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Travel bucket list idea:

Last updated: 10 February, 2024
Expert travel writer: Jennifer Ceaser

Follow the story of Van Gogh’s life through two hundred works of art, displayed chronologically to show the troubled artist’s development. The exhibition begins with gloomy Dutch scenes, before proceeding to classic, optimistic works painted in Arles (such as Sunflowers and The Bedroom).

The exhibition ends with the foreboding landscapes around Auvers-sur-Oise, painted just before his suicide. The top floor holds an extensive collection of art by other leading 19th-century painters, and a wing at the rear showcases major exhibitions.

Don’t miss

Many of Van Gogh’s most famous works are displayed here, including his greatest self-portraits, the Potato Eaters, and of course the famous Sunflowers. Look out for great works too by Toulouse-Lautrec and Paul Gauguin.

Did you know?

The collection originally belonged to Theo Van Gogh, Vincent’s younger brother, who also collected works by Vincent’s contemporaries. Van Gogh wrote many letters to his brother, and these – along with those written to friends Paul Gauguin and Emile Bernard – can be viewed in full (with annotations and illustrations) on the Van Gogh Letters website.

Logistics

Price from: £15
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The museum is located next to the Rijksmuseum on Museumplein (visitors often tackle both museums on the same day). Audio tours can be picked up at the entrance. Tickets are available online, which will save you queuing at the door on busy days.

When to do it

The museum is open all year round, seven days a week. The late opening on Friday evening is the best time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds. There’s often a fun atmosphere, with musical entertainment and artistic installations.

Mornings, particularly at weekends and when it’s wet, are usually busiest and best avoided.

Who to go with: organised tours

5

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Van Gogh Museum Private Tour with Reserved Entry

Amsterdam

Van Gogh Museum Private Tour with Reserved Entry
This 2.5 hour exclusive guided tour of Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum, will allow you will discover the major works of art inside the world's biggest Van Gogh collection. Your personal guide walks you through such masterpieces as Sunflowers as well as lesser-known works by Van Gogh and the artists who inspired him. Your ticket is valid for the whole day, so you can follow your introduction to the great artist's life and work with further exploration of his art on your own.

Price: €90

Min age: 0

Rating 4.88 / 5 [899 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Van Gogh Museum Tickets and Semi-Private 8ppl Max Guided Tour

Amsterdam

Van Gogh Museum Tickets and Semi-Private 8ppl Max Guided Tour
Our 2.5 hour guided tours of the Van Gogh Museum will allow you to explore the painter’s life and works with one of our vibrant guides. Learn about Vincent Van Gogh in the largest museum dedicated entirely to this Dutch artist. The small-group tour ensures personal attention to each guest, with groups no larger than 8 people. Entrance is included, and your ticket will be valid for the whole day so you can explore on your own after the tour.

Price: €90

Min age: 0

Rating 4.95 / 5 [693 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum Semi-Private Tour With Reserved Entry

Amsterdam

Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum Semi-Private Tour With Reserved Entry
The 5.5 hour semi-private (8 guest maximum) guided museum combo tour includes entry to both Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh Museum so you can skip the line and learn about the museums’ collections with one of our engaging expert guides.Join our most popular group tour of Amsterdam’s best museums. Perfect for an introduction to Van Gogh and the artists of the Dutch Golden Age. This intimate tour with a maximum of 8 people in each group will take you on an artistic and historical journey through the 18th and 19th centuries. 

Price: €243

Min age: 0

Rating 4.96 / 5 [251 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum Private Guided Tour With Reserved Entry

Amsterdam

Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum Private Guided Tour With Reserved Entry
Take our most popular private tour of Amsterdam’s best museums. Perfect for an introduction to Van Gogh and the artists of the Dutch Golden Age, this tour will take you on an artistic and historical journey through the 18th and 19th centuries. The 5.5-hour Exclusive guided museum combo tour includes entry to both museums so you can skip the line and learn about the museums’ collections with one of our engaging expert guides, whom you’ll have all to yourself.

Price: €243

Min age: 0

Rating 4.96 / 5 [150 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Rijksmuseum Inside Out Private Tour With Locals

Amsterdam

Rijksmuseum Inside Out Private Tour With Locals
No trip to Amsterdam is complete without a visit to the Rijksmuseum. But what's the best way to enjoy this attraction to the max? Leave it to a local guide! Enjoy the Rijksmuseum hassle-free with this private skip-the-line tour. Step into this world-famous attraction without waiting long and check out the painting Battle at Waterloo, Rembrandt's Nightwatch and its ins and outs. Forget about audio guides and big guided groups; inside it's you and your local guide, so ask away! After your time with your local guide is over, keep exploring at your own pace or leave to enjoy Amsterdam with local recommendations from your private guide. Withlocals Skip the Line Private Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn fair fees. We support local economies by only offering local products and preventing overtourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon neutral & away from the standard tourist routes.

Price: €119

Min age: 0

Rating 4.72 / 5 [116 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Destination guides

1

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Amsterdam

North Holland, Netherlands

Rows of houses near a canal in daytime

Picturesque Golden Age canals, premier league art, cosy cafés, and liberal urban living combine to make Amsterdam one of Europe’s most vibrant capitals.

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