Van Gogh Museum Opening Hours

Knowing the Van Gogh Museum opening hours before you book matters more than at most attractions. The museum operates a strict timed-entry system — every visitor, including those with discount cards or free entry, must hold a ticket with a confirmed start time. Without one, you cannot enter, regardless of when you arrive. Getting the hours right is the first step to a smooth visit.

Standard Daily Opening Hours

The Van Gogh Museum follows a consistent daily schedule for most of the year:

The Friday extended opening is one of the best-kept secrets for timing a quieter visit. The museum’s evening hours on Fridays attract fewer large tour groups and give visitors a more relaxed experience with the collection. If your Amsterdam itinerary gives you a choice, a Friday evening visit is worth prioritising.

Last Entry Time

Last admission is 30 minutes before closing on standard days (5:30 PM) and 30 minutes before closing on Friday evenings (8:30 PM). Arriving after these times means you will not be admitted, even with a valid ticket. If you are travelling by public transport or walking from elsewhere in the city, factor in a 10–15 minute buffer to reach the entrance before last entry.

Holiday Hours and Closures

The Van Gogh Museum has one annual closure: 1 January. The museum is otherwise open every day of the year, including all Dutch public holidays. This is worth noting because several major Amsterdam attractions do close on public holidays — the Van Gogh Museum does not.

However, hours on certain public holidays and during the festive season can differ from the standard schedule. The museum may open later or close earlier on specific dates, particularly around Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Always verify the exact hours for your visit date through the official Van Gogh Museum website or your ticket confirmation.

Hours During Special and Temporary Exhibitions

When the museum hosts a major temporary exhibition, it occasionally adjusts its opening hours — sometimes extending them to manage higher visitor volumes. Past exhibitions have prompted limited Friday evening extensions and occasional Saturday late openings. If your visit is timed around a specific exhibition, check the dedicated exhibition page on the museum’s site for any adjusted hours.

The Van Gogh Museum typically runs two to three temporary exhibitions per year alongside its permanent collection. To see what is showing during your visit, the temporary exhibitions guide has a current overview.

How the Timed-Entry System Works

All visitors must book a ticket with a specific start time before arriving at the museum. This applies to:

• Standard adult tickets (€25)
• Student tickets (€15)
• Under-18 visitors (free, but still require a timed-entry reservation)
• Museumkaart holders (free entry, but a timed reservation is mandatory)
• Any other discount card or concession holders

Your start time is your window to enter the museum — not your departure time. Once inside, you are free to stay until closing. Re-entry is not permitted once you leave the building.

Tickets are available online only, through the official museum ticketing site and a small number of authorised resellers. There are no tickets for sale at the door. For a full breakdown of where to buy safely and what each ticket type includes, see our Van Gogh Museum tickets guide.

What to Do If Your Time Slot Has Passed

If you arrive after your booked start time, museum staff will typically still admit you within a reasonable window — usually up to 30 minutes late — as a courtesy. If you are significantly late, you may be asked to wait for the next available entry slot or rebook for a different time. The museum is generally understanding of minor delays, but this is not guaranteed during peak periods when capacity is tightly managed.

Planning Around Opening Hours

Understanding the museum’s hours feeds directly into planning the rest of your Amsterdam day. A few practical patterns:

• Morning visit + afternoon city exploration: Book the 9:00 AM slot, spend 90 minutes to 2 hours inside, and have the rest of the day free for the Rijksmuseum (a five-minute walk away) or a canal cruise. See our guide on how to get to the Van Gogh Museum for tram routes and walking directions.
• Afternoon visit + dinner: A 3:00 PM or 4:00 PM slot gives you quieter galleries and puts you in the Museumplein area for early evening. The neighbourhood has good dining options within easy reach.
• Friday evening: Arrive at 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM, spend two hours in the museum, and still have time for dinner in Amsterdam. This is one of the most pleasant ways to experience the collection.

To decide the overall best time for your visit based on crowds and seasons, read our guide to the best time to visit the Van Gogh Museum.