Museum Quarter Tours: Top Full-Day Picks & Expert Tips

So, you’re thinking of checking out Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter, huh? It’s almost like stepping into a postcard, but very much alive and brimming with world-class art. Deciding how to tackle it all in one day, now, is that can be tough. No worries, because we are here to look at the best full-day tours so your time here is nothing short of spectacular.

Why a Full-Day Tour of the Museum Quarter?

That Museum Quarter is absolutely overflowing with culture, that it’s got heavy hitters such as the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum sitting practically side-by-side. Fitting it all into a single day sounds tough. Tours give you a helping hand: they handle logistics, are filled with loads of details from knowledgeable guides and very much make the art come to life. Also it will save you a lot of time, money and energy while being here, actually, maximizing every minute, to be honest.

Imagine this, too, is that you get skip-the-line access – so you can wave goodbye to those massive queues – while also enjoying insightful commentary which just gets you so much closer to art. That’s an appealing reason, isn’t it?

Tour 1: The “Art Lover’s Dream” – Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh Museum Combo

Let’s say you want to really spend your time on seeing all of the heavy hitters, really soaking it all in. This tour, basically, focuses on the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. Be prepared for Dutch Masters, including Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch”, yet as well Van Gogh’s self-portraits. Expect around 5-6 hours filled art. With, actually, insightful discussions regarding technique, meaning and impact. It has an advantage on the access front because lines are really a test in patience when coming here, frankly speaking.

With that much art under your belt you will be looking to put your feet up, have something to eat and drink, right? The Art Lover’s tour allows you to put your feet up while going to places you would have never thought of visiting, by yourself.

Read our full review: Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh Museum Combo Full Review and Details

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Tour 2: The “History Buff’s Choice” – Museum of Amsterdam & Resistance Museum

Perhaps, your focus isn’t very much about art itself but more so, what kind of history that Museum Quarter holds. This tour concentrates really on the Museum of Amsterdam and Resistance Museum. It is a look into Amsterdam’s past from the Golden Age towards that, actually, really difficult time occupied World War 2. So this may not have your, typically, picturesque view to look at from a visit here, yet this will absolutely offer you lots of insight on everything, is that so?

Think about a visit to that, seemingly, interactive exhibitions at the Museum of Amsterdam along side, say, chilling displays at the Resistance Museum, basically painting you a picture of life during wartime. Expect a deep, thorough visit taking somewhere around 6-7 hours. Also anticipate hearing really intense stories from tour guides who, arguably, explain them very nicely.

Again this is perfect if you’re looking to skip that, sometimes seemingly, mundane postcard visits. History can really be fun in an adventure like that, even, right?

Read our full review: History Buff’s Choice Full Review and Details

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Tour 3: “Modern Art Explorer” – Stedelijk & Moco Museum Adventure

If you have had too much of classical art from going around Europe and what not and need something completely different, so modern day works and art pieces will make you smile like nothing else. Now you should expect tours which, arguably, showcase modern or contemporary art. See art movements from across time with an, also, really fantastic view that tour groups offer on locations in Amsterdam.

Very similarly, The Stedelijk Museum presents collections of modern work to contemporary creations, next door to Moco Museum’s Banksy. From there, so plan about 5 hours among both of these locations with really fantastic views.

Read our full review: Modern Art Explorer Full Review and Details

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Tour 4: “Hidden Gems of the Quarter” – Includes Diamond Museum & Canal Cruise

Maybe art museums aren’t precisely up your street. That doesn’t mean you won’t be wanting to go around The Museum Quarter itself. There are things that you will surely enjoy like a diamond museum. So for starters the Diamond Museum explores just that — history and secrets, which, apparently, provides you a real insight. You will be able to see what those guys were up to throughout the ages.

Very similarly to museums of art, history and culture is the real “museum experience.” With that the tour guides take you from one side of the experience towards canals. When coming from all around the globe to see Europe this might be more up your street as it, clearly, balances sightseeing from culture very pleasantly. 6 hours sounds okay?

Read our full review: Hidden Gems Tour Full Review and Details

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Tour 5: The “Local’s Favorite” – Photography Museum & Vondelpark Stroll

When Amsterdam folks recommend that you visit something that very few others may, this can be for reasons outside any review itself. A photographic exhibition coupled next door with Europe’s most beautiful parks that stretches acres — it is absolutely going to be your best chance at getting up close and, especially, getting yourself out for walks after those gallery visits.

So, you could explore photography exhibitions that stretch all forms of artistry while, arguably, stretching a lot, literally, when taking the time from galleries walking around nature spots! Very much picture perfect — pun is kinda of, too, absolutely intended there.

6 hours is perfect with these tours to visit everything and all while actually breathing fresh air. Something like that makes your memories, and these won’t hurt.

Read our full review: Local’s Favorite Full Review and Details

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