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Red Light District

Red Light District

Red Light District
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Amsterdam’s De Wallen area is home to one of the world’s most famous red light districts. Take a stroll to soak up the rousing yet beautiful lights, or visit the Red Lights Secrets Museum to learn more about Amsterdam’s sex work profession. The district is also known for its trendy coffee shops, bars, and clubs. The best time to see the district is in the early evening or at night, when the lights begin to illuminate the narrow streets. The area is safe, but it can get very busy, and taking photos or videos of workers is illegal. – Tripadvisor
Duration: 2-3 hours
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The area

Neighborhood: Centrum
Amsterdam’s buzzing hub, with its sprawling network of tram rails and a seemingly constant flow of tourists and commuters, yields convenient access to some of the best sightseeing, shopping, and street life in Europe. Closest at hand are the Royal Palace, the quaint shops of Haalremmerdijk, the pedestrianized zones Kalverstraat and Dam Square with popular neighborhoods such as the Red Light District, and the Canal Ring hardly more than a moment’s stroll away. With the well-connected Centraal Station as Centrum’s base, it's easy to travel farther afield via one of the city’s iconic trams.
How to get there
  • Nieuwmarkt • 3 min walk
  • Centraal Station • 7 min walk

See what travelers are saying

  • JENNY W
    New Delhi, India13 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Super interesting perspective of the red light area
    Pablo Pascal was the best tour guide. This tour is set in a context of an historic introduction into Amsterdam central areas including an informed view of the red light district. Pablo was so informed and so interesting to listen to. I hope you are lucky enough to get him.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written October 6, 2023
  • amuda suvya
    Delhi, Canada5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Adult tourism activities with friends
    I stayed there for say about a week, it was a fun travel for recreation and sightseeing and much with friends. It is a open display of world about alternate fun in a healthy way. Alot of shops about sex toy, alcohol, marijuana and other smoke, paid fun ladies, crowd with similar vibe. I made few new friends who shared about their personal intimate experience at Delhi India with Omyale Pippa an Companion (nice and friendly crowd from all over the world), Kind of average experience.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written October 20, 2023
  • Brandon X
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sexy Girls and excellent service
    Better than other places many exotic provider from various countries (may be i was lucky enough), met one asian girl (shared contact of Ojasvi Love from Delhi, Indie) from and another european both were talented and beautiful. Cindrella from Latvia was another good contact, Blisha from Holland is too welcoming. I must go place to try your luck about flings! I really liked the service, crowd, toy shopping and food. Solo traveller never feel like solo here, so many things to keep you busy. A must try for seekers looking for Adult open-ness.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written October 21, 2023
  • Culture708153
    38 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Awesome Holland!!
    What a fabulous city Amsterdam is.. history..Modern-day..easy to move around ( watch out for the Bikes though..so much to see and do. A wonderful place if you want to bade and visit some of the other countries..Paris.. 4 hrs away..Brussels 3 ish hrs away..easily accessible. The Trains were comfortable/clean. I felt safe walking the city.. cant wait to get back and explore more of the city and countryside..
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 31, 2023
  • Nowis75
    Nottingham, United Kingdom55 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sexy Beautiful Red Lights
    We visited Amsterdam with an open mind, unsure what to expect. Well. It was great. The city is beautiful with its canals, buildings and bars. The red light disitrict is in the heart of the city, easy to get to and 15-20 min walk from Central station. We had a giggle in the sex shops but our first place was the Sex museum opposite the Central Station. It was brilliant with diaplays and history through the years with some eye ( watering ) openers too. We had a good laugh in there. Not as much window shopping as we had expected, dont laugh or point at the girls, its frowned upon. We went in the sex palace several times for the peep show at 2 euros a go. Think my wife enjoyed it more than i did. Lokking at minge as she called it. Again, a laugh and a giggle, tongue in cheek. Some of the girls ( ladies ) were entertaining, smiling, some of the older ones didnt look to happy to be there. Expect to pay between 6 and 10 euro for a beer. 10 to 15 for gins/mixers, irish coffee etc. Paid 8 euro for a spliff and 9 euro for a space cake. No more than felt a bit floaty, happy. Giggly. Stay away from the street sellers. They're easy to spot a mile off.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 1, 2023
  • Shane B
    Te Awamutu, New Zealand809 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Still has a real buzz to it.
    As people watching is one of our favourite pass times this was right up our alley so to speak. Went there both during the day and night, noting it stretches beyond the one street during the day there were lots of families strolling around and had a family atmosphere about it. Night time bit busier windows full. There are lots of places to eat and drink in and around it and we found prices reasonable. Recommended for nearly all ages especially if you have not seen or experienced any thing like this before. Was there 40 years ago and doesn't seemed to have changed much
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 16, 2023
  • Shaun P
    South Wales, United Kingdom229 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth a look.
    We walked the Red light district and to be honest it’s quite a dirty area. A lot of rubbish on the side of the canal. The smell of weed was nice mind. I don’t use it but it’s a nice smell. Busy area and plenty of things to see 🫣
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 1, 2023
  • cannonater
    Salt Lake City, Utah1,461 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Now that was different…
    Had heard all about this part of town but you’ve just got to experience it to believe it.. Not as dirty and gross as you’d probably imagine it to be. Very interesting and it got old quite quick. The women in the windows were quite amusing and would get very angry with you fast if you weren’t a customer. Glad we made the stroll and can now say that we’ve been there.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 2, 2024
  • Nathan&Gemma
    Kent, United Kingdom213 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    It’s what Amsterdam is about right?
    A must visit when you come to Amsterdam, it is all part of the culture! The canals are beautiful and the actual area itself is nice. This is where you will see the various small “windows” where the ladies are within. It does have that strange feeling, however the general atmosphere was good. Definitely worth a visit.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 10, 2024
  • Laura stoneman
    Plymouth, United Kingdom41 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth a visit
    You cannot go to the dam and not visit the red light district But be very warned be aware of your belongings and people around you ! Look out for small groups of males hanging around on corners If you get approached do not engage at all …. IGNORE IGNORE IGNORE Also the working girls don’t like being waved at as I found out Have a look but be discreet Casa Rosa sex show was funny and defo worth a visit inside 😂
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 15, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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mickplaice
Kingston-upon-Hull, UK209 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Friends
Been visiting Amsterdam for quite a few year now 6 out of 7. Visited Sun/Mon 22/23 February. Ongoing road works (3 years), streets flooding badly not coping with the rain, shop rubbish strewn everywhere with fag ends....this city centre is distinctively looking a dirty city. The current mayor wants rid of tourists well this will ensure that. It’s now very expensive for premium beers e.g x2 pints Blonde in Red light District £19. Bars seem to make up higher prices for tourists. One positive is the fast food burger outlets serve excellent burgers. Probably give this city a miss from now on.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HE_Kuiper
Dublin, Ireland11 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Friends
My personal opinion is that the majority of the women provide a necessary service. However, of the many I have seen only two of them meet my standards of appearance and attractiveness of women I would speak to with the intent of getting to know them.

The above is not the reason for my low rating, the people that stop and stare is the most distasteful aspect of the area. Parents bring small children and just stand and stare for 2 to 5 minutes. These parents need to be disciplined.

Then you find many tourists that simply come to stare, thus hampering the women and their customers from engaging in their business. Yes, pleasure is a business.

The streets and alleys where the men/women are plying there trade needs to be respected by the tourists and the tourists need to respect the signs that say ‘No Photos.

As a local, I am forced to push my way through the tourists lacking in respect.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Simon
Truro, UK56 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
Tacky Tourism at its worst! It’s tacky, dirty & full of groups of drunk / stoned men, families and couples. It feels like a safe area but we only walked through before 7pm, already there were men urinating in the streets and vomit on the floor. Unfortunately there will always be a market for this and by un-licencing or moving it from the City centre will just drive it underground where i'm sure conditions for the workers would only get worse.....if it could. Don't be fooled into thinking these girls enjoy their work....just read the internet
Written January 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Temer2
Horley, UK1,014 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
A group of 4 of us (2 couples) wandered through the Red Light District at around 9pm on a Saturday night and I have slightly mixed feelings about the area. It's nowhere near as sleazy as some make it out to be and is actually quite an organised and I think good way of ensuring the safety of these ladies. Some are beautiful and all are barely dressed, and it's obviously their job, but most smile as you walk past, though some did look a bit bored as they were looking at their phones. The ladies are literally standing (or sitting) in a person shaped window selling their wares with something to cater for all tastes. I didn't feel uncomfortable at all visiting with my husband- only for a walk through the area - and my only concern is whether the ladies are all selling themselves because they want to, but that would be the same for anywhere in the world. At least in Amsterdam, it's a legitimate industry and these ladies are more protected than in other areas. The whole area felt fairly safe to walk through though I wouldn't want to do it on my own and you could smell weed far more strongly in this area than the other places we visited.
Written January 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CathyGilman
London, UK940 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Family
We accidentally happened on this area by very briefly taking a wrong turn- its grim. Very rough looking women dancing in windows and shops full of grubby looking clothing, toys and devices. I'm sure for some people its erotic, others it's funny I thought it was sad.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ben
Preston, UK21 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
I wouldn’t class the Red Light District as a tourist attraction as it isn’t. It is a place of work for a lot of women and men in Amsterdam. It is eye opening as in many country’s there isn’t a legal place like this where women are protected and can work with protection of the law.

Don’t take any photos of the women no matter how good looking you think they are... you wouldn’t want random people taking pictures of you whilst you’re at work...
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Andrea Lehotska Travelblogger
Milan, Italy496 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Friends
Impossible to visit Amsterdam and not to pass an evening in Red District: weekends are busy here so leave your bike somewhere at the corner and enjoy a walk while admiring almost naked bodies of all shapes, styles, colors, weight and age.
Girls (some biological, some not yet:))) dance behind glassed tiny shop windows, some smoke, some watch series on cells, others are bored or half asleep. If the curtains are drown, then there is probably going on a business inside:)
U also can enjoy cheap peep shows in single cabins where with 2€ coins u may watch a dancer getting naked. Don’t stick to close to the walls; not all people inside that tiny cabin have only been “watching” lol.
There is an erotic museum to be seen to, and lot of small shop, souvenirs, or coffee shops where u can enjoy a joint or just a hot tee.
Funny place!
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TimeTraveler1st
London, UK870 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
Beautiful Girls Show them Selfs in window displays they rent the space of 80 euros a day so you can negotiate a price for the level of service you wish to receive. Then the rest is up to you the curtain is drawn closed and off you go. I had my wings clipped years ago and was with my wife😤but a real eye opener for a legal activity in Amsterdam. Strangely we saw no guys offering girls the same service. 🤔

Personal we saw no harm in it for those who want to try there luck. We should legalise in it in the U.K. in this day and age who cares.🤪
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sokolalene
Kyiv, Ukraine3,303 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Friends
Of course, we took a walk to this block. In the evening it is a major tourist attraction, with crowds flocking to have a look. Basically, these are tourists and just onlookers; there are not many clients. I've been here before and I don't see anything interesting here. Over the past ten years, it is clearly visible that plastic surgery has stepped very far forward and every priestess has quite successfully taken advantage of its achievements. And prices (from snatches of phrases in the crowd) have also increased significantly. There are girls for every taste. There are many bars and inexpensive restaurants in the area, mainly serving Asian and Arabic cuisine. The crowd on the side streets, where the shop windows with girls are located, just carries you along. You can’t take pictures, you can meet very aggressive resistance - the last time we were there, a girl who was trying to capture something from afar threw a can of paint at my friend and then I had to say goodbye to my sneakers. The smell of grass is everywhere and in such concentration that I had to wash my hair before going to bed, although now it smells everywhere in Amsterdam. For me, this place is a very controversial tourist attraction, but without these very lanterns, Amsterdam would not be Amsterdam.
Google
Written September 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Emma H
Isle of Wight, UK18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
Interesting and colourful, many spectacles to see.
Lots of British stag dos! Many warning signs - No photos or filming and No young children allowed.
Interesting and not what I expected but a definite must for visitors without children.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Red Light District - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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