Red Light District

Amsterdam

Red Light District
Red Light District
Red Light District
Red Light District
Red Light District featuring a bridge, street scenes and a river or creek
For at least 600 years, locals, sailors and travelers have come to this part of Amsterdam for adult entertainment in the many bars, brothels and eateries.

Amsterdam’s historic Red Light District is called De Wallen (embankments), four of which make up this neighborhood. Visitors are often surprised to see that during the day De Wallen looks much like the rest of the inner city with cobblestone streets, narrow gabled houses and cozy cafés. Both the red lights and women displayed in windows become visible after dark. Go with an open mind if you are curious about this notorious adult entertainment district between Dam Square and China Town.

Sailors from all over the world have flocked to De Wallen since the early 1400s and these days prostitution is a legalized industry in Holland. The Dutch policy of “if you decriminalize it, you can make it safer” is also true for marijuana and hashish, which are sold in small quantities in the local coffee shops and bars.

The Red Light District is dominated by the 13th-century Old Church (Oude Kerk), one of Amsterdam’s earliest stone buildings. Step inside to see impressive decorations. Check out the statue of Belle outside, depicting a prostitute in a doorway, with a sign asking to “respect sex workers all over the world.”

While locals walk through De Wallen as if it’s just like any other neighborhood, most tourists can’t help gaping at the narrow windows displaying sparsely dressed women under red lights. Hundreds of women of many different nationalities try to sell their services by winking and gesturing at passers-by. Adult shops, sex museums and neon-lit erotic shows draw in curious — sometimes giggling — groups of sightseers. Be aware that these shows leave nothing to the imagination.

To get to the Red Light District, either walk from Central Station or Dam Square. De Wallen is a well-policed area, safer than some other parts of the city. Even still, pickpockets, beggers and drug addicts sometimes target unaware tourists. Be aware that it’s considered offensive to take photographs of the windows with prostitutes. To avoid confrontation, only point your camera at the general action on the streets and the buildings, instead of specific people, to capture the atmosphere.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Red Light District

Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam
Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam
4.5 out of 5
Dam 9, Amsterdam
The price is €356 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
€356
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,015 reviews)
"The hotel is in a great location.. the hotel is clean and very modern.. A good vibe hotel. we stayed in a 6 floor room with a terrance and it was perfect, lots of space, clean and the bed was really comfy. Staff were helpful. Liked that you could only go on the hotel floor that your staying on.. ..."

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2025

Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky Amsterdam
Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam City Center
Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam City Center
4 out of 5
Rusland 17, Amsterdam
The price is €211 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
€211
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,018 reviews)
Highly recommended
"Second stay here, highly recommended. Friendly staff, excellent breakfast and conveniently located."

Reviewed on 6 Mar 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam City Center
Hotel Old Quarter
Hotel Old Quarter
2.5 out of 5
Warmoesstraat 22, Amsterdam
The price is €123 per night from 13 Mar to 14 Mar
€123
includes taxes & fees
13 Mar - 14 Mar
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! (1,006 reviews)
"Lovely stay"

Reviewed on 8 Mar 2025

Hotel Old Quarter
Rho Hotel
Rho Hotel
3 out of 5
Nes 5-23, Amsterdam
The price is €94 per night from 12 Mar to 13 Mar
€94
includes taxes & fees
12 Mar - 13 Mar
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,013 reviews)
"Always a go to hotel situated in the centre of the Old Town. Excellent breakfast buffet. The staff are full of fun and helpful and professional. Rooms are a little dated but comfortable and quiet considering where you are."

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2025

Rho Hotel
Hotel Prins Hendrik
Hotel Prins Hendrik
3 out of 5
Prins Hendrikkade 52-58, Amsterdam
The price is €115 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
€115
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8/10 Very Good! (677 reviews)
"no"

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2025

Hotel Prins Hendrik
Hotel CC
Hotel CC
3 out of 5
Warmoesstraat 42, Amsterdam
The price is €90 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
€90
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar
Stay at this 3-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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (973 reviews)
"This hotel is situated within easy walking distance from the main train station and on a busy street. However our room was facing the back and it was very quiet, we only had the white noise of the air conditioning unit to soothe us to sleep! The room was clean and small but great for a short stay, ..."

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2025

Hotel CC
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 showing a city, heritage architecture and street scenes

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 Anne Frank House 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(2,168 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 Anne Frank House are major draws. Catch the metro at Nieuwmarkt Station or Waterlooplein Station to see more of the city.

Amsterdam City Centre
Amsterdam featuring a river or creek, street scenes 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 Anne Frank House or Herengracht Canal, 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

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