Mauritshuis, The Hague

The Mauritshuis, located in the centre of The Hague near the Binnenhof, has the most important Dutch and Flemish paintings of the 17th century. Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, Rembrandt's The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, and Potter's The Bull is among the 200 classics on show. The structure itself is worth a visit, with silk walls, brilliant chandeliers, and massive painted ceilings. It is, in fact, one of the top historical sites in the Netherlands.

Hundreds of thousands of people come each year to appreciate its Golden Age treasures. The Mauritshuis regularly organizes temporary exhibitions that focus on different facets of 17th-century life. As a result, it's advisable checking the website ahead of time to see what's on offer.

Location: Plein 29, The Hague, South Holland 2511 CS

Website: mauritshuis.nl/en