Most individuals go to the Rijksmuseum the improper approach.
They spend three hours wandering by way of infinite galleries, preventing their approach by way of the crowds, ultimately leaving with sore toes and a blurry photograph of Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid” (and some different work they didn’t fairly ‘get’).
However what for those who might do it in a different way?
Think about standing in entrance of “The Evening Watch” and realising it isn’t only a piece of canvas – it’s a coded message of insurrection, a love letter to Amsterdam, full of quite a few symbols we’re nonetheless uncovering right now.
In case you’re searching for one of the best guided Rijksmuseum tour, you need to look past the floor. As a information, I don’t simply present you the place the artworks are; I present you why they nonetheless matter.
What to anticipate throughout one of the best Rijksmuseum guided tour
When visiting on their very own, many individuals stroll proper previous a Nineteenth-century visitors signal on the constructing’s facade or miss a hidden political message in Jan Asselijn’s “The Threatened Swan.”
An issue with enormous museums just like the Rijksmuseum is that they are often overwhelming. Your toes get drained after all of the strolling, and the labels turn out to be considerably monotonous after some time. That’s why exploring the Rijksmuseum throughout the guided tour makes all of the distinction.
You’ll get to see the curated highlights of the museum, be taught attention-grabbing tales concerning the artworks you’d in any other case stroll previous, and depart the museum impressed.
⤷ Learn extra: Learn how to go to a museum proper: A information for the right museum go to
A Little Teaser: Three Secrets and techniques on the Rijksmuseum
To offer you a bit preview of what to anticipate throughout the guided tour on the Rijksmuseum, listed below are three secrets and techniques hidden in plain sight on the Rijksmuseum. This museum is a goldmine of fascinating tales, artworks full of intrigues and work made by the world-famous artists.
⤷ Learn extra: 10 Stuff you didn’t know concerning the Rijksmuseum
Secret no. 1: The “Hidden” Architect within the Partitions
Most guests admire the fascinating Rijksmuseum constructing with out realising that the architect, Pierre Cuypers, snuck himself into the decor. Look carefully on the tilework and sculptures: Cuypers had himself depicted within the museum’s facade. Much more scandalous? The Protestant King William III hated the “Catholic” look of the constructing a lot that he refused to set foot in it for the opening.
Throughout our Rijksmuseum guided tour, I’ll present you components of the constructing design that weren’t effectively accepted in any respect by the architect’s contemporaries.
Secret no. 2: “The Evening Watch” Controversies
Rembrandt’s “The Evening Watch” is the museum’s crown jewel, but it surely’s really fairly controversial. First, it’s not an evening scene in any respect. It’s set within the day, however centuries of darkish varnish made it appear to be midnight. Second, have a look at the lady within the yellow gown. She isn’t a random baby, however quite the corporate’s mascot, and the useless hen hanging from her belt represents the image of the guild (“claws” of the Kloveniers).
Through the tour, I’ll present you extra secrets and techniques of “The Evening Watch” Rembrandt hid from his personal patrons. Like, for instance, his spouse Saskia’s portrait (and doubtless his personal self-portrait).
⤷ Learn extra: The place to see Rembrandt’s work in Amsterdam
Secret no. 3: The “Wealthy Lady’s” leisure
The Dolls’ Homes (particularly Petronella Oortman’s) value as a lot as an actual canal home again within the 1600s. Nevertheless it wasn’t for youngsters. It was a standing image for the elite. There’s actual marble on the flooring, actual silver within the kitchen, and tiny work by well-known artists on the partitions.
Throughout our Rijksmuseum guided tour, I’ll present you a miniature of a well-known Italian Renaissance portray that many miss when in entrance of one of many Rijksmuseum dolls’ homes.
⤷ Watch: My video tour – The Rijksmuseum highlights
Should-sees throughout the Rijksmuseum Guided Tour
My Rijksmuseum guided excursions are fairly versatile, and I all the time attempt to modify them to your pursuits, however there are some must-sees we’ll cease by. The Rembrandt’s and Vermeer’s artworks, the Rijksmuseum Library, the dolls’ homes and Vincent van Gogh’s work are undoubtedly amongst them.
⤷ Learn extra: Rijksmuseum highlights
Sensible suggestions for visiting the Rijksmuseum
The “Ghost Hour” Technique: Weekdays early mornings are the “candy spot” for visiting the Rijksmuseum. Locals are on their approach to work, and the massive teams from the cruise ships haven’t arrived but. If you will get that first 9 am slot, head straight to the Gallery of Honour. You’ll have about 20 minutes of near-silence with the Vermeers earlier than the push begins at 11 am. I begin nearly all of my Rijksmuseum excursions between 9 am and 10 am to beat the crowds.
Have a espresso or lunch at its restaurant: If, after exploring its galleries, you’d wish to spend extra time on the Rijksmuseum, loosen up at its museum cafe. It’s positioned in a museum foyer which is fantastically adorned with statues and wall decorations, and lit with the sunshine coming from the large glass roof. It’s certainly one of my favorite locations to sit down and loosen up whereas exploring the Rijksmuseum masterpieces. And it’s so fairly, I even included it in my checklist of probably the most lovely museum cafes in Europe.
The “Small Bag” Rule: The Rijksmuseum safety is strict. In case your bag is bigger than an A4 sheet of paper, you’ll should test it. To save lots of up a while, my tip is to keep away from the lengthy queue of the cloakroom and head straight for the lockers and depart your stuff there.
Rijksmuseum store: In case you’d wish to get some lovely souvenirs out of your go to to the Rijksmuseum (and Amsterdam), try the museum store. It’s certainly one of my favorite museum outlets in Amsterdam, and in it you’ll discover nice books impressed by artwork (together with my “Following Van Gogh” e book), issues made by native designers, jewelry and different beautiful souvenirs impressed by the Rijksmuseum assortment.
⤷ Learn extra: 15 Greatest souvenirs from Amsterdam
Wish to skip the planning and simply benefit from the artwork?
Navigating it’s the hardest a part of the Rijksmuseum. While you e book a tour with me, I deal with the timing, the route, and avoiding the gang. You simply present up prepared to listen to the tales that make these partitions speak.
Click on right here to see my out there small-group (max. 8 folks) Rijksmuseum tour dates for 2026. Or learn extra about my personal museum excursions in Amsterdam and get in contact by way of this contact type for those who’d wish to e book a non-public Rijksmuseum tour with me.
Meet your information: Tea Gudek Snajdar
I’ve spent the final decade deep within the archives and the galleries of the Rijksmuseum, turning the “dry” historical past of the Dutch Golden Age into tales that really stick. As a printed creator (“Following Van Gogh” e book) and MA-degree artwork historian, I’ve completed the heavy lifting of studying the 500-page tutorial tomes so that you don’t should.
Ten years of guiding on the Rijksmuseum has taught me one factor: folks don’t bear in mind the dates of a battle, however they do bear in mind why Rembrandt was the Seventeenth-century king of “shady” behaviour, or how a single tulip as soon as value greater than an Amsterdam canal home.
After I’m not writing about artwork or main excursions, I’m looking for one of the best hidden espresso bars within the metropolis. In case you’re searching for a tour that feels much less like a lecture and extra like a witty dialog with an insider (who really is aware of what they’re speaking about), I’d love to indicate you my Rijksmuseum.
Able to see the Rijksmuseum by way of the eyes of an artwork historian and an creator? My Rijksmuseum Guided Tour is at present reserving for the 2026 season. Guide the small group Rijksmuseum tour right here or get in contact for those who’re excited about a non-public Rijksmuseum tour.
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