Ghost Walking Tour and Dark History in Amsterdam
Description
Join the Amsterdam Ghost Walk for a spine-chilling journey through the city's haunted past and dark history. This guided tour explores eerie alleyways, shadowy canals, and historic sites linked to tragic events, mysterious deaths, and restless spirits. Hear tales of the city's most infamous ghost sightings, executions, and unsolved crimes, including the dark tales of sailors who never returned and mysterious disappearances in the city’s early history. As night falls, the haunting atmosphere of Amsterdam comes alive, blending ghostly legends with real historical events for an unforgettable, eerie experience. Perfect for history buffs and thrill-seekers alike!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Dam Square in Amsterdam has a dark history, witnessing witch trials in the Middle Ages, where the accused were burnt at the stake. It also saw World War II atrocities, including the 1945 shooting that killed dozens. This grim past has led to rumors of the square being haunted by ghosts of the executed and war victims.
Begijnhof, a historic courtyard in Amsterdam, is known for its serene beauty and ancient buildings. Some believe it’s haunted by the spirits of the beguines, the pious women who lived there centuries ago. Visitors occasionally report eerie whispers, cold spots, and fleeting shadows, adding to the site's mysterious allure.
The Spinhuis in Amsterdam is rumored to be haunted. Visitors have reported unexplained noises and eerie sensations, suggesting a lingering presence within the historic building.
Get to know about some one of the most forgotten unsolved murders in Amsterdam
The street of the blood one of the most haunted spots in Amsterdam
Meet the most famous ghost in Amsterdam and get to know its story
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(36)
The guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about the ghosts of old Amsterdam. She was also willing to set a pace that matched the oldest couple in the tour group. My minus one star was for understandability. Some of the stops were in noisy areas and she frequently dropped her voice for dramatic effect and turned toward the building she was talking about rather than towards us. It would be much better with the radio earphones used on other city tours.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and balanced feedback. I’m very glad you enjoyed the ghost stories and that the pace of the walk worked well for everyone in the group — making sure everybody feels comfortable during the experience is very important to me. I also really appreciate your comments about audibility. Most of the tour takes place in quieter atmospheric streets, but there are two stops in the busy city center where ambient noise can sometimes become a challenge in the evenings. The storytelling style of the tour is intentionally designed to feel intimate and immersive, without the use of radio headsets or amplified audio, as many guests — and myself included — prefer a more authentic atmosphere during a ghost walk through old Amsterdam. That said, your feedback is absolutely valuable and a good reminder for me to stay mindful of positioning and projection at those busier stops. I was also a little surprised, as no issue with hearing was mentioned during the tour itself, and throughout the experience I regularly encourage guests to ask questions or let me know if anything is unclear. I’m also currently developing a self-guided audio version of the tour narrated with my own voice, for visitors who prefer exploring the stories at their own pace with earphones. Thank you again for helping me improve, and I hope you enjoyed wandering through the darker side of Amsterdam.
Maria. Did a great job telling us the dark side of the city. We had a small group which made it better as could be close to her to hear her stories. A lot of the stops was in a loud area
Great stroll through the heart of Amsterdam with a knowledgeable guide! We saw historical sites, heard some dark stories, and got to experience the nightlife of the city. Maria was great and I would recommend this tour.
The tour was subpar. The guide Maria was very nice, but her story telling was lackluster and had no rhythm or flow. The ghost stories were very plain, predictable and anti-climatic. There were a lot of quick stops but you spend most of your time walking with no interaction in between. I’m was pretty disappointed and would not book again.
"Thank you for sharing your feedback. As the sole proprietor and the only guide for this tour, I value all guest perspectives as they help me maintain the high standards of my service. I aim to provide an authentic look at Amsterdam’s heritage, focusing on well-documented legends and dark history rather than invented drama. Each stop is a dedicated 10–20 minute storytelling session designed to immerse guests in the city's folklore. I choose to stick to historically grounded narratives rather than exaggerating details for theatrical effect. Regarding the walking portions: Amsterdam has very strict regulations to maintain the city's peace. Guides can face fines up to €900 or permanently lose their guiding permits for speaking loudly while moving through the streets. I always explain this at the start, as I save the storytelling for our designated stops where I can legally and comfortably share the history. On your particular tour, I recall our personal chats about the paranormal as we walked, and I'm sorry if those moments felt like a disconnect from the tour's structure for you. While I understand that my historically grounded storytelling style may not be the right fit for everyone, it is unfortunate that the experience did not align with your expectations. I truly value the intimate nature of my small-group tours and will use your comments to ensure my future guests have an even clearer understanding of the tour's pace and legal constraints. Safe travels, Maria"
Maria was brilliant! Such an interesting tour, covers a lot of the centre of the city and some really interesting stories! She was a great guide, answered all our questions and was lovely to talk too ☺️
My family really enjoyed this ghost tour. Maria guided us through the streets of Amsterdam tying together the dark history of the city with the ghostly tales of the area. You will learn plenty about the old buildings in Amsterdam.
Very interesting to learn more about the City. It would be great to hear more about people’s experiences and a greater focus on the ghosts but it’s well worth doing.
This tour was so fun! It’s a great way to see Amsterdam and learn about some darker history! The tour guide was very knowledgeable and informative as well!
María was our guide through the streets of Amsterdam. It was just me & my sister so it felt like a private tour which was great. Maria talked easily about the history of Amsterdam and told the dark history stories like they were people she truly cared about. Nothing felt rehearsed or rote and I appreciated that. All the locations are interesting and may be spots you wouldn’t normally notice, so we liked that too.
We were the only two on our tour tonight with Maria which made it feel very personal. Maria was knowledgeable and friendly which made for an interesting tour.
