Celebrate creativity at these 8 best exhibitions in Amsterdam
Exploring Amsterdam feels like stepping into a living canvas. Every corner of the city has something creative to offer, but I’ve discovered that the exhibitions capture its cultural essence in a way that is both inspiring and educational.
From thought-provoking art displays to interactive showcases, they’ve become some of my favourite things to do whenever I wanna experience the city beyond the usual tourist spots.
If you’re an art enthusiast, a curious tourist, or a student eager to learn, exhibitions are definitely something you shouldn’t miss. And to help you make the most of your visit, here’s a list of the best exhibitions in Amsterdam that bring culture, history, and creativity to life.
1. Happy Birthday Amsterdam
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Website: https://hartmuseum.nl/
Address: Amstel 51, 1018 EJ
Contact Details: +31 20 530 8755
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pricing: €
The H’ART Museum, formerly known as the Heritage Amsterdam, organises exhibitions that feature works from both Dutch and international collections. You’ll get to experience Amsterdam through an array of paintings, photography, sculptures, textiles, and even sound art.
From December to March, the museum presents Happy Birthday, an exhibition marking the city’s 750th anniversary. It brings together works by 75 talented artists, including Karel Appel, Marina Abramović, and Erwin Olaf.
Tickets are priced at €22.50 for adults, but if you’re under 17 or hold an I Amsterdam City Card, Museumkaart, or Museum Pass, you can enjoy free entry. Plus, the museum offers audio tours and free lockers.
Pro Tip:
After your visit, take some time to relax in the Grand Cafe. It’s a wonderful place to unwind and reflect on the exhibition over a drink.
2. Vive l’Impressionnisme!
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Website: https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/
Address: Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ
Contact Details: +31 20 570 5200
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Friday: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM | Saturday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Pricing: €
The Van Gogh Museum presents the world’s largest collection of works by Vincent Van Gogh, offering insight into his life and artistic journey.
But that’s not all! Visitors can also check out the special exhibition “Vive l’Impressionnisme!”. This celebration honours the brilliance of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist legends, including Monet, Degas, and Renoir, from October to January.
The exhibition sheds light on how Van Gogh was influenced by his peers, offering a fresh perspective on the movement’s significance. General admission is €20 per adult, and guess what? Anyone under 18 gets in for free!
Pro Tip:
To make the most of your time, it’s a good idea to purchase your tickets online in advance, as time slots can fill up quickly.
3. Kuifje – Fabrique des Lumières
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Website: https://fabrique-lumieres.com/
Address: Pazzanistraat 37, 1014 DB
Contact Details: +31 20 247 9500
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday: 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM | Friday to Sunday: 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Pricing: €
Fabrique des Lumières is a captivating digital art centre located in the historic Westergasfabriek of Amsterdam. Here, stunning masterpieces come to life on towering walls through immersive projections and sound, thanks to over 100 projectors and music that truly envelops your senses.
You can explore The Sea, an exhibit that immerses you in a vibrant underwater world filled with majestic whales, colourful coral reefs, and glimmers of ocean light.
And for a fun twist, Kuifje (Tintin) brings the beloved Belgian comic hero to life with stunning animations that showcase his thrilling adventures around the world. It’s ideal for families and fans of timeless tales.
Tickets are priced at €18 for adults, with a reduced rate of €14 for youth and students. Children under 5 can enjoy the exhibitions for free.
Pro Tip:
If possible, try to arrive a bit early to explore the side rooms. They usually have shorter, experimental exhibits that offer fresh perspectives and a nice, quiet break from the main halls.
4. Women of Amsterdam: A Tribute
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Website: https://amsterdammuseum.nl/
Address: Amstel 51, 1018 EH
Contact Details: +31 20 523 1822
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pricing: €
The Amsterdam Museum is hosting the exhibition Women of Amsterdam: A Tribute until August. 31, 2025. The showcase highlights the stories of more than 100 women, including activists, artists, and community figures who have contributed to the city’s development and identity..
You can explore heartfelt personal stories, striking contemporary works, and tributes from the community that bring the exhibition to life. Ten specially commissioned pieces provide fresh, modern insights alongside rich historical narratives.
One standout for me was Mina Abouzahra’s installation, a woven piece that honours powerful women, beautifully blending intimacy with grandeur.
Pro Tip:
Plan your visit for one of their AM or late evenings. You’ll be treated to poetic performances, guided tours, and creative pop-up workshops that elevate the viewing experience.
5. Miriam Cahn: Reading Dust
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Website: https://www.stedelijk.nl/nl
Address: Museumplein 10, 1071 DJ
Contact Details: +31 20 573 2911
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Pricing: €
The Stedelijk Museum is showcasing an impactful exhibition titled Miriam Cahn: Reading Dust, running from October to January. This collection features a range of recent paintings, drawings, and films that boldly tackle themes of war violence and gender inequality, all delivered with a raw emotional punch.
Admission is priced at €22.50 for adults, but if you’re under 19 or have a Museumkaart, you can enter for free. Plus, every Sunday, the museum offers a complimentary 15-minute guided introduction in English, which can enhance your experience.
I was truly touched by Cahn’s semi-abstract figures, so haunting and delicate—captured with an unfiltered honesty and striking immediacy.
Pro Tip:
Don’t miss out on those Sunday guided introductions. These short, insightful tours provide context for the intense themes and deepen your connection to the artwork.
6. Viviane Sassen: PHOSPHOR: Art & Fashion
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Website: https://www.foam.org/
Address: Keizersgracht 609, 1017 DS
Contact Details: +31 20 551 6500
Operating Hours: Monday to Wednesday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Thursday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM | Saturday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Pricing: €
Foam is presenting a retrospective of PHOSPHOR Art & Fashion, featuring the work of Dutch photographer Viviane Sassen. This captivating exhibition will run from September to January and will take over the entire museum.
Visitors can explore more than 200 pieces, including self-portraits and fashion photography for renowned brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Adidas x Pharrell.
You’ll also find vibrant collages, paintings, and video works from iconic series such as Flamboya, Parasomnia, and Umbra. It’s truly a feast for the eyes, showcasing a masterful use of colour, striking shadows, and deep emotional impact.
Pro Tip:
Swing by on a Sunday afternoon. Foam hosts free painting and collage workshops from 2 to 4 PM, where you can transform your photos into vibrant pieces of art.
7. Underground: American Avant-Garde Film in the 1960s
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Website: https://www.eyefilm.nl/
Address: IJpromenade 1, 1031 KT
Contact Details: +31 20 589 1400
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Pricing: €€
The Eye Filmmuseum celebrates the adventurous spirit of 1960s American cinema with its exhibition, “Underground: American Avant-Garde Film in the 1960s,” which runs from October to January.
This showcase features groundbreaking works from iconic figures such as Jonas Mekas, Maya Deren, and Andy Warhol, highlighting Warhol’s impressive eight-hour silent film, Empire. Plus, don’t miss Stan VanDerBeek’s immersive Movie Mural installation, making its debut in the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, Eye’s permanent exhibition, “What is Film?” introduces visitors to the history of cinema and the development of moving images. This allows visitors to see how early visual experiments grew into the medium of film as we know it today.
In addition, the exhibition features a range of installations, including small cinemas, flipbooks, and interactive film equipment.
Pro Tip:
Make sure to complement your visit with a meal at the Eye’s waterside cafe-restaurant. Its stunning views of the IJ river provide the perfect setting to ponder on the films.
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Website: https://oudekerkamsterdam.nl/
Address: Oudekerksplein 23, 1012 GX
Contact Details: +31 20 625 8284
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Pricing: €
From September to February, the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam presents “When Doubt Turns into Destiny,” a captivating installation by artist Navid Nuur.
This unique, site-specific artwork turns the city’s oldest church into a sensory canvas, where you can immerse yourself in light, feel the breeze, and hear the crunch of pebbles beneath your feet.
Tickets are available starting at just €15, which not only grants you entry to the exhibition but also allows you to explore the stunning architecture of Oude Kerk and check out other ongoing art displays.
Nuur has also crafted 100 city vases using materials sourced from Amsterdam—clay blended with silt, shards, and bits of urban life. These vases will be housed in the Iron Chapel, with one vase auctioned off each year until 2125.
Pro Tip:
Don’t miss the Closing the Vault: Vase Ceremony. It’s a heartfelt public ritual where locals carry the final vases into the chapel.