VISIT VAN GOGH MUSEUM – COMPLETE GUIDE TO VISITING THE VAN GOGH MUSEUM 2026
Best time to visit | Where to buy tickets | Van Gogh Museum waiting time
Everything you need to know before visiting the Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum exhibits works by the famous Dutch painter and offers a look into his life and creative genius. The museum exhibits masterpieces such as the “Sunflowers”, “The Bedroom”, the “Almond Blossom”, and “The Potato Eaters”, the artist’s self-portraits, and collections of his drawings and letters. With more than 1.6 million visitors in 2023, the museum is one of the top attractions in Amsterdam.
Due to its popularity, booking in advance is highly recommended. The Van Gogh Museum is a great opportunity for anyone looking to learn more about the artist and Dutch culture.
Must-see paintings in the Van Gogh Museum
“Almond Blossom”
The painting depicts almond branches against a blue sky, inspired by Japanese printmaking. Van Gogh gave it to his brother and his wife as a gift. They had just had a son, whom they decided to name after Van Gogh. His nephew, Vincent Willem, founded the museum.
“Sunflowers”
Vincent van Gogh painted a series of sunflower paintings using only three shades of yellow to decorate the room of his friend Paul Gauguin in Arles
“The Bedroom”
The famous painting shows the artist’s bedroom, featuring recognizable blue walls and a bed. The walls were actually purple but were discolored with time. A lack of shadows was inspired by Japanese printmaking, too. In the painting, you can see another of Van Gogh’s works on the wall!
“The Potato Eaters”
This gloomy painting shows five people eating in a dark room and represents the hard life in the countryside. It was criticized for painting people with the wrong anatomy, but Van Gogh cared more for the work’s message.
Van Gogh’s self-portraits
His “Self-Portrait with Gray Felt Hat” was inspired by Pointillists, and it is another painting that got discolored with age. The purple became blue, making for a less dramatic contrast with yellow. The “Self-Portrait as a Painter” was the last work he painted in Paris. In the painting, van Gogh is unkempt as he felt exhausted living in the city.
Best time to visit the Van Gogh Museum
We recommend visiting early in the morning or late afternoon on weekdays, about two hours before closing. The museum is usually busier around midday and on weekends.
Plan your visit to the Van Gogh Museum
ADDRESS: Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam
HOW TO GET THERE: You can hop on tram no. 2, 5, or 12 and hop off at Van Baerlestraat. Alternatively, you can take buses 347 or 357 and get off at Museumplein. From the Amsterdam Central Station, take tram no. 2 (Nieuw Sloten) or 12 (Amstelstation) and get off at the Van Baerlestraat stop.
Discover van Gogh’s paintings with an expert guide on one of our best tours!
Crowd-free experience
Van Gogh Museum Small-Group Tour
Discover van Gogh's paintings and learn about the artist's life with an expert guide and skip-the-line access! This is a small-group tour, perfect for anyone looking for a more intimate experience away from a big crowd. It also means you will be able to hear your guide clearly, and they will have the time to answer your questions. Learn how van Gogh decided to become a painter at 27, how his "Sunflowers" were painted with only three shades of yellow, and more!
Visit 2 famous Amsterdam museums
Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh Museum Combo Tour
Get access to two top museums in Amsterdam and gain a deeper knowledge of Dutch art. You can choose a small or a private group experience to make the best of your visit. Your expert guide will show you van Gogh's masterpieces and explain how the painter became famous after his death with the work of his brother's wife. At the Rijksmuseum, the walls are covered with centuries of Dutch art, starting in 1200, perfect for learning more about the country's history.
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Van Gogh Museum DOs & DON’Ts
DO explore beyond the Van Gogh Museum
The Rijksmuseum is close by. It covers 800 years of Dutch history, and visiting both museums is a great opportunity to learn more about the Netherlands. Book our Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum Combo Tour to visit both museums with an expert guide!
DON’T bring food and drinks into the museum
It is forbidden to eat and drink in the galleries so as not to damage the artwork. You can buy food and drinks in restaurants and cafes.
DO check out the Van Gogh Museum shops
There are shops in the lobby and on the ground floor with many items featuring van Gogh’s works. There is also a bookshop on the third floor, which sells books about van Gogh’s life.
DON’T forget comfortable shoes
You will likely be walking for a few hours, so put on a comfortable pair of shoes.
Explore the Van Gogh Museum at your own pace with our tickets!
Skip-the-line access
Last Minute Van Gogh Museum Ticket
Get your Van Gogh Museum ticket and explore the Dutch painter's masterpieces at your own pace. See Van Gogh's famous self-portraits, landscapes, "The Bedroom", and more. You can add a helpful audio guide to your booking so you can learn about Van Gogh's paintings and hear stories from his life. Plus, you can simply show your voucher on your phone.
Museum & Canal cruise Combo
Van Gogh Museum Ticket & Canal Cruise Amsterdam
See masterpieces by one of the most famous Dutch artists and relax on a cruise along the charming canals of Amsterdam. This ticket gives you skip-the-line access to the museum and an audio guide on the boat so you can learn about Amsterdam's attractions. We'll provide earphones, and children will receive a Kids Cruise audio story and booklet. Add a snack box to complete your experience. See paintings such as the "Almond Blossom" and the "Sunflowers" and the mix of 17th century and modern Amsterdam as you cruise past its streets.