Moco Museum or Van Gogh: Which Amsterdam Art Museum to Visit?

Amsterdam’s Moco and Van Gogh Museum offer contrasting art experiences. Explore modern icons like Banksy at Moco or dive into Van Gogh’s emotional world. Let our guide help you choose—or plan to visit both for a complete artistic journey.

Amsterdam is a city that thrives on creativity, history, and a rich artistic heritage that has shaped its identity over centuries.  

Among its many cultural treasures, the Van Gogh Museum and the Moco Museum stand out as two of the city’s most popular and contrasting art museums.

The Van Gogh Museum takes visitors on an intimate journey through the life and works of one of the most iconic artists in history, offering a deep dive into his emotional and artistic evolution.  

In contrast, the Moco Museum captures the energy of modern and contemporary art, showcasing bold, provocative works by legends like Banksy, Basquiat, and Warhol in a vibrant and edgy setting.  

So, which one should you visit?  

This article dives into each art museum’s artworks, styles, timings, ticket prices, etc, helping you make an informed choice.

Quick Overview

If you’re drawn to modern, boundary-pushing art or admire icons like Banksy and Warhol, the Moco Museum is your ideal destination.

For those who prefer immersing themselves in the life and masterpieces of a legendary artist, the Van Gogh Museum offers an unforgettable journey into his world.

Whichever you choose, book your tickets early to skip the lines and make the most of your visit.

FeaturesVan Gogh MuseumMoco Museum
Hours9 am to 5 pm*9 am to 7 pm
Last entry4.30 pm6.15 pm
Duration of visit80 minutes60 to 90 minutes
LocationMuseumplein 6Honthorststraat 20, Museumplein area
Best time to visit9.30 am9 am to 11 am
Cost of ticketsFrom €24From €22
PurchaseBuy TicketsBuy Tickets

*Extended on weekends

About Van Gogh Museum

Family enjoys the artwork at Van Gogh MuseumPin
A family looks at one of the 200+ paintings on display at the Van Gogh Museum. What makes it truly unique is its chronological layout, guiding visitors through Van Gogh’s artistic journey—from his early, somber creations to the vivid, post-impressionist masterpieces. Image: Vangoghmuseum.nl

The Van Gogh Museum offers an unparalleled journey into the life and art of Vincent van Gogh, housing the largest collection of his works, including over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and 750 letters. 

Iconic masterpieces like The Potato Eaters and The Bedroom are displayed alongside personal letters, immersing visitors in Van Gogh’s emotional and artistic evolution. 

While the Van Gogh Museum focuses on the 19th-century world of a single artist, it contrasts with the Moco Museum’s broader celebration of modern and contemporary art. 

The Van Gogh Museum is a must-visit for those captivated by deep, personal narratives and artistic legacy.

Hours: 9 am to 5 pm
Last entry: 4.30 pm
Duration of visit: 80 minutes
Best for: Art enthusiasts, history lovers, and Van Gogh admirers.
Official website: Vangoghmuseum.nl

Van Gogh Museum attracts more than two million visitors annually, which is why it makes better sense to buy your tickets in advance. Nine out of ten visitors to the Van Gogh Museum opt for the standard entry ticket. Some combine the art museum visit with the Amsterdam Canal Cruise. Art aficionados who prefer to have someone to explain his life and artwork, opt for the guided tour of the museum.

About Moco Museum

Visitors at Moco Museum AmsterdamPin
A couple enjoys one of the paintings at Moco Museum. Founded with a mission to make art more accessible, the museum aims to attract a broader, younger audience by showcasing contemporary and thought-provoking works. Image: Mocomuseum.com

The Moco Museum is a dynamic showcase of modern and contemporary art, featuring works by groundbreaking artists like Banksy, Warhol, and Basquiat. 

Unlike the Van Gogh Museum’s focus on one artist’s journey, Moco curates bold, innovative pieces from the trend setters of the art world, blending permanent and exclusive temporary exhibitions. 

Its ability to display hidden gems from private collections offers a rare glimpse into the modern art scene. 

With its edgy, international appeal, the Moco Museum provides a lively contrast to the introspective and historical experience of the Van Gogh Museum, making it perfect for lovers of modern creativity.

Hours: 9 am to 7 pm
Last entry: 6.15 pm
Duration of visit: 60 to 90 minutes
Best for: Fans of modern, provocative, and pop art
Official website: Mocomuseum.com

As the Moco Museum is a popular choice for modern art lovers, buying a skip-the-line ticket ensures you won’t waste time in queues. For those who enjoy pairing art with scenic city views, a combo ticket for the Moco Museum and an Amsterdam Canal Cruise is a fantastic option. Alternatively, if you’d like to mix art with a taste of Amsterdam’s brewing tradition, the Moco Museum and Heineken Experience combo ticket is a popular choice.

Why not visit both Van Gogh and Moco Museum?  

Visiting both the Van Gogh Museum and the Moco Museum in Amsterdam offers a rich and diverse art experience, taking you on a journey from the depths of a single artist’s soul to the vibrant.

Skipping the Van Gogh Museum would mean missing a profound and intimate encounter with an artistic genius and his evolution. 

You’d miss the opportunity to see his most famous masterpieces such as The Potato Eaters, Sunflowers, Almond Blossom, Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat, etc, up close and to understand the context of his life and struggles. 

On the other hand, opting out of the Moco Museum would mean forgoing the chance to engage with a vibrant and often provocative collection of modern and contemporary art. 

You wouldn’t experience the ‘rockstar’ aura of artists like Banksy and Warhol and miss out on the museum’s unique focus on exclusive and subversive pieces.

Amsterdam pass doesn’t include entry to the Van Gogh Museum, but you needn’t worry because Tiqets.com offers a convenient combo which can get you entry to both the art museums and more.

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Researched & written by
Shanmathy S is passionate about wildlife and loves going on safaris. She travels extensively to observe majestic animals in their natural habitats, documenting each experience. For her, the joy of travel isn’t about the destination but about the journey and the opportunity to step out and keep moving. Shanmathy prefers traveling with a companion to share and write about these precious moments. Some of her favorite cities include Berlin, Budapest, and Athens, which reflect her diverse interests and love for different cultures. Favorite travel movie: Before Sunrise. Next destination: Amsterdam.

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