One of the highlights of my trip to Amsterdam was a morning spent in the Rijksmuseum, which is home to some of Amsterdam’s most famous art and historical artefacts.
It’s also well known as the site of many a tourist selfie, thanks to the I Am Amsterdam sign that sits on the plaza outside the museum.
Inside, the building is genuinely stunning, with high, elaborate ceilings and a beautiful atrium.
The museum houses a number of Van Gogh’s paintings, as well as work by Rembrandt and Vermeer. Rembrandt’s Night Watch takes pride of place and is surrounded by visitors who come to marvel at the way the artist captured his subjects, plus his use of light and shadow.
The museum is also home to an elegant restaurant that serves some delicious looking cakes, as well as posh sandwiches and drinks.
If you’re planning to visit, it’s worth purchasing your tickets in advance. I received a special offer from Booking.com, who we booked our accommodation through, but tickets were also available for the same price in our hotel.
We arrived about 10am and the museum was bustling, but you could still move around with ease and see everything you wanted, although the I Am Amsterdam sign outside was already crawling with tourists. By the time we left around 12.30pm, the place was packed and the queues were getting long, so arrive early if you want to get the most out of your visit.
After you’ve enjoyed the museum’s galleries, it’s worth wandering up the designer shop laden PC Hooftstraat and into Vondelpark to enjoy the scenery. Just make sure you don’t stray into the middle of the path or you might get run over by an enthusiastic cyclist!