What to Do Around the Van Gogh Museum – Museumplein Guide

Your Van Gogh Museum ticket drops you into one of Amsterdam’s cultural centres: Museumplein. With a bit of planning, you can turn it into a full, balanced day without racing around.

Big three museums on your doorstep

Within a few minutes’ walk, you can reach:

1. Rijksmuseum – Dutch masters, Rembrandt’s Night Watch, Vermeer highlights.
2. Stedelijk Museum – modern and contemporary art and design.
3. Moco Museum – smaller, with street art and crowd‑pleasing modern names.

🎟️ Strategy:
Pair Van Gogh + one other major museum at most in a single day. Your brain will thank you.

Green space: Vondelpark and the lawn

Between or after museums:

• Sit on the Museumplein lawn for a quick break.
• Walk 10–15 minutes to Vondelpark – ideal for decompressing among trees and ponds.

Bring:

• A light blanket or scarf to sit on.
• Simple picnic supplies (from a nearby supermarket or bakery).

Simple food options nearby

Around Museumplein you’ll find:

• Cafés inside or attached to major museums.
• Bakeries and sandwich shops on surrounding streets.
• Slightly quieter side streets with smaller restaurants.

Aim for:

• Early lunch before the rush (11:30–12:00).
• Or a late lunch after peak museum hours (14:00–15:00).

Short walks with atmosphere

If you have an hour after Van Gogh:

• Stroll direction Rijksmuseum and canals – cross the famous museum underpass.
• Wander towards P.C. Hooftstraat and nearby residential streets for a mix of boutiques and classic townhouses.
• If energy allows, push on towards the city centre by foot, following tree‑lined canals.

Use Museumplein not just as a spot to tick off sights, but as a hub for a gentle day of art, air, and people‑watching.