Amsterdam’s Red Light District, what to do, see and visit?

This area of Amsterdam’s old town is also known as the Red Light District or the Wallen district. Particularly lively and touristy, the alleyways are home to a large number of bars, nightclubs, coffeeshops, boutiques specialising in sex shops and strip teases, magnificent monuments of medieval architecture, as well as places linked to prostitution, which is legal in the Netherlands, in its famous red windows.

This very special district, with its erotic shows, sex workers and coffee shops where the consumption of cannabis is tolerated, is a place for adults, which can attract or repel during a visit to the red light district. It is possible to book a guided tour of the district; you will find the necessary information at the tourist office.

The most important thing is to know exactly what you’re going to find so as to avoid any surprises, especially if you’re with the family! Amsterdam’s red light district is not suitable for all ages or for everyone, and that’s what you need to know when you’re visiting the Dutch capital.

History of the Wallen district

One of Amsterdam’s oldest districts, the red light district in the medieval city centre has always been a place of prostitution, as it was transformed into a port in the Middle Ages. Many sailors in search of the world’s oldest profession would walk through this part of the historic centre before setting sail again.

The red lights appeared in the 1960s, when soliciting was banned, and indicated the presence of prostitutes in the red light district building. There is also a museum of prostitution, located in a former brothel in Amsterdam’s red light district.

Amsterdam’s red light district has become safer over the last 20 years, with a police presence and surveillance cameras, but it is still one of the city’s red light districts.

What to do in Amsterdam’s Red Light District?

Strolling along the canals is a pleasant stroll, and there are many noteworthy monuments and other tourist attractions apart from the sex and cannabis tourism that you can also explore with a local guide.

Notable religious buildings in Amsterdam’s red light district

The Oude Kerk

The oldest church in Amsterdam, the Oude Kerk was built in the 14th century on the ruins of a wooden chapel built by fishermen. Various styles were added from the 16th century onwards, mainly Gothic and Renaissance. In the 16th century, Catholic worship was banned in the country, and Oude Kerk was transformed into a Reformed church.

Worth a visit: statues of historical figures, a large baroque organ, and the church tower offering a view of the entire red light district (Saturdays and Sundays).

The Amstelkring

This other church in Amsterdam’s red light district, now a museum, highlights the transformation of Catholic churches into Protestant ones and the history of the religious war that gripped the country. This old clandestine church is one of the most emblematic and beautiful in Amsterdam.

Bars and CoffeeShops in the Red Light district

There are many cannabis bars (coffee shops) in this district, Baba and Greenhouse being among the best known. In the same district, you will find the hash, cannabis and hemp museums, 2 museums side by side, which present the history, the culture through the ages, the various uses…

These plants are still processed in many different ways today, for example to find an alternative to cotton, which uses up a lot of water.

Warning: in the Netherlands, you must not be in possession of more than 5g of ‘soft drugs’, otherwise you could run into trouble with the authorities. What’s more, since 2023, smoking cannabis has been banned in the public areas of Dam Square, the Red Light district, Damrak and Nieuwenmarkt.

Places dedicated to sex and prostitution

This is part of the Red Light district, it’s even the soul of the district and what has forged it over time and given it its name, so it’s impossible not to mention it.

The Museum of Eroticism

Here you’ll find objets d’art, posters, pictures, statues, a room devoted to sadomasochism and erotic sketches by John Lennon.

The Condom Shop

More than 300 models of condoms are on display in this red-light district shop, for men and women, in all shapes, even the most extraordinary, all sizes, fragrances, organic condoms and vegan items! Items and curiosities for everyone, an extraordinary discovery.

The Red Light Secrets Museum

Discover what goes on behind the scenes of one of the most famous districts in Europe and the world, a prostitute’s bedroom behind the window, anecdotes about Amsterdam’s red light district and its history revealed by sex workers, and films recounting their lives.

The windows of Amsterdam’s red light district

It is forbidden to take photos in this area of Amsterdam’s red light district – ignoring this recommendation could get you in trouble, as the security services do not appreciate this kind of behaviour – or to knock on the window. A drawn curtain obviously means that the person is not available, so there’s no point in insisting.

Red lights are for women, blue lights for transsexuals or ladyboys. Depending on the street, there are also: women of colour, women with curvier bodies.

Casa Rosso and Moulin Rouge

Live sex shows are performed here. More information on their website.

Peep shows

Sitting in a video booth, you can watch a woman undress through the glass.

A word of advice: beware of intoxicated people, or others, in the evening and at night. It’s best not to wander around this district alone at night, as the nightlife can be quite hectic in Amsterdam’s red light district.

Where to eat in Amsterdam’s red light district?

If you want to try some typical dishes in equally typical places in the Wallen district, here are 2 addresses:

Amsterdamsche Vischhandel, Zeedijk 129

Next to the Nieuwmarkt, this restaurant has been serving Dutch specialities such as herring and crispy fried fish kibbeling since 1938. This former fishmonger’s in the red light district has an authentic decor and atmosphere.

Café-restaurant van Kerkwijk

If you’re looking for a place that serves iconic food in the heart of Amsterdam and are sensitive to the freshness of the produce while enjoying a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, this is the place to go.

How do I get to the Red Light District?

This northern city with its many attractions is easily accessible by bike during the day, but you can also get to the Wallen district with these practical tips:

By metro to the Red Light District in Amsterdam

Lines 51, 53 and 54 take you to Nieuwmarkt to visit the Red Light District.

Line 52, with a stop at Rokin, takes you to the south of the Red Light District.

By tram to Amsterdam’s Red Light District

Take lines 4 and 14, stopping at Rokin to visit the Red Light District. Take lines 2, 12, 13, 17 and 26 to Centraal Station.