Top 5 Must-See Art & Culture Spots in the Netherlands

Planning a trip to the Netherlands and hoping to soak up some amazing art and culture? It can be quite difficult to narrow things down! After all, this small country seriously punches way above its weight when it comes to artistic heritage. From world-renowned museums packed to the gills with masterpieces, that you know, could leave you speechless, to cool contemporary galleries pushing the boundaries, there’s, almost, something for everyone. So, I thought I would, basically, share five of the very best places to get your culture fix in the Netherlands, so you’ll be prepared for the amazing trip you have planned.

1. The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam: A Treasure Trove

You absolutely have to start with the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. It is truly the big daddy of Dutch museums! Is that obvious? It displays Dutch history and art from the Middle Ages right up to the present day. And obviously, its biggest draws are, possibly, the masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age, with pride of place going to Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch.” Standing in front of that painting is seriously a real experience – the scale and the detail is quite stunning. It’s, actually, like stepping back in time. The museum, clearly, isn’t just about Rembrandt, you know? It holds work by other masters such as Vermeer, Frans Hals, and Jan Steen. So, after you’ve had your fill of “The Night Watch,” do not forget to, naturally, explore the rest of the collection; that way you’ll see everything. Also, it is worth setting aside a good few hours to fully appreciate everything it has to offer. Seriously.

2. The Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam: Stepping into a Starry Night

Keeping things, you know, in Amsterdam, another total must-see is the Van Gogh Museum. It’s dedicated to the life and work of Vincent van Gogh, and actually, it houses the biggest collection of his paintings and drawings on the entire planet. When you visit, is that not right, you are going to see famous works like “Sunflowers,” “The Potato Eaters,” and some of his soul-stirring self-portraits. Seeing these, honestly, is such an immersive experience! Because you get, in a way, this unique peek into the artist’s mind and his struggles, not just through his paintings, more or less, but also from his letters and personal belongings which are on show, if I remember right. That museum does, by the way, get super busy, so, usually, it is seriously advisable to book your tickets online in advance, that way you’ll see everything.

3. Mauritshuis, The Hague: Home of the Girl with a Pearl Earring

Off to The Hague now. Honestly, this city is basically, home to the Mauritshuis, that almost sounds like the name of some fancy drink! But, is that obvious, it’s not! What it is, actually, is a very stunning 17th-century building that houses a small but, actually, mind-blowing collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings. And the star of that show is, undoubtedly, Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring.” So you can marvel at the girl with pearl earring? And, frankly, seeing this painting in person, if you were wondering, that is like seeing an old friend. Because it is instantly recognizable and it has this really subtle beauty that just, I do not know, gets to you! The Mauritshuis holds a bunch of other masterpieces too. What about Rembrandt, Jan Steen, and Frans Hals? Seriously worth visiting, to my mind; it has a much, perhaps, quieter and more intimate feel, that way you’ll see everything.

4. Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo: Art in the Heart of Nature

For something completely different, get yourself out to the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo. Why? Well, this museum is actually set in the middle of the Hoge Veluwe National Park, which means that it has a stunning setting. Is that a bit obvious? It is actually known for its significant collection of 19th- and 20th-century art, including a seriously massive number of works by Vincent van Gogh. Picture yourself strolling, that seems appropriate, through the sculpture garden. Like it or not, it is one of the biggest in Europe! While viewing works by artists like Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore, and Barbara Hepworth – with nature all around you, apparently, you know? So, seeing it feels more or less like a real breath of fresh air, in pretty much all senses of that word. Just something completely, totally different, right way you’ll see everything?

5. The Moco Museum, Amsterdam: Modern and Contemporary Vibes

Back to Amsterdam, but this time for something altogether more contemporary. The Moco Museum, in fact, focuses on modern and contemporary art, that clearly means you will see work by names such as Banksy, Andy Warhol, and Jeff Koons. If those names are your jam! This privately owned museum has some temporary exhibits, that too it’s almost always really thought-provoking and a little cheeky. So what’s not to like? This one has some cool modern takes on art you can soak up when you get there, is that not right? Is that obvious? This museum is a much, more or less, smaller and more intimate setup than some of the, possibly, bigger hitters, making for a pleasant change of pace, just the way you’ll see everything.