Rijksmuseum is the largest museum in the Netherlands, located in Amsterdam.
This museum is known for its vast collection of Dutch Golden Age masterpieces, including works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Frans Hals.
To have a wonderful, memorable experience at this Dutch art and history museum, one must know the Rijksmuseum Hours.
In this article, we’ll inform you about the operating hours of Rijksmuseum and other amenities inside the museum, the best time to visit, how long it will take to explore the museum, and much more.
Rijksmuseum Hours
The Rijksmuseum opens at 9 am and closes at 5 pm daily, with the last entry at 4.30 pm.
The museum welcomes visitors on public holidays as well.
For a better understanding of the museum opening hours, refer to the table mentioned below:
| Days of the week | Timings | Final Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 9 am to 5 pm | 4.30 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am to 5 pm | 4.30 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am to 5 pm | 4.30 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am to 5 pm | 4.30 pm |
| Friday | 9 am to 5 pm | 4.30 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am to 5 pm | 4.30 pm |
| Sunday | 9 am to 5 pm | 4.30 pm |
Opening Hours of Rijksmuseum Research Library and Study Room
For visitors, students, or art historians who want to learn more about the Dutch Golden Era, history, or art, the Rijksmuseum also has a library and a study room.
The Rijksmuseum Research Library opens between 10 am and 5 pm from Monday to Saturday.
It is one of the largest art history research libraries in the Netherlands, featuring over 500,000 books, journals, documentation, photos, and other materials related to the museum’s collections and Dutch art and history.
Visitors, students, and art historians can access the library and study room for free and delve deep into the Rijksmuseum collection.
Entry to the library is free; however, admission requires registration in advance.
The study room opens between 10 am and 5 pm from Tuesday to Saturday.
The study room and library are on the first floor of the main building next to the historic library.
You can get there by following the signs reading ‘Bibliotheek’ up to the second floor. Then, proceed through the Waterloo room to reach the Research Library and Study Center.”
- Rijksmuseum Research Library Hours
10 am to 5 pm (Monday to Saturday) - Rijksmuseum Study Room Hours
10 am to 5 pm (Tuesday to Saturday)
Rijksmuseum Timings for Cafe and Shops
The Rijksmuseum offers a variety of dining and shopping options to enhance visitors’ experience.
These cafes and shops are open from 9 am to 6 pm daily.
Cafés provide coffee, drinks, pastries, and delicious light lunches to satisfy your taste buds during your museum tour.
The shop at Rijksmuseum also stocks gifts and souvenirs inspired by renowned Dutch artists and designers that make perfect souvenirs.
And the best thing about these cafes and shops is, if you are visiting them after 5, you don’t need a ticket, you can see them for free.
However, between 9 am and 5 pm, you must have a museum entry ticket to access these amenities.
Opening Hours of Rijksmuseum Gardens (The Green Gardens)
The Rijksmuseum gardens are an oasis of tranquillity located directly behind the main building of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
The green gardens of the Rijksmuseum are open only during summer, between 9 am and 6 pm.
It’s a free-to-visit garden, so you can still visit the parks for free if you don’t have Rijksmuseum tickets.
The RIJKS Restaurant Hours
Visitors can enjoy a meal at the RIJKS restaurant Wednesday through Sunday for lunch and Tuesday during dinner hours.
Here are the exact timings for RIJKS restaurant:
- For Lunch:
Wednesday to Sunday – 11.30 am to 2 pm - For Dinner:
Tuesday to Saturday – 6 pm to 8 pm
Best Time to Visit Rijksmuseum
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam is the national museum of the Netherlands and welcomes over 2 million visitors annually.
To visit this museum, you must know the proper opening hours and an ideal time to maximize your visiting experience.
Information about the museum’s busy and most crowded hours can help you plan your visit accordingly to avoid the crowd.
Best time of the day to visit the Rijksmuseum
The best time to visit the Rijksmuseum is in the morning, shortly after it opens at 9 am.
Crowds tend to be smaller first thing in the morning, allowing you to enjoy the exhibits more leisurely before it gets busier later in the day.
The best day of the week to visit Rijksmuseum
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are the best days to visit, when crowds are usually lighter.
Weekends tend to be the busiest and most crowded times.
Best time of the year to visit Rijksmuseum
The best time of year to visit the Rijksmuseum is in the off-season months of November through March.
The summertime between March and July is the peak tourist season in Amsterdam, and the museum will be most crowded then.
Tip to avoid the crowd: Try to avoid visiting on Mondays when groups from the weekend linger.
And avoid the last two weeks of December during Christmas and New Year, when schools are closed and families flock to the museums.
Knowing the best times to visit the Rijksmuseum can help make your experience more enjoyable.
Plan your trip accordingly to beat the biggest crowds.
How much time do you need for Rijksmuseum?
It takes 4 to 5 hours in total to explore all the galleries and art exhibits at Rijksmuseum.
For those short on time, guided tours are available to hit the highlights in just 90 minutes.
An expert tour guide leads you through the most iconic masterpieces, providing context and stories to maximize your tour experience.
A complete tour of Rijksmuseum requires almost 4 to 5 hours, and with so much to see, museum fatigue often sets in.
For such situations, we recommend you take a quick stop at a nearby cafe or restaurant to recharge yourself before the next round of museum exploration.
FAQs related to Rijksmuseum Hours
1. What is the last entry time of Rijksmuseum?
The last entry to the Rijksmuseum is at 4.30 pm. After that, no one will be granted access to the museum. Half an hour after the last entry, the museum closes at 5 pm.
2. What days is the Rijksmuseum open?
Rijksmuseum is open all seven days a week, from Monday to Sunday, all year round (including Public Holidays).
3. What is the best time of day to visit the Rijksmuseum?
Aim to arrive right when the doors open at 9 am to avoid the biggest crowds. The museum is least busy on weekday mornings.
4. When is the Rijksmuseum least busy?
The least busy times are weekday mornings, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Weekends, late afternoons, and evenings draw bigger crowds.
5. What is the best time to visit to avoid crowds?
Arrive right at 9 am when it opens, especially on weekday mornings. Midday and evenings tend to be more crowded.
Sources & References
This article combines firsthand research and practical travel knowledge with trusted references: