Explore a world-class collection of over 200 Dutch and Flemish Golden Age paintings, including works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, and Fabritius. The intimate, room-by-room layout is designed for close viewing and a more focused art experience.
Access: Yes
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Brief overview
- Ways to explore: A standard entry ticket grants access to the full Mauritshuis collection and temporary exhibitions. The museum can be explored at your own pace, with a free multimedia app available for deeper context and storytelling along the way.
- What’s included: Admission covers both the permanent collection and rotating exhibitions inside a beautifully preserved 17th-century palace. A free downloadable multimedia tour is also included for use on a smartphone.
- Iconic masterpieces: Key highlights include Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, and Fabritius’s The Goldfinch, displayed in intimate gallery rooms.
- Queues & access: Timed entry helps ensure smoother admission. A mandatory security check applies on arrival and may take around 10–20 minutes during peak hours.
- When to book: Time slots can sell out quickly during weekends and peak seasons, especially spring and summer. Booking at least 2 weeks in advance is recommended.
- Good to know: Visits typically last 1.5–2.5 hours. Tickets are valid for a single entry; re-entry is not allowed.
What to expect at Mauritshuis?
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A compact palace of masterpieces
Begin your visit inside a 17th-century canal-side palace, where elegant rooms create an intimate setting for Dutch Golden Age art. The glass lift or stairs lead you into human-scaled galleries that set the tone for a focused art experience in this “jewel-box” museum.
A flexible gallery experience
There’s no strict one-way route, so it’s easy to move between interconnected rooms at your own pace. The collection spans portraits, still lifes, and historical scenes, encouraging slow, close viewing.
Masterpieces up close
Look out for highlights like Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, and Fabritius’s The Goldfinch. These are displayed in smaller rooms that bring you closer to the details and technique.
An atmosphere of quiet focus
Move at a comfortable pace through softly lit rooms designed to enhance observation. The scale and setting make it easy to appreciate texture, expression, and composition without feeling rushed.
Savour the finale
The visit naturally concludes near the museum’s exit, with access to a café and a shop. It’s a good spot for a short break or to pick up something before heading out.
Nearby cultural extensions
If you have time, the Prince William V Gallery is a short walk away and offers additional Dutch art in a historic setting. Nearby, the Binnenhof and Hofvijver add context to The Hague’s political and architectural heritage.
Things to know before booking your Mauritshuis tickets
- Booking window: Tickets are released on a rolling basis. Weekend and peak-season slots from April to August often sell out days in advance. Booking at least 1 to 2 weeks ahead helps secure your preferred time.
- Entrances & flow: Entry is through the main Mauritshuis entrance. Timed tickets allow arrival within a 30-minute window. A mandatory security check applies to all entries and typically takes 10 to 20 minutes during busy hours.
- What’s included: Standard tickets include access to the full permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. This covers key works like Girl with a Pearl Earring and The Anatomy Lesson. Access extends across the entire museum with no fixed time limit once inside.
- Ways to explore: All visits are self-guided. A complimentary multimedia app offers artwork insights and suggested routes, making it easy to navigate the collection without a guided tour or fixed schedule.
- Policies: Each ticket allows a single entry within the selected time slot. Late arrival may result in denied entry if capacity is reached. Re-entry is not permitted. Free tickets for ages 0 to 17 still require a reserved time slot.
Explore Mauritshuis
Permanent collection
Temporary exhibitions
Rotating exhibitions bring fresh perspectives to the collection, often spotlighting specific artists, themes, or historical narratives. These curated displays are integrated into the museum and change periodically throughout the year.
Access: Yes
Historic palace interiors
Set within a 17th-century city palace, the museum features elegant interiors, from chandeliers to silk wall coverings and painted ceilings. The setting enhances the viewing experience, placing the artworks within their original cultural context.
Access: Yes
Prince William V Gallery
A short walk away, this historic gallery presents Old Master paintings in a traditional salon-style arrangement. It offers a different viewing experience and complements the Mauritshuis collection but requires a separate timed ticket.
Access: No (separate ticket required)
Must-see artworks at Mauritshuis
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Girl with a Pearl Earring
Johannes Vermeer (c. 1665)
This iconic work radiates soft, diffused light that highlights the shining pearl and subtle facial expression, embodying Dutch Golden Age finesse.
Pro tip: Observe up close to notice Vermeer’s masterful play of light.
The Goldfinch
Carel Fabritius (1654)
A tiny oil panel that masterfully captures a chained finch with lifelike textural detail and a glimmering eye that seems to peer out.
Pro tip: Look closely at the delicate brushstrokes that create a nearly three-dimensional effect.
The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp
Rembrandt (1632)
A large group portrait showcasing precise chiaroscuro and dynamic expressions as Dr. Tulp demonstrates anatomy, capturing a moment of scientific inquiry.
Pro tip: Step back to appreciate the full composition before examining individual faces up close.
View of Delft
Johannes Vermeer (c.1660–61)
A serene cityscape capturing a still morning in Delft with balanced horizontal bands and reflective water that mirror its timeless urban charm.
Pro tip: Notice the subtle play of light on the water’s surface for a refreshing perspective.
The Bull
Paulus Potter (1647)
A monumental and highly detailed portrayal of a bull, notable for its realism, scale, and close observation of nature.
Pro tip: Step back to grasp the overall scale, then move in to admire tiny details like flies on the bull’s back.
Self-Portrait Rembrandt
Rembrandt (c. 1660)
A reflective self-portrait capturing Rembrandt’s introspective gaze and masterful interplay of shadow and light, revealing both technical finesse and raw emotion.
Pro tip: Observe the expressive brushstrokes that convey the depth of his inner life.
Plan your visit to Mauritshuis
Opening hours: The Mauritshuis is open Monday from 1 pm to 6 pm and Tuesday-Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.
- Last entry: 30 minutes before closing.
- Closed days: December 25 and January 1.
- Timed entry: All visits require a reserved time slot booked in advance.
- Time of day: Visit at opening or later in the afternoon, after 3 pm, for quieter galleries and a more relaxed experience.
- Seasonal tip: Weekdays outside peak months (April–August) tend to be less crowded and offer a calmer visit.
Address: Plein 29, 2511 CS, The Hague, Netherlands
- Setting: Located beside the Binnenhof and Hofvijver in the historic city center.
Getting there
- Tram: Lines 2, 6, 9, 15, and 17 stop within a short 5-minute walk of the museum.
- Train: Den Haag Centraal Station is about a 10–15 minute walk away. From the station, follow the signs to the Mauritshuis for easy access.
There is one main entrance via the courtyard, leading to an underground lobby accessed by a glass lift or stairs. A ramp is available for wheelchair users and typically sees shorter wait times.
- Restrooms: Toilets and accessible restrooms are available inside the museum.
- Café: An on-site brasserie serves drinks and light refreshments.
- Shop: The museum shop is located in the foyer and is accessible without a ticket.
- Multimedia guide: A free multimedia app is available to download on your smartphone.
- Lockers: Lockers are available for small bags only. A €0.50 coin is required and returned after use. Suitcases, trolleys, fold-up bicycles, and large items are not permitted. Bicycle and e-bike batteries over 100Wh are also not allowed.
- Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout public areas.
- Wheelchair access: The Mauritshuis is wheelchair accessible throughout most spaces.
- Entrance access: Step-free access is available at the entrance.
- Mobility: Ramps and elevators connect all floors of the building.
- Restrooms: Accessible toilets are available.
- Baby changing: Baby-changing facilities are available in the foyer restrooms.
- Guide dogs: Service dogs are welcome. Other pets are not permitted.
- Photography: Photography and videography are allowed without flash.
- Restrictions: Tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted inside the museum.
- Bags: Large bags are not permitted inside.
- Food & drink: Eating and drinking are only allowed in designated café areas.
Visitor tips
- Use the courtyard entry: Enter via the main courtyard and take the glass lift or stairs to the lobby for a smooth start.
- Head to highlights early: Visit Girl with a Pearl Earring at opening or later after 3 pm for a clearer, less crowded view.
- Step back for Rembrandt: Stand a little away from The Anatomy Lesson to better appreciate the full composition and lighting.
- Revisit smaller works: Return to The Goldfinch later in your visit when foot traffic eases for a closer look.
- Use the multimedia app: Follow curated highlights to navigate efficiently and avoid missing key works.
- Travel light: Lockers are limited and only fit small bags, so carrying essentials helps save time.
Frequently asked questions about Mauritshuis tickets
Yes, tickets are timed entry, and popular slots sell out quickly during peak seasons. Booking online ahead of time is strongly recommended, especially on weekends and holidays.
Yes, tickets are assigned a specific date and half-hour window. Standard tickets include access to the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, including major works like Girl with a Pearl Earring and The Goldfinch.
No, tickets allow single entry only. Once you exit, re-entry is not permitted.
No, standard tickets are self-guided. A free multimedia app is included for audio and artwork insights.
Most visitors spend between 1.5 and 2.5 hours in the museum. This duration allows enough time to admire key works, such as Girl with a Pearl Earring, and explore any special exhibitions.
Yes, the museum is compact and easy to navigate. The multimedia guide also makes the experience more accessible.
Entry is tied to a 30-minute window. Late arrival may risk missing your slot if capacity is full.
This depends on the ticket provider. Some tickets allow free cancellation within a set timeframe, so check the terms before booking.
