Bus to and from Amsterdam

Amsterdam has many different things to offer, but there's no denying that the city is home to various wonderful museums. Amsterdam, like many big touristic cities, offers a sort of "city card" that gives free entrance or discounts to specific attractions with the purchase of the card. The Netherlands took the concept one step further; the country offers a Museumkaart that gives non-Netherlander citizens the chance to visit over 400 museums, monuments, and other fun touristy things all over the country for free, for 31 days. The pass will set you back €60. So, if you are traveling on a super tight student budget, this may not be the best option for you. But if you are planning to spend more than a week in the Netherlands and would like to visit more than four museums, then the pass will surely pay for itself. Here are just a few of the best museums in Amsterdam that are included in the Museumkaart.

You may not know the Rijksmuseum by its actual name, but as "the building behind the ‘I am Amsterdam’ sign”. The museum is home to many pieces of art both from Dutch painters and others. Its most famous resident is by far Rembrandt's impressive "Night Watch." Be sure to wander around to find pieces from Vermeer, van Dyck, and Jan Steen. The Rijksmuseum is huge and it will likely take you a full day to see their massive collection of Dutch antiques, prints, sketches, and photography. There is also a nice café in the museum with awesome apple pie if you’re flexible with your budget. There is no student discount, so every visitor above the age of 18 will pay €17.50. (Musuemstraat 1 1071 XX Amsterdam)

This Museum was once the home of the Frank family while they were in hiding and where Anne Frank wrote her infamous diary. The museum is very well done and not only honors the Frank family, but all of the victims of the Holocaust. If you are spending more than 24 hours in Amsterdam, the Anne Frank Museum should definitely make it onto your ‘to do’ list. Since the hiding space was very small, only a limited number of people can go in at a time. Therefore, to save time and guarantee that you see the Anne Frank Museum, your best option is to buy a ticket with a specific date and time in advance, preferably a few months before your visit. If you decide to buy a timed ticket, then it will not be included as a free museum with the Museumkaart. The normal price of entrance to the museum is €9. (Prinsegracht 267 1016 GV Amsterdam)

Dutch artist Van Gogh is possibly the most popular and most recognized artist in the world. This museum has the largest permanent collection of his works, including sketches and letters, which attracts approximately 1.6 million visitors each year! The museum is organized into the five different stages of Van Gogh's life and artwork: The Netherlands, Paris, Arles, Saint-Remy, and Auvers-sur-Oise. The museum also includes art from other Impressionists and Postimpressionists. If you feel like creating a “museum tour” during your stay, the museum lies in what is called Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter, and it’s only a short walk from the Rijksmuseum. Price of admission is €17 for entrance and there is no separate student fee. The website recommends that if you are traveling to Amsterdam during the summer months and would like to enjoy Van Gogh's works, then you should buy a ticket online to skip the line (it’s not possible to skip the line with the Museumkaart). (Paulus Potterstraat 7 1071 CX Amsterdam)

How many of these museums did you already have on your “must-see” list for your trip to Amsterdam? Hope this short list of remarkable museums have helped you plan your trip to Amsterdam!

Surprisingly, the Dutch and Russians have a long-standing relationship. On tsar Peter the Great's journey westward, "Great Embassy," he visited Amsterdam and was impressed by the Dutch businesses and dyke system. Since the area of present-day St. Petersburg was muddy and swampy prior to being developed, the city was built with the aid of the Dutch. In return, Amsterdam now holds the largest collection of Russian cultural objects outside of Russia. The Hermitage Museum organizes its museum around a particular theme that its exhibitions are centered around for up to two years. During my visit, I peeked into the life of the last royal family and the mystery of the missing princess Anastasia. The Hermitage Museum is included on the Museumkaart. If you want to visit the museum, each different exhibit has their own ticket price, but if you choose to see the entire collection, the ticket price is €30. (Amstel 51 1011 AB Amsterdam)