The Netherlands is today well-known for its great artists and painters, and the greatest of these is most likely Vincent Van Gogh. In central Amsterdam, you will find the Van Gogh Museum, a place well worth visiting if you are interested in art, and especially how art over the years reflects Dutch society. Experiencing the Van Gogh Museum in person is simply an absolute must during your time in cozy Amsterdam.
Tickets to the Van Gogh Museum
You cannot buy tickets at the door. Instead, you must book your ticket and get an entry time on the museum’s website online. Note that there is only a limited number of tickets available per day.
When you arrive at the museum, there may also be long queues, especially during peak season, so arriving early is very important. If you wish to take a guided tour, you must also join a specific queue inside the museum for this.
To make your visit smoother, you can instead choose to book your tickets with Get Your Guide. Here, you also get an entry time, but the ticket includes access to all exhibitions as well as an audio guide that you can pick up directly at the museum.
This gives you an excellent overview of your experience and will make the visit smooth and very educational. Book your tickets here
How to Get to the Van Gogh Museum
The Van Gogh Museum is located at Museumplein in Amsterdam, an area where many of the most important museums in the Netherlands are situated. To get there, you can either take the bus or the tram.
Buses 347 and 357 go to Museumplein, and a single ticket for an adult costs 4.50 euros. You can also choose to take the convenient tram, where lines 3, 5, or 12 will take you to Museumplein. The same ticketing system applies to both the bus and the tram.
The Van Gogh Museum and the Artist’s History
Vincent Van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853, in Zundert in Noord-Brabant, Holland. He was described as a quiet and thoughtful child, as well as very serious. During his upbringing, he enjoyed drawing and worked for a period as an art dealer, which took him on travels across Europe.
Van Gogh began painting seriously in 1881, after moving back to his parents. His early works mostly consisted of still lifes, genre paintings, and depictions of agricultural workers, showing few signs of the vibrant colors and works that became synonymous with his name in his later works.
In 1886, he moved to Paris, where he became friends with Paul Gauguin and Emile Bernard. It was during the following years that many of the works that became precursors to expressionism were created.
He suffered from periods of poor mental health and was affected by depression several times during his life. This also contributed to his alcohol abuse. His long friendship with Gauguin ended when he threatened the Frenchman with a razor and, in anger, cut off a piece of his own left ear. This event led to him being admitted to a mental hospital in France, where he also began what would become the most productive period of his life.
When Van Gogh discharged himself from the mental hospital, he moved to a small town just outside Paris. It was also here that on July 27, 1890, he shot himself in the chest with a revolver.
Vincent Van Gogh sold only a few paintings during his lifetime, and it was his brother Theo who financially supported him for long periods. Fame did not come until after his death. Many see him as a misunderstood genius, and his popularity grew when German expressionists used him as inspiration.
The Van Gogh Museum opened in 1973 and has since become one of Amsterdam’s most popular museums. Every year, 1.5 million visitors from around the world come here to see over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and 750 letters written by and to Vincent Van Gogh.
What You Must Not Miss at the Van Gogh Museum
There is much to see and experience at this exciting museum, and regardless of your age and preferences, there is something here for all tastes and interests. Here are some tips on things you absolutely should not miss when you are here.
Van Gogh’s Self-Portraits
On the first floor of the museum, you will find a number of Van Gogh’s 35 self-portraits that he created during his lifetime. This not only gives you a fantastic artistic experience but also important insight into how Vincent Van Gogh saw himself.
See Sunflowers and Experience Its Unique Copy
You naturally cannot visit the Van Gogh Museum without also seeing one of his most famous paintings – Sunflowers. This can be experienced in person and is a masterpiece in every way. However, do not forget to visit the copy created for visitors with visual impairments – it is possible to feel this unique copy with your hands, and it is an experience you do not want to miss.
Bedroom in Arles
This painting is one of Van Gogh’s most famous and an excellent expression of the expressionism he stood for. An absolute must when you are at the museum.
Guided Tours and Other Experiences at the Van Gogh Museum
Guided tours are offered at the museum, but they cannot be booked on-site. All bookings must be made at least five days before your visit. The group size must not exceed 15 people, but during peak season, it is often at maximum capacity.
Here, Get Your Guide offers a simple alternative in the form of the audio guides that are included in the ticket price if you book here.
Museum Opening Hours
The museum is open from 9 AM to 6 PM from February to November. In December and January, the opening hours are until 5 PM on weekdays, while on weekends it is open until 6 PM.
Good to Know Before Your Visit
The museum is most popular between 11 AM and 3 PM during the day. A tip is therefore to book your tickets either before or after this time.
The museum is fully accessible for wheelchair users. All floors have elevators and good accessibility.
Experience World-Class Art at the Van Gogh Museum
A visit to the Van Gogh Museum is fun and exciting for all ages and an absolute must if you are in Amsterdam and want to experience more of the culture.
Here, you can learn more about one of the greatest artists in history in a pleasant and inspiring environment.
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