Amsterdam is an extraordinary city and there are a long list of museums worth visiting as you walk up and down the streets of the Dutch capital. But, which are the top three museums in Amsterdam for history lovers? Here you have our top-three list!
To make your itinerary planning easier, we have compiled a list of the top three best museums in Amsterdam for those who love history – including the history of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Europe in general. If you want even more, we even have some bonus recommendations for you!
The top-three museums in Amsterdam for history lovers!
1. Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum is one of the Netherlands’ most important and visited museums. The museum is dedicated to Dutch art and history and it houses some of the country’s most famous works, such as “Rembrandt’s Night Watch” and Vermeer’s “The Milkmaid”. Aside from the art, the museum also has an impressive collection of historical objects, relics, and documents from the Dutch history. You can learn about the history of the Netherlands from the Middle Ages to the present day, through objects such as historic ships, furniture, and scientific instruments.
2. Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House is one of the most popular museums in Amsterdam and it documents the life of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl who hid in a secret annex in Amsterdam during the Holocaust. The museum is located in the building where Anne Frank and her family hid for more than two years and where she wrote her famous diary. Visiting this museum takes you on a journey through the life of Anne Frank, the Nazi persecution of Jews, and the experiences of those living in hiding.
3. Amsterdam Museum
The Amsterdam Museum, formerly known as the Historical Museum of Amsterdam, offers a comprehensive overview of the city’s history. It covers the development of Amsterdam from its humble beginnings as a fishing village to its rise as a major trading hub during the Dutch Golden Age. The museum explores various aspects of Amsterdam’s history, including its architecture, trade, social developments, and cultural heritage. It employs interactive exhibits, multimedia presentations, and historical objects to engage visitors in the city’s past.
Want even more? Here you have some additional recommendations!
Bonus 1: Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum is a must-see destination for art lovers and anyone interested in the life of the famous Dutch painter. The museum houses an incredible collection of over 200 paintings, including some of Van Gogh’s most famous works such as “Sunflowers” and “The Potato Eaters”. The exhibit also includes letters he wrote to his family and friends, revealing insights into what inspired him to paint. You can also learn about Van Gogh’s life, emotions, and rise to fame, through interactive exhibits.
Bonus 2: Museum of Prostitution
Legalized prostitution is one of the things Amsterdam is most known for. Would you like to learn more about the history of prostitution, and also what life is like for a prostitute? At the Museum of Prostitution, you can gain insight into something hidden and banned in most other parts of the world.
At the museum, you will gain information about the Red Light District in Amsterdam, see rooms and what the interior looks like where sex workers do their job, and you can also see what it is like to stand in a window and look at the people passing by as many sex workers on normal days.
No matter what kind of history you are interested in, Amsterdam has fantastic museums waiting for you! If you want more information about programs, activities, attractions, transportation, and about upcoming events in Amsterdam, look around in our Amsterdam Guide.
