Amsterdam Red Light District
- Address:Amsterdam
- Hours:Open daily
- Admission:Free
1:40 PM Monday, May 21
Passing clouds. Mild.
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Amsterdam’s Red Light District (aka De Wallen) has been a familiar haunt for pleasure seekers since the 14th century. Though certainly not an area for everyone, the Red Light District has more to offer than just sex and liquor. For underneath its promiscuous façade, the area contains some of Amsterdam's prettiest canals, excellent bars and restaurants, and shops of all kinds. It also consists of windows with sexy girls, dressed in eye-popping underwear.
The best places for window-watching are along Oudezijds Achterburgwal and in the alleys around the Oude Kerk (Old Church), particularly to the south. The atmosphere throughout is much more laid-back than in other red-light districts. Families, lawyers, young couples, senior citizens - all types of locals live and socialize here, in stride with the surrounding commerce. You’ll probably find yourself on Warmoesstraat and Zeedijk at some point, both commercial thoroughfares chock-a-block with shops and restaurants.
While you’re wandering around, look up at the gorgeous gables and you’ll realize this district is also stunningly attractive. Its lovely architecture simply gets lost in the shuffle.
Latest Reviews All Amsterdam Red Light District Reviews »
What a great tour! Our guide Chantell was very friendly and informative.... Gives you a better appreciation of the Red Light District, which you would otherwise not get if you just walked it yourself!
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The tour guide taught us a lot about the culture and history of the Red Light District. Going to the Prositition Center was interesting too. Although it is not necessary to have a tour guide for the Red Light District I would recommend this tour.
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This is a absolutely outstanding tour. Our tour guide Shantel was great. She was a native of Amsterdam and well versed in the red light district. The meeting with the ex-prostitute was very enlightening and really explained how legal prostitution is very different, yet can still have the stigma. I highly recommend this tour -- it was fun and informative!
Continue Reading »Practical Info
The Red Light District is located just south of Centraal Station, around Oudezijds Achterburgwal and Oudezijds Voorburgwal - also known as De Wallen (the Walls) or De Walletjes (the Little Walls). To get there, take the tram to the Dam, then pass behind the Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky.
Keep in mind to exercise caution when visiting the area. Stick to the busy streets and beware of pickpockets at all times. Also, do not take photographs of the women in the windows, for there are large, observant men on the lookout, who won’t hesitate to take your camera and throw it in the canal.
