The Vincent Van Gogh Museum is open from 9 am to 6 pm throughout the week, except on Fridays.
It opens for extended hours, between 9 am and 9 pm on Fridays due to special events “Vincent on Friday.”
It stays open throughout the year, including Christmas and New Year.
| Day of Week | Timings | Last Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 9 am to 6 pm | 5.30 pm |
| Monday | 9 am to 6 pm | 5.30 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am to 6 pm | 5.30 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am to 6 pm | 5.30 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am to 6 pm | 5.30 pm |
| Friday | 9 am to 9 pm | 8.30 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am to 6 pm | 5.30 pm |
Last Entry of Van Gogh Museum
The last entry to the Van Gogh Museum is 30 minutes before closing time.
You can enter the museum at 5.30 pm from Saturday to Thursday.
On Fridays, the last entry is at 8.30 pm.
When Should You Visit Van Gogh Museum?
The best time to visit the museum depends on your preferences.
Consider visiting early in the morning, as soon as the museum opens, to avoid crowds altogether.
After the mid-day rush has passed, late afternoon, after 3 pm is another good time.
Avoid Saturdays and Sundays, as they tend to get crowded.
Instead, try visiting on a weekday, particularly Friday, to enjoy special events.
Read our detailed article on the best times to avoid crowds at the Van Gogh Museum.
How Long Does It Take to Visit the Van Gogh Museum?
The Vincent Van Gogh Museum will take you about 1.5 to 2.5 hours to explore.
A quick overview of the museum highlights, such as “Sunflowers,” “Irises,” “Almond Blossom,” and “Wheatfield with Crows,” will take around 1.5 hours.
However, if you want to thoroughly explore the over 200 paintings and 500 drawings on all four floors, try to allocate at least four hours.
Ultimately, the time needed to explore this world-renowned museum depends on your interest in the legendary artist Vincent Van Gogh.
Best Time To Visit Van Gogh Museum: Fewer Crowds & Cheaper Prices
The best time to visit the Van Gogh Museum is early in the morning, just after it opens at 9 am.
Particularly between 9 am and 11 am, the minimal crowds allow you to explore the paintings properly.
If you can’t make it in the morning, you must skip the mid-day hours and arrive in the late afternoon after 3 pm.
The museum is open until 6 pm daily and untill 9 pm on fridays, so you will have plenty of time in the evening with fewer people around.
Please note that the last entry is provided one and a half hours before closing, so make sure to arrive before that.
Also, if you are planning a trip in advance, we have identified the best months and weekdays to visit Van Gogh and provided a conclusion table at the end.
Let’s start with the best time of the year!
Peak vs. Low Season: The Best Time of the Year to Visit the Van Gogh Museum
The peak tourist season in Van Gogh is in the summer season, from May to August. Alternatively, the low tourist season is from November to February.
During the peak season, the weather is good, but the crowds are at their maximum, particularly in June and July due to holidays.
It is a great time to visit for those seeking a lively atmosphere. However, be prepared for heavy crowds.
The best time of year to visit Van Gogh is from November to February if you want to avoid crowds and visit the museum in peace.
During this time, the crowds are minimal, the weather is chilled, and the accommodations and tickets are also cheaper.
There might be fewer daylight hours, but the museum’s opening hours remain unchanged.
Besides this, there are two perfect windows to visit Van Gogh: between mid-March and September, with longer and brighter days.
So, you can still see all the paintings except starry nights under the night stars!
Regardless of which season or month you choose, you must book your Van Gogh Museum tickets in advance online.
By booking tickets in advance, you can save time and money and avoid long and tiring ticket lines at the entrance.
Weekends vs Weekdays: Best Time of the Day to Visit the Van Gogh Museum
Like most tourist attractions, the Van Gogh Museum is busy on weekends.
Besides Sunday, it is particularly busy on Friday due to extended opening hours.
If you are confused about weekdays and weekends, we recommend visiting Van Gogh on the weekdays.
Weekdays attract fewer visitors than the busy weekends, when the museum is filled with both locals and visitors.
These fewer crowds will let you see the paintings properly without anyone pushing behind you to be the next spectator!
Overall, the best time to visit Van Gogh based on days, weeks, and months is:
| Time Period | Best Time to Visit |
|---|---|
| Day | Morning (9 am to 11 am)Evening (4 pm to 6 pm) |
| Week | Monday to Thursday |
| Month | November to February OR Mid-March, September |
How long does it take to visit the Van Gogh Museum?
The time taken to explore Van Gogh depends on your interest in and appreciation for the paintings there.
On average, visitors spend around 1-2 hours visiting the Van Gogh Museum.
It includes 1 hour and 15 minutes for the permanent exhibit and rest time for visiting the additional exhibitions, which are generally included in the ticket price.
Also, there are no time restrictions for staying once you are in. So, if you are an art enthusiast, you can take more time to explore the arts available there.
However, if you want a comprehensive visit in less time, you can consider taking a guided tour of the Van Gogh Museum, which is very efficient and requires only 1.5 hours.
How to avoid crowds at the Van Gogh Museum?
Here are a few tips to help you avoid crowds at the Van Gogh Museum, such as:
Book tickets in advance: You must purchase your Van Gogh tickets online in advance to skip the ticket queues at the entrance, which is very helpful during peak hours.
Plan in advance: To avoid crowds, plan your visit to the Van Gogh Museum in advance. Consider the months with fewer tourists (typically November to February).
Choose the right day: Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends. Avoid visiting on weekends or public holidays when tourist traffic is higher.
Visit during off-peak hours: You must plan your visit on weekdays, preferably in the early morning or late afternoon when the museum is less crowded.
Start with the end: Start your visit from the museum’s top floors and work your way down.
Most visitors start from the ground floor, so beginning from the top can help you avoid the initial rush.
Consider guided tours: You can save time and have more flexibility by visiting Van Gogh with a knowledgeable guide who will give you useful tips on avoiding crowds.
What is the weather usually like in Amsterdam?
When planning to visit the Van Gogh Museum, it’s essential to consider the weather to enjoy the travel and other outdoor activities there.
Amsterdam has a temperate maritime climate, influenced by the North Sea and the presence of numerous canals.
It has warm summers with occasional colder periods, while winters are fairly cold with rain, wind and some snow.
July is the hottest month of the year, with a maximum temperature of 21 °C, and February is the coldest month, with a minimum temperature of 0 °C.
You can take a glance at month-on-month climate change in Amsterdam here:
| Months | Low Temp | High Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 1°C (34°F) | 4°C (39°F) |
| Feb | 0°C (32°F) | 7°C (45°F) |
| Mar | 2°C (36°F) | 8°C (46°F) |
| Apr | 4°C (39°F) | 12°C (54°F) |
| May | 7°C (45°F) | 16°C (61°F) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 18°C (64°F) |
| Jul | 12°C (54°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| Aug | 12°C (54°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| Sep | 10°C (50°F) | 18°C (64°F) |
| Oct | 8°C (46°F) | 14°C (57°F) |
| Nov | 4°C (39°F) | 9°C (48°F) |
| Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 6°C (43°F) |
FAQs
1. What are the opening hours of the Van Gogh Museum?
The museum opens daily from 9 am to 6 pm, with extended Friday opening hours.
On Fridays, it stays open till 9 pm
2. Is the Van Gogh Museum open every day?
Yes, the Van Gogh Museum is open every day throughout the year.
3. How much time should you spend at the Van Gogh Museum?
You should spend at least 2 to 3 hours exploring the exhibits and soaking in the beauty of Vincent Van Gogh’s works.
4. When is the best time to visit the Van Gogh Museum?
If you want to avoid crowds, try visiting during the off-season between October and March.
During this time, the weather will be mild, and you may get some discounts on tickets.
5. Is the Van Gogh Museum open on public holidays?
The Van Gogh Museum is open on most public holidays, including Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
However, it stays closed on New Year’s Day between 1 pm and 5 pm.
6. Do I need to buy tickets to the Van Gogh Museum in advance?
Yes, buying them online will let you avoid lines and choose the time that suits you. Buy ticket online
7. What is the best time to go to Van Gogh?
The best time to visit the Van Gogh Museum is early in the morning, ideally between 9 am and 11 am, to avoid crowds. Alternatively, late afternoons after 3 pm can also offer a quieter experience.
8. What is the best time of the week to visit the Van Gogh Museum?
Weekdays, especially Monday to Thursday, are generally less crowded compared to weekends.
We recommend avoiding Fridays with extended opening hours and higher visitor numbers.
9.. How long should I take to visit the Van Gogh Museum?
On average, visitors spend 1 to 2 hours exploring the Van Gogh Museum, including the permanent exhibit and additional time for other exhibitions.
9. What is the best month to go to Amsterdam?
For a more peaceful visit to the Van Gogh Museum, consider visiting Amsterdam during the low tourist season, which spans from November to February.
During these months, crowds are minimal, and prices for accommodations and tickets are often cheaper.
10. What type of weather is in Amsterdam?
Amsterdam has a temperate maritime climate, with warm summers and fairly cold winters with rain, wind, and some snow.
11. Can I be late for the Van Gogh exhibition?
While it is recommended that you arrive within the time stated on your ticket, you can arrive within the next 30 minutes.
However, if you arrive later, your ticket will still be valid, but you may need to wait for space in the following time slots.
12. How long does going around the Van Gogh exhibition take?
The time taken to explore the Van Gogh exhibition varies based on individual interest and appreciation.
On average, visitors spend around 1 to 2 hours exploring the museum, including the various exhibits.
Featured Image :
