Amsterdam, city of the Golden Age painters: the back story

About Amsterdam, city of the Golden Age painters: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Amsterdam Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

The Museumplein gathers three great institutions at one end of a long lawn: the Rijksmuseum, home of Rembrandt’s The Night Watch and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid; the Van Gogh Museum; and the Stedelijk, for modern and contemporary art. At the far end stands the Concertgebouw. Across the city, Rembrandt’s own house on the Jodenbreestraat, the Eye Filmmuseum on the IJ and the opera house on the Amstel complete the picture.

The Museumplein

The Rijksmuseum’s Gallery of Honour holds masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Frans Hals, in the museum’s words; it is open every day from 9am to 5pm, and booking a start time is required. The Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk are a few steps away.

Music

The Concertgebouw, home of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, is one of the most famous concert halls in the world. The Nationale Opera & Ballet perform at their house on the Amstel; the Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ and the Bimhuis share a building on the IJ.

Book a start time for the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum before you travel.

Rembrandt’s city

The Rembrandt House Museum, on the Jodenbreestraat, is the house where the painter lived and worked.

Our advice: see the Rijksmuseum at opening time, then lunch at RIJKS®, its MICHELIN-starred restaurant.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Amsterdam, city of the Golden Age painters: the back story before you go.