The Netherlands · GHOST & DARK HISTORY TOURS
Plague, witch trials and a canal ring with a long memory. These 12 are compared on how much is history and how much is theatre, priced by length, with a note on which suit older children.
Step into Amsterdam’s darker past at the Amsterdam Dungeon, where live actors lead you through witch trials, torture, ghosts, the Spanish Inquisition, and the cursed Flying Dutchman. Expect strong audience participation, dark rooms, comedy, jump scares, and a few hands-on scenes. The attraction is near Dam Square and accessible by metro or tram.
“So much fun and a little scary at times! The actors were fabulous”
Tour Bonton, an upscale brothel in a canal house beside the Heineken Experience, with a former sex worker such as Angel, Gia, Lucy, or Pandora. In 45 to 60 minutes, you’ll hear personal stories, learn about legal sex work and worker safety, explore VIP rooms, scan QR codes, and try the strip poles.
“Angel was very knowledgable, giving a good history of sex work, and how it has evolved over time, and how things such as Prohibition and the Lockdown affected sex workers. The tour was fantastic and Angel encouraged people to look around, and included a free drink for us as well! Good value for money, a good laugh, as well as educational. Thank you very much!”
Spend about 2.5 hours at two central Amsterdam attractions. Pose with George Clooney, Adele, Martin Garrix, Dutch royals, Van Gogh, and Rembrandt at Madame Tussauds, then follow actors through 500 years of grim Amsterdam history at the Dungeon. The Dungeon is darker, funnier, and more theatrical, while Tussauds offers easy photo stops for families and pop-culture fans.
“Both madame Tussauds and the dungeons were both good attractions. My younger daughter(age 11 1/2) didn't like the dungeons so i left after the first couple of rooms, my other daughter (age 14) and partner enjoy the rest of the attractions. Good value for money buy as a combo deal.”
Walk through Amsterdam’s darker past on a two-hour English tour led by guides such as Sunil, Duncan, Jan, or Julia. Starting at Dam Square, you’ll hear stories tied to Nieuwe Kerk, Spinhuis, Begijnhof, Blood Street, and the Waag. Expect strong city history, humor, and ghost tales rather than nonstop scares.
“I got to see a side of Amsterdam I haven’t heard about. Not only ghost stories but tales of the history of the city and how it came to be 10/10”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Nieuwe Kerk in Dam Square for a two-hour walk through Amsterdam’s darker side. Hear ghost stories, unsolved crimes, executions, and tales of sailors who vanished, with stops at Begijnhof, Bloedstraat, Spooksteeg, and the Weeping Tower. Guides such as Maria and Pilar mix spooky legends with solid city history.
“Excellent tour, good information and great guide, Maria was awesome. I recommend this tour to have a different view of the city.”
Follow a local guide through Amsterdam after dark, from Nieuwe Kerk and the former Spinhuis women’s prison to Begijnhof, Blood Street, and the Waag. Expect a blend of documented history, ghost tales, dark humor, and lesser-known lanes. Guides may include Sunil, Lola, Stefan, or Alexios, depending on the date.
“Great tour had a great time 😎 learned some interesting things about Amsterdam. Tour guide kept us entertained.”
You get an Amsterdam Dungeon time slot plus a one-hour Lovers canal cruise through the UNESCO-listed canal ring. Expect live actors, torture scenes, special effects, and an English GPS audio guide in 19 languages on the boat. Reserve the cruise time separately at a Tours & Tickets shop.
“Tge Dungeons was such a good laugh, the characters really went for it. Thought it was a little cheesy at first but got into it and wad so funny. I would definitely do it again and highly recommend anyone to try it.”
Follow an English-speaking guide through Amsterdam’s darker past on a two-hour walk for up to 10 people. Hear the story of Helena, visit the House with the Heads, cross Torensluis Bridge, and listen for cries at the Weeping Tower. Guides such as Axel bring humor and history to the evening.
“Axel was an amazing guide. He managed to combine the city’s history with the haunted stories and that made the tour itself even more interesting than what we were expecting. Would definitely recommend!”
Meet your Dutch, English, or German-speaking guide at Hallo Dordrecht on Voorstraat. Over 1.5 hours, you’ll hear unsettling stories of murders, piracy, witches, disasters, and crime while walking through Dordrecht’s old center. Guides including Marco and Joes have led this private, wheelchair-accessible tour.
“Prachtige toer door Dordrecht met spannende verhalen omlijst. Erg leuk als familie uitje. Verrast over de schoonheid en historie van Dordrecht. Geweldige gids. Dank je wel Marco”
Meet guide Gerg at Dam Square at 8 pm for an 80-minute walk through Amsterdam’s darker past. Expect costume performances, ghost legends, crime stories, and lesser-known streets, ending near Prins Hendrikkade. Groups are capped at 10, and the tour runs in English.
“This is not just a tour but a whole new way to Experience Amsterdam! 😊 I don’t want to spoil it for the people who are about to join but I would recommend it 10/10. Our tour guide got us to places that otherwise we could never have been able to find. He had a very deep knowledge of Amsterdam and the Dutch way of living. He was also really kind, friendly, and flexible. After the tour we asked him to join us for a beer, and we spent an additional hour in a nearby bar talking about the Architecture and the History of the city. Highly recommended!”
Explore Amsterdam’s spooky side with a self-guided phone game that leads you from Hotel Prins Hendrik to Westerkerk. Solve 15 puzzles at places such as Bloedstraat, Montelbaanstoren, Dam Square, the Homomonument, and the Amsterdam Dungeon. Plan about 2.5 hours, pause whenever you like, and pay attraction entry fees only if you choose to go inside.
“Only drawback was construction and one of the clues was closed when we got there. We learned a lot of history and had a great time!!”
Walk Hattem’s compact old center with the VoiceMap app as your guide. The route links a windmill, Anton Pieck Museum, medieval Dijk Gate, Dutch Bakery Museum, Spookhuys, church, Town Hall, and Voerman Museum. Allow about 45 minutes to 2 hours 20 minutes, depending on stops. Bring your phone and headphones.
“I walked this tour on a sunny afternoon in December. I loved the stories that were told about this really small but beautiful city. Especially the stories about "het Spookhuys" and the walk outside the citywall. Really beautiful!!!”
Pick a canal, a gallery or a road out of town.
