Hermitage Museum Amsterdam

Hermitage Amsterdam is a major museum located on the Amstel in Amsterdam. Between 2009-2022 it held regular exhibitions from the vast collection of the grand State Hermitage in St Petersburg, Russia.

However, due to the situation between Russia and Ukraine, it was decided in March 2022 to cut ties with Russia. The museum has been running a series of other temporary exhibitions and also hosts an exhibition wing in conjunction with Amsterdam Museum.

The museum is spectacularly located on the banks of the river Amstel in the Amstelhof building which was built in 1682. This former old people’s home has been converted into a magnificent exhibition space.

From the Amstel side you enter via a pleasant courtyard garden and then into the museum foyer. The courtyard is home to 3 ancient chestnut trees.

There is also an entrance on the eastern side at Neerlandiaplein accessible via the pleasant Hoftuin gardens from Weesperstraat.

Inside the foyer the all-white decor and signage is a bit disorienting at first but you can go off to either side to reach the exhibition wing spaces. You have to scan your ticket at the barrier and the glass doors open automatically.

Amsterdam Museum has an exhibition space located over 2 floors at the Hermitage Wing on the southern flank of the building.

Amsterdam Museum (located at Kalverstraat in the city centre) is under long-term renovation (2022-2025) and has now a Panorama Amsterdam exhibition with a mix of 17th century art and modern day city themes.

The exhibition continues in smaller rooms at the sides of the main hall.

At the front of the building you will find the light and airy Church Hall – with views looking out onto the Amstel river.

On the northern flank of the building is the Amsterdam Wing which is now being used for temporary exhibitions.

The current one is Rembrandt & His Contemporaries, History Paintings from The Leiden Collection featuring 35 paintings from one of the most important private collections of 17th century Dutch paintings. It runs 4 Feb to 27 Aug 2023.

In the summer of 2022, the wing held the Dutch Heritage Amsterdam exhibition series which each featured a renowned piece of Dutch art.

The inaugural exhibition was the Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer which was followed by The Yellow House (The Street) by Vincent Van Gogh, The Self-Portrait (1669) by Rembrandt van Rijn and The Tower of Babel (c1568) by Pieter Bruegel.

On the ground floor of the Amsterdam Wing can be found the Museum of the Mind (Outsider Art) – featuring works from international artists from the Outsider art movement – referring to people who did not study art. The collection is run in collaboration with the Dolhuys in Haarlem.

Not to be confused with the Outsider Art Gallery on Neerlandiaplein outside the museum which has works of art for sale.

There is a Café Restaurant on the first floor of the foyer which is (normally) open to the public as well as a small café in the courtyard.

An alternative place to eat/drink is at the Dignita Hoftuin, a popular glass teahouse located in the courtyard garden behind the Hermitage.

The setting of the Hermitage makes it well worth a visit – particularly if the exhibition on show is of interest to you.

Hermitage Amsterdam Essential Info

Hermitage Amsterdam, Amstel 51, Amsterdam
T: +31(0)20 530 7488, hermitage.nl

Last updated 27 March 2023. This article was first published in 2009 and has been regularly updated.

Links on AmsterdamTips.com may pay us an affiliate commission.