Museum Of Sex Amsterdam

Posted on: March 1, 2026

Sexmuseum Amsterdam (Venustempel): tickets, price & what’s inside

Wondering whether the Sex Museum Amsterdam is worth your time – or just a tourist trap? Short answer: it’s a cheap, cheeky 30–45 minute stop, not a serious museum.

Officially the Sexmuseum Amsterdam “Venustempel”, it opened in 1985 and bills itself as the first sex museum in the world. It sits at Damrak 18, a five-minute walk from Centraal Station, and draws around half a million visitors a year by the museum’s own count.

This guide covers the 2026 ticket price, opening hours, what’s actually inside, how it compares to Amsterdam’s other sex museums, and whether it’s worth €9 of your trip.

Sex Museum Amsterdam tickets, price & opening hours

A ticket to the Sexmuseum Amsterdam costs €9 for adults (2026). There are no discounts – students, Museumkaart, CJP and the I amsterdam City Card all pay full price.

You don’t need to book ahead. Most visitors simply walk up and pay at the box office. You can pay by card, cash, iDEAL or PayPal (credit cards that need a signature aren’t accepted), and tickets aren’t refundable.

Prefer to buy online? An online ticket stays valid for three months and admits you once, which is handy if your plans are loose. A box-office ticket is only valid on the day you buy it.

Opening hours: the museum is open every day from 10:00 to 18:00. On 1 January it opens later, at 12:00, and it’s closed on King’s Day (27 April).

What’s inside the Sex Museum?

The Venustempel is a small, multi-floor townhouse crammed with erotic art, photography and oddities that trace human sexuality from antiquity to the modern day. The tone is playful and tongue-in-cheek, not shocking or academic.

Highlights visitors remember most:

• The plaster Venus figure that greets you at the entrance
• Full-size wax figures of Mata Hari and Marilyn Monroe
• Two oversized phalluses that are the museum’s best-known photo spots
• A life-size “flasher” and other mannequins that move or talk as you pass
• Early erotic photographs, postcards and prints from the pre-digital era
• Themed rooms named after Marquis de Sade, Rudolf Valentino, Oscar Wilde and Marquise de Pompadour, each with its own soundscape

It’s self-guided, dimly lit and a little chaotic – more curiosity cabinet than formal museum. You can take photos (no flash, no selfie sticks). Expect steep, winding Dutch staircases and no lift.

The world’s first sex museum

The Sexmuseum Amsterdam opened its doors in 1985, making it – by its own and most accounts – the oldest and first sex museum in the world. The nickname “Venustempel” (Temple of Venus) nods to the Roman goddess of love.

More than four decades on, it’s one of the city’s most-visited attractions, precisely because it’s cheap, central and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Wheelchair users can see the ground floor free of charge, though the upper floors aren’t accessible.

Which sex museum? Venustempel vs Red Light Secrets

Amsterdam has more than one “sex museum”, and tourists mix them up constantly. They are not the same:

If you want a cheap laugh and some history, the Venustempel on Damrak is your museum. If you want to understand the window brothels and sex work you see in De Wallen, go to Red Light Secrets instead.

Is the Sex Museum Amsterdam worth it?

For €9 and under an hour, it’s a low-risk, fun detour – especially if you’re already near Centraal or Dam Square. Just don’t expect depth.

Visit if you like quirky, adult-only attractions, have an open mind and a spare half hour. Skip it if you want a serious, academic museum, dislike crowds, or are uncomfortable with explicit content.

Two honest visitor takes:

“For only €9, a very fun experience if you’re into this kind of stuff – interesting to see how people made and consumed erotica before the digital era.” – Gabriel T.

“Bought tickets at the door. Lots of different rooms and steep winding staircases. Hilarious at times but also genuinely interesting – well worth a visit if you’re in Amsterdam.” – Janjeb2013

Getting there & practical tips

The museum is at Damrak 18, on the busy street linking Centraal Station to Dam Square – about a five-minute walk from the station, so it’s easy to combine with the rest of the city centre.

• Getting there: any tram or train to Amsterdam Centraal, then walk down Damrak
• Best time: weekday mornings are quietest; weekends get crowded
• Language: captions are in English (and other languages), so it works fine for visitors
• Nearby: the Red Light District and its attractions are a short walk east

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Sex Museum in Amsterdam?

Entry is €9 for adults (2026). There are no student, Museumkaart or I amsterdam City Card discounts, and under-16s aren’t admitted.

What are the opening hours of the Sex Museum?

It’s open every day from 10:00 to 18:00. On 1 January it opens at 12:00, and it’s closed on King’s Day (27 April).

Do you need to book Sex Museum tickets in advance?

No. You can walk in and pay at the box office by card, cash, iDEAL or PayPal. If you prefer, an online ticket stays valid for three months and admits you once.

What is the minimum age for the Sex Museum?

You must be 16 or older. Bring ID if you look young; children and babies aren’t allowed in.

How long do you need at the Sex Museum?

Most people spend 30 to 45 minutes. It’s small, self-guided and spread over a few floors of a canal-house.

Can you take photos inside?

Yes – photos and short videos are fine, but no flash and no selfie sticks. The giant phalluses are the classic photo spot.

Is the Sex Museum Amsterdam worth it?

For €9 and under an hour, yes – as a light, funny detour, not a serious museum. It’s a fun stop if you’re already near Centraal and enjoy quirky attractions.

What’s the difference between the Sex Museum and Red Light Secrets?

The Sexmuseum (Venustempel, Damrak) is about erotic art and the history of sex. Red Light Secrets, in the Red Light District, is a museum of prostitution about real window sex work.

What is the Sex Museum Amsterdam called?

Its official name is the Sexmuseum Amsterdam “Venustempel” (Temple of Venus), at Damrak 18. It opened in 1985 as the world’s first sex museum.

Is it accessible for wheelchairs?

Only partly. There’s no lift and the staircases are steep; wheelchair users can view the ground floor free of charge but can’t reach the upper floors.

Sources

Prices, hours and ticket rules are taken from the museum’s own official FAQ and visitor information on Amsterdam.info (verified October 2026). Always confirm the current price and opening times on the official site before you visit.

ALSO READ:

• Red Light Secrets: the Museum of Prostitution
• The best things to do in the Red Light District
• Moulin Rouge Amsterdam: the live sex show
• Red Light District map & directions

About the author — Martijn, Amsterdam guide

Martijn has guided hundreds of tours through Amsterdam’s Red Light District and De Wallen over the past years. He writes from first-hand experience — the shows he has seen, the bars he knows and the streets he walks every week — and his tours and photos also feature on TripAdvisor. Everything here is checked against what he and our local guides see on the ground.

• Experience: years guiding Red Light District & De Wallen tours in person
• Standards: first-hand, checked on location, useful for real visitors
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