Looking for information about the Rijkmuseum and the Van Gogh museum

With 3 full days in Amsterdam, you can easily visit both museums. I wouldn’t do it on the same day though or you might get art overload.
If you only want to visit 1 museum, it’s up to you to make the decision. Other than the fact that they both display art, they are very different museums. You should visit the one which appeals to you the most. Not the one that people who don’t know you believe you should visit.

With regards to the other pearls of information you’re looking for, it would really help to know what it is you want to know. It would also help to know when you’ll be here.

Big fan of Van Gogh here and loved my visit there.

Rijksmuseum is enormous and varied, but you don't have to see it all.

Go to their websites for more info. You might also want to take a look at the website for the Stedlijk(sp?).

It really depends on what sort of art calls to you. I am personally not a huge Van Gogh fan, particularly his most popular later work, although the museum has a lot of his earlier work which I do appreciate more. The Rijksmuseum is huge and considered one of the finest art museums in the world. And there are some Van Gogh paintings there as well (6). Personally, I really like the Dutch masters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, Jan Steen, Frans Hals, etc. And the collection at the Rijksmuseum can't be beat.

Hi Marlene, looks like you have duplicate questions going, I answered you here: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/netherlands-reviews/going-to-amsterdam-and-have-only-three-full-days-there-want-to-know-which-museum-to-go-visit

You can get your jollies at both. I went to both on the same day and split it up with a few hours in the park (Vondelpark) and some time at the Albert Cuyp market. All located relatively close together geographically.

Quite the delightful day!

You might also venture to Holtkamp for a delicious slice of apple pie before or after Rijksmuseum.

I would download the app for Rijks ahead of time if you elect to go and bring your own earbuds. I loved the Rijks and would highly recommend visiting but cannot recommend the audioguides (6.50 per person and not very insightful).

The Rijksmuseum is one of my favorite art museums in the World. Don't miss it. The Van Gogh Museum is close by and great as well. Personally, I favored the Rijksmuseum.

You should have more than enough time to visit both in three days. Both museums open at 9 am, and I found that most other things in Amsterdam don't open until 10, so if you book slots at the beginning of the day, it shouldn't crowd out anything else you might want to do.

That being said, the Van Gogh Museum is currently selling out 3-4 weeks in advance, so be sure to buy your tickets ASAP.

I went to Amsterdam last May to see the Vermeer exhibit at the Rijksmuseum. I'm huge museum/art/history nerd. The Vermeer exhibit was mind blowing. The rest of the museum was....a lot. Picture a collection the size of the Louvre, but instead of being looted from all over the world, it's ALL DUTCH (yeah, I know, there are few exceptions, but it's generally true). Now, if Dutch stuff is your jam, great! But personally, it's not my favorite. We enjoyed the Hall of Honor with the big name paintings, and the Van Gogh's on display (they just acquired 3 new paintings, and I really want to see them!), and then had lunch at the museum cafe and left.

The Van Gogh Museum, on the other hand, was beautiful and exactly to my taste. It's a gorgeous collection to begin with, but it felt like it was curated and tended by the family with an amazing amount of love. No condemnation of any of his choices, just compassion and love and empathy. The excerpts from letters between Vincent and his brother were very touching, to me. It's definitely a more personal view, since it's focused on one artist, as opposed to an entire national heritage.

All that being said, you can totally do both museums. Just book one for each morning (or evening) to avoid the worst of the crowds. And don't be shy about using public transit. The Museumplein (where both of these are located) has a very convenient tram stop that can save you a lot of steps. I know some people advocate for just walking everywhere, but if your physical resources are limited in any way, don't hesitate to hop on/off a tram, train, or bus.

I just wanted to give a 2nd vote to Born a Travelin Man's suggestion for downloading the Rijksmuseum app if you decide to go there. It is an excellent app and I love how it directs you from one piece to another and it helps me find myself if I get turned around. Be sure to take your earbuds so you can listen to the commentary.

I love the Van Gogh Museum as well. I do often do both of them in a day....Rijks first thing in the AM and then Van Gogh in the afternoon with a lunch grabbed from the Albert Heijn Market which is UNDER the museumplein at the end where the Van Gogh Museum is located.

I was just in Amsterdam a couple weeks ago on the first Rick Steves Tour of the season to Belgium/Netherlands.

Disclaimer: I love art. So, I visited the Rijkmuseum for 2 days (I take many pics!) and on a separate day I visited the Van Gogh Museum (pre-booked tickets a must).

For normal people, I think you could do both museums in a single day…in a more rushed, incomplete manner.

At the Rijkmuseum, there is a fantastic Hals exhibit that is included in the regular price of admission, but requires a timed entry tickets reserved beforehand. I highly recommend it! (I love Hals, too.)

At Rijkmuseum, the Hall of Honor is where much time is spend (Vermeers, Rembrandt’s Nightwatch, etc.). It is an amazing collection of art in one place…and is very crowded; but that is the cost of a great art museum.

Asides: If you like maritime painting, the Netherlands Maritime Museum has a substantial collection of great maritime paintings…with no crowds. Also, if you want to visit the Ann Frank House, reserved tickets are a must.

Thanks to everyone for your informative remarks. We're going to be in Amsterdam this July, and I can't wait to visit both the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh museum. Getting excited!