Amsterdam is such a beautiful and well-thought-out city. The canals wrap around the tidy yet individualistic charming houses. One can walk, cycle in this bike-friendly city, or even take a boat tour to take in the scenery. Sprinkled throughout the city are a myriad of museums to choose from.
I’ve included a list of my top eight favorite museums.
All these museums were included in the I amsterdam City Card.
#8
Museum of Bags and Purses (closed)
This is a tribute to all the purse aficionados! Unfortunately, this lovely museum did not make it through the pandemic but the museum intends to keep the collection together in hopes that it will be exhibited in the future.
This museum was hip and had a chic presentation. It was quaint and situated within a classic Amsterdam house on the canal. The museum was able to convey the historical progression of how the bag evolved with fascinating displays.
There was a charming purse souvenir shop and a place to rest and enjoy an elegant high tea experience that you could purchase in combination with the entrance to the museum.
#7
Located in the old town center, this intimate museum gives tours on how the pianola comes about with many live demonstrations. The lovely guide allowed us to get up close and play the pianola and use their displays.
I enjoyed listening to how the greats were able to record on music rolls and because of this technology, they can still give us a private performance with the technology of the pianola still today.
The museum also gives concerts on certain evenings. A great experience for music lovers.
#6
This is a FANTASTIC hands-on science museum to take your children to.
Adults who enjoy experimenting and seeing how the world works around them will also enjoy the numerous exhibits.
Each floor has a theme and there is a cafe and outdoor patio where you can admire the cityscapes of Amsterdam around.
#5
Enter the world and house in which Rembrandt lived and worked between 1639-1656.
See where he taught other aspiring artists and created his masterpieces. You can even see his personal rare collections.
The interior has been updated and also houses an art gallery connected to the home.
#4
Check out this coveted canal-side house where Abraham Willet and Louisa Holthuysen lived here from 1861-1895.
This house is now a museum where we can step into the 18th and 19th-century style home with a reconstructed French-style garden.
The home gives a strong sense of what it was like to live during their time. The home is well-preserved and kept for all of us to explore and indulge in what it was like to live a lavish lifestyle.
The self-guided audio tour is intriguing and gives great insight into the presentation.
#3
One of the most interesting, fascinating, and interactive museums in Amsterdam that should not be missed!
The museum gives a first-hand look at how Amsterdam was created and expanded to what it looks like today. Great historical and current overview with fun displays for all ages.
#2
Come visit this well-designed museum that has the world’s largest collection of works by Vincent Van Gogh. Every level of the museum shares something new and differing styles of his work and life. Don’t forget to check out the special exhibits they have on the ground floor.
#1
Make sure to give enough time to the largest art museum in Amsterdam located in the awesome Museumplein.
Home to many famous paintings such as The Night Watch by Rembrandt and The Milkmaid by Vermeer to just name a couple.
There is so much more to see displayed in this magnificent building such as a 19th-century library, sculptors, and even an Asian collection.