Rembrandt House Museum

For fans of Holland’s most famous artist, a visit to the Rembrandt House is a must. The master lived in this three-story structure from 1639 until 1658, when his failure to pay his mortgage forced him to move to less lavish digs. The interiors, carefully restored to look as they did when Rembrandt lived here, illuminate his life and work; some 250 of his etchings and drawings decorate the walls, and visitors can view his large studio, his oak printing press and the cabinet of curiosities where the artist kept his collection of such objects and rarities as seashells, corals, exotic weapons and Venetian glassware. The museum also hosts traveling exhibitions; check the comprehensive Web site for details. During the peak tourist months, it’s worth buying tickets online to cut the queue.