If you visit Amsterdam for the first time, the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam or simply Rijksmuseum is a must-see! It is the most important museum in the Netherlands, as well as the maximum emblem of Dutch identity. As a perfect abstract of art and history of the region, this national museum includes 80 galleries that house 8,000 art objects which tell a story from the distant 1200 until the 2000s. It's no wonder, the Rijksmuseum is among Amsterdam's top tourist destinations, so if you are going to visit it on your own or take a guided tour, you better take care of the tickets in advance.

Founded in The Hague in 1800, it was moved eight years later to Amsterdam at the behest of Louis Napoleon, nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte. The Rijksmuseum houses the largest collection of works from the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age, as well as a collection of Asian art. The current building that houses the vast collection was designed by Pierre Cuypers in Gothic and Renaissance style and was inaugurated in 1885. The museum has been renovated for 10 years and reopened in 2013, distinguishing as the most visited museum in the Netherlands.

Conveniently located in Museum Square, close to Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk and Concertgebouw, the Rijksmuseum will enchant you with its masterpieces that are crowned by the famous painting "The Night Watch" by Rembrandt. Do not miss also the paintings by Johannes Vermeer, Frans Hals and Jan Asselijn.

Opening hours:

• Museum is open daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm, including Christmas day, Boxing day and New Year's Day
• From April through August the museum is open for extended hours on Friday nights from 9.00am to 9.00pm
• To experience the museum with less crowds enter the museum before 11.00am, after 3.30pm or on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
• Gardens are open during the summer from 9.00am to 6.00pm

Tickets:

• With an online ticket you can skip-the-ticket line and go straight to the entrance where your voucher will be scanned
• Tickets to the museum must be used on a specific date with time slot entry

Parking:

• The Rijksmuseum entrance cannot be reached by car. The access road is open to pedestrians and cyclists only but, there are several nearby streets where parking is permitted including Johannes Vermeerstraat, Honthorststraat, Pieter de Hoochstraat and Jan Luijkenstraat
• Drop off passengers is at the 'kiss & ride' at the corner of the Jan Luijkenstraat and the Stadhouderskade, approximately 100 meters from the museum entrance

Entrances:

• There are four entrances to the Rijksmuseum from the Passage (the arcade that runs under the building), two entrances have stairs and two have lifts
• You will find the ticket offices, information desk, cloakroom, museum shop, public toilets and museum café in the Atrium, open daily from 9.00am until 6.00pm
• Please note that security staff may ask to inspect the contents of your bags at the entrance