Rijksmuseum Art Connoisseur Guided Tour

Explore Dutch history through the artistic works of Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Ferdinand Bol, and more

Travel Flexibly 5 / 5 See All 1 Reviews · 2.00h · Amsterdam, Netherlands

You can visit Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum and admire the artistic works that embody the Dutch Golden Age, but wouldn’t the context of their importance elevate the viewing? We worked with the Rijksmuseum to offer this 2-hour tour, which grants you access to the notable Amsterdam art museum with an English-speaking guide well-versed in the art’s importance to Dutch history. Your guide will take you back to the 16th and 17th centuries with a recount of how the local art market flourished.

  • Meet your guide at Cobra Cafe
  • Expert guide
  • Architecture of the Rijksmuseum
  • Golden Age of Dutch art
  • The Pierre Cuypers Library
  • Vermeer’s ‘The Milkmaid’
  • The Night Watch
  • Keep exploring the museum at your own leisure after the tour

Starting at the Cobra Cafe at Museumplein, you’ll meet your guide and receive your all-day ticket to the Rijksmuseum. When the tour starts, you’ll head straight to the museum, where more than 8,000 stunning works of art await. Your guide will have a selection of specific pieces to stop and see, such as Rembrandt’s portraits and his classic oil painting, ‘The Night Watch,’ and access to the Pierre Cuypers Library. As you stop in front of carefully selected works from the Dutch Golden Age, your guide will take you through the history of the piece, its significance, and how the Dutch art market became the biggest in the world. This tour highlights the creativity of the period and the cultural influences that led to such revered portraits. After you’ve seen the individual pieces indicated by the tour guide, your all-day ticket allows you to explore the museum alone, grab a bite at the museum cafe, or pick up some mementos from the on-site shop.

Rijksmuseum Art Connoisseur Guided Tour

Your 2-hour tour of the Rijksmuseum includes:

  • All-day entry into the Rijksmuseum

  • Access to timeless art from the Dutch Golden Age

  • Historical and cultural context for selected pieces

  • Access to the Pierre Cuypers Library

  • English-speaking professional tour guide

From Cafe to Museum

From the Cobra Cafe at Museumplein, where your guide will be waiting, you’ll go directly to the Rijksmuseum. Almost instantly, you’ll be immersed in the wonderful displays of the Dutch Golden Age, starting with the museum’s distinct architecture. Your guide will have plenty to say about the period that inspired the elaborate and stately Dutch design. The museum houses art from renowned artists of the Dutch Golden Age, and each piece is crafted in unique styles.

Rembrandt, Vermeer, Steen, and More

Rebrandt’s ‘The Night Watch’ is one of the museum’s most notable oil paintings, but it’s only one in a collection of thousands. While you won’t see all 8,000-plus displays with your tour, you will catch memorable compositions like Ferdinand Bol’s self-portrait, Jan Steen’s family interiors, and Vermeer’s ‘The Milkmaid.”

As you’re admiring each artist’s creation, your expert guide will recount how the Dutch Republic became the hub for a middle-class art renaissance. They’ll share the historical and social context that further explains how regional creativity blossomed into one of the biggest markets for artists in the world.

A Hint of Historical Treasures

The artwork isn’t the only display worth admiring at the Rijksmuseum. Your tour will come across 17th-century delftware, an assortment of pottery typically presented with a blue and white motif that originated around the 1600s. This collection offers a depiction of Dutch culture, almost as much as the 17th-century dollhouse displayed at the Rijksmuseum. These items carry stories of the past, relayed via your tour guide.

One of the focal attractions of the tour is the Cuypers Library, named for Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers. Known for being the oldest and largest art historical library in the Netherlands, the multi-level Cuypers Library is full of texts from throughout Dutch history.

All-Day Access to the Museum

When the tour concludes, it doesn’t return to the cafe. It remains in the museum, and with your all-day pass, you’re free to continue exploring the museum alone. Though you will see a lot during your art tour at the Rijksmuseum, there are thousands of pieces of art to observe. You’re free to see as much as possible before closing or visit the on-site cafe to grab a bite before returning to your exploration of the museum. If you want to take a piece of the experience home with you, the museum has a shop with art-inspired gifts and items to purchase.

What you get with this tour
Passionate English-speaking guide
Golden Age of Dutch art
Entry to The Pierre Cuypers Library
Vermeer’s ‘The Milkmaid’, ‘The Night Watch’ and more!
17th-century dolls house
Group size of 14 people
Hotel pick up and drop off
Guide gratuities
Food and beverages
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Great tour
24 October 2023
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Reviewed by
Puneet Panda

Fantastic tour covering the Dutch masters with a well informed and fun guide. We had time afterwards to explore the museum on our own as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour run by The Tour Guy?

No, this tour is operated by one of our trusted and vetted partners in Amsterdam.

What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?

If you have any doubts about your mobility, we suggest taking the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum Private Tour so your needs can be better accommodated. This 120-minute tour is better paced for a group, while the private tour allows you to adjust the speed to your needs.

Is there a dress code to enter the religious sites on this tour?

There is no dress code at the Rijksmuseum. You will want to avoid wearing t-shirts with offensive language or imagery. When preparing for your tour, keep in mind that backpacks are checked at the entrance.

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