Van Gogh Museum

Chris J★★★★★★★★★★5.03 weeks ago

A must visit if you like Van Gogh. Even without an audio guide there’s plenty of explanatory plaques to read. The rooms roughly follow different periods of his life, which puts the art in context. There was also a special exhibition for ‘yellow’ at the time of my visit, which I enjoyed for its deep exploration of how Van Gogh played with colour and lighting to bring subject matter to life. I particularly appreciated the areas where you could listen to audio of letters to and from Van Gogh. It provided an insight into to his life and at times was heartbreaking, especially considering the art world still seems to prioritise art that is commercially viable and easy to mass produce. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated, not just with Van Gogh but also other art of similar styles, so you get to appreciate the impact his work had on art in general. Although I had seen the almond blossoms many times in photos and own prints, seeing it in real life was something else. I had to remember to keep breathing. It’s best to buy tickets in advance, they seem to sell out weeks in advance. I took the earliest time slot and there was already a big queue to go in, so I’m not sure there’s a time when the museum is ever not crowded. Sometimes you have to wait for people to finish taking selfies so you can have a closer look, but it’s possible. I spent more than three hours here. The museum shop is also far more extensive than the shops outside.

Chyrelle McAlister★★★★★★★★★★5.04 months ago

This is without a doubt one of the best museum experiences I've ever had in all my years of travel. It's expensive, around €50 for 2 tickets, but I really felt that it was totally worth it. It took us about 90 minutes to make our way through the museum and it was such a wonderful use of time. I've always been really intrigued by Van Gogh but to see his work up close, it was overwhelming. My advice is to pay the extra €3.75 for the audio tour. It's so completely worth the money. Amazingly well done and immersive and just ties everything you're seeing together with interesting information. Lockers are provided free of charge which is a nice touch. It had been raining the morning we went and it was nice to be able to leave our coats and bags in a locker and be comfortable walking around. There are bathrooms in two locations that I seen and they were clean. The gift shop was also really reasonably priced, which was a surprise because they can be quite expensive!

Karla Ibarra★★★★★★★★★★5.03 months ago

By far my favorite museum 💛 The entire visit felt very unique and immersive. The audio guide is well structured, informative, and self-paced, which made the experience even more meaningful. I absolutely loved the temporary exhibition focused on color, it added such a vibrant and insightful layer to the experience. Make sure to book your tickets in advance, it gets very busy and crowded. I went early in the morning, which gave me plenty of time to enjoy the paintings at my own pace without feeling overwhelmed. I truly loved this museum and would absolutely say it’s a must-visit in Amsterdam.

Amy Hernandez★★★★★★★★★★5.04 months ago

Make sure to book your tickets in advance, as the Van Gogh Museum gets very busy and crowded. I went early in the morning, which gave me plenty of time to enjoy the paintings at my own pace without feeling overwhelmed by the crowds. I really enjoyed the experience, it felt very unique, and the audio guide is well structured and informative. I absolutely love this museum and would say it’s a must-visit. Just a quick note: The Starry Night is not on display here.

Sofia Lacerda★★★★★★★★★★4.04 months ago

I really enjoyed my visit to the Van Gogh Museum. Everything is very well organized and I felt it was extremely safe — they carefully check backpacks and bags, which I personally appreciated a lot. What I liked most is the museum’s idea of telling Van Gogh’s life story, including his family, relationships, and the people and artworks that inspired him along the way. Seeing paintings connected to his friends and influences made the experience feel much more personal and meaningful. One small downside for me was the organization of the rooms. Sometimes the numbering is a bit confusing, and the closest room isn’t necessarily the next one you should visit to follow the story in order, which can break the flow. I also felt that some of these contextual sections are quite long and could be slightly shorter. The museum is interactive in the right measure and keeps you engaged without being overwhelming. I do think the ticket price could be a bit lower, although I understand this is pretty standard for major attractions in Europe. I strongly recommend buying your ticket in advance. Overall, it’s a very enriching and memorable experience, and definitely worth visiting.