The best time to visit the Rijksmuseum is at 9 AM sharp, every day of the year.
I visit this museum more than once monthly and guide tours here regularlyāthis timing gives you 30 precious minutes with masterpieces like the Night Watch before crowds arrive. I know it’s early, but 9:30 is actually too late!
River cruise passengers and tour buses flood the galleries by 10 AM, turning peaceful art viewing into anything but peaceful.
But timing is just one piece of the puzzle. Your touring strategy, ticket booking approach, and knowing where to go first can transform a frustrating museum visit into the cultural highlight of your Amsterdam trip.
I hope my local tips will help you not leave the museum completely fried, but you saying “I loved this”.
Table of Contents
Best Time to Visit the Rijksmuseum: The Magic Hour
9 AM is non-negotiable. I cannot stress this enoughāthat first 30 minutes after opening feels like having a private viewing of Dutch masterpieces.
Tickets for Rijksmuseum sell out quickly, especially at 9 AM, so get yours nows (I like the package with 2 drinks, it’s a steal).
I recommend buying them through their official partner Get Your Guide, and not at the museum direct. Why the Museum has a terrible cancellation policy and even changing a ticket is hard. GYG offers a 24 hour cancellation policy and changing a date or time means a click of a button.
I often hear advice to visit at 3 PM for “quieter afternoon viewing.” That’s wrong. Yes, it’s less crowded than at 2 PM, but you’ll still fight for viewing space.
Plus, staff start closing announcements at 4:30 PMāhardly the peaceful art appreciation you’re seeking. Late afternoon visits feel rushed. Art deserves your unhurried attention.
Best Days to Visit Rijksmuseum: Sunday Mornings Win
Forget the standard “weekdays are better” advice. I’ve been to the museum every single day of the week.
Sunday mornings are fantastic. People sleep in, everything starts later. If you arrive at 9 AM on Sunday, you’ll often have the Gallery of Honor nearly to yourself.
Tuesday and Wednesday mornings work well too. But avoid Mondays and Fridaysāmany Europeans work four-day weeks, making these feel like weekend extensions.
Between 11 AM and 3 PM, every day feels overwhelming regardless of weekday or weekend. School groups add noise during weekdays, while weekend crowds add volume.
Holiday mornings are golden tickets. Christmas morning? New Year’s Day? I’ve had Vermeer paintings practically to myself.
Best Months: Winter Is Your Friend
November through February offer the quietest experience. While Amsterdam tourists outnumber locals on average 8:1 year-round, winter provides relative peace.
In August at 9 AM, you’ll share the Gallery of Honor with a few dozen. In January, you might have it to yourselfāI once stood alone with four Vermeer paintings on Christmas Eve morning. Absolutely magical.
March and October get busy with shoulder-season travelers. April through September means peak crowds.
My Favorite Art Books
Table could not be displayed.The “Rijksmuseum in Detail” book is my absolute favorite with 50 pull out cards decribing each painting in detail, I can spend evenings looking at them.
Your Touring Strategy
Most visitors wander aimlessly through 80+ rooms. Don’t be that person. You walk out and say outl oud: “What did I even saw?” You’re brain won’t process it all.
You need to pick wisely. In a one-on-one video call that I offer as one of my services I help people find the art (and the rooms they’re in) that connects with them personally. But here is this article I will also give you a few pointers, that will already make your visit so much better I promise you.
Download the App
Download the free Rijksmuseum app before your visit from your favorite app store and bring headphones. The museum charges ā¬6.50 for audio guide rentalāit’s the exact same content as the free app. Inside there are hand picked themed tours you can follow. Prefer the actual Audio Guide device instead? Reserve your Rijksmuseum Audio Guide before your visit.
Head Straight to Gallery of Honor
Skip the early medieval rooms near the entranceāsave those for later if you have time (and only if they interest you). Take the stairs to the second floor and go directly to the Gallery of Honor. This where the museum showcases its most valuable works.
Find the Night Watch first. Everyone comes to see Rembrandt’s masterpiece, and viewing it without crowds is worth the early morning effort. It’s in the back of the Gallery of Honorāyou’ll spot it immediately.
See Vermeer and Rembrandt paintings in the Gallery of Honor next. These also attract the heaviest crowds within the gallery.
Make Strategic Choices
After the Gallery of Honor, choose your path:
- Famous dollhouse and wooden ship: Turn right at the Night Watch
- Van Gogh and contemporaries: Go down one level (my personal favorite section)
- Medieval religious art: Head to rooms with 800-year-old masterpieces next to the cloakroom
But there is a lot more (Asian art, model ships, sea wreck treasures, a Harry Potter like library. Do you research before you go, it will make all the difference!)
Book A Guided Tour
For a more in-depth experience for the highlights of the museum book a tour. Your ticket is also included in these tours and you can stay after the tour as long as you want. Here is a Rijksmuseum tour that I can recommend.
Practical Details
Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM daily, 365 days a year (yes, including Christmas)
Getting there: Take tram trams 2 and 12, but they’re overcrowded. Or take Metro line 52 from Central Station to Vijzelgracht (just 5 minutes), then walk 10 minutes to the museum entrance, that’s why I do.
Get A Public Transportion Pass For Amsterdam
Or consider the I Amsterdam Card that includes the Rijksmuseum and public transportation.
From the airport: Bus 397 connects directly to Museum Square. Immediately next to the Rijksmuseum.
ā¤· Here is my post on “How to Get From the Airport to the City” including details on this bus line.
The museum cafĆ© stays open until 6 PM (one hour past closing). Visit at 5 PM for quiet seating on the balcony overlooking the entranceāperfect for processing what you’ve seen over Dutch beer or wine.
TIP: You can enter the cafƩ and shop for free after 5 PM without museum tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I spend at the Rijksmuseum?
Plan a minimum of three hours. One hour for the Gallery of Honor, 30 minutes for one other section that interests you, a 30-minute cafƩ break to recharge, then another hour exploring less crowded areas. Rushing through in one hour means your camera sees more than you do.
Should I buy tickets in advance?
Absolutely. The museum requires timed entry tickets, and popular slots sell out. I recommend booking through platforms like GetYourGuide rather than the official websiteāthey offer more flexible cancellation policies (24-hour full refund vs. email requests for changes and no refunds when you book direct). The 9 AM timeslot is best, and sells out the quickest!
Can I enter at any time during my slot?
You have officially a 15-minute window before or after your booked time. Once inside, stay as long as you want, but you cannot re-enter the same day. Usually though if you arrive within 30 minutes from your slot either before or after they will still let you in.
Is there still a line with “skip-the-line” tickets?
All tickets nowadays are technically “skip-the-line,” since there is no ticket desk any longer. Meaning during peak times, you’ll still wait a few minutes for capacity management. Another reason to book that 9 AM slot.
What should I see if I only have one hour?
Focus entirely on the Gallery of Honor. See the Night Watch, then work your way through the Vermeer and Rembrandt paintings. Don’t attempt other floorsāyou’ll remember nothing and enjoy less.
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Final Recommendations
The difference between a frustrating museum experience and a memorable one comes down to planning. Book that 9 AM slot, arrive on Sunday or mid-week if possible, and during winter months if your travel dates allow.
Most importantly, don’t try to see everything. Choose what interests you most and give those pieces your full attention.
Near the Rijksmuseum: The Van Gogh Museum sits next door, but don’t visit both the same dayāit’s too much to process. Instead, stroll the elegant Spiegelgracht antique district or explore the trendy De Pijp neighborhood.
ā¤· Here is my post with my “Van Gogh Museum Tips“
Are you curious about works to see at the Rijksmuseum? I think you love this article:
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