Museums in Amsterdam

The greatest collection of Dutch Golden Age art in the world. Rembrandt’s The Night Watch, Vermeer’s The Milkmaid, Hals, Steen, Ruisdael – the collection is extraordinary and the building itself, a magnificent neo-Gothic palace by Pierre Cuypers, is as important as the art inside. Allow at least two hours. Book ahead.

The largest Van Gogh collection in the world, tracing his development from the dark early works in Nuenen to the extraordinary final canvases in Auvers-sur-Oise. The Sunflowers, the Bedroom in Arles and the self-portraits are all here. One of the most visited museums in the world – book well in advance.

The finest modern and contemporary art museum in the Netherlands with an outstanding permanent collection including Mondrian, Malevich, Cezanne, Picasso and a strong post-war American collection. The building – a neo-Renaissance palace with a striking modern extension – is also worth attention.

The hiding place where Anne Frank wrote her diary during the Nazi occupation, now one of the most visited and moving museums in the world. The secret annex is preserved and the experience is powerful and sobering. Book weeks in advance – this museum sells out entirely. Time slots are limited.

The history of Amsterdam from its origins as a fishing village to its role as a global city. The collection covers the Golden Age, the colonial period, the war years and the social revolutions of the 20th century. Housed in a beautiful former orphanage in the centre of the city.

A complex of four former synagogues telling the story of Jewish life in Amsterdam and the Netherlands, from the 17th century through the devastation of the Second World War to the present. Thoughtfully curated and essential to understanding Amsterdam’s history.

The story of how ordinary Dutch people responded to the Nazi occupation – those who collaborated, those who were indifferent and those who resisted at great personal risk. One of the finest Second World War museums in Europe and genuinely illuminating about Dutch national character.

The largest science museum in the Netherlands, housed in a distinctive green hull-shaped building by Renzo Piano projecting over the Eastern Docks. Five floors of hands-on science exhibits. The rooftop terrace has one of the best free views of Amsterdam. Excellent for families.

One of the oldest zoos in Europe, founded in 1838. Beautiful 19th-century buildings and mature gardens alongside the animals. The planetarium and aquarium are both included. A full day out in one of Amsterdam’s most pleasant neighborhoods.

One of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, founded in 1638. A remarkable collection of over 6,000 plant species in a compact and beautiful garden. The coffee plant, brought from Ethiopia in 1706, is one of the most historically significant specimens.

One of the finest photography museums in Europe, housed in a canal house on the Keizersgracht. Consistently attracts major international photographers for its temporary exhibitions. A manageable size – you can see it properly in an hour. Worth visiting every few months as the programme changes regularly.

Modern and contemporary art including Banksy, Dali, Basquiat and Jean-Michel. A more accessible and less academic alternative to the Stedelijk. Very popular with younger visitors. The Banksy collection is the largest in the world.

A spectacular building by Delugan Meissl Associates on the north bank of the IJ, a five-minute free ferry ride from Centraal. A major film archive, exhibition space and cinema. The building and the view back across the IJ are reason enough to visit.

A hidden medieval courtyard in the centre of Amsterdam, home to a community of women since the 14th century. One of the most unexpected and peaceful spaces in the city. Free to enter; silence is expected.

The world’s only microbe museum, part of the Artis complex. A genuinely fascinating exploration of the microscopic world – bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa made visible and comprehensible. More engaging than it sounds and very popular with both adults and children.