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

Rho Hotel
Rho Hotel
3 out of 5
Nes 5-23, Amsterdam
The price is €171 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
€171
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
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! (999 reviews)
Quiet and convenient
"Friendly check-in. Easy to Metro. The hotel is not the Ritz; a bit spent but central, clean and quiet (was on 4th floor). Room was adequate and big enough to move around in. Comfortable bed and hot water. Daily cleaning if you don't put out Do Not Disturb sign. Breakfast was available and coffee ..."

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2025

Rho Hotel
Hotel CC
Hotel CC
3 out of 5
Warmoesstraat 42, Amsterdam
The price is €127 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
€127
includes taxes & fees
30 Mar - 31 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! (1,004 reviews)
"It was nice."

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2025

Hotel CC
Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam City Center
Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam City Center
4.5 out of 5
Rusland 17, Amsterdam
The price is €232 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
€232
includes taxes & fees
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"This place is clean and is in a good location. I would probably stay there again when u travel to Amsterdam."

Reviewed on 22 Mar 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam City Center
Hotel Old Quarter
Hotel Old Quarter
2.5 out of 5
Warmoesstraat 22, Amsterdam
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €117 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
€117
includes taxes & fees
31 Mar - 1 Apr
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! (1,004 reviews)
"We enjoyed our stay here very much. Close to central station and walkable to many places!"

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2025

Hotel Old Quarter
Hotel Continental Amsterdam
Hotel Continental Amsterdam
1 out of 5
Damrak 40-41, Amsterdam
The price is €47 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
€47
includes taxes & fees
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
5.6/10 (694 reviews)
"very cool piece"

Reviewed on 15 Mar 2025

Hotel Continental Amsterdam
Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam
Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam
5 out of 5
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197, Amsterdam, North Holland
The price is €379 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
€379
includes taxes & fees
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Amsterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (992 reviews)
"I spent 8 nights at The Grand Amsterdam. The service and location are impeccable. The room isn't overly elegant but it's very comfortable and I enjoyed my stay very much. The bed is great and provides a wonderful night's sleep. There is an overhead "rainfall" shower head but the pressure isn't great ..."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2025

Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam
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 Madame Tussauds 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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