Discover everything you need to know about Amsterdam Red Light District (De Wallen), Amsterdam including history, facts, how to get there and the best time to visit.

The Basics

The Red Light District is best explored on foot or by bike. Walking tours (or group pub crawls) typically provide a deep-dive into the neighborhood’s history and culture, while bike tours offer a broader overview of Amsterdam and allow you to visit the Red Light District and attractions such as the Van Gogh Museum or New Market Square.

Depending on your preference you can choose to visit by day or by night, when the district is especially lively. Some tour options also include admission to popular attractions such as the Sex Museum, Madame Tussauds Amsterdam, or one of the Netherlands’ legendary coffee shops.

Things to Know Before You Go

Although the area's once-dangerous streets are now much more welcoming, be aware of your surroundings as pickpockets are still common.
Sex work is legal and regulated in Amsterdam.
Taking photographs of sex workers in the windows is strictly forbidden. If you do, you may find yourself fishing your camera out of a canal.
Nearby, the commercial thoroughfares of Warmoesstraat and Zeedijk are filled with shops and restaurants.
The Red Light District is wheelchair accessible but some of the neighborhood's attractions may not be.

How to Get There

Also known as De Wallen (the Walls) or De Walletjes (the Little Walls), Amsterdam’s Red Light District is located just south of Centraal Station. While guided tours allow you to avoid the hassle of navigation, it’s also possible to arrive via tram or bus. The neighborhood itself is easy to explore on foot.

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Alternative Amsterdam

The famous laid-back Dutch attitude is very prevalent in the Red Light District, especially in the form of cannabis and sex work. While smoking marijuana is illegal in the Netherlands, it is widely tolerated, and you may purchase or possess up to five grams. You may be surprised that this carnivalesque neighborhood is also where families, young couples, and senior citizens reside and socialize.

Recent reviews from experiences in Amsterdam

Thank you Tony!

Danny_H, Feb 2021

Private Tour: Amsterdam Red Light District and Coffee Shop Tour

Very interesting and fun tour! I was alone on this tour together with my guide Tony. He is an amazing person and a great guide. The Red Light District was empty because of the corona crisis. I was probably the only tourist in the area!! Crazy times we live in but hopefully everything will be solved soon! I want to wish Tony and his team succes with the business. Thanks Tony!

SO MUCH FUN

Jennifer_S, Oct 2020

This tour is a must do when visiting Amsterdam!! The city was very empty because of the coronacrisis but there were still many girls in the windows. The Red Light District was actually even more fun because it was not too busy! Because of this it was great doing the tour with a guide together. Our guide Tony knew the area very well and had so much knowledge. Thank you so much :)

Informative and Fun

Katelyn_G, Jul 2020

Sex Worker Guided Amsterdam Red Light District Walking Tour

Our guide was funny and gave us interesting facts about the past and current history of sex workers in Amsterdam. We really enjoyed this tour.

Fun times!

Aida_M, Mar 2020

Amsterdam Red Light District 1.5-Hour Walking Tour with Local Guide

Awesome time with friends lots of laughs, and tour guide was great. He had lots of information of the area...

Great evening in Ref Light District- learned tons!

Canadian_mom_and_son, Feb 2020

Very informative and enjoyable evening Thanks for your hospitality. We learned a lot from the ‘inside scoop’!

Excellent and informative

AzK, Feb 2020

Excellent tour. David the your guide (from Canada) living in Amsterdam, a knowledgeable historian and excellent story teller. Covered a lot of information that we wouldn't know otherwise. He well explained the driving stories behind the Red light district, the religious, economic and legislative factors are interesting to learn and comprehend the reasons behind it. Unfortunately as of April 1st, 2020, the City of Amsterdam has banned to guided tours to the Red Light District.

Guide Good job

Dafne_M, Feb 2020

Private Amsterdam Red Light District tour including sex museum

Guide was excellent so passionate about his job! We really enjoyed it and learned so much. Great way to talk about perspectives.

Tony is the best guide you will ever have!!

Manfred_B, Aug 2020

This tour was the highlight of our stay in Amsterdam. Our guide Tony is such an amazing guide and person. It felt like doing a tour with a friend. We learned so much about the history, coffeeshops and prostitution The Red Light District is one of these places where you just need to have a guide with you. Of course you can go there on your own, but you will miss so much. This tour is a must do for anyone visiting Amsterdam. Tony you are the best!! Wish you all the best with your company.

Great snack tour!

majeancurtis, Feb 2020

Private Amsterdam Red Light District and Food Tour

Lorenzo was a knowledgeable and laid back guide. Good amount of time spent at interesting spots on the tour and the snacks were a nice touch.

A must do!

michellekirk, Jan 2020

Private Amsterdam walking tour of the Red Light District and Old Town

Our guide Stan made this an excellent experience. We really recommend doing the tour with him since he is a great guide! He showed us many sights and streets we would never found by ourselves. Highly recommended!

Entertaining

brisgirl706, Dec 2019

Last Chance!! Amsterdam Red Light District: Guided Night Walk and Party

Our host was very knowledgeable about the district history and current day operations. It was a good overview of the area.

Highly recommended!!!

r0bertfray, Dec 2019

Wonderful tour with our guide Tony! Tony is really the best, it felt like doing a tour with a friend. From the start we had so much fun. With this tour you learn so much about the history of the Red Light District and the legalization of prostitution. The tour is at your own pace and Tony was great at answering all of our questions. Highly recommended!

Amsterdam Red Light District (De Wallen)