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Rijksmuseum Private Tour

Private Rijksmuseum tour

The Dutch Masters with your private art historian

Rijksmuseum Private Tour

Book tour
Book tour

Private tour in the Rijksmuseum

Rijksmuseum Private Tour

  • Startingpoint
    Startingpoint

    We meet at the CoBrA Cafe ATM, in front of the Rijksmuseum, at the museum square side of the museum.

  • Duration | Distance
    Duration | Distance

    2,5 hours | Elevators available

  • Highlights
    Highlights

    - The Dutch Masters of the Golden Age
    - The Dutch Revolt against Spain
    - Rembrandt’s Night Watch
    - The Museum Library

  • Price
    Price

    See Booking page

Schedule your
private Rijksmuseum tour

Rijksmuseum Tour
Tour Reviews
  • Startingpoint
    Startingpoint

    We meet at the CoBrA Cafe ATM, in front of the Rijksmuseum, at the museum square side of the museum.​

  • Duration | Distance
    Duration | Distance

    2,5 hours | Elevators available

  • Highlights
    Highlights

    - The Dutch Masters of the Golden Age
    - The Dutch Revolt against Spain
    - Rembrandt’s Night Watch
    - The Museum Library

  • Price
    Price

    See Booking page

Book your
private Rijksmuseum tour

Caravaggio-Bernini Special
Rijksmuseum Tour
Tour Reviews

Private tour in the Rijksmuseum 

The Rijksmuseum is by far the largest museum in The Netherlands. Its collection is a must see for every art-lover who visits Amsterdam. It is also the best place to follow the rise, fall and legacy of the Dutch Republic in the 17th century. On our private tour in the Rijksmuseum you will get acquainted with the key moments in Dutch history as well as its most important artworks. Immerse yourself into Dutch history and art with one of our private art historians.

The historical collection

In the Rijksmuseum we offer a crash course on the history of the Dutch Republic in the 1600s. See how the mercantile society of the Lowlands took up arms to strive for independence. How this young republic became one of the world’s most influential powerhouses. Meet the key players of the Golden Age, people such as: Prince William of Orange, Admiral Michiel de Ruyter and leading intellectual Johan de Witt.

A Golden Age of art

Get the stories behind Johannes Vermeer’s quiet Milkmaid, Jan Steen’s messy (and quite hilarious) households, Albert Cuyp’s lush landscapes, Rembrandt’s mysterious portraits and Frans Hals’ civic guards. What makes the art from the Dutch Golden Age so particular, so different from other places and eras? The Rijksmuseum is by far the best museum to talk about the Dutch Masters of the Golden Age.

Van Gogh and the Dutch Impressionists

The Rijksmuseum has a strong accent on 17th century art. The late 19th century however, formed a ‘Second Golden Age’. Artists like Vincent van Gogh, George Breitner and Anton Mauve ushered in a whole new era of art. What was their connection with the Dutch Golden Age and the French Impressionists?

Rijksmuseum secrets

‘The Rijks’ is more than a museum. It’s an institute for art and culture. During your Rijksmuseum tour you will learn more about its many other functions and the eventful history of the building itself. Architect Pierre Cuypers created a completely unique cathedral for Dutch art that has been as revered as it has been despised, since the moment it opened its doors in 1885. We will reveal many of the secrets of this enthralling museum during this private tour.

Tour reviews

  • star rating  This was a fascinating and informative tour. The shocking reality of the Second World War is so close to the surface in Amsterdam; important historical events happened on almost every... read more corner. Tijs was an excellent and knowledgable guide about this difficult subject; he told us stories of bravery and loss, acts of rebellion and resistance, of the Hunger Winter, of families in hiding and people being shot by a sniper just days after Liberation Day. I am familiar with this period of history and this city and yet I still learned many new things, so I can't recommend this tour highly enough. …

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    Traveler188590
    March 1, 2020
  • star rating  Maarten was our tour guide. Very punctual, friendly and informative. Booked for my partner who is a finance professional and he loved it. Other positives: well structured and researched; happy... read more to answer questions; and good value! Also worth mentioning that Maarten was happy to include...More

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    avatar thumb Sightseer778726
    January 6, 2019
  • star rating  On our first trip to Amsterdam together, my husband and I wanted to get a city tour and make the most of our relatively short time here. Historical Amsterdam... read more Tours did not disappoint us! Our guide Tijs gave us such a personal, historic and fun...More

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    avatar thumb EdSamDC
    November 24, 2018
  • star rating  This was a fascinating and informative tour. The shocking reality of the Second World War is so close to the surface in Amsterdam; important historical events happened on almost every... read more corner. Tijs was an excellent and knowledgable guide about this difficult subject; he told us stories of bravery and loss, acts of rebellion and resistance, of the Hunger Winter, of families in hiding and people being shot by a sniper just days after Liberation Day. I am familiar with this period of history and this city and yet I still learned many new things, so I can't recommend this tour highly enough. …

    tripadvisor logo
    A Tripadvisor Member
    March 1, 2020
  • star rating  I really enjoyed my morning walking tour of the canal district with Historical Tours Amsterdam. Tijs’ knowledge of the city is amazing and he explains fascinating historical details clearly... read more and with enthusiasm. I learned about the reasons why the Amsterdam skyline is as we see it now, why the canal fortifications are necessary to maintain the city and why there is a swan on top of a Protestant domed church. I now understand more about how Amsterdam expanded rapidly from medieval times onwards as trade developed and where the remnants of the old city walls can still be seen. I heard about the story behind the Multatuli statue on the oldest bridge in Amsterdam with a prison below it and the origins of fair trade coffee. Likewise the stories behind the different widths and gable-ends of the houses was so interesting; now I’ll
    look at this familiar city through fresh eyes. I highly recommend Tijs as a guide who can add a fun personal touch to a tour of Amsterdam and bring history to life.

    tripadvisor logo
    212claret
    March 3, 2020

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