Hotels near Rijksmuseum and Museumplein

The Rijksmuseum is the Dutch national museum, housed in a building by Pierre Cuypers that opened in 1885, and its Gallery of Honour leads to Rembrandt's The Night Watch, alongside works by Vermeer, Frans Hals and Jan Steen. The collection runs to around 8,000 objects on display, from Delftware to ship models, so three hours is the minimum for a proper visit.

Across the grass of Museumplein, the Van Gogh Museum holds the world's largest collection of Vincent van Gogh's work, and the Stedelijk Museum covers modern and contemporary art. On a wet October day, the three museums together fill a full day within a few minutes' walk of each other. Both the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum sell timed tickets online, and the Van Gogh Museum regularly sells out.

Cyclists ride straight through the passage under the Rijksmuseum, which the marathon course also uses on 18 October.

Pro Tip: Book the first Rijksmuseum slot, head straight to The Night Watch before the groups arrive, then keep the Van Gogh Museum for a late-afternoon slot. Check the forecast the night before and swap museum days to match the heaviest rain.