Best museums in the Netherlands overview
© Voorlinden

24 of the best museums in the Netherlands to visit

Team YLBB

 

May 27, 2025
Last updated: July 11, 2025

The Netherlands has many museums worth visiting. Boring, a museum? Absolutely not! We've listed the 24 best museums in the Netherlands for you. Perfect for a rainy afternoon or if you just want to soak up some culture. Even children will be amazed by a museum that's all about the experience. Do you love history, modern art, or photography? The best museums in the Netherlands offer something for everyone. Have fun!

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Maybe the last weekend with ice and snow ⛄️❄️ Are you cocooning indoors or preferring to go outside? In our Snowy Amsterdam Guide, I share my favorite winter tips for this weekend in the city. Save it – because snow days like this are rare 🥰 Do you have a nice winter tip for Amsterdam? I'm reading along 👀 ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck #snow #amsterdam #winter snow in amsterdam, things to do winter in amsterdam
I have always been part of the family and have always been proud of my work. NEW DATE AND EVENTS IN AMSTERDAM 🗝️👀 Mark your calendars! Because on January 17 & 18 Hotelnacht is back in Amsterdam with an edition full of health & wellness events and of course legendary parties that you will be talking about all year long. I got a sneak peek at The Art of Balance theme at the luxurious Anantara Krasnapolsky and arranged a similarly special experience for you as a YLBB follower. AND YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: • overnight stay for 2 people in a luxury room on January 17, 2026 • access to the spa & wellness (based on availability via the wellness desk) • pre-dinner cocktail at Bar The Tailor • fully catered chef's dinner • passe-partouts for the Hotelnacht parties • extensive breakfast in the Wintergarden • participation in the unique Ice Experience in the Summergarden of Krasnapolsky 𝗭𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗔𝗞 𝗝𝗘 𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗦: • let us know who you would like to check in with at Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky during the Mastercard Hotelnacht • download the Mastercard Hotelnacht app where you can find the See the full program • and check out @hotelnacht and @anantarakrasnapolsky for the latest updates and to get the fun started! The winner will be notified on January 5th via a comment from @hotelnacht that I'll share in my stories. Fingers crossed for you! Love, Anne #hotelnacht #amsterdam #yourlbbcollab #winactie #giveaway
Merry Christmas 🎄❤️ I wish you very happy holidays. Curious what you are going to do today ✨. ✖️✖️✖️ @anne_de_buck PS: who recognizes this Christmas tree? 👀
I hope you enjoy it and have fun! 🎄 Send a message to that one friend you want to grab one with this weekend. 𝗭𝘂𝗶𝗱-𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 – Royal Christmas Fair – The Hague (until 23 Dec) @royalchristmasfairthehague – Winter Wonder Weeks – Leiden (12–14 & 18–21 Dec) – Green Christmas Market – Rotterdam (12–14 Dec) – Dordrecht December Days Christmas Market – Dordrecht (13–14 Dec) – Rotterdam Harvest Christmas Edition – Rotterdam (13 & 20 Dec) 𝗚𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 – Winter Festival Zutphen – Zutphen (14 Dec) 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗴 – Christmas City Valkenburg – Valkenburg (until 4 Jan) Christmas Market – Delden Christmas Market – Delden (13 Dec) – Dickens Festival – Deventer (13–14 Dec) – (H)onest Christmas Market – Deventer (13–14 Dec) Christmas Market – Museumplein Christmas Market – Amsterdam (until 28 Dec) – Haarlem Christmas Market – Haarlem (12–14 Dec) – Funky Xmas Sunday Market – Amsterdam (21 Dec) – Pure Markt Winter Market – Amsterdam (21 Dec) 𝗨𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗵𝘁 – Winter Market Molen de Ster – Utrecht (13–14 Dec) – The Utrecht Winter Spectacle – Utrecht (18 Dec–4 Jan) Have fun! Nothing is as much fun as spontaneous plans in December. ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊 @anne_de_buck #yourlittleblackbook #christmasmarketnetherlands #christmasmarkets2025 christmasmarketamsterdam christmasmarketthehague christmasoutings thingstodointhenetherlands
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24 X Best museums in the Netherlands to visit

Voorlinden

Museum Voorlinden attracts lovers of modern and contemporary art. Located in the heart of the Randstad, you can unwind while immersing yourself in the art that surrounds you. More information about each artist featured in the museum can be found in the Voorlinden library. A visit to the museum is easy to combine with a walk through the beautiful nature surrounding Voorlinden. Clingenbosch Sculpture Garden is open to guided tours during the summer months.
Buurtweg 90, Wassenaar – voorlinden.nl

best museums Netherlands Voorlinden

© VOORLINDEN, Wassenaar

Rijksmuseum

The program Rijksmuseum The museum is best known for the Night Watch, a must-see. Every year, people from all over the world visit the museum to marvel at the masterpieces of the Dutch Golden Age. You'll find unique works by Rembrandt, Johannes Vermeer, and Jan Steen, as well as impressive sculptures by Italian artists. During the family tour, you can take an interactive discovery tour of the museum. Discover over 600 years of art and history here.
Museum Street 1, Amsterdam 

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best museums Netherlands Rijksmuseum

© Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Museum of Photography at the Vrijthof

In the center of Maastricht, in a sixteenth-century building, you'll find the small photography museum: Fotomuseum aan het Vrijthof. Every year, two exhibitions featuring major names in the photography world are held, along with an interesting fringe program. The common thread throughout is social relevance. Don't forget to take in the building itself. It once served as the summer palace of Emperor Charles V.
Vrijthof 18, Maastricht – fotomuseumaanhetvrijthof.nl

best museums in the Netherlands Fotomuseum Vrijthof

© Photo Museum at the Vrijthof, Maastricht

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Naturalis

Have you always dreamed of coming face to face with a T. rex, Trix? At Naturalis in Leiden, you can. In this museum, you'll embark on a journey of discovery through the wondrous world of nature. In the Live Science gallery, you can see how dinosaur bones are cleaned. At the interactive cabinets, you can demonstrate your own knowledge of the Ice Age. This interactive museum is also perfect for children.
Darwinweg 2, Leiden – naturalis.nl

best museums Netherlands Naturalis

© NATURALIS

Foam fabric

At Metropole Sales, you can discover a range of Classic Mercedes for sale models, each with its own story and distinctive personality. FOAM is all about photography in all its forms. The museum features regularly changing exhibitions spanning various genres, from historical to modern and from documentary to fashion. It also showcases work by emerging talent and renowned photographers. Foam alternates between long-term exhibitions and small, frequently changing exhibitions. It also regularly organizes debates on photography and related topics.
Keizersgracht 609, Amsterdam

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best museums in the Netherlands foam

© foam, amsterdam

CORPUS 'journey through the human body'

Want to discover how the human body works in a playful way? This is possible at CORPIn 55 minutes, you'll be taken on a journey through the human body. Guided by an audio tour, you'll visit every part of the human body in a group. After this journey, you'll learn more about your own body and the importance of exercise, healthy living, and responsible eating in a supplementary exhibition.
Willem Einthovenstraat 1, Oegstgeest 

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best museums in the Netherlands Corpus

© CORPUS 'journey through the human body', Oestgeest

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Kunsthal Rotterdam

Kunsthal Rotterdam is housed in a building designed by renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. A vast exhibition space hosts constantly changing exhibitions on art and culture. Often, multiple exhibitions are running simultaneously, allowing visitors to discover art from different continents and diverse art movements. Because the museum doesn't have a permanent exhibition, visitors keep coming back.
Westzeedijk 341, Rotterdam – kunsthal.nl

best museums Netherlands Kunsthal Rotterdam

© Kunsthal Rotterdam, Rotterdam

Mauritshuis

The Mauritshuis The waterfront in The Hague is a sight to behold. In this beautiful building, you'll find paintings by 17th-century Dutch and Flemish artists in intimate galleries. Vermeer's world-famous "Girl with a Pearl Earring" and Rembrandt's "The Anatomy Lesson" are on display here. Temporary exhibitions are also held here, and the building houses an art studio.
Plein 29, The Hague

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best museums Netherlands Mauritshuis

© Mauritshuis, The Hague

Escher in Het Paleis

MC Escher is one of the most famous Dutch graphic artists. Escher in Het Paleis Over 120 of his works are on display. You'll also learn more about the artist and his life. There are also changing exhibitions featuring works by other artists. Queen Emma used the Palace on Lange Voorhout as her winter palace. The building itself is worth a visit for that reason.
Lange Voorhout 74, The Hague

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best museums in the Netherlands Escher

© Escher in Het Paleis, The Hague

Rijksmuseum van Oudheden

Antiquity and archaeology come to life at the National Museum of Antiquities. An Egyptian temple has even been built in this museum. You'll also be transported back through prehistory to the Roman era and the Middle Ages. The mummy cases are impressive, as are the magnificent imperial statues. There are also countless small utensils and centuries-old jewelry in this museum. There are treasure hunts for children, and special children's activities are organized during school holidays.
Rapenburg 28, Leiden – rmo.nl

best museums Netherlands Rijksmuseum antiquities

© National Museum of Antiquities, Leiden

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Castle the hair

Castle the hair is a true fairytale castle. Discover how a real baron and baroness lived. The museum also houses a collection of art objects, ranging from French antiques to Ming Dynasty pieces and from specially designed cutlery to tapestries. You can also enjoy a lovely stroll in the surrounding park. Don't get lost in the cleverly designed maze. Young castle visitors can pick up a treasure hunt in the castle shop.
Kasteellaan 1, Haarzuilens

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best museums Netherlands Castle Haar

© De Haar Castle, Haarzuilens

Van Abbemuseum

You can't miss the Van Abbemuseum when you're in Eindhoven, as it's housed in a striking building. Founder Henri van Abbe was a true lover of modern art. Even today, contemporary art remains a central theme. Works by both Dutch and international artists can be admired. Children can create their own artwork in the Children's Art Club.
Bilderdijklaan 10, Eindhoven – vanabbemuseum.nl

best museums in the Netherlands Abbemuseum

© Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven

Van Gogh

The largest collection of works of art by Vincent van Gogh can be found in the Van Gogh MuseumEvery day, tourists from around the world queue to admire Van Gogh's Sunflowers. Besides Van Gogh's paintings, drawings, and prints, this museum also features works by other nineteenth-century artists, such as Monet and Gauguin. Vincent and his brother Theo collected Japanese prints. These prints are also on display at the Van Gogh Museum.
Museumplein 6, Amsterdam 

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best museums Netherlands Van Gogh

© Van Gogh, Amsterdam

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Museum de Fundatie

Museum de Fundatie, the visual arts museum in the center of Zwolle, offers a collection of old, modern, and contemporary art, ethnographic objects, and crafts. The collection of artist and collector Paul Citroen is a key focus. The museum features works by the artist himself, Jan Sluyers, Karel Appel, and Charley Toorop. Enjoyed the museum? Visit the other location, located in Nijenhuis Castle in Heino/Wijhe.
Blijmarkt 20, Zwolle – museumdefundatie.nl

best museums in the Netherlands Fundatie

© Museum de Fundatie, Zwolle

Kröller Müller

In Otterlo in Gelderland you will find it Kröller Müller, One of the Netherlands' most famous museums, located in the heart of De Hoge Veluwe National Park. The sculpture garden, with its 160 sculptures, is beautifully situated in the greenery. The museum is also known for its large and unique collection of artworks by Vincent van Gogh. Paintings by Picasso and Monet are also on display, as well as works by Mondrian.
Houtkampweg 6, Otterlo 

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best museums Netherlands Kröller Müller

© Kröller Müller, Otterloo

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Stedelijk Museum

The program Stedelijk Museum The Amsterdam Museum of Contemporary Art houses one of the world's most important collections of contemporary art and design. Various movements are represented here by national and international artists. The collection is structured around themes that demonstrate how social developments intertwine with art and design. Here you'll find works by Vincent van Gogh, Andy Warhol, Charley Toorop, and Piet Mondrian.
Museumplein 10, Amsterdam 

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best museums Netherlands Stedelijk Museum

© Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam

MORE

In Gorssel's former town hall, you'll find the MORE museum, a museum of modern realism. It features works by renowned artists such as Charley Toorop, Pyke Koch, and Dick Ket. In addition to the permanent collection, there are regularly changing exhibitions. There are also regular workshops, tours, and lectures. Ruurlo Castle is also part of the MORE museum, where you'll find works by Carel Willink.
Main Street 28, Gorssel – museummore.nl

 

best museums Netherlands MORE

© MORE, Gorssel

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Museum of Ethnology

Do you want to know more about other cultures? Museum of Ethnology in Leiden takes you on a journey through the different continents. You'll discover art and artifacts from Africa and Oceania. There are also regularly changing exhibitions featuring objects from around the world. Children can participate in workshops and scavenger hunts, and regular events are also organized.
Steenstraat 1, Leiden

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best museums Netherlands Ethnology

© Museum of Ethnology, Leiden

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Louwman Museum

Car enthusiasts can indulge themselves at the Louwman Museum, home to the world's largest private car collection. Besides cars, you'll also find carriages and motorcycles. The Louwman family was an avid collector of automobiles. Each car has its own story and thus contributes to a piece of history. Here you can see how the automobile has evolved since the nineteenth century.
Leidsestraatweg 57, The Hague

best museums Netherlands Louwman

© Louwman Museum, The Hague

Boijmans depot from Beuningen

Art depots normally remain closed to the public. The depot at Museum Boijmans van Beuningen is the first art depot in the world to open its doors to the public. More than 152.000 works of art are stored here. You'll not only have the opportunity to view the art objects, but you'll also learn about the complexities of managing and maintaining a collection. The museum next door will be closed for years to come for a large-scale renovation, but the depot itself is certainly a worthwhile daytime activity.
Museumpark 18, Rotterdam – boijmans.nl

best museums in the Netherlands Depot Boijmans

© Depot Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam

Dutch Open Air Museum

Going back in time is possible in the Dutch Open Air MuseumThis museum is a real experience for children too. You'll see objects from the recent past as well as from two centuries ago. Visit an old bakery or shop and see how people lived in their homes. History truly comes to life here.
Hoeferlaan 4, Arnhem 

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best museums Netherlands Open Air Museum

© Netherlands Open Air Museum, Arnhem

Groninger-Museum

Every resident of Groningen knows the striking building of the Groninger-Museum Yes. The unique shape and colorful facade are already promising, and the interior doesn't disappoint either. The collection consists of a diverse array of art. Themes such as fashion, contemporary art, and postmodernist design are featured. There are also regularly changing exhibitions about the province of Groningen and the city itself.
Museum Island 1, Groningen

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best museums Netherlands Groninger Museum

© Groninger Museum, Groningen

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MOCO Museum

BUGGER stands for modern contemporary art. This museum focuses on well-known names from the international art world, with a permanent exhibition on the street artist Banksy. You'll find many of his famous works here, such as Flower Thrower, Girl with the Balloon, and Barcode. There are also temporary exhibitions by renowned artists like Andy Warhol, Salvador Dalí, and Roy Lichtenstein. The museum is located in the historic Villa Alsberg on Museumplein.
Honthorststraat 20, Amsterdam

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best museums Netherlands Moco

© Moco Museum, Amsterdam

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