Amsterdam: Haunted History and Ghost Walking Tour
Hightlight
-
English-Speaking
-
Group-Friendly
-
Local guide
-
Reservations
History
Amsterdam’s dark underbelly stretches back to the 13th century, when plague pits swallowed thousands and witch trials burned dissenters at the stake. The city’s Golden Age wealth masked brutal punishments in the Spinhuis women’s prison, while Dam Square witnessed public executions and royal funerals.
The Age of Enlightenment brought anatomical theaters like the Waag, where cadavers were dissected before eager crowds—some say their spirits still linger. These tales, rooted in archives and folklore, reveal a city as haunted as it is beautiful.
Highlights
- 2-hour English-language ghost walk through Amsterdam’s oldest quarters
- Spine-chilling stories of witch trials, executions, and restless nuns
- Visit Dam Square, Nieuwe Kerk crypts, Spinhuis, Blood Street, Begijnhof, and the Waag
- Passionate storyteller-guide (like Jan, Jaan, or Duncan)
- Wheelchair-accessible route with minimal cobblestones
Full Description
Meet your cloaked guide behind the National Monument at Dam Square as twilight falls. From there, descend into Amsterdam’s spectral past: peer into the Nieuwe Kerk’s royal crypts where monarchs rest uneasily; feel the chill of the Spinhuis, where women endured medieval torture; and whisper in the Begijnhof, where a vow-breaking nun is said to walk in silence.
Enjoy Your Event Stress-Free with Euro Travelo
Planning a trip to attend a festival, concert, or business event in Europe can be overwhelming—tickets, travel, accommodation, and local logistics all take time and effort. Euro Travelo makes it simple by providing everything you need through one trusted company. You save time, avoid stress, and enjoy a seamless experience from start to finish.
Why Choose Euro Travelo:
- Secure and easy ticket booking for concerts, festivals, theaters, and business events.
- Complete travel planning including flights, trains, and local transportation.
- Accommodation arrangements near event venues, tailored to your needs.
- Convenient local transfers, from airport pickups to private shuttles.
- On-site concierge support to help you navigate venues and schedules.
- Custom itineraries and experience packages combining multiple events, tours, and activities.
- Secure payment process, making it safe and convenient to book all services online.
- Flexibility: even if you need only one service, we can assist individually.
Tread Blood Street (Bloedstraat), named for centuries of violence, and end at the Waag—once a guildhall, now a purgatory of dissected souls. Your guide weaves documented history with local legends, pausing for questions and eerie silences.
By tour’s end, you’ll see Amsterdam not just as a canal city, but as a living graveyard of secrets.
Why Choose This Experience?
This isn’t a jump-scare gimmick—it’s a masterclass in Amsterdam’s macabre history, led by storytellers who live for the lore. The 2-hour pace suits history buffs, thrill-seekers, or couples seeking a unique night out.
Wheelchair-friendly and centrally located, it’s perfect rain or shine—ghosts don’t mind the weather.
What’s Included
- 2-hour guided walking tour in English
- Professional storyteller-guide
- Route through Dam Square, Nieuwe Kerk, Spinhuis, Blood Street, Begijnhof, Waag
- Historical facts + local ghost legends
- Small group (max. 20) for intimate experience
- Wheelchair-accessible path
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance
- Reserve now, pay later option
Itinerary
- Starting location: Behind National Monument, Dam Square (in front of Hotel Krasnopolsky)
- Nieuwe Kerk: Royal crypts and restless spirits
- Spinhuis: Women’s prison horrors
- Begijnhof: The silent nun’s penance
- Blood Street (Bloedstraat): Centuries of violence
- Waag (Purgatory): Anatomical theater ghosts
- End: Waag or nearby (easy return to Dam)
Pricing
From $29 per person
Meeting Point
Behind the National Monument at Dam Square, in front of Hotel Krasnopolsky (look for guide with lantern or sign).
How to get there
- From Centraal Station: Tram 2/11/12/13/14 to Dam (5 min), then 2-min walk.
- By metro: Lines 51–54 to Nieuwmarkt (5 min), then 10-min walk via Damrak.
- From Anne Frank House: 15-min walk via Singel.
- On foot: Central to everything—Dam is the heart.
Good to Know
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes (some cobblestones)
- Light jacket (evenings cool)
- Camera (no flash in Begijnhof)
- Umbrella (tour runs in rain)
Know before you go
- Not suitable for very young children (mature themes)
- No jump scares—just storytelling
- Wheelchair users: route avoids stairs; notify guide
- Tour ends near bars if you need a post-ghost drink
- Arrive 10 min early—group departs on time
Reviews
- Jan was a legend—his passion for Amsterdam’s ghosts made history come alive. Best night tour!
- Jaan’s stories were captivating; Blood Street gave me chills. Highly recommend for something different.
- Duncan’s knowledge and energy were infectious. Felt like a spooky pub crawl with facts!
Maps
Video
FAQ's
Is this tour actually scary, or just historical storytelling?
This is storytelling with atmosphere, not a haunted house with actors jumping out. Guides like Jan, Jaan, or Duncan deliver documented history—witch trials, executions, prison torture, anatomical dissections—blended with local folklore (the Begijnhof nun, Waag spirits). The spookiness comes from dark alleys, flickering lanterns, and vivid narration, not cheap scares. Some guests feel genuine chills on Blood Street; others enjoy it as macabre history. It’s rated PG-13—mature themes (violence, death) but no gore. Families with teens love it; under 10s may find it too intense.
Is the route wheelchair accessible, and are there many cobblestones?
Yes—the entire 2 km route is wheelchair-friendly, using paved paths and avoiding stairs. Dam Square, Begijnhof courtyard, and Waag plaza are flat; Blood Street has smooth modern paving. The guide adjusts pace for mobility needs and can skip minor uneven sections. One wheelchair user praised the accessibility: “No issues, and Duncan carried my bag over a curb!” Electric wheelchairs fit fine. Notify at booking for front-row positioning during stories.
What should I wear, and does the tour run in rain?
Dress for Amsterdam’s moody weather: comfortable shoes (some cobblestones), layers, and a light rain jacket. Tours run rain or shine—guides carry umbrellas, and the dramatic mist adds atmosphere (one reviewer said, “Rain made Blood Street feel cursed!”). In heavy downpours, the group shelters under awnings during stories. No cancellations unless extreme (storm warning). Bring a small umbrella; ponchos aren’t provided.
Are photos allowed, and can I record the stories?
Photos are encouraged—capture the lantern-lit Waag, moonlit Begijnhof, or eerie Blood Street (no flash in the chapel, per rules). Tripods are discouraged to avoid blocking the group. Recording audio is fine for personal use—many guests re-listen to Duncan’s tales later. No commercial filming. The guide may pause for group photos at key spots. Tag #AmsterdamGhostTour—guides love seeing your spooky shots!
Can I join if I don’t believe in ghosts?
Absolutely—this tour is for history lovers, architecture fans, and curiosity seekers as much as paranormal enthusiasts. Guides ground every story in archives: Spinhuis prison records, Nieuwe Kerk burial logs, Waag dissection journals. The “ghost” element is cultural folklore, not dogma. Skeptics often leave fascinated by Amsterdam’s gritty past—one reviewer said, “Didn’t expect to love a ghost tour, but the history was unreal.” It’s 60% verified fact, 40% chilling legend.
