Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is a museum for modern art, contemporary art, and design located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It is located at the Museum Square in the borough Amsterdam South, close to the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the Concertgebouw. In 2013, the museum had 700,000 visitors. It was the 4th most visited museum in the Netherlands, after the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Anne Frank House.
The museum has one of the world’s most important collections of modern and contemporary art. It contains almost 90,000 objects, including paintings, drawings, furniture, sculptures, and photographs. Some of the most renowned artists whose work is featured in the Stedelijk Museum include the likes of Karel Appel, Wassily Kandinsky, Kazimir Malevich, Paul Cézanne and Vincent van Gogh. In “The Stedelijk“, you can explore more than 100 years of modern art history and several key movements including De Stijl, Bauhaus, Pop, Cobra and Abstract Expressionism. The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam was the first western European museum for modern art to collect photography. The collection includes seminal photographers of both the Dutch and international avant-garde in the interbellum period, an extensive selection of post-war Dutch photographers, artist portraits, photojournalism, and autonomous fine art photography from the 1970s onward.
The Stedelijk Museum opened on September 14, 1895 as an initiative of the local authority and private individuals. During World War II, the Stedelijk collection and that of the Amsterdam Museum were transferred for safekeeping to a bunker in the sand-hills near Santpoort. Museum staff took turns keeping watch. The old building was forced to close in January 2004 when it no longer complied with fire regulations. The Stedelijk was temporarily relocated to the Post-CS building, an old building of the Postal Service close to the Amsterdam Central Station. After further discussions about whether to relocate the contemporary art museum to an Amsterdam park, a new jury eventually awarded Benthem Crouwel Architects the renovation and construction contract for their design for the new building, referred to as “The Bathtub”. After eight years of work, the new Stedelijk opened on September 23, 2012. With the renovation and expansion, the highlights of the collection are on display in the old building in a series of changing presentations. The new wing consists of a large glassed entrance, which opens onto the Museum Square, and galleries for temporary exhibitions on the upper level and in the basement. It also houses the museum shop, restaurant and library, as well as an auditorium. The new Stedelijk has an exhibition surface area of 8,000 square meters, which is double its previous gallery space
Address
Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
Museumplein 10
1071 DJ Amsterdam
More information
- Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam Official Website
- Make your reservations for the Stedelijk Museum online and avoid waiting in a queue
- Wikipedia
Other sources
This article is meant for the vast majority of travelers and covers the most important options. If you are looking for detailed information, or if you are traveling to or from less visited locations, then consult other sources:
- Stedelijk_Museum_Amsterdam on Google Maps & Google Street View
- Travel planner NS (Dutch Railways)
- GVB The municipal public transport operator for Amsterdam
- 9292 For planning the entire trip, including bus, tram and metro
- 9292 Bus/tram stop Rijksmuseum > Departures
- OV-chipkaart Home
How do I get there?
The city center of Amsterdam is small. Since the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is situated just a little south of the city center, many people visit the museum simply by foot or by rented bike. For example, a walk from Dam Square to the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam would take 25 minutes and you’ll pass the famous canals of Amsterdam along the way. It is possible to park your car near the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. However, the number of parking places available is limited and parking your car in Amsterdam is very expensive. Under the Museumplein is a supervised underground parking garage. The entrance is at the side of the Concertgebouw, next to the Albert Heijn supermarket. Taxis in The Netherlands are expensive and the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is in a busy area, so the best way to visit the museum is by foot, rented bike, or public transport.
Public transport options
The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is located just south of the city center of Amsterdam, in a busy area. There are many public transport options, which can make it slightly confusing. The one which is the best for you, depends on your starting point (e.g. hotel or railway station). You can reach the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam from 9 railway stations in the Amsterdam area. Located at the Museumplein (Museum Square) are three major museums. Museumplein is a nice public square. So, if you arrive anywhere near Museumplein (Museum Square) by public transport and don’t mind to walk a couple of minutes, you should be fine.
The map below shows the main tram and metro stops near the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam.
(Click to open a large map in new tab)
The metro/tram map below, might help you to find the best options for you.
(Click to open a large map in new tab)
Best options
T = Tram, M = Metro, B = Bus, > = Transfer
| From | Number | Stop | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam Centraal station | T2 or T12 | Van Baerlestraat | Stops behind the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam |
| Amsterdam Amstel station | T12 | Van Baerlestraat | Stops behind the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam |
| Amsterdam Sloterdijk station | T19 | Spiegelgracht | + 6 minutes walk |
| Amsterdam Lelylaan station | T1 | Spiegelgracht | + 6 minutes walk |
| Amsterdam Zuid station | M52 | Vijzelgracht | + 9 minutes walk |
| Amsterdam RAI station | M52 | Vijzelgracht | + 9 minutes walk |
| Duivendrecht station | M50 > M52 | Vijzelgracht | Transfer at station Zuid |
| Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA station | M50 > M52 | Vijzelgracht | Transfer at station Zuid |
| Amsterdam Muiderpoort railway station | T1 | Spiegelgracht | + 6 minutes walk |
| Amsterdam Noord | M52 | Vijzelgracht | + 9 minutes walk |
| Amsterdam Airport Schiphol | B397 | Rijksmuseum | Stops next to Museumplein (Museum Square) |
| Schiphol Airport railway station | Train > M52 | Vijzelgracht | More information |
Entrances
Since 2012 The Schiphol Entrance at the new Benthem Crouwel Wing (referred to as “The Bathtub”) is the grand entrance hall of the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam on the Museumplein side. To avoid the lines and save time, you can make your reservations for the Stedelijk Museum online and avoid waiting in a queue.
Group Entrance
Note that the entrance for large groups is still at the brownish brick building at Paulus Potterstraat 13.
Metro 52
Since July 2018, metro 52 (North/Southline) runs between station Zuid and Centraal Station (and on to Amsterdam-Noord). The stop at Vijzelgracht, exit Vijzelgracht, is just a 9 minutes walk from the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. Make sure you travel in the right direction. Use the metro map below to determine whether you have to take metro 52 in the north or south direction.
After exiting the metro train follow the signs Uitgang (exit) Vijzelgracht / Museumplein (Museum Square).
Use the 2 escalators to go upstairs and exit the station. As soon as you’ve left the last escalator, turn to the left and make a 180 degree turn. Walk to the corner at Weteringschans (only 30 meters). At the corner, turn to to the right. There’s a signpost pointing to the Museumplein (Museum Square) at the corner.
Now follow the Weteringschans to the tram stop Spiegelgracht. When you look to the left at Weteringschans, you might see the Rijksmuseum. Museumplein (Museum Square) and the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is just behind the Rijksmuseum. Use the pedestrian crossing at the end of the tram stop to cross Weteringschans. Take care, at busy moments cars, trams, taxis, and bicycles usually come from everywhere at this point. Cyclists in Amsterdam might ring their bicycle bells, but usually don’t stop and might kill you.
Now just follow the sidewalk to the Rijksmuseum. You’ll cross the bridge at Stadhouderskade. Use the pedestrian crossing to cross the street. Take your time and wait for the green pedestrian light, as this street is usually very busy.
As soon as you’ve reached the other side, walk trough the arcade of the Rijksmuseum to the Museumplein (Museum Square) at the south side of the museum.
During the cold months of the year you might see an artificial skating rink in the middle of Museumplein (Museum Square). Keep walking straight ahead at the right side of the square.
To make sure you walk in the right direction, take a look at the green signpost. Follow the walkway and keep walking straight ahead for 3 minutes. You’ll pass the independent Moco Museum and the Van Gogh Museum at your right side. Keep walking straight ahead, and follow the walkway between the 2 buildings of the Van Gogh Museum. The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is just behind the Van Gogh Museum. The glassed entrance of The Stedelijk is at the right side.
Metro (51), 53, 54
This is the old metro line (Eastline), starting at Centraal Station, and going to Amsterdam-Southeast (Bijlmer, Amsterdam Zuid-Oost). You can still take all 3 metros and transfer to tram 1, 7, 19 just outside metro stop Weesperplein. Get off at tram stop Spiegelgracht. From the tram stop it’s a 5 minutes walk to the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam.
Tram 1, 7, 19
These trams pass the Rijksmuseum and the Museumplein (Museum Square) behind it at the city center (north) side. Get off at the tram and bus stop Spiegelgracht. From the tram stop it’s a 6 minutes walk to the museum.
You can find the images of this route HERE.
Tram 2, 5, 12
Tram 2, 5, and 12 stop at the backside of the museum at Paulus Potterstraat 13, near the group entrance. This is the closest tram stop near the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. Leave the tram at tram stop Van Baerlestraat. Walking to the main entrance takes only a minute or 2. When exiting the tram, just cross the street, using the pedestrian crossing at the end of the tram stop. Follow the red-brown facade of the old Stedelijk Museum to the left. At the corner, turn to the right (Willem Zandbergplein) and simply walk to the main entrance at the other side of the building.
Tram 3
Tram 3 circles within the old part of Amsterdam, but outside the city center and canal area, passing the Museumplein (Museum Square) at the Concertgebouw (south) side of the Museumplein. This tram stop is close to the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. You can take this tram for example, if you’ve visited the neighborhood called De Pijp (The Pipe) with it’s lively Albert Cuyp Market, just south of the city center. Tram 3 also stops just in front of exit Ceintuurbaan of De Pijp metro station at metro line 52 (North/Southline).
Get off at tram stop Museumplein. Cross the street to Museumplein (Museum Square) and simply walk to the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam at the left/west side of the square. This takes 2 minutes. Tram 5 and 12 also stop at tram stop Museumplein.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
The Amsterdam Airport Express is a fast and easy way to travel by bus between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and the center of Amsterdam. Every 7.5 minutes bus line 397 departs from bus stops B15-19 at Schiphol. The bus brings you directly to bus and tram stop Rijksmuseum, next to the Museumplein (Museum Square). Walking to the entrance takes only a minute or 3.
Schiphol Airport railway station
The railway station is beneath the airport. Every 6 minutes, you can take a train to Amsterdam Zuid station. 7 minutes later you’ll arrive. From station Zuid, you can take metro 52 (also every 6 minutes) and exit 5 minutes later at metro stop Vijzelgracht. From Vijzelgracht, it’s an 8 minutes walk to the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. So, it’s possible to travel from Schiphol Airport railway station to the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam in about half an hour. For a description of the walking route to the museum, click here.
Enjoy your trip to the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam!
Last update: December 21, 2019
