Red Light District Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Red Light District
Red Light District
Red Light District
Red Light District
Red Light District which includes street scenes, a bridge and a city

This infamous area of Amsterdam is steeped in history and offers an alternative view of life in one of Europe’s oldest ports.

Homesick sailors and weary travellers have been finding sweet relief in Amsterdam’s Red Light District for around 600 years. Today the area is equally popular with tourists, curious to catch a glimpse while keeping a safe distance.This area between Dam Square and Chinatown is known locally as De Wallen, or “the embankments”, and during the day its narrow cobbled streets and pretty gabled houses lend it much the same appearance as any other part of the city. At night, as the red lights begin to glow in the windows, the atmosphere is charged with something a little more risqué. Prostitution is legal in Holland, which is known for its tolerant attitude to certain practices classed as criminal in other countries, but visitors are often still shocked at the flagrancy of the sex trade. However, if you keep an open mind, a visit to De Wallen is an important piece in the jigsaw of Amsterdam culture.Before you lose yourself in the maze of streets, pause at the 13th-century Old Church (Oude Kerk), one of the city’s earliest stone buildings, to admire the beautifully decorated interior and the famous prostitute statue outside, offering a timely reminder to respect the world’s sex workers.Although for the locals a walk through the Red Light District is just another unremarkable route home, it’s a very different experience for international tourists unused to the sight of scantily clad women in garishly lit windows. Young women of many different nationalities compete to catch the attention of open-mouthed sightseers and the streets are lined with adult shops, erotic shows and sex museums. While these are often popular with groups on a wild weekend, their explicit nature may not be to everyone’s taste.The Red Light District is no longer the den of iniquity that some visitors may fear in fact the strong police presence actually makes it one of the safer parts of the city. However, it does attract its share of beggars and pickpockets, so take sensible precautions such as leaving unnecessary valuables at home. It is also considered offensive to take close-up photographs of the quarter's workers, although general views of this colourful area and its historic buildings are perfectly acceptable.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Red Light District Hotel Deals

Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam City Center

Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam City Center

4.5 out of 5
Rusland 17, Amsterdam
The price is NZ$469 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
NZ$469
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,016 reviews)
"Great walkable location -- loved the extra water bottles, borrow-able umbrellas and how clean everything was."

Reviewed on 23 Jul. 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam City Center
Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam

Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam

5 out of 5
Dam 9, Amsterdam
The price is NZ$685 per night from 30 July to 31 July
NZ$685
30 July - 31 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
"It’s well located in center. Breakfast was very nice with many options. Highly recommended to everyone for stay."

Reviewed on 22 Jul. 2025

Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam
Hotel Old Quarter

Hotel Old Quarter

2.5 out of 5
Warmoesstraat 22, Amsterdam
Stay at this hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,005 reviews)
"Excellent stay"

Reviewed on 11 Jul. 2025

Hotel Old Quarter
Hotel CC

Hotel CC

3 out of 5
Warmoesstraat 42, Amsterdam
The price is NZ$244 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
NZ$244
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,006 reviews)
"We really enjoyed our stay at Hotel CC! The location is perfect—right in the heart of the city and just a short walk from Central Station. It made exploring Amsterdam super easy, from visiting museums to grabbing local treats like stroopwafels. The hotel has real character, with classic Amsterdam ..."

Reviewed on 23 Jul. 2025

Hotel CC
This Hostel

This Hostel

2 out of 5
Warmoesstraat 14, Amsterdam, North Holland Province
The price is NZ$148 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$148
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hostel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (278 reviews)
"Great stay in the cube. It’s comfortable and well priced. I would definitely return. Only comment I would make is that the air con in our section of the corridor was not as cool as the others, the room felt a bit warm"

Reviewed on 22 Jul. 2025

This Hostel
Hotel & bar Royal taste Amsterdam

Hotel & bar Royal taste Amsterdam

2 out of 5
47 Oudezijds Achterburgwal, Amsterdam, NH
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$287 per night from 31 July to 1 Aug
NZ$287
31 July - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Dam Square and Van Gogh Museum are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (23 reviews)
"The bartender/check in dude Jack was awesome. Helpful in every way. Held our bags etc. This is a convenient location and for the price it's a decent option. I was traveling with teens so be aware that the downstairs bar is lively and the location adjoins the red light district. Not unsafe but a bit ..."

Reviewed on 14 Jul. 2025

Hotel & bar Royal taste Amsterdam
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Red Light District

Dam Square which includes street scenes, heritage architecture and a city

Old Town Amsterdam

Known for its fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in Old Town Amsterdam. Top attractions like Dam Square and Warmoesstraat are major draws. Catch the metro at Dam Stop or Nieuwezijds Kolk Stop to see more of the city.

Old Town Amsterdam
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Amsterdam City Centre

4.5/5(187 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, charming cafes and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Amsterdam City Centre. Top attractions like Dam Square and Nieuwmarkt Square are major draws. Catch the metro at Nieuwmarkt Station or Waterlooplein Station to see more of the city.

Amsterdam City Centre
Amsterdam showing street scenes, a river or creek and a city

Binnenstad

If you're spending time in Binnenstad, check out sights like Dam Square or National Monument and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Dam Stop or Paleisstraat Tram Stop.

Binnenstad
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Nieuwmarkt en Lastage

If you're spending time in Nieuwmarkt en Lastage, check out sights like Nemo Science Museum or Nieuwmarkt Square and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Nieuwmarkt Station or Mr. Visserplein Stop.

Nieuwmarkt en Lastage
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Grachtengordel-West

While you're in Grachtengordel-West, take in top sights like Herengracht Canal or Prinsengracht, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Westermarkt Stop or Koningsplein Stop.

Grachtengordel-West
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Grachtengordel-Zuid

While you're in Grachtengordel-Zuid, take in top sights like Reguliersdwarsstraat or Flower Market, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Muntplein Tram Stop or Rembrandtplein Stop.

Grachtengordel-Zuid

Red Light District Travel Guide

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