Van Abbemuseum

The Van Abbemuseum is the art museum of Eindhoven and one of the first public museums for contemporary art in Europe. On the Stratumsedijk, on the bank of the Dommel just south of the city centre, it shows modern and contemporary art from around the world in a building that is a landmark in itself.

A cigar manufacturer's gift

The museum is named after Henri van Abbe, an Eindhoven cigar manufacturer who loved modern art. He founded the museum, and it opened in 1936 on the east bank of the Dommel. The original building, designed by Alexander Kropholler, is a symmetrical sequence of galleries in a traditional style, built with the sun in mind. In 2003 Queen Beatrix opened a large extension by architect Abel Cahen, including a 27-metre tower that you can see from far away. Together, the old and the new building form one of the most interesting museum complexes in the Netherlands.

The collection

The collection holds more than 3,400 works of art. Highlights include one of the largest collections of paintings by El Lissitzky in the world, Femme en vert by Pablo Picasso, Hommage à Apollinaire by Marc Chagall, and works by Oskar Kokoschka, Joseph Beuys, Marlene Dumas and many contemporary artists from different continents. The museum is known for its critical, experimental approach: rather than simply hanging masterpieces on the wall, it asks questions about time, community, history and the role of the museum itself.

Since June 2026 the collection is shown in a new presentation, Collection as Cosmos, which offers a different perspective on time, and the ground floor has been redesigned as the Dommelplein. From 17 October 2026 to 21 February 2027 the exhibition Museum as Sundial treats the old building as a giant sundial.

Opening hours and tickets

• Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 to 17:00. Closed on Mondays (and on a few public holidays; check the website).
• Adults: €16.
• Students, CJP card and Teacher Card holders: €8.
• Children under 13: free.
• Family pass (2 adults and up to 3 children): €32.
• Free: for everyone on Tuesdays from 15:00 to 17:00, and with a Museumkaart.

For families and newcomers

The Van Abbemuseum is surprisingly good with children. On Saturday afternoons there is a Children's Art Club for ages 6 to 12, and on the first Saturday of the month a Family Art Club. The museum also organises a Newcomers Event several times a year for people who have just moved to the region, as well as tours for people who are blind or have low vision and programmes for people with dementia. All information is available in English.

Accessibility and facilities

The museum is accessible for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and walkers, and two wheelchairs are available on request. The Van Abbe café has a terrace by the river.

Getting there

The museum is about a fifteen-minute walk from Eindhoven Centraal. The nearest bus stop, Bilderdijklaan, is a minute's walk away. Car parks are available at the Stadhuisplein, the Stadskantoor and the Heuvel, all within five minutes' walk. Bike parking is right next to the main entrance on the Stratumsedijk.

See also our museums guide and all culture and exhibitions in Eindhoven.