn about the history of film, and you can view works by some of the best artists. There are screening booths, and educational area, and a permanent exhibition space. You take a scenic ferry ride to arrive at this museum.

If you have a limited amount of time for your journey, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Amsterdam?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Amsterdam?, Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Amsterdam? and Is Amsterdam Worth Visiting?