Walk through the museum with an art-historian guide who can read the brushstrokes and quote the letters Vincent wrote about each painting. Audio guides, live experts, and small-group tours — pick the format that fits the way you want to visit.
Buy TicketsThe Van Gogh Museum offers self-guided multimedia tours and small-group expert-led visits. The right choice depends on whether you want narration, conversation or contemplation. See our visitors guide for help choosing, and the best time to visit page if you want a quieter tour experience.
Find the right format for your group and your pace
The official audio guide on the museum app, in 9 languages, narrated using Vincent's own letters. €3.50 add-on, ~90 minutes of content. Best value for first-time visitors.
Up to 10 people with a licensed art-historian guide, 90 minutes covering the masterpieces and Vincent's biography. Q&A throughout — your guide can go deeper on whatever interests your group.
A child-friendly version with hands-on activities, sketching prompts and stories. Best for ages 6–12 and noticeably better than the standard audio guide for kids.
A guided tour during the Friday late openings. Smaller crowds, live music in the hall before or after, and an option to add drinks afterwards on Museumplein.
For a first visit, the multimedia tour is the best value by a wide margin. The narration uses Vincent's own words from the 750+ letters he wrote to his brother Theo, so you hear the artist describe each canvas as he was painting it — there is no closer approximation to having Vincent walk you through.
If you have an art-history background, want depth, or simply prefer a human voice and the chance to ask questions, book the small-group expert tour. Families with children should pick the family tour over the standard audio guide; it is paced for shorter attention spans and includes sketching prompts that turn the visit into an activity rather than a lecture.
All tours start at the Entrance Hall meeting point. Arrive 15 minutes early to clear security and the cloakroom — being late means missing the introduction inside.
Languages, group sizes, and what is included