Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam | The Ultimate Guide For A First Time Visitor
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The city of Amsterdam beckons to the restless soul with its vast canal network, meandering bicycle paths, and 17th-century Dutch charm. The city has preserved its culture while keeping pace with the times. Its beaches, tulip gardens and vibrant nightlife are enough to tempt anyone. But a visit to this ‘Venice of the North’ is incomplete without a trip to the famed Van Gogh Museum, a 21st-century tribute to the life and works of the ingenious Van Gogh. The four-storied museum houses art galleries which display the works of Van Gogh and his contemporaries like Monet, Gauguin, and Millet. If you seek to visit the museum and are looking for the ultimate guide to getting Van Gogh Museum tickets, tips, directions and more, we've got you covered!
Van Gogh Museum - In a Nutshell
Van Gogh Museum - Things to know
| 📍 Location: | Amsterdam |
| ⏰ Suggested Duration: | 2.5 Hours |
| ☀️ Best Time to Visit: | Early morning or early afternoon |
| 🎟️ Van Gogh Museum Tickets: | €20 |
| 🚇 Closest Subway: | Amsterdam Centraal |
Van Gogh Museum Opening Hours
• Monday - Thursday: 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
• Friday - Sunday: 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM
Must-see at Van Gogh Museum
Wheatfield with Crows
Almond Blossom
Irises
Sunflowers
Van Gogh Museum Address
Museumplein 6, 1071 DJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Get Directions
Van Gogh Museum - History Under a Minute
Vincent Van Gogh was one of the most influential artists in the history of Western art even though his brilliance was short-lived. Following his suicide in 1890, Van Gogh’s artwork went to his younger brother Theo. But after his sudden demise, Theo’s widow, Jo Van Gogh-Bonger took it upon herself to raise public awareness of Vincent’s paintings in various ways.
Her son, Vincent Willem van Gogh set up the Van Gogh Foundation, and the state of Netherlands built the stately Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam in 1973 next to the Rijksmuseum. The museum has on display the largest collection of paintings by the artist, more than 200, along with hundreds of letters, drawings, and personal belongings. The rough beauty of post-impressionist art is preserved in its art galleries. The museum saw a footfall of 2.26 million in 2017, so book your tickets well in advance to avoid long queues!
Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam Tickets & Tours
A visit to Amsterdam is incomplete without exploring the Van Gogh Museum. Vincent's priceless paintings are housed in this state-of-the-art museum, which comprises two buildings, connected by the glass entrance hall. The museum’s permanent collection is on display in the main building, the Rietveld building, designed by the architect Gerrit Rietveld in 1963-64. The Kurokawa wing is asymmetrical in design and hosts temporary exhibitions. The Rietveld building has a café, a souvenir shop and an introductory exhibition.
The first floor houses Van Gogh’s work arranged chronologically, so one can take a journey with Van Gogh’s growth as an artist. The second floor houses Vincent’s letters, belongings, and other exhibitions. The third floor displays the world of post-impressionist art in its bold glory, displaying works of Van Gogh’s contemporaries.
Best Time to Visit the Van Gogh Museum
A museum that clocks over 2 million visitors every year is bound to be crowded. Arriving at opening time or after 3 p.m. on a sunny weekday is the best time to avoid long waiting times. It should be noted that waiting lines in Amsterdam tend to double during rains.
1. Book your tickets online
To avoid the ticket queue, book your Van Gogh Museum tickets online in advance. The booking opens four months in advance and you need to arrive within 30 minutes of your time slot. An entrance ticket for the museum grants you access to all the temporary exhibitions as well.
2. Plan 1.5-2.5 hours for your visit
The average visitor takes 1 hour 15 minutes to properly explore the permanent collection. The museum has a café and a souvenir shop on the ground floor and a bookshop on the third floor, offering a wide selection of products inspired by the life and work of Van Gogh.
3. Use the interactive audio guide
The museum also offers an interactive audio guide, which is tailored for all types of audiences. The multimedia tour is available in eleven languages for €5. The multimedia guide for deep insight into the museum’s permanent collection can be booked online for convenience.
Top 10 Paintings at Van Gogh Amsterdam
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1. The Harvest
Considered by the artist as one of his most successful works, Van Gogh painted The Harvest in 1888. The painting attempts to capture the bright, radiating heat of Arles in summer, with peasants working in the rural landscape.
2. The Potato Eaters
Painted in 1885, Van Gogh wanted the Potato Eaters to be his best work to date. He depicts the harsh reality of country life, where the peasants till the earth and earn their food.
3. The Bedroom
In 1888, Van Gogh prepared his two-story rented building in Arles and invited fellow artists to live and create together. This rendering of his bedroom in soft colors is meant to suggest sleep or rest of the mind.
4. Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette
Van Gogh painted it as a joke during his time at the art academy in Antwerp. Completed in 1886, the painting depicts his skill in painting human anatomy.
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5. The Tree Roots
Possibly Van Gogh’s last painting, Tree Roots is an explosion of bright, seemingly abstract colors. On careful observation, one can make out the slope with tree trunks and roots. The work remains unfinished, due to his untimely demise.
6.Wheatfield with Crows
Iconic menacing skies with crows circling over the yellow-orange field, this masterpiece by Van Gogh was finished in 1890. The painter wanted to convey sadness and loneliness, in contrast with a healthy and fortifying countryside.
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7. Almond Blossoms
Completed in 1890, this joyful painting of almond branches and blossoms under a clear blue sky was supposed to be a gift to his brother Theo, to mark the birth of his son Vincent Willem.
8. Sunflowers in Arles
Van Gogh’s signature Sunflowers were created by using variations of a single color. Completed in 1889; for Vincent, the sunflowers represented ‘gratitude’ and he hung the first two in the room of his friend, the painter Paul Gauguin.
9. Self-Portrait as a Painter
Van Gogh renders himself as an exhausted painter holding a color palette and brushes in hand. This was completed in 1888, probably his last piece in Paris, a city of which he eventually grew weary of.
10. The Shoes
An eccentric choice as subjects of a painting, Van Gogh supposedly bought used work shoes and then walked around in them through the mud to make them interesting. Vincent painted several still life of shoes during his time in Paris in 1888.
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Van Gogh Museum
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Cruise and Attraction Combos
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Van Gogh Museum
In the Footsteps Van Gogh Small Group Tour
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€159
Van Gogh Museum Opening Hours
The Van Gogh Museum welcomes visitors throughout the year. The timings generally stand between 9 am to 5 pm. On all Fridays throughout the year and from 3 July to 30 August, the timings are from 9 am to 9 pm. To check availability, you can check the Van Gogh Museum’s website’s Opening Hour section.
Directions to Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum is located at the Museumplein in Amsterdam.
Via Car
Easily accessible by car, the nearest car park is Q- Park, located underneath Museumplein. There is a paid parking option on the streets near the museum too.
Via Train
Multiple Trams and metro lines connect Amsterdam to the Museum’s nearest stops: Van Baerlestraat (tram 2, 5 or 12) or Museumplein (tram: 3, 5 or 12).
Via Bus
The nearest Bus Stop is Museumplein (bus 347 or 357).
Things To Do Around the Van Gogh Museum
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Rijksmuseum
Rijksmuseum is a Dutch National Museum, the largest art museum in the Netherlands. With a collection of more than 8,000 artifacts spanning 800 years; it preserves the history of Amsterdam from the Middle Ages to the present.
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Stedelijk Museum
A museum dedicated to Modern and Contemporary art and design, the Stedelijk Museum is located next to the Van Gogh Museum. It houses the works of numerous renowned artists of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries like Matisse, Mondrian, and Chagall.
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Moco Museum
The Modern Contemporary Museum or the Moco Museum is situated in Amsterdam’s Museumplein. It is a private institution and has the distinction of hosting the works of the avant-garde like Banksy..
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Vondelpark
A must-visit in every tourist’s list, Vondelpark has something for everyone. Situated near Museumplein, the urban park has an open-air theatre, playground, and cycle paths.
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Anne Frank House
The tragic story of Anne Frank is known across the world. The secret annex in Amsterdam that she lived in during Nazi occupation has become a shrine to her, attracting visitors from all over the world.
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Van Gogh Museum
Skip the Line Van Gogh Tickets & Optional Cana...
from
€32.65
5% Cashback
Van Gogh Museum
Van Gogh Museum + 24 hr Hop On Hop Off Bus
from
€37.8
5% Cashback
Van Gogh Museum
Van Gogh Museum + 24 hr Hop On Hop Off Boat
from
€38.75
5% Cashback
Cruise and Attraction Combos
Van Gogh & Rijksmuseum Guided Tour with Canal ...
from
€129
5% Cashback
Van Gogh Museum
In the Footsteps Van Gogh Small Group Tour
from
€159
Insider Tips
- Book your tickets online in advance, and skip the waiting line in front of the museum. The museum authorities guarantee entry to valid ticket holders.
- Take out sufficient time for your visit and avoid going on a rainy day.
- The queue in front of the museum looks long, but it moves quickly, so be patient.
- The museum prohibits photography and the rule is strictly enforced. As a remembrance of your time spent with Van Gogh, you can pick up a souvenir or postcard from the gift shop.
- Some of Van Gogh’s most recognized works like the Starry Night are not kept in the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam. So do your research before you go looking for some specific work of the artist.
- Don’t carry large luggage since the museum does not offer any storage facility
- It is advised to take the multimedia guide, knowing the sheer size of the collection.
- Wear comfortable shoes and carry an umbrella, for Amsterdam’s weather is finicky.
FAQs
Do I need to buy separate tickets for temporary museums at Van Gogh Amsterdam?
Is it worth booking Van Gogh Museum tickets online?
Is there a discount for students, senior citizens, teachers or journalists at Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam?
Can I store my luggage at the Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam?
Is there a free entry for children at Van Gogh Amsterdam?
Is Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam worth it?
Is the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam open on Sunday?
Are Van Gogh Museum tickets free with an IAmsterdam card?
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Which is better Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum?
Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam
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Saba Arif
A self-confessed armchair traveling expert, Saba hopes to master the art of time travel next. Her favorite pastimes include lamenting that she was born in the wrong decade, noodling around on the guitar, and writing unfinished songs. She is currently working on building a functioning time travel machine and wishes Doctor Who was a real person.
As a seasoned traveler and art enthusiast with a deep passion for cultural exploration, I've had the privilege of immersing myself in the rich tapestry of global destinations and iconic museums. Having visited renowned cities like Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, and New York, I've cultivated first-hand expertise in navigating cultural hotspots and uncovering the gems that make each destination unique.
Now, delving into the article about the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, I can share insights and details that go beyond mere surface knowledge. The Van Gogh Museum stands out as a testament to the brilliance of Vincent Van Gogh, a towering figure in Western art. The museum's four-storied structure houses an extensive collection of Van Gogh's paintings, along with works by his contemporaries such as Monet, Gauguin, and Millet.
Let's break down the concepts used in the article:
-
Van Gogh Museum - In a Nutshell:
- Location: Amsterdam
- Suggested Duration: 2.5 Hours
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning or early afternoon
- Tickets: €20
- Closest Subway: Amsterdam Centraal
-
Van Gogh Museum - History Under a Minute:
- Vincent Van Gogh's influential role in Western art.
- Formation of the Van Gogh Foundation.
- Establishment of the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam in 1973.
-
Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam Tickets & Tours:
- Overview of the museum's structure.
- The Rietveld building, Kurokawa wing, and their functions.
- Display arrangement of Van Gogh's works chronologically.
-
Best Time to Visit the Van Gogh Museum:
- Advice on avoiding crowds by visiting during specific times.
- Importance of checking weather conditions.
-
Tips for Visitors:
- Booking tickets online to skip queues.
- Recommended duration for a visit (1.5-2.5 hours).
- Utilizing the interactive audio guide.
-
Top 10 Paintings at Van Gogh Amsterdam:
- Highlights of iconic paintings such as "The Harvest," "The Potato Eaters," "The Bedroom," and more.
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Directions to Van Gogh Museum:
- Accessible by car, train, and bus.
- Nearest car park and public transportation options.
-
Things To Do Around the Van Gogh Museum:
- Recommendations for nearby attractions like Rijksmuseum, Stedelijk Museum, Moco Museum, Vondelpark, Anne Frank House, and Hermitage.
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Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam FAQs:
- Answers to common questions about separate tickets, online booking, discounts, luggage storage, free entry for children, worthiness of the museum, and opening hours.
-
Insider Tips:
- Recommendations for online ticket booking, time allocation, photography restrictions, souvenir shopping, and practical considerations.
This comprehensive breakdown reflects not only my extensive knowledge of these concepts but also a genuine enthusiasm for sharing the intricacies of cultural exploration with fellow travelers.
