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Museum Quarter

Amsterdam

The elegant 19th-century district around Museumplein, home to the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Concertgebouw, with Vondelpark next door.

Best for Families · Upscale

Transport
4/5
Sights
4/5
Value
3/5
Quiet
4/5
Food
3/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$295/night · 15 min to Dam Square

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Museum Quarter on the map

Why stay here

  • The big museums on your doorstep
  • Vondelpark for running and picnics
  • Bigger rooms and quiet nights

Who should stay here

  • Art and museum lovers
  • Families
  • Travellers who want calm and space

Not ideal if…

  • You want canal views
  • You want nightlife outside the door
  • You want to walk everywhere from Centraal

What it's like

Museumplein is a big lawn framed by the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk and the Concertgebouw. The streets around it, P.C. Hooftstraat for designer shops and the wide avenues of Oud-Zuid, are some of the city's grandest, and Vondelpark is a short walk away.

It's calmer and more spacious than the centre, with bigger rooms and good options for families. The canals and the Dam are a 15-minute tram ride away, and the evenings are quiet, with Leidseplein's bars nearby if you want them.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Museumplein

    The square of museums, with an ice rink in winter.

  • P.C. Hooftstraat

    Amsterdam's designer shopping street.

  • Van Baerlestraat

    Cafés and shops between the museums and Vondelpark.

Getting around

Nearest stations
Trams 2 and 12 to Museumplein and the Van Baerlestraat stops, and the 397 bus to Schiphol.
To Dam Square
About 15 minutes
From Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
About 25 minutes: the 397 Airport Express bus to Museumplein.

Nearby attractions

  • Rijksmuseum

    Rembrandt's Night Watch and the Dutch Golden Age.

  • Van Gogh Museum

    The world's largest Van Gogh collection; book a timed ticket.

  • Vondelpark

    The city's favourite park, with ponds, cafés and an open-air theatre.

  • Concertgebouw

    Concert hall with free lunchtime concerts on some weekdays.

Where to eat and drink

  • Vondelpark cafés

    Terraces in the park, such as Groot Melkhuis for families.

  • Cornelis Schuytstraat

    Neighbourhood restaurants and delis in Oud-Zuid.

Where to stay in Museum Quarter

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

Conservatorium Hotel

Why we like it: Former music conservatory next to the Van Gogh Museum.

Typical luxury rate in Museum Quarter: ~$645/night

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Boutique pick

Hotel Vondel

Why we like it: Townhouse hotel on Vondelstraat, close to the park.

Typical mid-range rate in Museum Quarter: ~$295/night

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Boutique pick

The College Hotel

Why we like it: Converted 19th-century school building in Oud-Zuid.

Typical mid-range rate in Museum Quarter: ~$295/night

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Hotels in Museum QuarterMid-range from ~$295/night

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