Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam

Discover masterpieces by Van Gogh and learn about his life and work

Van Gogh Museum is world renowned and dedicated to the life and work of Vincent Van Gogh, there are however other artworks here by many other artists, many of which inspired Van Gogh throughout his life. Van Gogh is synonymous with Amsterdam, you’ll see his face and artworks almost everywhere you go in the city.

We say this is a must visit museum because you just cannot see the range of his work anywhere else in the world. Tickets sell out quickly and consistently, we visited in October 2024 and saw lots of disappointed people looking at a small yellow sold out sign by a rather large queue – if you can’t find a ticket then we have some helpful information on what to do if Van Gogh’s sold out.

Buy Van Gogh tickets in advance

Tickets for Van Gogh Museum are released online 3 months in advance. You can book tickets closer to the date for off-peak times, but be warned, tickets sell out fast at all times of the year! Find your date and book it there and then is good advice.

If you know your visit date already, then we strongly suggest you book them now or as soon as the three month window opens.

Book Van Gogh Museum Tickets Now

The ticket price includes both the permanent Van Gogh exhibition and any temporary exhibitions, these visiting exhibitions are usually of a very high quality. If you want to see Van Gogh paintings whilst in Amsterdam and it is a rare visitor who doesn’t, then this should be the very first thing you book. Sorry to labour the point, but we don’t want you to miss out (you can bookmark our page to help you find tickets for your visit date once the window for your visit dates opens).

There are approximately 200 paintings, 400 drawings and 700 letters in the Van Gogh Museum permanent exhibition. This museum is undoubtedly one of, if not the most popular in Amsterdam and the Netherlands.

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Van Gogh Museum Tickets

Van Gogh tickets are only available online at a cost of €22 for adults.

The only free ticket is for children (under 18’s), entrance is included for members of Vincent’s Friends, MuseumKaart, ICOM-card, Rembrandtcard, BankGiro Loterij VIP-card and Stadspass holders. Until June 2022, the museum was included in the I Amsterdam City Card, unfortunately this is no longer the case.

Online tickets for Van Gogh Museum

The world has changed since Coronavirus and although in the past you would be able to walk up to the door and buy a ticket and walk straight in, we suspect that those days are gone now. Even before the Coronavirus epidemic, museums across the world were looking at timed tickets due to the vast increases in tourism. Now, with potential social distancing requirements, it is likely that most museums will move their ticket structure to that of limited entry and timed tickets permanently. Van Gogh Museum had already moved to timed entry before the Coronavirus.

This does take away the freedom of just popping in quickly on a whim, but also means that when visiting the Van Gogh exhibition, you won’t be as overwhelmed by crowds, each straining for a look at the masterpieces through gaps in the shoulders of those in front. Van Gogh tickets are timed only and will sell out quickly, so you must buy your tickets online early.

Tickets are bookable 3 months ahead of time, so you will need to plan ahead, make a note in your diary 3 months back from your visit date and get online to book them then.

You’ll receive an e-ticket which you can print out and bring with you or show the ticket on your mobile at the entrance ready to be scanned.

Amsterdam Digital Pass

This is an interesting ticket idea that has seen a few incarnations since it was launched.

Initially launched to link both Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum into one pass, it has now become a two attraction plus canal cruise pass.

Currently, you can choose between Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum or Moco Museum for attraction one and Rembrandt House Museum or Heineken Museum for attraction two. I suspect that these options will change occassionally, so it is definitely worth checking if it includes the attractions you are interested in, as it will save you money on entry.

The third attraction that seems fixed is the 1-hr canal cruise from Centraal Station.

The Amsterdam Digital Pass does currently include Van Gogh Museum so should be looked at carefully as a good money saving option.

The vast majority of visitors to Amsterdam are likely to want to visit at least two of these available attractions and travel on the canals, so we think this card is a really good option, especially if you are only staying in Amsterdam for a short period of time.

Buy Amsterdam Digital Pass

Group bookings at Van Gogh Museum

If you are visiting Amsterdam in a larger group or organising a trip then getting enough tickets for each attraction can be tough.

As many attractions have now moved to timed entry tickets it is harder for larger groups to get the tickets they need for the times they want. Van Gogh Museum had already moved to timed entry even before Covid.

But if you want to visit the Van Gogh Museum with a group we can help. Click Group Bookings at Van Gogh for full details and tickets.

What to do if Van Gogh Museum is sold out

Above is the dreaded yellow sign you’ll see on arrival by the entrance queue. We saw this sign up on an October mid-week day when the kids were back in school, so not exactly high season. Van Gogh Museum is online booking in advance only, it is extremely unlikely you’ll find entry tickets by just turning up on the day.

This doesn’t help you as you stand outside looking at the museum or staring at your computer wondering if there is a way to get tickets.

So first thing to do is exhaust the possibilities.

1. Check the approved ticket partners of Van Gogh Museum, we link to GetYourGuide and Tiqets (see below). Do not get tempted by anyone in person or online selling tickets who is not an official partner of Van Gogh Museum, they could be offering fraudulent tickets. Registered partners include Tiqets, GetYourGuide, Tours&Tickets, Musement, Klook and of course the official Van Gogh Museum website).

Find your Van Gogh Museum tickets (Tiqets)

Find Van Gogh Tickets (GYG)

2. Don’t just look for entry tickets. Lots of the ticket providers bundle entry tickets with other attractions like canal cruises or other popular museums. It can be possible to pay a little extra for one of these and find an entry slot.

3. Pay more. Look for a guided tour ticket, these are more expensive, so the demand will be less and availability more. Once on the booking page you will see other Van Gogh ticket options too and one of these may give you the availability you desire.

Van Gogh Museum Guided Tour (Tiqets)

Van Gogh Museum Guided Tour (GYG)

Unfortunately, most of the above will only help you if you have a few days to go till your visit. If you are standing outside hoping to get in and see the yellow sign, you are not going to see inside the museum today.

What else to do if Van Gogh Museum is sold out

Fortunately Van Gogh Museum is in Museum Square surrounded by other amazing museum attractions. You have Stedelijk Museum next door, Moco Museum, Diamond Museum and Rijksmuseum all within a 5 minute walk. Again all of these will want you to book online but you may have more luck on the day or a few days beforehand.

If you want to see Van Gogh whilst in Amsterdam but cant get into his museum, then you should also check out Fabrique Des Lumieres programme. It often features Van Gogh and is a uniquely immersive art experience where the art envelopes you. We absolutely loved Fabrique des Lumieres on our last visit and highly recommend it.

Van Gogh Museum Shop

The final stop will be the Van Gogh Museum shop. This is a separate building, actually closer to Rijksmuseum than the Van Gogh Museum, this is not the main shop within the museum, but another smaller shop anyone can visit. It has a host of things to buy inspired by his art. We bought a lovely art notebook and office toy of his art in a ball. Weird but lovely. It’s not quite the same, but at least it gives you a flavour of the artist.

Where is the Van Gogh Museum

The Vincent Van Gogh Museum is in the south of Amsterdam (Amsterdam Zuid). It sits within Museum Square and has the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum and Moco Museum as neighbours. The Museumplein is a huge draw for culture and art lovers. It has an underground car park and supermarket and the space is often used for events and festivals.

The pond is often transformed into an artificial ice rink in the winter. If you visit in 2024 you’ll find ongoing works to transform the outside area including the pond, the soil and trees and to add a sports area with basketball court and skate park. There are various end dates here, the pond was supposed to be finished by the end of September but on our visit it was still in progress. The scheduled end date for all works is Spring 2025, so fingers crossed.

Van Gogh Museum Address:

Van Gogh Museum
Museumplein 6
1071 DJ Amsterdam

Hotels close to Van Gogh Museum

There are lots of hotels close to Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, so if you want to stay close to the Museumplein with all its art and culture at your doorstep, then have a look at our dedicated page on hotels near Van Gogh Museum.

Photography at Van Gogh Museum

Photography without a flash or tripod is only allowed at certain designated areas. This includes the Entrance Hall and the ‘selfie-walls’.

Photography and video of the artworks in the Van Gogh Exhibition, galleries and exhibition spaces is not permitted. Any photos or video you do capture can only be used for private, non-commercial purposes.

When is the best time to visit Van Gogh Museum

As you are now pre-booking tickets online for set time slots, the museum does feel a little less busy at anytime. However, visitors are allowed to stay as long as they want once inside the museum, so if you are booking a timeslot between 11am and 3pm you may find it still to be really busy due to people staying for lunch in the cafe or just that was previously the most popular visiting time.

During high season it is probably a good bet to book your tickets for before 11am and after 3pm if you want to avoid the busiest times in the museum.

Tickets are bookable 3 months ahead of time, so you will need to plan ahead, make a note in your diary 3 months back from your visit date and get online to book them then.

The only way to guarantee your entry to Vincent Van Gogh Museum is to book your tickets online.

Night Museum Van Gogh

Van Gogh Museum features in the annual Amsterdam Night Museum event. This takes place every year in November and you can visit over 60 museums after dark.

Van Gogh Museum facilities – library, cafe and shop

Van Gogh Museum Shop

You will find a wide range of products in the van gogh shop, mostly inspired by the life and art of Van Gogh. It has a large bookshop with over 1500 titles and a children’s reading area with views of the Museumplein. There is also an online shop where you can find items such as bedding (giant sunflower bedspreads), clothing, prints, ceramics, bags, watches. There is even Van Gogh’s art on skateboards, looking to inspire the next generation and find new ways to showcase his art.

Museum Cafe Le Tambourin

Located on the first floor of the museum and open betwen 9am and 4pm. The Espresso bar is open from 11am till 6pm. Serving hot and cold drinks, cakes, sandwiches, sweet and savoury snacks, beer and wine. The cafe is covid prepared with extra disinfection options, clear communication on hygiene and food safety, an indicated route for you through the cafe and contactless payment.

Van Gogh Library

The Van Gogh Museum library has over 35,000 books and articles and aquires roughly 1,000 new publications every year. It is located at Gabriel Metsustraat 8, right at the Museumplein. You can visit the reading room for free without prior appointment from 1 September 2020.

Accessibility at Van Gogh Museum

Visitors with disabilities

Wheelchairs, wheeled walkers and mobility scooters weighing up to 500kg are all allowed in the museum. The museum also has several wheelchairs they can loan which are available at the cloakroom. It is recommended to book these in advance (contact details via the link at the bottom). The museum also loans out foldable seats for any visitor who is unable to stand for long periods of time (you do not need to reserve these).

If you are unable to visit independently, you are permitted to bring a companion with you free of charge, their ticket will also include the free multimedia guide. You can book the companion’s ticket online at the same time as booking your own ticket.

There are adapted toilets on the ground floor and there is a floor plan you can pick up upon entry that shows the location of all lifts and facilities available.

The museum also offers a range of facilities to blind and partially-sighted visitors, visitors with sensory sensitivity and deaf and the hard of hearing visitors.

Full details of the accessibility of Van Gogh Museum.

Pushchairs

Prams and buggies are permitted in the museum.

Where can I leave my bags

Currently the cloakroom at the museum is unsupervised. So do not bring your luggage with you and expect to be able to store it. Usually you can leave jackets, umbrellas, small bags and small rucksacks at the cloakroom. There are luggage service points around the Museum Square where you can leave your luggage before entering the museum. There was a lockerpoint luggage storage portal literally outside the Museum between it and Stedelijk.

Van Gogh Sunflowers

Vincent Van Gogh is one of the worlds most well-known painters. The Van Gogh Exhibition brings together his self-portraits, landscapes, flowers and blossoms, drawings and letters.

His most famous painting is probably ‘Sunflowers’ painted in 1889. In total he painted five canvases with sunflowers in a vase, one of which is in the Van Gogh Museum.

You will though discover your own favourite masterpieces as you wander around what is a very large building.

Where to stay near Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum is in Museum Square or Museumplein in Amsterdam Zuid. This is where the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum are also located, which makes the area very attractive for those interested in culture as a place to base yourself. It provides easy access into Centraal Amsterdam and offers more green space with nearby Vondelpark a lovely place to relax after a days exploring. You can use our links below or visit our dedicated page on hotels close to Van Gogh Museum.

LUXURY 4 and 5-star hotels in Amsterdam Oud ZUID and oud-west

Hotel Roemer