Rijksmuseum Dress Code & Bag Policy (2026): What to Wear & Bring

The Rijksmuseum is one of the more relaxed major European museums on dress. Unlike the Vatican Museums, St Mark’s Basilica, or some Orthodox institutions, it doesn’t require covered shoulders, long trousers, or any form of formal attire. What trips visitors up is the bag policy — which is stricter than it might first appear and has caught many travellers out, especially those arriving straight from the airport with luggage. This guide covers exactly what to wear, what to bring, what has to go in the cloakroom, and what you simply can’t bring at all.

Is There a Dress Code?

This is one of the most frequent pre-visit questions, and the answer is genuinely simple: wear what you’d wear to walk around a European city for a day. The Rijksmuseum’s climate is controlled year-round to around 20°C, so very light summer clothing or heavy winter gear both work equally well inside.

What to Wear (Practical Recommendations)

Year-round essentials

• Comfortable shoes. The museum has 80 galleries across 4 floors — you’ll walk 2-4 kilometres during a typical visit. Dress shoes, heels, or new shoes you haven’t broken in are a bad call.
• Layers. The galleries are climate-controlled (~20°C), which often feels cooler than outdoors in summer and warmer than outdoors in winter. A light cardigan or jacket lets you adjust.
• Pockets. Useful for phone, ticket, transit card, and small items if you’re not carrying a bag.

Summer (June–August)

Amsterdam summer temperatures range from 18-25°C. The museum is slightly cooler than outdoors — a light cardigan or shirt over a t-shirt is ideal. Shorts and summer dresses are fine; no shoulder or knee covering requirements.

Winter (November–February)

Amsterdam winter is 2-7°C and often rainy. Dress in layers you can remove inside, since the galleries are warm. A wet coat, umbrella, or heavy outer layer will go in the cloakroom on arrival.

Rainy weather

Wet umbrellas cannot be taken into the galleries — they drip on floors and risk damage to artworks. Check wet umbrellas at the cloakroom.

The Bag Policy (The Important One)

What counts as an A4-size bag

A4 paper is 21 × 29.7 cm (8.3 × 11.7 inches). A bag within these dimensions is allowed in the galleries. That means:

• Small handbags and purses — yes
• Crossbody bags (sized roughly A4) — yes
• Bum bags / fanny packs — yes
• Small messenger bags — yes if genuinely A4-sized
• Most “mini backpacks” — often still too big; check the dimensions
• Standard daypack / backpack — no, must be checked
• Tote bag — usually too large, must be checked
• Camera bag (medium/large) — must be checked

Staff at the entrance inspect bags visually; if yours looks clearly within the A4 limit, you’ll walk through. If it’s borderline or clearly larger, you’ll be directed to the cloakroom.

The free cloakroom

Every visitor can use the free, staffed cloakroom on Floor 0. It includes:

• Staffed drop-off counter with numbered tags
• Free self-service lockers with coin returns (no payment needed; the coin returns after use)
• Accommodates coats, umbrellas, bags up to medium-daypack size, baby carriers

The cloakroom is busy during peak hours — arriving at the 9 AM slot versus the 11 AM slot can mean the difference between a 2-minute and a 15-minute queue at the cloakroom. Build this time into your visit.

What the cloakroom cannot hold

Critically, the cloakroom is not designed for large items. It cannot take:

• Suitcases / wheeled luggage — regardless of size
• Large travel backpacks (50L+) typical of backpackers
• Folding bikes
• Musical instruments (beyond hand-held)
• Skateboards and scooters

If you have luggage, leave it before you arrive. Options:

• Your hotel — most will hold luggage before check-in and after check-out
• Lockerpoint Museum Square — luggage storage a short walk from Museumplein, ~€10-15 per day
• Amsterdam Centraal Station lockers — if your Rijksmuseum visit is between train connections
• Luggage Hero or Bounce — app-based luggage storage with partner shops across central Amsterdam

Backpack-style baby carriers

Structural backpack carriers for babies must be checked into the cloakroom. Front-worn baby carriers (BabyBjörn-style) are allowed in the galleries. Strollers and pushchairs are allowed throughout the museum — the cloakroom also offers free stroller loans at the Information Desk if you’d rather not bring your own.

Medical bags

If you need a larger bag for medical reasons — insulin, oxygen, essential medication, CPAP, mobility-related supplies — the Information Desk will issue a medical bag label on request. Show this to security at the entrance. See Rijksmuseum Accessibility.

What’s Not Allowed at All

Some items are prohibited entirely, not just subject to the bag policy. These must stay outside the museum:

Safety and security:

• Firearms and ammunition
• Knives and large bladed tools (small penknives and nail scissors generally pass, but aren’t guaranteed)
• Pepper spray and self-defence weapons
• Explosives, flammable liquids, or pressurised containers beyond normal aerosols

Photography and filming equipment:

• Tripods and monopods
• Selfie sticks
• Additional lighting equipment
• Drones
• Professional filming rigs without advance permission

See Rijksmuseum Photography Rules for the full photography policy.

Other restricted items:

• Alcohol brought in from outside
• Food and drink in the galleries (outside food is fine in the Picnic Room — see Restaurants & Cafés)
• Pets — only certified assistance dogs are allowed
• Banners, signs, or protest materials
• Musical instruments (for performance; hand-carried personal items pass)
• Skateboards, rollerblades, scooters

Security Screening at Entry

All visitors pass through a security check at the entrance. This is quick, airport-style but lighter — bag inspection and visual screening, no shoe removal or full-body scanners. The checks are for the protection of the collection, not terrorism response.

What happens during screening:

• Your bag is opened and inspected visually
• You may be asked about specific items
• Bulky items that can’t go in the cloakroom will be held at the entrance while you visit

Practical tip: If you’re carrying anything that might raise questions — medication in quantity, camera equipment, a large water bottle — having it accessible in the top of your bag speeds the screening.

Coats, Umbrellas, and Winter Gear

Coats:

• Light jackets can be worn through the galleries or carried over your arm — your choice
• Heavy winter coats are expected to go in the cloakroom, partly for your own comfort (galleries are warm) and partly to avoid bumping artworks in crowded spaces
• Wet coats should always be checked

Umbrellas:

• Dry folding umbrellas that fit within A4 size may pass
• Wet umbrellas always go in the cloakroom — the drip risk is taken seriously
• Full-length umbrellas must be checked regardless of weather

Scarves, gloves, hats:

• All fine to wear or carry through the galleries

What About Religious Dress?

The Rijksmuseum explicitly welcomes religious dress of any tradition — hijab, turban, kippah, monk’s robes, saree, habit, etc. No clothing restrictions relate to religion. The museum is a secular Dutch public institution with visitors from every background, and nothing in its policies or practice is designed to restrict religious attire.

What About Fancy Dress or Costumes?

Non-offensive costume is fine for personal reasons (e.g., you’re visiting on a birthday, part of a tour group theme). Full-face masks are generally discouraged for security screening reasons, but face coverings for medical or religious reasons are permitted. If you’re planning anything unusual — large costume props, group coordinated outfits for a photo shoot — contact the museum in advance via access@rijksmuseum.nl to avoid surprises at entry.

What to Bring (A Small Checklist)

For most visitors, the ideal kit is:

• Valid timed-entry ticket — digital on phone or printed
• ID — carry one; may be checked for discounted tickets (CJP, EYCA)
• Card or phone wallet — the museum is entirely cashless
• Water bottle (small, refillable) — fine to carry, refill stations available
• Phone with the Rijksmuseum app pre-downloaded — for audio tours and floor plan
• Headphones — required if using the app’s audio features
• Small bag within A4 size if you want to carry items
• Comfortable shoes

What You’ll Wish You’d Brought

Visitors occasionally regret not bringing:

• A sweater or light jacket — galleries run cool, especially on hot days
• Headphones — for the audio tour; museum doesn’t loan these
• A refillable water bottle — water is free to refill, purchased water is €3-4
• Your own stroller (for families) — the museum’s loaner strollers are basic