The MOCO (Modern Contemporary) Museum Amsterdam is an independently funded museum on Museumplein, close to the Van Gogh Museum. Book your MOCO Museum entry tickets here
Opened in 2016, MOCO brings exhibitions featuring major protagonists and pioneers of the modern art world. It has become one of the most well visited museums in Amsterdam.
The MOCO museum is located in the Villa Alsberg townhouse on Museumplein. This building dates from 1904 and was designed by Dutch architect Eduard Cuypers, cousin of the iconic Pierre Cuypers who designed the nearby Rijksmuseum and also Amsterdam Central Station.
The house was a family home until 1939, was then used by priests teaching at the Saint Nicolas school and subsequently became the offices of a law firm.
The MOCO museum was founded by Lionel and Kim Logchies, owners of the Lionel Gallery in Amsterdam.
The opening exhibition was Banksy: Laugh Now which has since become a permanent fixture at MOCO. This features many iconic works from the UK street artist including Laugh Now, Barcode, Girl with Balloon, Kids on Guns, Love is in the Air (Flower Thrower) and Kate Moss.
The centrepiece of the Banksy exhibition is the large Beanfield work.
Banksy’s works are exhibited at the ground floor and level 1. Although not authorised by Banksy, all exhibited works are authenticated by Pest Control, the only official body that can verify his work.
The Moco Masters series is found on floors 1 and 2. This includes contrasting works from the likes of Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin and Keith Haring.
Also at MOCO (level -1) is Reflecting Forward by Studio Irma, an immersive digital experience featuring 4 rooms: We All Live in Bubbles, Kaleidoscope, Diamond Matrix and Connect The Dots & Universe.
MOCO also runs some temporary exhibitions – currently showing is the New FuTure, an exhibition about digital art NFTs (non-fungible tokens).
There is an audio tour (own device only) which complements the exhibitions. It is available in 6 languages – Dutch, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.
The museum has a small gift shop on the ground floor (level -1).
Outside the Moco Garden displays various works of art, which can also be glimpsed over the fence from outside the museum grounds.
Please note, due to the relatively small size of the building and the popularity of the museum, it can get a little crowded at times. Choose an early morning or late evening timeslot for a quieter experience.
The building has no lifts (only stairs) so it is not wheelchair accessible. However, wheelchair users are admitted to the ground floor for free.
The MOCO has firmly established itself as one of Amsterdam’s premier museums. It is a must-visit for fans of modern contemporary art.
Also of interest in Amsterdam: STRAAT – Street Art and Graffiti Museum
In 2021 MOCO opened a sister museum in Barcelona
How To Book MOCO Museum Tickets
To visit the MOCO Museum you must book a ticket and an entry timeslot online in advance. It is not possible to turn up and buy a ticket over-the-counter at the museum. Note, even those with an I Amsterdam City Card and GO City cards must pre-book their timeslot!
Entry timeslots are offered in 15 minute increments.
MOCO Museum Essential Info
| Opening Times | 0900-2100 daily |
| Admission Prices (2024) | Up to €24.95 for adults, €21.95 for children 7-17 and students. FREE entry for children 0-6 and I Amsterdam City Card holders and GO City All Inclusive Pass holders. Note, the Museumkaart is NOT valid. Book your MOCO Museum entry tickets here Alternatively, order the I Amsterdam City Card online here which includes free entrance to the MOCO Museum. Or book a Go City: Amsterdam All Inclusive Pass here |
| Getting There | The MOCO Museum is a 10 minute walk from Leidseplein. From Amsterdam Central, trams 2 and 12 stop at the nearby Rijksmuseum; or take metro line 52 to Vijzelgracht station which is about 7 mins walk away; from Amsterdam Zuid, take metro 52 or tram 5; from Amsterdam Sloterdijk take tram 19 to Spiegelgracht stop; from Schiphol airport, bus 397 also stops at the Rijksmuseum. See Public Transport Tickets in Amsterdam |
MOCO Museum, Honthorststraat 20, 1071 DE Amsterdam
T: +31(0)20 370 1997, mocomuseum.com
Last updated 2 January 2024. This article was first published in 2016 and has been regularly updated.
Links on AmsterdamTips.com may pay us an affiliate commission.
