Amsterdam: Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh Museum Tour with Entry

Summary

Paintings that linger in your mind and a guide who made me laugh

You’ll wander through Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum with a small group and an expert guide who brings art to life with stories and laughter. Expect reserved entry (no long lines), time to soak up masterpieces like The Milkmaid and Sunflowers, plus little details you’d miss alone. You might leave thinking differently about color—or silence.

What’s the experience like?

“How many shades of blue can you actually see?” our guide, Saskia, asked as we stood in front of Vermeer’s Milkmaid at the Rijksmuseum. I’d never thought about it before — but suddenly, there it was: the light on the jug, the weirdly comforting quiet of that room, and this tiny group of us (just six today) shuffling closer. Someone’s jacket squeaked against the floor; outside you could hear bikes whizzing by. Saskia had this way of making even the dusty dollhouses feel like real homes — she said one was worth more than her apartment, which got a laugh out of everyone. I kept thinking about how much history fits into these paintings. It’s not just art — it’s gossip, politics, old secrets.

The break for lunch was quick (I grabbed a broodje from a street cart — not fancy but honestly perfect), and then we walked over to the Van Gogh Museum. The weather had turned a bit gray by then; it felt right for seeing those thick swirls of paint up close. Inside, Saskia pointed out little things I’d have missed: how Van Gogh reused canvases when he was broke, or how you can spot his brushstrokes like scars under the yellows and greens. We saw The Potato Eaters — darker than I expected — and someone in our group tried to pronounce “Zundert,” Van Gogh’s hometown. That got us all giggling (Dutch is tough). There was this hush in one gallery where talking wasn’t allowed; Saskia gave us a whispered story about Van Gogh’s ear incident before we went in. I still think about that silence with all those eyes staring back from his self-portraits.

It ended sooner than I wanted — five hours went fast. I left feeling like I’d been let in on something private about Amsterdam’s past, not just ticking off another “must-see.” If you’re looking for a day trip through Amsterdam’s museums that doesn’t feel rushed or crowded (and includes reserved entry so you skip the long lines), this is it. And if you get Saskia as your guide… well, ask her about Rembrandt’s dog. She’ll know what you mean.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum

• Start tour at Rijksmuseum
• Explore Dutch Golden Age artworks
• Learn about Rembrandt and Vermeer
• Break for lunch
• Enter Van Gogh Museum
• See Van Gogh’s famous paintings
• Learn about Van Gogh’s life
• Tour ends at Van Gogh Museum

Top questions

How long is the Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh Museum tour?

The tour lasts approximately 5.5 hours including a break for lunch.

Is entry to both museums included?

Yes, reserved entry to both the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum is included in your tour.

How many people are in each group?

The tour is semi-private with no more than 8 guests per group.

Does the tour include lunch?

No, lunch is not included but there is a break to get food nearby.

Are children allowed on this museum tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join and may use a pram or stroller.

Will we skip the line at both museums?

The tour includes reserved entry so you can skip regular ticket lines at both museums.

What happens if one museum is closed unexpectedly?

If either museum closes unexpectedly or opens late by more than an hour, an alternative will be provided but refunds are not offered for such delays.

Is there public transportation near the museums?

Yes, both museums are easily accessible by public transportation in Amsterdam.

What’s included

Your day includes all entrance fees for both Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum with reserved entry so you skip ticket lines, guidance from an expert local guide throughout your semi-private group (never more than 8 people), plus time for a lunch break between museum visits before finishing at the Van Gogh Museum.