During National Museum Week in April 2027, museums across the Netherlands celebrate their collections with special activities, behind-the-scenes tours and surprising openings. In Amsterdam – the museum capital with over 50 museums – it is the perfect week to go beyond the famous names. Exact dates to be confirmed.

A week to discover hidden gems

The big three (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk) join with special programmes, but Museum Week is really about discovery: the intimate canal-house museums like Museum Van Loon and Willet-Holthuysen, the Grachtenmuseum about the canals themselves, the Houseboat Museum, and dozens of small collections that rarely make the guidebooks.

What to expect

• Special openings and tours – depots, restoration studios and directors’ tours
• The Museum Week gem: each museum highlights one special object with its story
• Family programmes and workshops during the school-friendly week

Practical information

• When: a week in April 2027 – see nationalemuseumweek.nl
• Tip: the I Amsterdam City Card covers most participating museums plus public transport and a canal cruise

April is also tulip month: combine museum visits with Tulip Festival Amsterdam and a spring canal cruise.