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

citizenM Schiphol Airport

citizenM Schiphol Airport

4 out of 5
Jan Plezierweg 2, Schiphol
The price is NZ$299 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
NZ$299
20 Sept - 21 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Schiphol. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,173 reviews)
"Literally a five minute walk from the airport, was the perfect place for my layover."

Reviewed on 16 Sept 2025

citizenM Schiphol Airport
Ruby Emma Hotel Amsterdam

Ruby Emma Hotel Amsterdam

4 out of 5
Amstelvlietstraat 4, Amsterdam
The price is NZ$234 per night from 21 Sept to 22 Sept
NZ$234
21 Sept - 22 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,606 reviews)
"Nice hotel overall. The sink was clogged but that was probably just my room."

Reviewed on 14 Sept 2025

Ruby Emma Hotel Amsterdam
citizenM Amsterdam South

citizenM Amsterdam South

4 out of 5
Prinses Irenestraat 30, Amsterdam, North Holland
The price is NZ$166 per night from 21 Sept to 22 Sept
NZ$166
21 Sept - 22 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
"The room was quite fascinating as a smart room and its features were exciting. The bed was a good size and very comfortable. The bedrooms felt like there could have been a bit of a deeper clean especially on surfaces and the floor and the shower did drip continuously which was quite loud during the ..."

Reviewed on 14 Sept 2025

citizenM Amsterdam South
Eden Hotel Amsterdam

Eden Hotel Amsterdam

4.5 out of 5
Amstel 144, Amsterdam
The price is NZ$354 per night from 21 Sept to 22 Sept
NZ$354
21 Sept - 22 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,531 reviews)
"Great location, helpful staff, handy small shop. Standard double slightly smaller than expected, room was beside lift so constant noise although probably more an issue for me being a light sleeper. Could have done with small table/chair but understand space an issue. View from window was brick wall. ..."

Reviewed on 15 Sept 2025

Eden Hotel Amsterdam
Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam

Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam

4.5 out of 5
Damrak 1-5, Amsterdam
The price is NZ$483 per night from 1 Oct to 2 Oct
NZ$483
1 Oct - 2 Oct
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 breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,300 reviews)
"This is a well located property right near the main Amsterdam Centraal train station. It was a great place to explore the city from and met our needs wonderfully. It is in need of some maintenance, however. The facilities see somewhat banged up in places and not as clean as I would expect for this ..."

Reviewed on 15 Sept 2025

Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam
Park Centraal Amsterdam, part of Sircle Collection

Park Centraal Amsterdam, part of Sircle Collection

4.5 out of 5
Stadhouderskade 25, Amsterdam
The price is NZ$371 per night from 21 Sept to 22 Sept
NZ$371
21 Sept - 22 Sept
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 breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,126 reviews)
"Great property great location"

Reviewed on 16 Sept 2025

Park Centraal Amsterdam, part of Sircle Collection
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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