Amsterdam: Red Light Secrets Museum Entry Ticket
Hightlight
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English-Speaking
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Group-Friendly
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Local guide
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Reservations
History
Red Light Secrets opened in 2014 as the world’s first and only museum dedicated to prostitution, housed in a 17th-century canal house at Oudezijds Achterburgwal 60h—once an active brothel. The building’s preserved interiors, from red-lit windows to narrow staircases, offer an authentic backdrop to Amsterdam’s 800-year sex work legacy.
Curated with input from current and former sex workers, it demystifies the trade post-2000 legalization, blending frank storytelling with historical artifacts. The museum’s mission: replace stigma with understanding, one visitor at a time.
Highlights
- Sit inside a real Red Light window and feel the gaze from the street
- Hear unfiltered audio stories from sex workers—hopes, challenges, daily life
- Explore a preserved brothel bedroom with original furniture and neon glow
- Read the Confession Wall—anonymous visitor secrets, from hilarious to heartfelt
- Trace Amsterdam’s sex work history from medieval times to modern regulation
- Use the multilingual audio guide for deeper context in 6 languages
Full Description
Step into Red Light Secrets, a 17th-century canal house turned museum in the heart of De Wallen. Your ticket grants skip-the-line entry to a compact, eye-opening journey through the world’s oldest profession. Start in the atmospheric lobby—red lights, velvet curtains—then climb narrow stairs to the window room: sit behind the glass where workers pose, feel the street’s curious stares, and grasp the reality of the job.
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Upstairs, a recreated brothel bedroom reveals intimate details: condoms, price lists, personal items. Audio testimonies from sex workers play on loop—some laugh about quirky clients, others share dreams of education or family. Historical panels trace Amsterdam’s liberal path: from 14th-century tolerance to 2000 legalization, making sex work a regulated profession with health checks and taxes.
The Confession Wall invites anonymous notes—visitors spill secrets, from “I once paid just to talk” to “I’m a sex worker and proud.” Compact (45–60 min), it’s frank yet respectful, ending in a gift shop with cheeky souvenirs. Ages 16+ only.
Why Choose This Attraction?
Red Light Secrets humanizes a taboo topic with authenticity and zero judgment. Where else can you sit in a worker’s window, hear their unscripted voices, and leave with empathy? It’s not voyeuristic—it’s educational, light-hearted, and surprisingly uplifting.
Perfect for curious adults seeking the real story behind the neon, minus the street’s chaos. The audio guide ensures depth without overwhelm.
What’s Included
- Skip-the-line entry to Red Light Secrets Museum
- Audio guide in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
- Access to all exhibits, including window room and brothel bedroom
- Confession Wall interaction
- Free Wi-Fi and cloakroom
- Gift shop with exclusive souvenirs
- Ages 16+ enforced (ID may be checked)
Pricing
From $17 per person
Meeting Point
Red Light Secrets Museum, Oudezijds Achterburgwal 60h, 1012 DP Amsterdam, Netherlands. Present mobile voucher at the red door.
How to Get There
- By Tram: Lines 4, 14, 24 to Dam Square (5-min walk)
- By Metro: Nieuwmarkt (Lines 51, 53, 54) – 3-min walk
- By Foot: 10 min from Centraal via Warmoesstraat
- By Bike: 5 min from Centraal; racks nearby
- By Bus: Line 22 or N87 to Prins Hendrikkade
Good to Know
What to Bring
- Smartphone + headphones (audio guide)
- ID (ages 16+ strictly enforced)
- Open mind (content is frank)
- Camera (photography allowed, respectful use)
Know Before You Go
- Open daily 12 PM–8 PM (last entry 7:15 PM)
- Time slot entry only—arrive within 15 min of booking
- No large bags (cloakroom free)
- Combine with a guided Red Light District tour (external)
- Nearby coffee shops and canals for post-visit reflection
Reviews
- Short but packed with knowledge. Loved the window experience and worker stories.
- Really interesting and great value. The confessions were gold!
- Informative and fun. Explored at my own pace—some confessions had me laughing out loud.
Maps
Video
FAQ's
What is the window experience like, and can I take photos?
You’ll sit in an authentic Red Light window—red curtains, neon lights, glass pane—for 2–3 minutes. Street noise filters in; passersby may stare or wave. It’s safe (one-way glass from outside), but the vulnerability is real. Photography allowed inside the museum (including the window), but no filming or photos of workers outside. Staff monitor for respect.
Are the stories from real sex workers, and how frank is the content?
Yes—audio clips feature current and former De Wallen workers sharing in their own words. Topics range from funny client mishaps to serious discussions of safety, stigma, and dreams. It’s frank but never graphic—think honest conversation, not explicit. The tone is empowering and light-hearted, aiming to humanize, not sensationalize.
Is the museum suitable for groups or conservative visitors?
Ages 16+ only; content is mature but educational. Groups (max 10) are welcome, but the intimate space means staggered entry. Conservative visitors may find the topic confronting, but the museum’s respectful, non-judgmental approach often shifts perspectives. If unsure, the audio guide lets you control depth.
How long does a visit take, and is it crowded?
45–60 minutes total. The museum is small (3 rooms + hallway), so it never feels packed. Time slots limit overlap; you’ll have space to linger at the Confession Wall or re-listen to stories. Weekday afternoons (2–5 PM) are quietest; weekends busier but manageable.
Can I combine this with a Red Light District walking tour?
Yes—many operators offer guided evening tours (1.5–2 hours) that end or start near Red Light Secrets. Book separately; the museum ticket is self-guided. Tours add street context (history, rules, worker rights) without entering brothels. Avoid unofficial guides—stick to licensed ones for accuracy and respect.
