Street map of the Red Light District of Amsterdam - Meet The Cities (2024)

De Wallen

De Wallen, meaning the shores, is the biggest and most well known red light district of Amsterdam. This is the area you see on tv with its distinctive canals, cozy bars and red light windows. It’s a fantastic tourist attraction that you must have seen in the evening, if you truly want to be able to say that you have visited Amsterdam.

The red light district can be found around the old church called the Oude Kerk (which also means the old church). The red light district covers a wide range of canal streets and alleys around the old church all the way up to Nieuwmarkt (New Market Square). Especially in the alleys, where visitors aren’t as exposed to the public, you will find many girls trying to lure customers in from behind their windows. In this area you can find strip clubs, sex workers behind their windows, sex shops, an erotic museum and more alongside beautiful historical canals.

Unbeknownst to most tourists the red light district is also a residential area where lots of native people from Amsterdam live and many fun loving student societies are housed. Students love drinking, so in Amsterdam the area is notable for its many bars and cafes that are usually quite crowded. Add in the tourist hotels, walking tours, coffeeshops and sport bars located in the area and it’s one big chaotic area where all walks of life meet under the cover of the night and bright shining red lights.

As this is one of the older parts of Amsterdam the buildings have a very beautiful and charisteric Dutch architecture to them. Taking a stroll across the canals here at night gives you a true feel of the red light vibe of Amsterdam. The area has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. And the streets are surprisingly cozy and you can find plenty of bars in the area.

Despite that some curious tourists and locals walk here with their families, parental discretion is advised. In the red light district you will find many scantily clad women, sexually explicit images and objects in the store windows that are only meant for adults of 18 years and older.

If you are wondering where the Red Light District can be found, just head to the streets the ‘Oudezijds Voorburgwal’ and the ‘Oudezijds Achterburgwal’ in the evening, when everything comes alive, and explore the surrounding areas. The location of the red light district of Amsterdam called De Wallen can be found on the map below, where we have marked the area in red on the map.

If you want want to learn more about this historic district of Amsterdam, then you can always book a guided tour through the Amsterdam Red Light District.

Street map of the Red Light District of Amsterdam - Meet The Cities (2024)

FAQs

What are the main streets of the Red Light District in Amsterdam? ›

What street is the red light district Amsterdam? Amsterdam has now three window prostitution zones. These are located in buildings along the Ruysdaelkade and Singel and in the area known as De Wallen (Amsterdam's main red light district). The name of the main street in de Wallen is called 'Oudezijds Achterburgwal.

How far is Red Light District from Amsterdam city Centre? ›

For those who enjoy exploring a city on foot, you'll be happy to know that the Red Light District is within walking distance from Amsterdam City Centre. The approximate distance between the two areas is around 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles).

What is the most famous street in the Red Light District? ›

De Wallen, together with prostitution areas Singelgebied and Ruysdaelkade, form the Rosse Buurt (red-light areas) of Amsterdam. Of these De Wallen is the oldest and largest area. It is one of the city's major tourist attractions.

Where is the best area of Amsterdam Red Light District? ›

There are actually three red light districts in Amsterdam, though the biggest and most famous of all is De Wallen. Located just southeast of Centraal Station in the Centrum, De Wallen is a warren of medieval alleyways with three main streets that sit on and around the parallel neon-lit canals.

What is the Blue light district? ›

There's the myth that there's a Blue light district in the Red light district in Amsterdam. But this apparently ended up. This blue light district is supposedly an area featuring only transgender sex workers, which could be identified by BLUE light (aka blacklight) in their windows instead of a red light.

What is the purple light district in Amsterdam? ›

The Meaning of Purple Lights

Contrary to what some may think, the purple lights in Amsterdam have nothing to do with the infamous Red Light District. Instead, these purple lights are often used to indicate the presence of cannabis-related establishments known as “coffee shops.”

Can you take pictures in Amsterdam Red Light District? ›

Taking pictures without permission can violate their rights and create an uncomfortable environment. Therefore, it is generally considered inappropriate and disrespectful to take photos of the sex workers in the Amsterdam Red Light District.

Can couples visit the Red Light District in Amsterdam? ›

Can couples go to the Red Light District Amsterdam? Many couples find the sex shows exhilarating to attend together. But that's totally a decision for you and your partner. If you're looking for a couples experience with a woman of the night, all you have to do is ask – and pay, of course.

Is it worth going to the Red Light District in Amsterdam? ›

It is an iconic part of the city, unique to Amsterdam and worth a visit for that reason. I've visted in the day (albeit 25 yrs ago) and night and the latter is much more what its about with the red lighting abd the girls in lot up doorways. The girls looked bored and uninterested, mostly on their phones.

Does the USA have red light districts? ›

Although sanctioned red-light districts continued on in some cities, including San Antonio, Texas, and Butte, Montana, vice districts died in most places in the U.S. after the federal government put its muscle behind abatement laws as part of the war effort.

Are there men in the Red Light District? ›

But despite making up 5% of the estimated 25,000 sex workers operating in the Netherlands, men are rarely seen. The so-called occupation of the Red Light District organized by the non-profit campaign group My Red Light, which rents rooms to sex workers and advocates for improved rights and labor conditions.

Is Vegas a Red Light District? ›

Legal brothels are entirely gone from the land once known as Four Mile and are outlawed in not just Las Vegas but all of Clark County. The closest ones operate in the Nye County communities of Pahrump and Amargosa Valley.

Do you tip in Amsterdam? ›

This one is pretty simple to answer – the Dutch do not have a tipping culture as strongly-ingrained as much of the English-speaking world. In a bar, restaurant, or private boat tour in Amsterdam, provided the service was good, a tip of around 10% is appreciated but not automatically expected.

What food is Amsterdam known for? ›

Top 10 Dutch Food Specialities to Try in Amsterdam
  • 3 - Poffertjes.
  • 4 - Kroket. ...
  • 5 - Pannenkoeken. ...
  • 6 - Drop. ...
  • 7 - Snert. ...
  • 8 - Stamppot. ...
  • 9 - Rookworst. These bad boys are the Netherlands' answer to hotdogs. ...
  • 10 - Haring. An acquired taste for sure, but you only live once and all that. ...

Is Amsterdam very expensive? ›

What is the average daily budget for a trip to Amsterdam? The average daily budget for a trip to Amsterdam can vary depending on your travel style and preferences. However, a rough estimate for a budget traveler would be around €60-80 per day, while mid-range travelers can expect to spend around €100-150 per day.

Can you walk in the Red Light District in Amsterdam? ›

How to visit Amsterdam Red Light District. You can walk to the RLD and explore completely on your own at anytime. There are no real opening times, as it is just a public neighbourhood, but things are busier at night when the theatres, clubs, restaurants and bars open.

What is the name of the red light area in Amsterdam? ›

The Red Light District, or 'De Wallen' as the area is known to locals, is the oldest district of Amsterdam. Ever since it was built around 1385, it has been both famous and notorious for the women inhabiting its streets. Since the beginning of modern history, Amsterdam has been a trading city with a large port.

What is a green light district? ›

an area in which prostitution is officially tolerated.

What are the different lights in the Red Light District in Amsterdam? ›

The red light above the windows indicates that a woman is currently available. You will also see some windows with curtains shut and the red light turned off: it sort of speaks for itself, doesn't it? You might also notice windows with a blue light instead of a red one.

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