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Top things to do in Amsterdam

Amsterdam Red Light District | The sin city of Europe

Step into Amsterdam's most talked-about neighborhood: the Red Light District (De Wallen). Beyond the neon glow and bustling crowds, discover an area with centuries of history, a complex social fabric, and a blend of historic architecture alongside its more famous trade—sex work. Explore its narrow cobblestone streets, canals, and diverse range of businesses, from traditional pubs to the iconic window displays, offering a glimpse into a side of Amsterdam unlike any other.

Why go on Amsterdam Red Light District tours

Amsterdam Red Light District canal view with historic buildings and illuminated windows.
  • Gain historical and cultural context: Red Light District tours provide insights into the history of this 800-year-old district, its evolution, and its place within Amsterdam's unique culture of tolerance and liberalism.
  • Learn about the legal aspects: Understand the laws and regulations surrounding sex work in the Netherlands, which is legal and regulated in this area.
  • See the architecture: Discover the historical buildings, charming canals, narrow streets, and even the windows that are lit in red that make up this part of Amsterdam's oldest area.
  • Hear personal stories: Most tours share anonymized stories or insights into the lives of sex workers, aiming to provide a more human perspective. For some, these tours can be a way to learn about a topic often shrouded in secrecy and break down personal misconceptions.
  • Visit unique attractions: Visit the Prostitution Museum, Red Light Secrets, or pass by other interesting spots like the Condomerie or the Old Church (Oude Kerk).

Things to know before booking Amsterdam Red Light District tours

  • Types of tickets: Explore the Red Light District with Red Light Secrets museum entry, Red Light District walking tours, canal cruises, and unique brothel tours. Choose based on your interests – in-depth history, guided exploration, scenic views, or a personal perspective.
  • What’s included: Museum tickets grant entry to Red Light Secrets and a multilingual audio guide. Walking tours provide multilingual guided exploration or independent tours of the area with an audio guide. Canal cruises offer a different perspective, with an option to upgrade and enjoy unlimited drinks onboard. Brothel tours offer a specific, intimate experience with a live Q&A session with a former sex worker.
  • Walking tours: These guided explorations with a live guide or an audio guide offer the historical, cultural, and social context of the Red Light District. They often highlight key landmarks and provide insights you might miss on your own. 
  • Combo tours: Look for options that combine the Red Light Secrets Museum with a canal cruise or an audio-guided walking tour of the Red Light District. These can offer a more comprehensive experience and potentially better value than booking separately.
  • Guided tours: Red Light District walking tours and the brothel tour are guided, offering narration and insights from a local expert or someone with firsthand experience.
  • Age restrictions: Be aware of any age restrictions. The Red Light Secrets Museum has an age limit of 16 years, while the walking tours, booze cruises, and brothel tours have an age limit of 18 years. Ensure all members of your group meet the requirements, or you will be denied entry.
  • Best time to go: The Red Light District is most vibrant in the evening and at night. However, for a less crowded museum experience, daytime visits might be preferable. Consider your desired atmosphere when choosing your booking time.
  • Cancellation policy: Your Red Light District tours can be cancelled for free 24 hours before the experience begins.

Which Amsterdam Red Light District tour is best for you

Amsterdam's Red Light Secrets Museum entrance with historical exhibits on prostitution.

If you are on a budget

Go for: Entry tickets
Duration: Flexible
Guide: Audio guide

Explore the Museum of Prostitution at your own pace as you experience a typical day in the life of a sex worker.

Recommended tours:

Red Light Secrets Museum Tickets
Warmoestraat in Amsterdam with vibrant nightlife and historic architecture seen during guided walk tour

If you want a guided tour

Go for: Guided walking tours
Duration: 1.5 hours
Guide: Live guide

The walking tour explores the Red Light District. You’ll also pass Amsterdam’s oldest church, Oude Kerk, and more.

Recommended tours:

Amsterdam Red Light District Walking Tour
Amsterdam canal cruise boat on water with passengers enjoying Red Light District views.

If you want to go sightseeing

Go for: Amsterdam canal cruise
Duration: 1 hour
Guide: Audio guide

Get access to the Red Light Secrets Museum, followed by a 1-hour cruise of Amsterdam’s canals with an audio guide in 19 languages.

Recommended tours:

Red Light District Canal Cruise
Tour de BonTon Amsterdam strip club interior with red velvet seating and stage.

If you want an insider experience

Go for: Museum tour with Q&A
Duration: 45-60 mins
Guide: Live guide

Explore a high-end strip club with a former sex worker as your tour guide for insider insights into the lives of the residents.

Recommended tours:

BonTon Amsterdam Brothel Tour
Streets of the Red Light District in Amsterdam

If you want a comprehensive experience

Go for: Museum tickets and walking tour
Duration: Flexible
Guide: Audio guide

Go on an audio-guided walking tour of the Red Light District and get access to the Red Light Secrets Museum.

Recommended tours:

Red Light Secrets + Amsterdam Red Light District Tours

Amsterdam Red Light District tour highlights

Red Light Secrets Museum interior with vintage furnishings and historical exhibits in Amsterdam.

Red Light Secrets

Step into the Museum of Prostitution, Red Light Secrets. Housed in a former brothel, it dispels the stigmas surrounding sex work and showcases the history of the profession. Engage with audio tours and discover the plight of sex workers and anti-trafficking efforts.

amsterdam red light district tours

Oude Kerk

Explore the heart of the Red Light District by visiting Oude Kerk, Amsterdam's oldest church. This architectural gem dates back centuries and starkly contrasts the district's lively atmosphere. Wander inside, appreciating its rich history and artistic treasures.

amsterdam red light district tours

Dancing Houses

Capture the charm of the Red Light District's birthplace at the harbor. These distinctive, tilted buildings showcase Renaissance architecture and are a must-have photo opportunity that encapsulates the district's unique blend of history and modernity.

Visitors exploring the historic Tour de BonTon in Amsterdam.

Tour de BonTon

Experience the epitome of adult entertainment with an exclusive tour through a high-end strip club in Amsterdam. Follow a former sex worker through the club and have a unique opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the profession, followed by an independent exploration.

What to see in the Red Light District

Oude Kerk in Amsterdam with Amsterdam City Card access.

Oude Kerk

Amsterdam's oldest building

Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder Church interior with ornate altar, Amsterdam.
Visitors exploring the amsterdam Dungeon, featuring immersive historical exhibits.
women enjoying coffee inside coffee shop
woman standing near dancing pole in strip club in amsterdam

Plan your visit to the Red Light District

Address: De Wallen, Amsterdam | ​Find on Maps

  • By metro: 52
    Nearest station: Rokin
  • By tram: 14
    Nearest stop: Rokin
  • By car: Via Amstel
    Nearest parking: Q-Park, Onepark
amsterdam red light district tours
  • The Amsterdam Red Light District is partially wheelchair accessible, with some limitations. The main streets are generally flat and accessible. However, there are some inaccessible cobblestone sections and narrow sidewalks. 
  • Some establishments, like bars and cafes, may have steps or narrow entrances that are not fully accessible.
no photography sign
  • Respect the workers: Remember that the individuals working in the Red Light District are professionals. Treat them with respect, just as you would any other person. Avoid making derogatory comments or engaging in any disrespectful behavior.
  • Age restrictions: Red District Light tours are exclusively for guests aged 18 and older. No one under 18 is permitted to participate.
  • Photography: Taking photographs in the Red Light District is prohibited. Respect the privacy of the workers and follow any rules regarding photography that are in place.
  • Pets: Only guide dogs for visually impaired guests are allowed on this tour.
  • Local laws: The Red Light District is primarily an area for sex work and adult entertainment. It's essential to understand and respect the boundaries of this area. Follow all local laws, including those related to public intoxication, drug use, and noise. The police are active in the area. Engaging in any illegal activities or harassing the workers is not only disrespectful but also illegal.
amsterdam red light district tours
  • Bird Thais Restaurant: A Thai restaurant that offers a variety of Thai dishes, including Thai chicken curry, pork, and chili.
  • Cau Steakhouse: An Argentine Steakhouse that offers a variety of dishes, including steak and grill options.
  • Restaurant Bougainville: A Michelin-starred restaurant offering a unique and sensory gastronomic experience with a panoramic view of Amsterdam’s city center.
  • Ivy & Bros: This restaurant has a variety of items on its menu, including open sandwiches, frittatas, shakshuka, and salads.
amsterdam red light district tours
Rijksmuseum Gardens with sculptures and manicured lawns in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • Anne Frank House: The museum is dedicated to Jewish WWII diarist Anne Frank, as well as a place for all Holocaust victims to be remembered. It holds within authentic stories you can experience through pictures, quotes, and videos.
  • Van Gogh Museum: Dive into the world of Van Gogh; witness and experience the master himself!
  • Rijksmuseum: The museum has been completely rebuilt and offers a variety of exhibits that illustrate how life was for people in the Netherlands from the medieval period to the 20th century. The museum is a 5-minute walk from Tour de BonTon.
  • Body Worlds: The Happiness Project is part exhibition, part symposium, dedicated to showing new ways to connect people with their inner selves and their surroundings to live happier lives.

Visitor tips

  • Choose a tour after dark: The vibe changes dramatically from day to night. Opt for a tour around 7pm or 9pm. You’ll catch the area when the lights are glowing, the windows are active, and the energy is high.
  • Go on guided tours: Most of the Red Light District tours are run by ex-workers, historians, or locals who know the politics and changes in sex work laws. Their insights go way beyond the typical commentary.
  • Ask where you can take photos: Photos of sex workers are strictly forbidden, but there are photo-friendly spots like the Oudekerksplein square, neon signs, or certain alleyways. A guide can point them out without disrespecting anyone.
  • Skip the bars, hit hidden museums: Circle back to the Red Light Secrets Museum or the Cannabis Museum afterward. They’re easy to miss but add deep context.
  • Bring cash for surprise stops: Some tours stop at condom shops, adult theaters, or even peep shows. A few euros on hand means you won’t miss the quirky extras — like watching a one-minute show through a viewing slot.
  • End your night in Nieuwmarkt or Zeedijk: Instead of grabbing a drink right in the heart of the district (often overpriced), walk 5 mins east to Zeedijk or Nieuwmarkt. You’ll find better food, craft cocktails, and a chiller vibe.
  • Look up on your tours: Many old canal houses that date back to the 14th century still have old pulleys on their rooftops or strange historical signage carved into the façade. These buildings were once convents or merchant homes before becoming part of the district’s sex industry.

Frequently Asked Questions about Amsterdam Red Light District tours

What types of businesses are in the Red Light District?

The Red Light District primarily consists of window brothels, sex shops, peep shows, adult theaters, and more.

How big is the Red Light District in Amsterdam?

The Red Light District covers approximately 50 city blocks in the historical center of Amsterdam.

Can I interact with the workers in the Red Light District?

No, it is generally discouraged to interact with the workers unless you intend to engage their services.

Is visiting the Red Light District legal?

Yes, visiting the Red Light District is legal and a popular tourist attraction in Amsterdam.

Can I walk through the Red Light District without entering the establishments?

Yes, you can simply walk through the area to experience the unique atmosphere without entering any establishments.

Can I visit during the day?

Yes, you can visit the Red Light District during the day, but keep in mind that the area's ambiance is different compared to the evening and nighttime.

What are the busiest times to visit?

The Red Light District tends to be busiest in the evenings and on weekends, particularly during peak tourist seasons.

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