This is why the Stedelijk Museum should be on your Amsterdam itinerary:
The Stedelijk is a classic 19th-century building with a modern white extension resembling a giant bathtub.
It’s bold, different, and perfectly represents what you’ll find inside.
The Stedelijk houses an impressive collection of 90,000 pieces, but don’t worry – you won’t have to see them all.
You actually can’t.
Around 500 works are displayed on average, with an essential permanent collection and rotating exhibitions.
The curators do an excellent job selecting the highlights.
The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam showcases iconic works from artists you know, like Van Gogh and Picasso, alongside contemporary pieces that will challenge your perspective.
Art here is not always easy to understand at first sight.
So make sure to use the free digital online tour on your phone, listen to the free audio guides available, and ask questions to staff.
The collection spans from 1880 to today, giving you a comprehensive look at how modern art evolved.
But there’s more to it than just paintings.
The Stedelijk was the first Dutch museum to give design a permanent home.
You’ll see furniture, posters, and even household items that revolutionized our lives.
One note I have to make as a local guide:
To appreciate this museum, modern art has to be your thing.
Works here are more modern, abstract, and uncensored.
Meanwhile, art at the Van Gogh Museum next door or at the Rijksmuseum is easier to understand.
The Stedelijk Museum’s collection represents every significant art movement of the 20th and 21st centuries.
This makes it the most comprehensive modern art museum in the Netherlands. However, the excellent Kröller Müller Museum gives it a serious run for its money.
Think of it this way: visiting the Stedelijk is like going through the last 150 years of creativity.
From Mondrian’s geometric works to Andy Warhol’s pop art, each piece tells a story about its time.
Tips for visiting Stedelijk Museum
Take a Stedelijk Museum Tour:
Art at this modern art museum is not always easy to understand.
However, there are different ways to appreciate the museum better.
Paid and free.
Their free digital online PDF tour can be used on your phone.
You can also use a free audio guide available behind the ticket desk in the main hall.
If you prefer a private guide who can also answer your questions, I recommend booking a tour directly with the museum (not with a commercial party).
I think the museum guides are best.
I always recommend booking your entrance ticket in advance. It’s necessary for all, since tours rarely include the ticket itself.
This saves you time and ensures availability, and booking via this link offers an excellent cancellation policy.
The Museum is included in the amazing I Amsterdam City Card, the city’s official card. When you click the link, it will take you to my article about this card and whether it’s worth it.
Remember to spend some time at the museum shop before you exit.
They have a fantastic selection of modern art and design books but also have great presents and weird things for geeks.
It’s fun.
PS: In case you wonder, the shop is freely accessible; you do not need a museum ticket to enter.
My Favorite Works at Stedelijk Museum
Jan Sluijters – Bal Tabarin
This is my absolute favorite painting in the museum.
It’s an explosion of light and color and it just makes me smile when I stand in front of it.
To me it looks like a celebration of electric light, that was a novelty in those days.
What do you see when you look at this painting?
Comment below this article!
Igshaan Adams – Nama stap
This installation by Igshaan Adams is based on drone photographs of Namaqualand, South Africa.
Normally this region is extremely dry but because of a special phenomenon once a year, beautiful, brightly colored flowers bloom.
Between the flowers, you can see paths created over the years by footsteps.
Monderiaan
Piet Mondrian stripped art down to its purest form using only primary colors and straight lines – though surprisingly, he never used a ruler to create them.
While some thought he disliked nature because he avoided using green, he actually enjoyed playing with this rumor, once famously sitting with his back to a window to avoid looking at trees.
If you enjoy Mondriaan, make sure to visit his birth house in Amersfoort.
For one, it’s a beautiful city and they have an amazing interactive museum about Mondriaan and his life.
Jeff Koons – Ushering in Banality
Jeff Koons’ iconic pig sculpture shares this space with powerful feminist statements.
Including Marlene Dumas’ nude male figures that challenge art’s traditional female nudes.
This curation cleverly comments on art world power dynamics.
Charley Toorop – Working-Class Woman
The woman in this 1942 painting is Johanna ‘Jansje’ Punt, who worked as a housekeeper for artist Charley Toorop.
Her worried expression tells a personal story – her three sons had been sent to forced labor in Nazi Germany.
In the background, you see the ruins of Rotterdam after the bombing.
Did you know:
Johanna’s grandchildren only recently recognized their grandmother in what has become one of the museum’s most popular paintings.
What emotions do you read in her face?
Frequently Asked Questions Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
Is the Stedelijk Museum worth visiting if I’m not an art expert?
Yes! The museum is very accessible, with clear explanations on the free digital guide and audio tour. But you must be a modern art lover. If you do not like modern art, then this museum is not for you.
How long should I plan for my visit?
I recommend spending 2 hours at this museum to enjoy the art at your leisure.
Is the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam less crowded than the Van Gogh Museum?
Yes, the Stedelijk typically has fewer visitors, making it a more relaxed experience with time to appreciate the art.
What’s the best time to visit the Stedelijk in Amsterdam?
I recommend visiting late afternoons on weekdays. This museum is open one hour longer than most museums and is often quieter at the end of the day. Avoid weekend afternoons when locals usually visit.
Can I take photos inside the Stedelijk Museum?
Yes, photography is allowed in most areas, but without flash. Some temporary exhibitions may have restrictions.
