Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
Rotterdam · Netherlands · Founded 1849
Quick answer
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, Netherlands — founded in 1849 with a bequest from F.J.O. Open Depot: Tuesday to Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Admission: €20 Depot admission. Allow 2 hours and book a timed ticket ahead.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Depot: Tuesday to Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Admission | €20 Depot admission |
| Booking | Book a timed ticket in advance — peak slots sell out |
| Time needed | 2 hours |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings at 11 AM Depot opening. |
| Getting there | Tram: Lines 4, 7, 23, 24 to Museumpark — stop directly beside the Depot |
| Address | Museumpark, 3015 CB Rotterdam, Netherlands |
| Official website | boijmans.nl |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen known for?
Founded in 1849 with a bequest from F.J.O. Boijmans, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen holds 151,000 works spanning Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Bruegel through Salvador Dalí and contemporary design. It is Rotterdam's leading art museum.
The main museum building on Museumpark is closed for a major renovation until approximately 2029. During the closure, Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen — designed by MVRDV and opened in 2021 — offers the world's first publicly accessible art-storage facility, with mirrored façades reflecting the surrounding park.
Visitors can tour storage racks holding the entire collection — paintings, sculptures, and design objects visible behind glass. Masterworks including Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights (when not on loan), Bruegel's Tower of Babel, and Dalí's paintings rotate through the Depot's display rooms.
The mirrored bowl-shaped building has become a Rotterdam landmark — architecture as spectacle, with a rooftop forest and restaurant overlooking the city.
Best for: Art Lovers · Architecture enthusiasts · First-timers
How long do you need at Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen?
Allow 2 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
The Garden of Earthly Delights
📍 Depot display rooms (when not on loan)
Bosch's triptych of paradise, earthly pleasures, and hell — one of the most celebrated paintings in Western art.
- 2
The Tower of Babel
📍 Depot display rooms
Bruegel's monumental canvas of the biblical tower under construction — a masterpiece of Netherlandish painting in the Boijmans collection.
- 3
Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen
📍 Museumpark, adjacent to main building
The world's first publicly accessible art depot — 151,000 works stored in climate-controlled racks visible behind glass.
- 4
Couple with Their Heads Full of Clouds
📍 Depot Surrealism display
A major Dalí from the Boijmans Surrealism collection — the museum holds one of the finest Surrealist holdings in the Netherlands.
What are the must-see works at Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen?
4 highlights that define the collection: The Garden of Earthly Delights, The Tower of Babel, Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen and more.
The Garden of Earthly Delights
Hieronymus Bosch · c. 1490–1510
📍 Depot display rooms (when not on loan)
Bosch's triptych of paradise, earthly pleasures, and hell — one of the most celebrated paintings in Western art. Display location rotates; check boijmans.nl for current viewing.
The Tower of Babel
Pieter Bruegel the Elder · c. 1563
📍 Depot display rooms
Bruegel's monumental canvas of the biblical tower under construction — a masterpiece of Netherlandish painting in the Boijmans collection.
Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen
MVRDV · 2021
📍 Museumpark, adjacent to main building
The world's first publicly accessible art depot — 151,000 works stored in climate-controlled racks visible behind glass. Mirrored exterior reflects Rotterdam's skyline and Museumpark.
Couple with Their Heads Full of Clouds
Salvador Dalí · 1936
📍 Depot Surrealism display
A major Dalí from the Boijmans Surrealism collection — the museum holds one of the finest Surrealist holdings in the Netherlands.
Collections and highlights
- • Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Bruegel the Elder
- • Dutch Golden Age — Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck
- • Surrealism — Dalí, Magritte, Ernst
- • Depot Boijmans — publicly accessible art storage by MVRDV
- • Design and applied arts collection
- • Contemporary art and sculpture
- • 151,000 works spanning seven centuries
Tips for visiting Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
- 1.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings at 11 AM Depot opening. The rooftop restaurant is quieter at lunch than dinner.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
The Depot is popular — book timed entry in advance. Main museum building is closed for renovation until c. 2029.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
€20 Depot admission at boijmans.nl. Audio guide included. Main museum closed — Depot is the only current visitor experience.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Depot rooftop restaurant; Witte de Withstraat cafés and restaurants 5 minutes away.
- 5.
Accessibility
Depot is fully accessible with elevators to all storage levels and rooftop. Wheelchairs available.
How do you get to Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen?
- tram Lines 4, 7, 23, 24 to Museumpark — stop directly beside the Depot
- metro Eendrachtsplein (lines A, B, C) — 5-minute walk through Museumpark
- walk 15 minutes from Rotterdam Centraal station via Witte de Withstraat
Address: Museumpark, 3015 CB Rotterdam, Netherlands
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen: frequently asked questions
Is the main museum open?
The main building is closed for major renovation. The Depot remains open during the works.
What is the Depot?
It is the world's first publicly accessible art-storage facility, offering tours of the entire collection.
How long should I spend at Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen?
Plan 2 hours for the highlights of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. Our 4-stop route — The Garden of Earthly Delights, The Tower of Babel, Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen best known for?
Founded in 1849 with a bequest from F.J.O. Boijmans, the museum holds 151,000 works spanning Bosch and Bruegel through Dalí and contemporary design. Key highlights include Bosch and Bruegel paintings, Surrealism collection, Mirrored Depot by MVRDV.
How do I get tickets for Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen?
Admission: €20 Depot admission. Book a timed-entry ticket on the official website before you go — popular slots sell out in peak season. Official site: https://www.boijmans.nl/en
Is the main museum open during renovation?
No — the main Boijmans building is closed for major renovation until approximately 2029. The Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen remains open and offers behind-the-scenes access to the entire collection.
Can I see Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights?
The triptych is in the Boijmans collection but may be on loan to other museums during renovation. Check boijmans.nl for current display status before visiting.
What are Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen's opening hours?
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen is open Depot: Tuesday to Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen free to visit?
No — standard admission is €20 Depot admission.