The Van Gogh Museum is one of the most visited attractions in Amsterdam. Opened in 1973, the museum evokes an emotional experience for visitors as the galleries follow the often troubled artistic career of Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh for just 10 years. The audio tour offers an interpretation of his work, excerpts from his letters, and an explanation of his impact on art.
Visitor information of the Van Gogh museum
- Location: neighborhood museum district. Address: Museumplein 6 (south of the Rijksmuseum on the Museumplein).
- Hours: Open every day, extended hours on Fridays. The ticket office closes 30 minutes before the museum.
- Multimedia tour: € 5 additional (available in Dutch, English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin and Russian). This new tool offers reproductions, photographs, letters, drawings, interviews, video clips, music and games on a handheld computer.
- Kids: Ask about the multimedia children’s guide, special weekend art workshops, and the scavenger hunt.
- Accessibility: All rooms are wheelchair accessible and the museum will provide wheelchairs upon request.
Transportation and parking
- By tram: lines 2, 3, 5 or 12 to the Van Baerlestraat stop (which is actually on the Paulus Potterstraat). Line 16 or 24 to the Museumplein stop (five minute walk across the park to the entrance).
- By water: the Canal Bus and the Museum Boat make stops at the Singelgracht, just opposite the north face of the Rijksmuseum (a 10-minute walk to the Van Gogh Museum from here).
- By car: Parking is available in the Q Park parking lot on the Museumplein. Use the entrance on Van Baerlestraat.
Tips to avoid crowds and lines
- When to go: The lines outside the Van Gogh Museum may seem daunting, but they move quickly. Weekends are the busiest days; Go early in the morning on a weekday or on Friday night during extended hours to avoid crowds. Summer is peak tourist season in Amsterdam.
- Pre- purchased tickets: Skip the lines entirely when purchasing tickets online (the museum accepts both print and digital tickets) or at any of the Amsterdam tourist offices (“VVV”) in advance.
Shops and restaurants
The on-site museum shop, accessible only to paid visitors, offers a wide selection of posters and books on Van Gogh and other 19th-century artists. Did you forget your memory? You can buy online. Stalls at the Museumplein also sell Van Gogh merchandise. The hotel’s museum cafe serves drinks, snacks, and simple lunch options like soups, salads, sandwiches, and quiche. Open during museum hours.
Edited by Kristen de Joseph.
