Van Gogh Museum: all you need to know to enjoy it

The Van Gogh Museum is one of Amsterdam' s most important and world-renowned museums. Inside you can enjoy some of the most interesting collections of the artist, not to say that it is the best museum in the world to learn about the life and artistic journey of Van Gogh.

In addition to the artistic part it also has a souvenir and book shop if you want to materialize the memory of your visit, as you can not take pictures inside the museum. Read on as I explain all the options for visiting the museum.

The best option

Amsterdam Van Gogh Museum Tickets

Your direct and queue-free entrance to the Van Gogh Museum

Excellent option if you are looking for a visit to the Van Gogh Museum at your own pace and without a guided tour so that you can appreciate the artistic beauty of the gallery.

From ₹2,140 at Hellotickets

With this ticket to the Van Gogh Museum you can enjoy a visit in which you will discover the main works of art of this famous museum. You will have to select the time of your visit and, in this way, you will obtain certain privileges such as avoiding queues. In addition, you won't miss out on any of Van Gogh's popular works, thanks to the audio guide included with your booking.

Recommended if... you are interested in learning about Van Gogh's personal life and the impact on his artistic career, as well as finding out about other aspects that are not clearly visible in the works of art, thanks to the audio guide included with your ticket.

Tickets to the Van Gogh Museum currently cost about 22 euros (free for children under 18, as long as they are not part of a school group). Students also get a discounted admission fee of €10, but only on weekdays.

However, ticket prices may be higher if they coincide with a temporary exhibition, as they are always included in the ticket price. Separate tickets are not available for the main museum or special exhibitions.

How to buy tickets?

Tickets are only available online, as they are not sold at the museum itself. All tickets for the Van Gogh Museum are time-slot tickets so be punctual and don't leave it to the last minute (if you are half an hour late, you won't be able to get in).

Are tickets included in a tourist pass?

The Van Gogh Museum is accessible with the Dutch museum card Museumkaart and the iAmsterdam card, one of Amsterdam's tourist passes.

There are several types of guided tours of the Van Gogh Museum. These differ in terms of duration and characteristics. Logically, the longer the tour, the more art you can see and the more detailed it is, as well as being able to answer questions and doubts, although the maximum duration is usually 3 hours. In any case, the mere fact of visiting the museum with a professional guide is enough to better appreciate the famous works of the Van Gogh Museum.

In addition to the general tours (without queues and lasting 2.5 hours), there are also specific tours:

• Private tours: This is a tour just for you and your group focused specifically on satisfying your interests. A private tour allows you to concentrate on particular collections or pieces by Van Gogh during one of his stages.
• Children's and family tours: This is a type of tour focused on providing an experience that even those unfamiliar with art can enjoy.
• You also have the option of purchasing a joint guided tour with the Rijksmuseum. If you are planning to visit this other great museum in Amsterdam, with the combined package you won't miss any detail of the two collections.

There are many ways to get to the Van Gogh Museum. Here are the details of each of them:

• The cheapest way to get from Amsterdam to the Van Gogh Museum is to get on tram line 2 ( you can also use tram lines 5 and 12); this takes about 8 min and costs between 1 and 2€. Remember that the tram is one of the best ways to get around Amsterdam.
• The quickest way to get from Amsterdam to the Van Gogh Museum is by taxi. It will cost you between €10 and €13 and will take about 4 minutes to get there from the centre.
• You also have the option of going by bus, taking bus 347 or 357. The journey takes about 10 minutes.
• And, of course, you have the option of arriving by car. The nearest car park is Q-Park, located below Museumplein.

The Van Gogh Museum is located in the heart of Amsterdam's Museum District. This is an advantage, as after your visit you can visit the Rijksmuseum. And if you feel like a change of plan, the popular and unmistakable Heineken Experience is also nearby.

The opening hours of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam change frequently, but usually only by an hour or so. The museum is open daily from 9am to 5pm, and from 10am to 6pm on weekends. If you travel to Amsterdam in winter or autumn (with some exceptions) it is best not to visit on Mondays, as it is usually closed.

During the high season (usually from Easter to early November), the Van Gogh Museum closes at 6 p.m. (10 p.m. on Fridays). During the summer holidays, from mid-July to early September, the Van Gogh Museum is open from 9am to 7pm, closing at 9pm on Saturday and 10pm on Friday.

The best times to visit the Van Gogh Museum are right at the opening (try to finish a visit before 11am) and in the late afternoon (after 3pm). The museum is very busy from 11:00 to 15:00, especially on weekends and during holidays.

The average visitor takes 1 hour and 15 minutes to properly explore the permanent collection. This time does not include visiting other areas of the museum, as the museum has a café, a souvenir shop on the ground floor and a bookshop on the third floor, which offer a wide selection of products inspired by Van Gogh's life and work.

The museum contains the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings and drawings in the world. It is the most visited museum in the Netherlands. It is therefore no wonder that you are wondering which are the most important and must-see works in this museum.

• Among these works are The Potato Eaters, the artist's first masterpiece, in which Van Gogh portrays a family of Dutch peasants.
• The second work of interest is The Bedroom, a set of three paintings depicting his bedroom in Arles. Although they are exhibited in three different museums (Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Musée d'Orsay in Paris), the painting housed here is the most famous.
• The third work of interest is The Almond Blossom, representing Vincent Van Gogh's gift to his newborn nephew, son of his brother Theo.
• The fourth work you should see is Wheat Field with Crows, long considered Van Gogh's last painting.
• And finally, special mention should be made of The Sunflowers, the museum's most representative work.

• Book your tickets online in advance and avoid the typical queues. The museum authorities guarantee entry to valid ticket holders.
• Remember that the Dutch museum card(Museumkaart) and the iAmsterdam card, one of Amsterdam's tourist passes, can be accepted for entry.
• Take your time when visiting the museum and avoid going on a rainy day.
• Although the queue in front of the museum looks long, it moves quickly, so be patient.
• The museum prohibits photography and the rule is strictly enforced. As a souvenir of your visit, you can stop by the museum shop.
• Some of Van Gogh's most renowned works, such as Starry Night, are not on display at the Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam. So do your research before you go looking for a specific work by the artist.
• Don't bring large luggage, as the museum does not offer any storage facilities.
• Wear comfortable shoes and bring an umbrella just in case, as Amsterdam's weather is a bit unpredictable. Here are some more tips for your visit to Amsterdam.

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam houses around 200 paintings, 400 drawings and 700 letters by the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh. The museum also has a large collection of contemporary works by the artist and works that influenced his own style, including his collection of Japanese prints. It also includes works by other contemporary, impressionist and post-impressionist artists.

Van Gogh's works are organised chronologically into five periods. Each of these represents a different period of his life: the Netherlands, Paris, Arles, Saint-Remy and Auvers-sur-Oise.

The works of art on display often change thanks to works on loan. Temporary exhibitions are often of exceptional quality and included in the guided tours.

The Van Gogh Museum Shop is located near the main entrance and is only accessible through the museum. It is open every day during regular opening hours and offers a collection of unique Van Gogh products, such as office accessories, books, reproduction paintings and a wide range of educational items for children.

In this shop you can buy souvenirs inspired by Vincent van Gogh's work, but also unique products created in collaboration with international designers and brands. There is also a wide selection of books on Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries.

While it's true that there is no café or place to eat as such inside the museum, there are several places around it.

• Within walking distance of the Van Gogh Museum is Bagels & Beans, a local chain known for its affordable sandwiches and coffees made with ingredients sourced from organic and sustainable farms, as well as menus ranging from salads to more elaborate dishes.
• Sama Sebo is also another place where you can relax and enjoy good food without losing too much, as it is very close to the museum. They offer lunch menus, but you can also order à la carte. One of their most famous menus is the traditional Rijsttafel, consisting of dozens of mini side dishes typical of the local cuisine.