Red Light Walking Tour
This fun guided tour (English) will let you explore the Red Light District. Hear interesting stories of the district's history, the work of prostitutes and coffeeshops.
Red Light District ('De Wallen)'
Best Activities & Shows in Amsterdam's Red Light District
The Red Light District is Amsterdam's prostitution district, named after the many red lights used in the prostitution windows. Some tips for activities and best shows to explore the district:
Red Light District
Amsterdam's Red Light District (‘De Wallen’ in Dutch) is the prostitution district of Amsterdam, with over 300 spots for window prostitution. The name is derived from the many red lights in these windows. The district also features plenty of sex shops, coffeeshops, sex shows, and a cannabis museum. The district has become one of the main tourist attractions in Amsterdam.
A few Red Light District activities:
Red Light Museum
The Red Light Museum or Museum of Prostitution offers a glimpse behind the screens of the Red Light District. The museum is located in a 17th-century canal house and explains the entire history of this notorious district, the oldest profession in the world, and the secrets of the ladies.
Casa Rosso Erotic Theatre
Casa Rosso is the most famous erotic show in the Red Light District. Their shows vary from striptease, soft SM, live sex, to the famous banana show. Book your tickets now for this special and popular night out.
Pub Crawl
A pub crawl visiting Red Light District pubs? Visit five pubs and a club in this infamous neighbourhood. The guides will take you on a night to remember.
Activities in Red Light District
The Red Light District, also known as De Wallen, is one of the most famous and frequently visited neighborhoods in Amsterdam. Located in the oldest part of the city, near Dam Square and the Oude Kerk (Old Church), the area is internationally known for its red-lit windows where sex workers offer their services. The history of the Red Light District dates back to the Middle Ages, when Amsterdam was already a busy trading hub and prostitution was tolerated. The district is much more than just sex work. It offers a unique mix of culture, history, and nightlife. In addition to the windows, you’ll find museums, art galleries, cafés, sex shops, and historic buildings. The Oude Kerk, Amsterdam’s oldest building, stands in the heart of the district.
In recent years, the city of Amsterdam has implemented various measures to make the area safer and more livable, including the “1012 project,” which combats illegal practices and attracts new types of businesses. Tourists, however, continue to flock to the Red Light District—often out of curiosity or because of the open and tolerant atmosphere that is characteristic of Amsterdam. Though controversial, De Wallen remains an iconic and intriguing part of the city.
Where is the Red Light District in Amsterdam?
