Take an art journey through the Netherlands
The Netherlands is a country made for discovering art and museums. There is an incredible diversity of galleries, museums and exhibition spaces, dedicated to all manner of themes and disciplines. And because travelling around the country and within the cities is so quick and straightforward, visitors can easily explore a number of museums in a day or a weekend. Get inspired and start creating your very own art and culture itinerary.
- Go museum-hopping in the Netherlands.
- Create your own art itinerary with our tips.
- Go off the beaten track and discover new art.
Go museum-hopping in the Netherlands
From time-honoured museum collections and historical gems to raw contemporary art and thought-provoking exhibitions, the Netherlands is home to a huge variety of museums. It’s never far to travel from one to the other, they’re often even within walking distance, and the country’s transport system is famously easy to navigate. Train journeys are short, and it’s a breeze to get around in cities by bike or public transport. This means it’s perfectly possible, and enjoyable, to take in quite a lot of museums in the course of one visit. You could focus on one or two cities in a day, or criss-cross the country over a long weekend. Either way, you’ll come away enriched and inspired.
With such a variety to choose from, there’s always something to suit every visitor, from LGBTQ+-friendly art spaces to community projects and interactive family exhibitions. You don’t need to be a seasoned museum pro or an expert in contemporary art – the country’s many art spaces aim to inspire and welcome all. New artists’ collectives, interactive exhibitions and a vibrant street art scene keep things fresh and current. Read on for some pointers, from cutting-edge contemporary art in Nijmegen and land art in Arnhem to the world’s first publicly accessible art storage facility in Rotterdam.
Utrecht: a historic city with a modern touch
Located pretty much in the middle of the country, Utrecht is a great starting point for exploring the cultural gems of the Netherlands. Its Centraal Museum, established in 1838, is one of the oldest in the country and is home to a collection of over 70,000 objects about art, local history, fashion and design. It includes works by Utrecht-born architect and furniture designer Gerrit Rietveld, a renowned member of the influential De Stijl movement. Aficionados of modernist architecture also shouldn’t miss visiting the iconic Rietveld Schröder House, designed by Rietveld in 1924 and included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Then travel a few centuries back in time to the Museum Catharijneconvent, which is housed in a beautiful medieval convent and is dedicated to the artistic and cultural history of Christianity in the Netherlands. After this, take a giant leap forward again to the here and now and explore Utrecht’s vibrant street art scene. Finally, visitors with young children and those young at heart should see the Miffy Museum, dedicated to that other world-famous Utrecht export: a rabbit created by children’s book illustrator Dick Bruna.
Take a deep breath in Arnhem and Nijmegen
From Utrecht, it’s a hop and a skip to Arnhem, and after the flurry of museums, this is really an opportunity to enjoy some wide views in the open air. Arnhem is famous for its land art – large-scale sculptures and installations outdoors. Don’t miss Double View, an imposing futuristic observation platform. There are various recommended routes, so you can combine your art viewing with a vigorous walk. If you’re ready to return indoors, Museum Arnhem's collection of modern and contemporary art is well worth checking out.
Arnhem is very close to another great art destination: Nijmegen, the Netherlands’ oldest city. In fact, the gigantic Lingezegen Park stretches from the southernmost border of Arnhem all the way to the northern bank of the Waal River near Nijmegen. The city itself is a thriving hub for contemporary art. It’s home to exciting and fresh galleries, artist collectives and project spaces. Check out RUIS, Hubert, POST and Expo Bart.
From history to nature and from science to anthropology: there’s a museum for everyone.
Go south: Eindhoven and Maastricht
Culturally adept visitors to the Netherlands should know not to miss Eindhoven, also known as the country’s design capital. It’s also a prime destination for contemporary art: noteworthy venues include the MU Hybrid Art House and Nasty Alice. De Berenkuil showcases street art on an impressive two-level roundabout. And the Van Abbemuseum is one of Europe’s leading museums of modern and contemporary art.
All the way in the south of the country, you will find Maastricht, one of the Netherlands’ most international cities, which is brimming with art and culture. Highlights include the Bonnefantenmuseum, which brings together Old Masters with modern and contemporary art, and the Fotomuseum aan het Vrijthof, dedicated to photography of all eras. Another must-see is the Sphinxpassage, a 120-metre-long walkway lined with almost 30,000 tiles celebrating Maastricht’s industrial heritage and historic ceramic production.
Wander off the beaten track in The Hague and Rotterdam
When planning a visit to The Hague, you might be forgiven for thinking first and foremost of the heavy hitters: the Binnenhof, the Mauritshuis. But here more than anywhere, it’s worth exploring new avenues. Visit art society Pulchri Studio, West Den Haag, which shows contemporary art in the Marcel-Breuer-designed former US embassy, and Escher in the Palace, dedicated to the famous graphic artist. And while not quite off the beaten track, the Kunstmuseum is a true treasury of art, with more than 160,000 works in its collection.
In nearby Rotterdam, it might be difficult not to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of exciting venues on offer. Must-sees include the Kunsthal, the architecture and design museum Nieuwe Instituut, Brutus Art Space, and the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, the world’s first publicly accessible art storage facility, which cooperates with the eponymous museum. Finally, to stretch your legs, take an invigorating walk along the Westersingel Sculpture Route.
Explore further
Of course, there are still countless other possibilities for visitors interested in art and culture. Close to the border with Germany, Venlo has the Museum van Bommel van Dam. And the province of Zeeland has always been an artists’ haven, partly thanks to the distinctive quality of its light. See the Zeeuws Museum and De Vleeshal in Middelburg, and visit Domburg, where Piet Mondrian spent summers painting. Or up north in Friesland, explore Leeuwarden, a recent European Capital of Culture.
Did you know?
That the Netherlands’ oldest museum is the Teylers Museum in Haarlem – it opened in 1784.
Get planning
So there you have it: our little manual for exploring the Netherlands, museum by museum. All that’s left for you to do is take your pick, fire up that route planner, and start looking forward to exploring the great yet accessible art and culture scene of the Netherlands.
Tips from Charlotte van Kleef
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Arty Amersfoort
Lovers of modern and contemporary art and those who follow the newest developments in design should visit Kunsthal KAdE in Amersfoort. They mount a new exhibition three times a year, each dedicated to a theme, a country or an artist.
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An extravagant fairytale
The Netherlands’ biggest castle was designed by Pierre Cuypers, architect of the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam’s Central Station. Each door at Kasteel de Haar hides a secret – a story about different times and people.
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A historical adventure
Even the boat trip to get to Pampus, an island fort in the IJmeer, is an adventure! And once you’ve arrived, you can explore an extraordinary place with 400-year-long history – no wonder it’s part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.