Museums

World-renowned bastions of art and history

First-time visitors will likely want to visit some Amsterdam's most famous museums. The Rijksmuseum houses masterpieces of Golden Age glory. Marvel at Vincent's visible brush strokes and his uneasy life at the Van Gogh Museum. The exceptionally moving story told at the Anne Frank House is somber yet inspirational. The recently renovated Hermitage Amsterdam features the fortunes of Czarist Russia. See how the city's most famous resident lived at the Rembrandthuis. And be one of the first inside the new state-of-the-art space for modern and contemporary art when the acclaimed Stedelijk Museum reopens at the end of 2009.

Amsterdam's hidden treasures

Tired of pushing past people to see Golden Age paintings? Amsterdam's smaller museums are hidden cultural treasures. Have a penchant for purses? Consider the Tassenmuseum (Bag Museum). Museum Het Schip is a stunning example of Amsterdam School architecture, while Museum Willet-Holthuysen is the only fully restored canal house that's open to the public daily.

Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder (also called Museum Amstelkring), within walking distance of Central Station, is tucked away in the attic of a building. Founded in the Protestant-dominated 17th century, this secret chapel would host Catholic mass.

The Jewish Historical Museum (JHM) displays objects and artifacts related to the religion, culture and history of Jews in the Netherlands. Part of the museum is designed especially for children, where they can learn about the life of a typical Dutch Jewish family. Here it's explained why Jews should not eat certain products and why it is sometimes more acceptable to make noise than to be silent.

Photography and multimedia boom

In recent years, photography and multimedia exhibitions have risen steadily. Foam_Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam (photography museum known as 'Foam'), has a constant flow of daring and inspiring exhibitions throughout the year. A smaller museum that takes about an hour to explore, it's the perfect place to show up uninformed of the agenda, allowing the curators to surprise you.

The same could be said of Huis Marseille, another photography museum located in a stately canal house. The courtyard gardens often feature some of the collection.

Montevideo, the Dutch Institute for Media Art, has compiled an impressive collection since its inception in 1978. This includes both video and media art, and its permanent collection features some of the first experimental works of well-known national and international talents, as well as emerging artists.