Stedelijk Museum
Amsterdam · Netherlands · Founded 1895
Good for: Art Lovers · First-timers · Rainy-day visits
1895
Founded
90,000+
Works of Art
2–3 hours
Recommended Visit
Quick answer
Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands — founded in 1895, the Stedelijk holds one of the world's leading collections of modern and contemporary art, from Mondrian and Malevich to today's design and digital practice. Open Daily: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Friday until 10:00 PM). Admission: €22.50 standard admission. World Museum Guide covers the highlights, getting there, and how long to allow (2–3 hours).
Verified 2026-06-30 against official sources.
About Stedelijk Museum
Founded in 1895, the Stedelijk holds one of the world's leading collections of modern and contemporary art, from Mondrian and Malevich to today's design and digital practice.
Benthem Crouwel's 2012 'bathtub' extension — a sleek white form beside the original red-brick building on Museumplein — added 9,000 square metres of gallery space.
The collection is particularly strong in De Stijl, Cobra, Pop Art, and post-war American and European avant-garde, alongside a major design collection of furniture, textiles, and industrial objects.
The Stedelijk sits on Museumplein between the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum, making it easy to combine with Amsterdam's other major art museums.
2–3 hours highlights route
A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Stedelijk Museum without museum fatigue. · 2–3 hours
- 1
Composition in Line and Colour
📍 De Stijl gallery
A classic Mondrian grid of black lines and primary colour rectangles — the Stedelijk holds one of the world's finest collections of De Stijl works.
- 2
White Cross
📍 Avant-garde gallery
A Suprematist composition of white geometric forms on white ground — Malevich's exploration of pure abstraction from the Stedelijk's exceptional avant-garde holdings.
- 3
Table and Chair
📍 Design collection
Rietveld's iconic Red Blue Chair and Zig-Zag Chair — pioneering De Stijl furniture that translated Mondrian's visual language into three dimensions.
- 4
Questioning Children
📍 Cobra gallery
Appel's raw, childlike figures in thick impasto — a defining work of the Cobra movement that the Stedelijk championed from its inception.
Masterworks & must-see highlights
The works that define Stedelijk Museum — and why they matter.
Composition in Line and Colour
Piet Mondrian · 1935
📍 De Stijl gallery
A classic Mondrian grid of black lines and primary colour rectangles — the Stedelijk holds one of the world's finest collections of De Stijl works.
White Cross
Kazimir Malevich · 1927
📍 Avant-garde gallery
A Suprematist composition of white geometric forms on white ground — Malevich's exploration of pure abstraction from the Stedelijk's exceptional avant-garde holdings.
Table and Chair
Gerrit Rietveld · 1919
📍 Design collection
Rietveld's iconic Red Blue Chair and Zig-Zag Chair — pioneering De Stijl furniture that translated Mondrian's visual language into three dimensions.
Questioning Children
Karel Appel · 1948–1949
📍 Cobra gallery
Appel's raw, childlike figures in thick impasto — a defining work of the Cobra movement that the Stedelijk championed from its inception.
Collections & highlights
- • De Stijl — Mondrian, Rietveld, Van der Leck
- • Cobra movement — Appel, Jorn, Corneille
- • Pop Art and post-war avant-garde
- • Design collection — furniture and industrial design
- • Contemporary art and new media
- • Photography and artist books
Frequently asked questions
Is the building accessible?
Yes, both the historic and the new wings are fully accessible.
Where is the cafe?
The Stedelijk's restaurant is on the new wing's ground floor with a square-side terrace.
How long should I spend at Stedelijk Museum?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.
What is Stedelijk Museum best known for?
Founded in 1895, the Stedelijk holds one of the world's leading collections of modern and contemporary art, from Mondrian and Malevich to today's design and digital practice. Key highlights include Suprematist works by Kazimir Malevich, De Stijl design and Rietveld chairs, Karel Appel rooms.
How do I get tickets for Stedelijk Museum?
€22.50 standard admission Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.stedelijk.nl/en
What is the bathtub building?
The 2012 white extension by Benthem Crouwel Architects — nicknamed 'the bathtub' for its smooth white form beside the original 1895 red-brick building.
Is the design collection worth seeing?
Yes — the Stedelijk has one of Europe's finest design collections, with Rietveld furniture, Dutch ceramics, and contemporary product design.
Can I combine with other Museumplein museums?
Yes — the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are steps away. Allow a full day for all three or split across two days.
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