Description

Discover Amsterdam Red Light Secrets Museum 

Step inside Museum of Prostitution Amsterdam—discover the hidden world behind the red-lit windows of De Wallen.

Introduction to the Museum

Amsterdam, Red Light District, Oudezijds Achterburgwal.

The Museum of Prostitution in Amsterdam (also called Red Light Secrets) is the world’s first museum dedicated to sex work. It is housed in a 17th‑century canal house that once served as a brothel.

Visitors walk through recreated rooms, read personal stories, and hear first‑hand audio accounts from people who worked — or still work — in prostitution. The goal is to shine light on a subject often hidden, help reduce stigma, and offer empathy.

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Location and Accessibility

The museum sits at Oudezijds Achterburgwal 60H, in Amsterdam’s Red Light District (De Wallen). It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the Nieuwmarkt metro stop (lines 51, 53, 54).

Opening hours & tickets (subject to change):

• Open daily from ~11:00 until late (often 1:00 am)

• Ticket price: around €14.50

• Last admission is usually about 1 hour before closing

Tips for access:

• Book tickets online in advance to skip lines

• Wear comfortable shoes (narrow canal houses, stairs)

• Check for any restricted age or special rules

Visit the only Museum of Prostitution in the world and one of the most visited attractions in Amsterdam’s Red Light District. The Museum of Prostitution, aka Red Light Secrets, is located in the heart of the so called Wallen area.

At the Oudezijds Achterburgwal 60 to be precise. Inside the Red Light Secrets Museum you get to see what actual brothels in Amsterdam look like.

Voices of Sex Workers

A strong part of the museum is letting sex workers speak for themselves. The audio guide of Red Light Secrets include stories about motivations, hardships, and personal reflections. Visitors hear real voices describe what a shift was like, safety concerns, or how workers manage boundaries.

Some of the stories are voiced by Inga, a well-known former sex worker and educator who advocates for rights and legal protection in the industry.

To learn more about her and sex worker advocacy, visit PROUD Netherlands — a leading organization representing sex workers in the country.

Amsterdam Red Light District

This area – also called De Wallen – is the oldest and most famous neighborhood of Amsterdam. It has the oldest streets, the oldest buildings and also one of the oldest professions in world: prostitution.

The Red Light District currently contains 201 window brothels and more than 300 active sex workers.

Sex Work Museum

Red Light Secrets is a sex work museum in Amsterdam that offers a unique and insightful look into the world of prostitution. The museum is located in an old Red Light District brothel, and it features interactive exhibits that cover a wide range of topics related to sex work.

One of the most talked-about rooms inside the Museum of Prositution is the SM-room and the room where visitors can sit inside a red-lit window themselves.

Visitors can learn about the history of prostitution in Amsterdam, the different types of sex work that are practiced today, and the challenges that sex workers face. The museum also includes a number of personal stories from current and former sex workers, which helps to humanize an often-misunderstood industry.

Learn about the real lives of Amsterdam escorts and window prostitutes. In particular, the museum shows what it means to be a prostitute. This is done in a fun and playful way, with the help of films and interactive installations.

You can even sit behind a window yourself in the Red Light District. Sitting by the red-lit window and looking out is initially confronting and awkward. But when you realize it’s a museum and start flirting with people on the street as a joke, it’s quite comical.

The interactive museum offers an interesting audio tour that is well worth trying. Specific sound effects in the audio guide are from a real sex worker.

Overall, Red Light Secrets is an eye-opening experience that is well worth a visit for anyone interested in learning more about the world of prostitution.

Museum Of Prostitution

Sex Work

The museum makes it clear in a confrontational way how denigrating prostitutes are often treated. Subjects such as trafficking (forced prostitution) and violence against prostitutes are not avoided.

Starting from the idea ‘let he who is without sin cast the first stone’, visitors can confess their own sexual sins at the end of the museum.

Red Light Secrets

The museum is housed in two national monuments that are connected on the inside. The museum was opened in early 2014. In the first year of its existence, the museum had already attracted more than 140.000 visitors.

Get the best tickets here in advance and learn more about sex work.

Museum of Prostitution Highlights

Tips for Visitors

To make the most of your visit, here are helpful tips:

• Go early or late to avoid crowds.

• Buy tickets in advance — you often get a time slot.

• Bring a map — De Wallen can be confusing, and museums are close by.

• Respect the rules — photography might be restricted in some rooms.

• Stay open-minded and respectful — you’ll see challenging stories.

Nearby, you can also visit the Oude Kerk (Old Church), the Waag, or take a walking tour of the Red Light District to deepen your understanding.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Time Needed For Red Light Secrets?

The Museum of Prostitution in Amsterdam is small but comprehensive, and can be seen in its entirety in less than an hour. The museum is designed to educate visitors about the history and present-day reality of prostitution, and does an excellent job of providing a nuanced view of the subject.

The exhibits include both firsthand accounts from sex workers and information about the changing legal landscape of prostitution. The museum is interactive, with audio guides available in several languages.

Overall, the Museum of Prostitution is a must-see for anyone interested in learning more about this complex and often misunderstood industry.

Is the Museum of Prostitution appropriate for tourists?
Yes, the museum is educational and respectful. It’s suitable for adults curious about the realities behind the Red Light District.

Is the museum suitable for all ages?
No, visitors must be 18 years or older due to adult content.

How long does the visit take?
Most visitors spend about 45–60 minutes inside.

Is photography allowed?
In most areas, yes. But some exhibits may have restrictions. Check the signs or ask staff.

Red Light Secrets Tickets

ToursInAmsterdam offers a variety of different ways to get tickets for Red Light Secrets. ToursInAmsterdam is an online tour company that offers a variety of different ways to get tickets for Red Light Secrets. The easiest way to get tickets is through our website.

🔍 All information is accurate as of October 2025. For updates on hours, ticket prices, or exhibits, please check the official Red Light Secrets website

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