History with a darker twist
Free Dark Side Tour Amsterdam
Discover Amsterdam's unsettling history, strange legends and darker stories with a local storyteller.
Your Dark Side Tour at a glance
- Duration Approx. 2 hours
- Language English
- Meeting National Monument, Dam Square
- Age 18+
- Price €2 booking fee + voluntary tip
Check the live booking calendar for available departures.
Amsterdam after dark — historically speaking
Go beyond the picture-perfect canals.
Step into old Amsterdam with a local storyteller. Hear tales of public punishment, mysterious events, religious conflict and medical practices that feel a world away from the Amsterdam we know today.
This is a walking tour for curious adults who enjoy history, folklore and a little atmosphere.
Good to know before you join
- Start Dam Square
- Duration Approx. 2 hours
- Language English
- Age 18+
Get a feel for the Dark Side Tour.
Watch the video and get a glimpse of our guides, storytelling style and the atmosphere of discovering Amsterdam's darker history on foot.
Like what you see? Join a local storyteller and hear the darker stories where they actually happened.
Check availabilityWhat you'll discover
Take the darker turn through Amsterdam.
Behind familiar streets are stories of fear, punishment, superstition and unusual events.
Spooky street names
What lies behind names such as Blood Street and Ghost Alley? Follow the stories into old Amsterdam.
The orphan mystery
Strange behaviour and unsettling rumours surround one of Amsterdam's more unusual historic stories.
Anatomy & the city
Explore the connections between early medicine, dissection and Amsterdam's changing ideas about science.
Faith & punishment
Hear how religious conflict and harsh punishment left their mark on Amsterdam's history.
Meet the storytellers
A local guide.
A different perspective.
Discover Amsterdam through people who love telling its stories. Ask questions, look closer and see familiar streets in a new light.
Read our Google reviews →
Meet Peter
Peter loves sharing the unsettling stories hidden beneath Amsterdam's welcoming character and brings history and storytelling together.
Your guide may vary by departure.
Easy to find
Start in the heart of Amsterdam.
National Monument, Dam Square
Arrive approximately 10–15 minutes before departure. Check your booking confirmation for the exact instructions.
Open in Google Maps
A glimpse of the experience
The streets. The stories. The tour.
Before you book
A few useful answers.
How does a free walking tour work?
You pay a €2 booking fee per person when reserving. At the end of the tour you can leave your guide a voluntary tip based on your experience.
How long is the tour?
The Dark Side Tour lasts approximately two hours.
Is the Dark Side Tour in English?
Yes. The public Dark Side Tour is given in English.
Is this tour suitable for children?
The tour covers disturbing historical themes and is presented as an 18+ tour.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is the National Monument on Dam Square. Arrive around 10–15 minutes before your departure.
Is it always dark during the Dark Side Tour?
No. Depending on the season, your tour may take place in daylight. “Dark Side” refers to the history and stories explored on the tour.
Your next Amsterdam story
Curious? Come walk with us.
Discover Amsterdam's darker history with a local storyteller.
Approx. 2 hours · English · Starts at Dam Square
€2 booking fee per person + voluntary tip.
Booking continues on Free Walking Tours Amsterdam.
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