Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum opened on 2 June 1973 to house the collection of paintings, drawings and letters that passed from Vincent van Gogh to his brother Theo and then to Theo's family. It holds the largest collection of the artist's work anywhere, and it traces his short career from the dark, earthy studies he made in the Dutch countryside to the colour-filled canvases of his final years in France.

The galleries are arranged largely in chronological order, which makes the story easy to follow. Early rooms cover his years in the Netherlands, including The Potato Eaters, before the move to Paris, where his palette brightened under the influence of the Impressionists. The later rooms bring together works from Arles, Saint-Rémy and Auvers-sur-Oise, among them Sunflowers, The Bedroom and Almond Blossom, the painting he made to celebrate the birth of his nephew. Displays of his letters, sketchbooks and materials explain how he worked, and paintings by friends and contemporaries put his art in context.

The main building was designed by Gerrit Rietveld, one of the leading figures of De Stijl, while the separate exhibition wing, used for temporary shows, was designed by the Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. The two are linked underground, and the glass entrance hall faces Museumplein.

This is one of the most visited museums in the Netherlands, so planning matters. All tickets are sold online for a set time, and the most convenient slots can go well in advance, so book as soon as your dates are fixed. The museum opens daily from 9am, and closing times vary through the year, so check the website for the day of your visit. Allow around two hours, more if you want to read the letters closely or see the temporary exhibition. The museum works well for anyone with an interest in art, and teenagers who know a few of the famous paintings usually find it rewarding.

The museum is on Paulus Potterstraat at the western side of Museumplein, a few minutes' walk from both the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum. Trams stop on Van Baerlestraat nearby. If you plan to visit all three museums, spread them across two days rather than cramming them into one.