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    Red Light Secrets

    3.8 (44 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 8:30 PM

    By appointment only

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    Scott L.

    Worth half the €17.00 fee to have a recording of a gravelly Russian accented "Irena the Guide Prostitute," explain in uncomfortable detail what her job was as you wander through a small, tight maze of rooms filled with whore memorabilia. Interesting; most of the museum patrons are women. My guess is they, like me, were curious enough about the Red Light District to visit the museum in daylight, with absolutely no intention of ever returning at night. Yuck!

    Step-by-step guide!
    Louisa M.

    It was my first time in Amsterdam and, after arriving around 8 pm, I had to head straight to the Red Light District to see what all the fuss was about. It quickly became clear that I needed to learn more -- a lot more -- about the city's long legacy of legal prostitution. As I wandered down the narrow streets with women posing in the red-lit windows, my thirst for knowledge reached an all-time high. That's when I crossed paths with the Red Light Secrets and their Museum of Prostitution. It was open (at 11:00 pm!) and I insisted that my hubby take me inside. I remember physically grabbing his hand and insisting we go no matter the cost, which rarely happens because I'm a bit of a cheapskate. We got the audio guide too, which is also something I never do at museums but I highly recommend it here. It's informative but also super entertaining and narrated by a former prostitute with a wicked sense of humor. Apparently there are discount coupons to be found around town but we didn't use one. It was still a deal at 12 euros per person, but you can knock off a couple of bucks with the coupon. The property is in a small canal house and can get very crowded. I'd go after dark for the full effect, as the museum is open very late. The museum is absolutely fascinating and it answered every single one of my questions (and thoroughly at that). I was soaking up info like a sponge. There's a lively history of the world's oldest profession, a mock-up of what a typical lady's room looks like inside, there's a step-by-step guide on "How to Be a Successful Prostitute," and you can even pose with props in a red light window with videos of virtual customers ogling just to see how it feels. I don't want to spoil the best parts of the exhibit but my favorites included a display of real items that real customers have left behind over the years (a set of false teeth, wallets, and more keys than you can count), and a really amazing Wall of Confessions from real visitors where you can write an anonymous card with a sexy secret from your past or present. I highly recommend this museum to all open-minded visitors to Amsterdam.

    Sittin' in the window!
    Erika G.

    Incredibly well done! Being fascinated with the lives and livelihoods of prostitutes, as I am, this museum was a MUST SEE for me. I was struck by how the subject matter of this museum was treated with honesty, respect, reality and humanity. Well designed exhibits contained a lot of information and interesting facts. I especially liked two areas. The first was a bench to sit on, with a video screen, where you could see men walk by as if you were the special on offer. Their leers, jeers and sneaky glances put you right in the shoes of a working girl. And honestly, got a bit unsettling after awhile. The other was a window with a red light, where you could sit and pretend that you were actually working. People congregated on the street below gave you a good idea of what it might be like to sit in one of those windows, waiting. All in all, a sympathetic portrait of the world's oldest profession. Highly recommended.

    Tina H.

    I love this museum! I came out of this museum with so much more respect for sex workers! I even at one point thought "I should be a sex worker!" "They have so much confidence!" Each room shows gives a glimpse of the sex workers work environment! This museum also shows the struggles and horrors that sex workers have to endure! Check this place out then check out the red light district! Also buy the tickets online it's cheaper! :)

    Sam C.

    The Red Light Secrets Museum of Prostitution is on the center of the Red Light district in Amsterdam. I think it is cool tour and worth visiting. The museum is bigger then i expected.

    A peeskamer; what's behind the red curtain.
    Debbie B.

    Titled the Secrets of Prostitution, and located in the heart of the Red Light District, this array of displays and short films tells the story of a day in the life of a Red Light sex worker. You're given a glimpse of what it's like to sit on display in the window, walk through a replica peeskamer, then on to the high end brothel mock up, which is so gaudy and kitsch I wanted to take it home with me. There's a few other bits to the museum, including a short film by Duval Guillaume, in conjunction with Stop The Traffik, stories from some of the workers themselves, and an array of lost and never found items, left by clients. It's quite a short exhibit, but at €7.50 entry I would encourage anyone visiting Amsterdam, in particular the Red Light District to pop in. It's a glimpse in to the reality of lives of the body perfect girls, who look to be happy displaying their wares in the peeskamer, but whom in truth probably arrived in The Dam with higher expectations of a new life.

    Working girls window
    Tamara T.

    I'm for NYC and this was an amazing experience for me. We have all heard of the red light district prostitution but at the end of the day I didn't know anything about it. This museum answered so many questions for me. I chose not to get the audio tour because it's such a quick tour and I can read the signs and explore by myself. This location use to be operational but after an incident occurred there they closed shop and made it a museum. It's great to go through what the girl would do on a regular. Seeing their intimate corners and being able to sit at the window to experience how they felt and worked was an experience on its own. Great spot to go to very educational and opens your eyes up a little more.

    Lindsay A.

    Red Light Secrets is a small museum focused on the history of prostitution in Amsterdam and the Netherlands. The museum sheds light on both the good and bad of prostitution in the area. It doesn't take long to go through the exhibits, but they are very informational. One interesting part towards the beginning of the museum is the window walk through, which gives you an idea of what is feels like being a prostitute looking down on pedestrians passing by the windows. The museum does not just put a positive or fun spin on prostitution, but also focused on the seedy and negative side to the industry as well. The end of the museum is actually the most fascinating to me because it shows the dark side of prostitution. There was a dedicated memorial inside to the girls who have been murdered in Amsterdam since 1956 while working as prostitutes. Additionally, there was information about the sex trafficking aspects to the industry in Amsterdam. I really enjoyed the museum and would highly recommend stopping by to gain some knowledge about the Red Light District.

    Paul P.

    Interesting place in the heart of the red light district. This is a "museum" of sorts, attempting to illustrate the business of prostitution in Amsterdam. The entry fee is reasonable, so we gave it a try. We also sprung for the self guided audio tour. The audio portion was OK, but I found myself not using it most of the time for a variety of reasons. The place is set up logically, there is a movie to watch and then you make your way through a variety of rooms that contain various exhibits. The most interesting aspect was on the second floor where you find yourself standing in a room directly above the street, and realize you are in what would be where a prostitute would be working, red light, and real people staring up at you. There are a lot of not so pleasant statistics and exhibits that illustrate the pitfalls of prostitution, and we left feeling sad for the workers in the industry. If you find yourself in the red light district, this place is a worthwhile stop.

    Entrance
    Kanchan B.

    So I got dragged in here by the travelers I was with (really!) but once in, enjoyed myself (ha, get it?) I mean enjoyed learning about the working life of the working girls. We got 50cents off entry price thanks to a guidebook we had picked up and so cost us €7 to wander through the rooms. It's quite small, but info is well presented and there are cool interactive maps plus a quiz about the stats. There are also displays of two types of rooms - one for the girl working in the red light room, and the other for girls (women?) who work for a fixed wage. My top three experiences at this museum were (in no particular order): - the window you walk through and see the pedestrians outside looking up at you - a bit unnerving - the 7 minute video into the banality of these women's life (a neighboring kid comes to pet the prostitute's dog); and - the secret sex confessions at the end - I read with amusement, disgust, shock and horror some of the things people discussed they had done sexually. Also while meant to be anonymous, some people actually put in their full names (maybe? Or maybe the name of people they hate??) So it took us like 45 mins and def worth the time to have a look-see.

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    It really is a museum. It was somewhat educational or at least more informative than entertaining.

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    12 years ago

    Not what we initially expected, but really a great place to check out if you want the truth about things here. Glad I went.

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    10 years ago

    Great place interactive museum but come with an open mind the topic might be hard for some. Overall it's awesome!

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    Van Gogh Museum - From top floor of exhibit looking down

    Van Gogh Museum

    4.4(768 reviews)
    2.1 kmMuseumkwartier, Zuid

    I am beyond amazed that I get to see the actual Sunflower painting!! O.M.G!…read more I'm not posting any artwork here, because I don't want to take away anyone's experience. If I could go back to Amsterdam, I would definitely go back to this museum again. Yellow is such a joyful color. After visiting the museum, it has a deeper meaning to me. I went through entire museum floor by floor, showroom by showroom. Every corner has something that amazes me. I also got a chance to see how Van Gogh actually looked like! My goodness. I couldn't believe my eyes. A few tips: 1- you must make a reservation online ahead of time. I saw many people got turned away while I was waiting in line for security check. 1b- it's okay to be in line 15 minutes before your supposed arrival time. 2-it's best to buy the audio tour ticket along with the entrance fee instead of buying it on site. It was sold out when I got there. 3-there is a book store on the top floor, and you can actually take home a blank Sunflower coloring sheet for free! It's on an easel at the corner by the window.

    My solo trip to the museum was nice. My tour guide Anna was…read moreabsolutely incredible. The time flew with intriguing stories outside the text books behind every piece of art we stopped at and the journey in between. She had this way of Drama and intrigue- better than any American reality show. My favorite part was just her instructions on how to look at his art - from afar to capture the true genius. It was nice, I recommend visiting for sure.

    Photos
    Van Gogh Museum - Some of van Gogh's influences

    Some of van Gogh's influences

    Van Gogh Museum - Lobby

    Lobby

    Van Gogh Museum - Cafe on ground level under the stairs and escalators

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    Cafe on ground level under the stairs and escalators

    Anne Frank Huis - The room where the introduction is given.

    Anne Frank Huis

    4.6(756 reviews)
    1.0 kmCentrum

    I cried. I cried the day before…read more I cried the moment the curator said "today we're going to discuss Anne Frank." There is a window that opens on a certain day and it'll cover the next 6 weeks. If you miss this window, you won't get tickets. I almost missed the window as I completely forgot my 9hour time difference. For me, it opens midnight on Monday! Keep that in mind. So we got the 30 minute presentation + the tour of the place. There are no cameras allowed - that's to preserve the integrity of Anne's diary. There was also a section dedicated to Margot. Margot would have been 100 years old if she was here today. May god rest her soul. Turns out, Margot also kept a diary but it was lost when the bad people came to take the family away. Additionally, there was an entire team of people dedicated to keeping the family safe during their difficult time. Walking through the staircase to the annex felt - eerie and heartbreaking, you can see and experience the tight conditions in which the family lived. I had to duck my head to get to through the bookshelf that lead to the annex. Lots of the areas were bare because the bad people destroyed mostly everything. Though Anne's actual posters and pictures remained. There were also anecdotes from the friends and helpers about Anne and Margot. And even Peter as well. This is something I think every human should experience at least once in their lives. If you haven't read her diary, please do. Because sadly history tends to repeat itself.

    You must buy tickets in advance or you're unlikely to get in. I was wearing a small backpack that…read morethey let me keep on, as long as I wore it to the front. There's still a little line for the time you've booked, but that's just to stagger the entry a bit. The audio component was helpful to explain what we were seeing, but there was no audio for the living area for the Franks, et al. I suppose it was to make the mood more somber, but I think it would have been helpful. Knowing the story makes the place an overwhelming visit, but I agree with some other reviewers that some replica items in the living spaces could give the scene a more authentic feel for visitors. I also wish that they let fewer people enter at once so there was more time to really explore and reflect, rather than the 'keep it moving' feel that I had. That being said, it's still worth visiting.

    Photos
    Anne Frank Huis - Cafe

    Cafe

    Anne Frank Huis - The steeple of Westerkerk by Anne Frank's house from which she Gould hear the daily bell tolls

    The steeple of Westerkerk by Anne Frank's house from which she Gould hear the daily bell tolls

    Anne Frank Huis - Anne Frank.

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    Anne Frank.

    Heineken Experience - Milling the grain

    Heineken Experience

    4.1(592 reviews)
    1.8 kmDe Pijp, Zuid
    €€

    I was informed by several travel blogs that this is a tourist trap, but honestly, SO WHAT IF IT…read moreIS?? In my opinion, t's absolutely worth the time and money for a 90-minute Heineken experience! Not to mention, my husband and I each got 2 beers for free!! We had to wait a little bit to get in, even though it was a weekday. The lockers were almost full, but I heard that there was a coat check area. The tour guide was very interactive with the audience and we also had moments to sit down and watch a 360 degree video in an elevator. I didn't pay for the roof top extra access, because I wanted to spend more on souvenirs and customized beer bottles. Next time if I ever go back to Amsterdam, I would absolutely go back again just for the gift shop and the beer.

    Touring the original Heineken brewery and learning how their beer is made was a delight. There is a…read moresmall walk-through history exhibit in the old grain silo area that describes Heineken's origins and how the business grew. I appreciated the honest look at the company's humble beginnings. Every great business venture has to start somewhere. The most critical lesson: success is rarely an overnight feat. It takes years of dedication, effort, and learning. Learning not just from your mistakes, but from other people who've gone before you. My experience featured a "Brew You" immersive attraction that puts you in the brew chamber and production line. The bottling line is (not really) transformed into a roller coaster, ending in a taste of the Heineken signature beer. There's a brewery-style bar where you can hang out and enjoy your beer. I opted to go up to the rooftop. You get a few more options for your drink and you get to enjoy views of the Amsterdam skyline. I liked their rooftop and will happily go up there again. I can see it from my hotel.

    Photos
    Heineken Experience - Historic brew room

    Historic brew room

    Heineken Experience - Historic brew room

    Historic brew room

    Heineken Experience - Old brewing area.

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    Old brewing area.

    Stedelijk Museum - More 20th century art and objects, Alexander Calder mobile hanging from ceiling

    Stedelijk Museum

    4.0(91 reviews)
    2.2 kmMuseumkwartier, Zuid

    If you're going to take in a modern art museum while in Amsterdam, Stedelijk Museum is a good…read moreoption. Admission is €22.50, but if you're 18 and under - it's free! Two hours is a good amount of time to allow to explore the museum, from my experience. Prebook your time for an optimal, smooth experience. It's actually right by the Van Gogh museum so can make for a good accompaniment to that. Weekday mornings are best to avoid crowds. Grab one of their free audio tours when you walk in to get all the details on what you're seeing while walking through!

    If you're into modern art and design, the Stedelijk is a must. The location is perfect--it's right…read moreon Museumplein, so it's close to everything and easy to work into a day of sightseeing. The museum is huge, and the collection is incredibly diverse, ranging from classic modernists like Mondrian and Picasso to wild contemporary installations. Definitely plan to spend at least 2 to 3 hours here if you want to see both the permanent collection and the rotating exhibitions without rushing. One of the highlights for me was the cafe (Fonda/Sandberg). It has a beautiful, airy design with lots of natural light, making it the perfect spot to recharge with a coffee after walking through the galleries. The "bathtub" architecture is just as cool on the inside as it is on the outside!

    Photos
    Stedelijk Museum - Lobby seating at communal tables

    Lobby seating at communal tables

    Stedelijk Museum - Lobby around closing time

    Lobby around closing time

    Stedelijk Museum - Museum library

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    Museum library

    Erotic Museum Amsterdam - Abends beleuchtet.

    Erotic Museum Amsterdam

    2.8(10 reviews)
    0.0 kmDe Wallen, Centrum

    I've been chomping at the bit to write a review on this puppy. You know the saying "When in…read moreRome...", well, this stop falls into the category of "When in Amsterdam..." I don't typically find myself at sex museums, but this time, I figured what the hell. Located in the Red Light District, this charmer of a museum aims to strike visitors from the get go with a Dutch female mannequin perched upon a bicycle with a dildo pumping in out and out as she merrily pedals along. Oh what? You don't regularly see Dutch gals on bikes getting it as they roll along? I have to say it was a sour start to the visit. I had hoped the museum would take a moderate stance that didn't objectify women throughout every inch of the four-story building. However, my friend and I entered with an open mind (he seemed to be especially excited) and curious approach. The museum is organized into four small rooms that continue to wind upward floor after floor. One would expect even an Erotic Museum to have nameplates to describe the clay sculptures of Chinese women double-teaming a man sporting a golden, leg-like rod and papyrus covered with naked fairies you find yourself gazing upon. Unfortunately, their were no such nameplates - rather, they were described with simple plates like "China 1945" or "Madonna 1989". In addition to a lack of nameplates, there seems to be no particular organization or pattern from room to room (other than the dedicated S+M floor complete with a mannequin draped upon a chained chair perfect for perverted picture opps). I prefer my sex museums orderly and with rhythm. Maybe I'm a snobby museum-goer, but I'm not going to deny that I like to know what the hell I'm looking at and a building full of sex-related nicknacks isn't going to cut it. One last note, be sure to peek your head in the cartoony side room complete with ceramic mushrooms to sit upon and the.weirdest.fucking.film. you've ever seen. I believe this cartoon porn was created in America based on the English dialect. Imagine (yes, I said imagine - so play along): a cartoon female with only her breasts exposed and cats and other talking animals "putting it to her" or battling raging boners. Weird. Really weird. Like kinda sorta made my skin crawl watching it. But, I'm going to tell you to check it out, but only because it was THAT weird and I want to hear what you think of it.

    This place is not particularly 'Erotic', and would not per se fall in the traditional category of…read more'Museum'. It is however exactly what you would imagine that dirty old man from across the streets basement looks like. The collection of artifacts and..things.. is eclectic, outrageous and humorous. Do not come here if you are of the conservative kind, expecting to see G rated paintings and statues. It's pretty much dicks and dildos galore, and most of the depicted scenes are pretty demented. The room full of black and white antiquated porn is interesting, but not nearly as great as the room filled with mushrooms. Take a seat on one of these huge mushrooms, maybe pop a magic one you bought earlier in the day and enjoy the most fucked up movie you will ever watch. It's a cartoon involving beastiality with cutesie characters if that says enough. I came here as a total joke and to kill some time one day, and actually had a pretty alright time here, considering. If you are visiting Amsterdam for say, three days, this is not the place you'd want to waste your time. However, if you are done 'windowshopping' around the neighborhood, or end up needing shelter for one of the Netherlands' famous downpours - go ahead and push your boundaries for a few minutes. Please try not to fall down the steps tho, with your touristy feet that aren't used to STEEP stairs. I don't know how Dutchies are the tallest folk on Earth and can stand the tiny-ness of everything in their country. Good thing I am fun-sized. Anyways, like I said; this place is not for the faint of heart - but if you have a cooky sense of humor you will be sure to share a few laughs with your buds. PS. Going here you might finally understand why us Dutchies are so keen on biking everywhere. I'm totally kidding of course.. Maybe.

    Photos
    Erotic Museum Amsterdam - Frau Antje

    Frau Antje

    Erotic Museum Amsterdam
    Erotic Museum Amsterdam

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    Red Light Secrets - adultentertainment - Updated July 2026

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