The Rijksmuseum is the most famous museum in Amsterdam and one of the great art museums of the world. I’ve been here dozens of times, and I still find something new on every visit. If you want to understand Dutch history, culture and art, this is the place to start.
Below I share everything you need for your visit: ticket prices, opening hours, how to get there, how long to plan, and my favourite spots inside.
Rijksmuseum at a glance (checked 2 November 2026)
- Ticket price 2026: adults € 27 with a time slot, free under 18
- Book ahead: 2-3 days before, more in holidays, see Rijksmuseum tickets: do they sell out?
- Combo deals: entrance + canal cruise € 39, guided tour + ticket € 75
- Cards: free with the I amsterdam City Card and Museumkaart, time slot still needed
- Opening hours: daily 09:00 to 17:00, holidays included, see free time slots
- Plan for: 2-4 hours, start at the Gallery of Honour
- Address: Museumstraat 1, on Museumplein, trams 2, 5 and 12
- Next door: Kusama at the Stedelijk until 17 January 2027, tickets from € 32,50
Last updated: 2 November 2026 by Anastasia Dudina
What is the Rijksmuseum?
The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands, dedicated to Dutch art and history from the Middle Ages to today. It shows more than 8,000 objects in 80 galleries, covering over 800 years of history.
Here you can see four Van Goghs, four Vermeers and the biggest collection of Rembrandt’s paintings in the world, including The Night Watch.
The building itself is impressive too. Architect Petrus Cuypers combined Gothic and Renaissance elements, and the museum was fully renovated between 2003 and 2013.
Rijksmuseum tickets and prices in 2026
An adult ticket costs € 27 and always comes with a date and time slot. Under 18s go free. Want to know how early to book, or if you can buy at the door? I explain it all in Rijksmuseum tickets: do they sell out?
| Ticket / access | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket | € 27 |
| Entrance + canal cruise | € 39 |
| Guided tour and ticket | € 75 |
| Private tour and ticket | from € 260 |
| Visitors under 18 | Free |
| Museumkaart holders | Free |
| Go City All-Inclusive Pass holders | Free |
| I amsterdam City Card holders | Free |
Important: you must book a time slot in advance, even with a discount card. Here is how to book a Rijksmuseum time slot with your I amsterdam City Card.
Tip: if you buy the I amsterdam City Card for 120 hours, it costs only € 28 per day. Rijksmuseum entry and more than 70 other attractions are included. See what is included in the card and order it online.
Where is the Rijksmuseum?
The museum is on Museumplein, next to the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum, where the big Yayoi Kusama retrospective runs until 17 January 2027.
- Rijksmuseum address: Museumstraat 1, Amsterdam.
- Stedelijk Museum (Kusama exhibition): Museumplein 10, across the square from the Rijksmuseum.
🟡 On now until 17 January 2027
Across Museumplein: Kusama at the Stedelijk
Infinity Mirror Rooms, pumpkins and polka dots, a short walk from the Rijksmuseum. Kusama tickets from € 32,50 are timed and sell out fast, so book before your Museumplein day.
How to get to the Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is easy to reach by public transport:
You can also walk from the city center in about 20-25 minutes.
Rijksmuseum opening hours in 2026
The Rijksmuseum is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00 all year, public holidays included. Last admission is at 16:00. The quietest times are usually early morning and after 15:30.
Visiting over Christmas or New Year? The museum stays open, but the Dutch school holidays (19 December 2026 to 3 January 2027) are among its busiest weeks, so book your time slot early. For other museums, see my guide to Amsterdam museums at Christmas and New Year.
My tip: the Rijksmuseum has a cloakroom and lockers, but on busy days the cloakroom queue can be huge and free lockers are hard to find. Come with a small bag you can carry at all times, and expect every bag, even a small one, to be checked at the entrance.
🚤 Popular with our readers
Not sure which Amsterdam canal cruise to pick?
Rijksmuseum audioguide and free app
You can rent an audioguide (headphones + receiver) at the museum for € 5 (2026 price), or use the free Rijksmuseum app from the App Store or Google Play. Bring your own headphones, because you can’t play audio through your phone speaker inside the museum.
How long does a visit to the Rijksmuseum take?
This is not a quick visit: most people spend 2-4 hours here, and art lovers can easily stay all day. The museum has endless rooms, so I suggest starting at the Gallery of Honour. That’s where you’ll find The Night Watch by Rembrandt, Vermeer’s paintings and other Dutch masterpieces of the 17th century.
My favourite spots at the Rijksmuseum
I’ve been to the Rijksmuseum dozens of times, including for temporary exhibitions. But every time, I first go to the Gallery of Honour, then the antique Dutch silver miniatures and jewellery, and then the library, which is truly impressive!
The Cuypers Library is the oldest and largest art history library in the Netherlands and a real architectural masterpiece. Founded in 1885 and recently restored, it holds an extraordinary collection of manuscripts, books, journals and catalogues of art auctions and exhibitions.
Tips for visiting the Rijksmuseum
- Buy tickets online: time slots can sell out, especially on weekends and in the holidays.
- Visit early or late: avoid the peak hours between 11:00 and 15:00.
- Plan your route: focus on the key highlights if you’re short on time.
- Use an audioguide: it helps you understand the artworks.
- Also visit the Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam, where he actually lived and worked.
- If you like Dutch Golden Age art, see Girl with a Pearl Earring at the Mauritshuis in The Hague.
- Make it a Museumplein day: until 17 January 2027 the Stedelijk next door shows the Yayoi Kusama exhibition. Its timed tickets sell out fast, so book Kusama tickets together with your Rijksmuseum slot.
- Planning more museums? Compare prices, Museumkaart and City Card for 44 museums in the museum finder.
FAQ about visiting the Rijksmuseum in 2026
How much are Rijksmuseum tickets in 2026?
A standard Rijksmuseum adult ticket costs € 27, booked online with a fixed time slot. Entry is free for visitors under 18, and with a Dutch Museumkaart, a Go City All-Inclusive Pass or the I amsterdam City Card. Combos are available too, such as entrance plus a canal cruise for € 39. See the full price table above for every ticket type.
Is the Rijksmuseum worth visiting?
Yes. The Rijksmuseum is not just a museum, it’s a journey through Dutch history, culture and identity. Even if you’re not an art expert, it’s one of the must-see attractions in Amsterdam.
I have time to visit only one museum, Van Gogh or Rijksmuseum. Which one should I choose?
If you want a focused, emotional experience, choose the Van Gogh Museum. If you prefer a broader overview of Dutch art and history and have a bit more time, go for the Rijksmuseum.
Do Rijksmuseum tickets ever sell out?
Not weeks in advance, like the Anne Frank House or the Van Gogh Museum. But you always need a pre-booked ticket with a date and time slot, and weekend and holiday slots do run out, so book at least 2-3 days ahead. Everything about when to book is in my guide to Rijksmuseum tickets.
Is the Rijksmuseum open on Sundays?
Yes, the Rijksmuseum is open every day, Sundays included, from 09:00 to 17:00. Last admission is at 16:00. Weekends are busier, so book your Rijksmuseum tickets in advance.
Is the Rijksmuseum open at Christmas and New Year?
Yes, the Rijksmuseum is open every day of the year, public holidays included. The Dutch school holidays (19 December 2026 to 3 January 2027) are among its busiest weeks, so book your time slot early.
Who can visit the Rijksmuseum for free?
Entry is free for children and teenagers under 18. It’s also free with a valid I amsterdam City Card, Dutch Museumkaart, VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART or Rembrandtkaart. Remember to book a time slot even if you visit for free.
Can I pay with cash at the Rijksmuseum?
No, the Rijksmuseum doesn’t accept cash. You can only pay by debit or credit card, also in the museum shop and café.
Can I take photos at the Rijksmuseum?
Yes, you can take photos and film for private use. Flash, tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed.
Is the Rijksmuseum good for children?
Yes, the Rijksmuseum is easy to visit with kids. My children love buying Rembrandt- or Vermeer-inspired Playmobil sets in the museum shop after the visit. You can also rent a digital family game (€ 2,50) for children aged 7 and up. Entry is free for children under 18.
Is there WiFi available at the Rijksmuseum?
Yes, free WiFi is available inside the museum.
Can I buy Rijksmuseum tickets at the door?
Only a limited number of tickets is sold at the door, and if the day’s time slots are full, you won’t get in. To be safe, pre-book your Rijksmuseum tickets online.
Can I cancel my Rijksmuseum tickets?
Tickets bought on the museum website are non-refundable. Tickets bought through partners like GetYourGuide can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Can I see the Girl with a Pearl Earring at the Rijksmuseum?
No, not anymore. This famous Vermeer painting was on show at the Rijksmuseum during the special Johannes Vermeer exhibition from 10 February to 30 March 2023. It returned to the Mauritshuis on 1 April 2023. Good news: The Hague is just a 50-minute train ride from Amsterdam, so you can see it there.
What else can I visit near the Rijksmuseum?
The Rijksmuseum is on Museumplein, next to the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum. Until 17 January 2027 the Stedelijk shows the big Yayoi Kusama retrospective, with timed Kusama tickets from € 32,50 that sell out fast, so book it before your Museumplein day.
Enjoy your visit to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam!
Related articles
- Rijksmuseum tickets: do they sell out and when to book
- Amsterdam museum ticket prices in 2026
- Amsterdam museums at Christmas and New Year: opening hours
- Yayoi Kusama at the Stedelijk Museum: tickets and tips
- How to book a time slot with the I amsterdam City Card
- Where to buy tickets for the Anne Frank House
- Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam: tickets, prices & tips
- Van Gogh Museum tickets sold out: what to do?
- Best canal cruises in Amsterdam
- Amsterdam itinerary: best of the city in 2 days
About the author
Written by a local
Anastasia Dudina
I’ve been living in the Netherlands since 2013 and exploring it ever since. I write and update all articles on Holland Explorer and Amsterdam Explorer myself: real tips, not tourist traps. All of them are kept regularly updated, and if you find this guide helpful, sharing it is the best way to support the project.