Rijksmuseum Accessibility Guide

Overview

The Rijksmuseum reopened in 2013 after a 10-year renovation that made it one of the most accessible museums in the Netherlands. The entire building is wheelchair accessible, with elevators reaching all four floors. Wide galleries, smooth floors, and clear signage make it easy to navigate in a wheelchair. The museum holds over 8,000 works of art, including Rembrandt's "The Night Watch" and Vermeer's "The Milkmaid."

The museum has had a dedicated Accessibility Manager since 2017. Free wheelchair loans are available at the information desk. Companions for disabled visitors enter free of charge. Priority entrance is offered to wheelchair users, reducing wait times.

Getting There

• Metro: Vijzelgracht station (Line 52) is a 7-minute roll on flat pavement. The station has elevator access.
• Tram: Tram 2 or 12 to Van Baerlestraat, or tram 3, 5, or 12 to Museumplein. All stops are within a 3-minute roll of the museum entrance.
• Accessible entrance: The museum has two entrances with stairs and one entrance with an elevator. Standing with your back to Museumplein, the elevator entrance is on the left side. Security staff will direct wheelchair users to the lifts.

Wheelchair Accessibility

• The entire museum is step-free. All four floors are connected by spacious elevators.
• Free wheelchair, rollator, walking cane, and foldable stool loans are available at the information desk. First come, first served.
• Gallery doorways are wide throughout. Corridors and exhibition spaces have smooth floors with no thresholds.
• Wheelchair users receive priority entrance, so wait times are shorter than the standard queue.
• The museum also has an adult changing facility and a Changing Places Toilet, a rarity among Amsterdam attractions.

Accessible Toilets

Several spacious wheelchair-accessible toilets are located throughout the building. All have grab rails and emergency pull cords. The museum also has a Changing Places Toilet with a height-adjustable changing table and ceiling hoist, suitable for visitors with complex care needs.

Tips for Visitors with Disabilities

• All tickets must be booked online for a specific date and time slot. Book early, as popular time slots sell out.
• Companions for visitors who cannot visit independently enter free. Bring documentation of your disability.
• A free multimedia guide is included with every ticket. It has audio descriptions and is compatible with hearing aids.
• The museum cafe and restaurant on the ground floor have step-free access and space between tables for wheelchairs.
• Focus on one or two floors per visit. The collection is vast, and trying to see everything in one trip is exhausting.