Rijksmuseum

Yes, the Rijksmuseum is touristy. Yes, you will see people with selfie sticks. And yes, you should absolutely go anyway, because it is genuinely one of the best museums in the world.

My friend Max claims to hate museums. "I will do thirty minutes and meet you at the cafe," he said when I dragged him here. Three hours later he was still inside, completely absorbed in the Golden Age paintings, texting me photos of Vermeer details saying "how is this even possible." That is the Rijksmuseum effect.

The building itself is worth the visit. It was completely renovated about ten years ago and the result is stunning — this enormous, light-filled space that makes you want to slow down and pay attention. The entrance hall alone is a reason to come. My coworker says she goes just to sit in the atrium when she needs to feel peaceful.

The Night Watch by Rembrandt is the obvious highlight and it is as impressive in person as you have heard. But honestly, the surrounding rooms are just as interesting. The Vermeer collection, the miniature silver, the ship models, the Delftware — there is enough here to fill an entire day if you let it.

My strategy and the one I give every visitor: go on a weekday morning. Like, be there when the doors open at 9 AM. The first hour is magic — you can stand in front of The Night Watch with maybe ten other people instead of two hundred. By 2 PM it is packed and the experience is completely different.

If mornings are not your thing, late afternoon works too. The tour groups start clearing out around 4 PM and the museum is open until 5 PM.

Tickets are about 22.50 euros for adults. Book online through Tiqets to skip the ticket line — my friend Sara did not do this once and spent 45 minutes waiting. Time-slotted tickets mean you walk straight in.

Give yourself two to three hours minimum. You could spend a full day here but two to three hours lets you see the highlights without burning out. The museum garden behind the building is free and lovely for a break.

The museum shop is genuinely good. My roommate bought a Vermeer tote bag that she uses every day. The cafe is decent too — not cheap but the setting is nice.

Getting here: it is at the bottom of Museumplein, about a 10-minute walk from Vondelpark or a short tram ride from Centraal. The Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum are literally next door if you want to do a museum day.