Red Light District
Red Light District
3.9
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Amsterdam’s De Wallen area is home to one of the world’s most famous red light districts. Take a stroll to soak up the rousing yet beautiful lights, or visit the Red Lights Secrets Museum to learn more about Amsterdam’s sex work profession. The district is also known for its trendy coffee shops, bars, and clubs. The best time to see the district is in the early evening or at night, when the lights begin to illuminate the narrow streets. The area is safe, but it can get very busy, and taking photos or videos of workers is illegal. – Tripadvisor
Duration: 2-3 hours
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The area
Neighbourhood: Centrum
Amsterdam’s buzzing hub, with its sprawling network of tram rails and a seemingly constant flow of tourists and commuters, yields convenient access to some of the best sightseeing, shopping, and street life in Europe. Closest at hand are the Royal Palace, the quaint shops of Haalremmerdijk, the pedestrianized zones Kalverstraat and Dam Square with popular neighborhoods such as the Red Light District, and the Canal Ring hardly more than a moment’s stroll away. With the well-connected Centraal Station as Centrum’s base, it's easy to travel farther afield via one of the city’s iconic trams.
How to get there
- Nieuwmarkt • 3 min walk
- Centraal Station • 7 min walk
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
5,274 within 5 kms
Attractions
1,276 within 10 kms
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3.9
31,876 reviews
Excellent
10,604
Very good
10,908
Average
7,328
Poor
1,803
Terrible
1,235
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Maurizio
Florence, Italy20 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
I'm torn. On the one hand I would like to evaluate the neighborhood, on the other “experience”. Since I find the latter very interesting, I will enjoy reviewing it using deeply metaphorical language. Let’s start with the simple aspect: in the evening the neighborhood is really beautiful, quaint, unique, but a little disturbing. After all, it is unthinkable for us to expose the product in this way, so if you are not used to it after an initial note of amazement you will start to feel uncomfortable. There is a varied assortment, of a higher quality than I understood when I read about it on the Internet. Once you have chosen the shop, and it is not that simple, you just need to approach to talk to the innkeeper, who will immediately tell you if you are welcome or not. In my case the merchant was not very kind, on the other hand she was very busy offering me the packages on offer. Cheap Flights work: with 100€ you arrive at your destination, but if you want hand luggage you pay, if you want a chocolate bar you pay, if you want legroom you pay, and so on. Unlike the flight, however, you can also make an upgrade during construction. In my case the seller was quick, she was not very interested in the experience with the buyer. On the other hand, local NAS-proof. I went out with two piottes less and happy just to have lived the experience, but I would never do it again.
Automatically translated
Written 10 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tereza
Czech Republic109 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
This area is definitely the beating heart of Amsterdam at night. There's so many people it might be hard to navigate around. We walked though this district maybe 2 or 3 times and during day and before dusk, it's just a normal touristy place with cute canals to take photos of. Reminder not to take any photos at night, it is beyond disrespectful.
Written 23 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul175T
Selby, UK4,614 contributions
Sept 2024 • Friends
My first trip to Amsterdam. We visited several bars in the Red Light District that were fun. Smoking cannabis seemed to be the done thing in the bars whereas smoking cigarettes is banned. People seemed to be chilled and everyone was friendly with us. The girls in the windows were dotted about around the area and it was interesting to see but it felt a bit seedy. Enjoyed the night out and would definitely return.
Written 1 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kerri M
8 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
Everyone needs to experience this at least once! Sunset (about 9pm in April) is when the party really gets going. If you get there early you can grab a seat at a cafe wand watch the party unfold around you. Similar to a Marti Gras atmosphere but unless you pay you're not seeing nudity.
Written 23 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tomatich13015
Marseille, France135 contributions
Oct 2024 • Friends
The red light district is a must-see area. Very nice to visit, the narrow streets, and of course the windows. The streets are a little crowded, it's quite weird to see families visiting this place.
Also to be done in the evening, different atmosphere.
For those interested it is 50/60€ but said a degun mdrr
Also to be done in the evening, different atmosphere.
For those interested it is 50/60€ but said a degun mdrr
Automatically translated
Written 20 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alejandro0203
Pilar, Argentina520 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
I understand it is one of the tourist attractions of Holland. The truth is quite picturesque (going at night of course) but generates mixed sensations. The girls are there of their own accord but they don't look very happy and sometimes even very boring. The atmosphere feels a bit "heavy" beyond that nothing happens.
Automatically translated
Written 11 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pavije
Little Cumbrae, UK1,192 contributions
Nov 2024 • Solo
Took a stool down this district.
Lots of bars and nightlife.
Pavements are very uneven so need to take care. Bike fly by too.
No photos taken in this area, not permitted.
Worth a visit as very lively. Plenty of choice of shops to purchase good from.
Vendors very friendly.
Lots of bars and nightlife.
Pavements are very uneven so need to take care. Bike fly by too.
No photos taken in this area, not permitted.
Worth a visit as very lively. Plenty of choice of shops to purchase good from.
Vendors very friendly.
Written 23 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lithlith
Michigan950 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
While in Amsterdam, take a scroll through the red light district. While it was full of tourists and cafes there were few red lights and girls in the windows as we walked through this area. If I were on a family visit, I probably would avoid this particular street/canal with children, as there are much nicer and less crowded areas to walk in Amsterdam.
Written 22 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA19,509 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
So many people find this area fascinating. Me not so much. The girls are moving to another part of town, so you will find just a small number of the picture windows with working girls behind them. Instead you will find lots of bars, coffee houses with pot, and snack shops, all set up for wandering tipsy tourists. Very honky tonk and not very pretty.
Written 23 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
njcheronne
Rouen, France194 contributions
Oct 2024 • Friends
Reputed area visited in the afternoon
Little atmosphere
Closed cafes
Many closed display cases
Some BEAUTIFUL LADIES!
You can't see life in this neighborhood that attracts so many people
The time was not right!
Little atmosphere
Closed cafes
Many closed display cases
Some BEAUTIFUL LADIES!
You can't see life in this neighborhood that attracts so many people
The time was not right!
Automatically translated
Written 8 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there male sex workers for women? Or does it just exclusively cater for people who want to avail of female services?
Written 7 December 2024
What age is it to visit a sex worker
Written 25 September 2022
What age is it to visit a sex worker
Written 25 September 2022
If you need to ask you’re too young.
Written 14 October 2022
Bruce
California
Generally speaking, how much money would you need for one night in the Red Light District?
Written 10 September 2022
All about sex down here.its up to yourself what you want after that.Basic service 50 euro after that the sky is the limit
Written 26 September 2022
Hi, I was considering visiting the RLD in the new year. Are the ladies easy to approach? Taken into consideration the peak times. What would be the best time to visit? Thank you.
Written 4 September 2022
I'd say go when you feel like it. As this is their livelihood... The Dutch are very friendly but beware the men also doing the same job! Maybe a shock on the first visit but still fun to watch. Good booze over there with plenty pubs, a lot selling food. Make the most of it but think about them at the same time.
Written 8 April 2023
Yes they do, but don’t fall for their scam. Usually they all are scammers who will ask you for a 50 or 100 and then you will end up paying even more than that.
Written 23 July 2022
J.P.P.
Rumilly, France
T es certainement très belle et mon couple mène aux pauses ,comprends tu celà? Non sweulement la femme ,l'hommed est aussi malheureux!
Written 16 December 2020
? pas sur d'avoir compris la question
le quartier rouge est au centre, comme tous ces genre de lieu c'est hyper sécurisé car si c'était dangereux les gens n'iraient plus donc le business en pâtirait. Mais c'est complètement dépassé avec tout ce qui se passe et se trouve sur internet.
Quand à y aller en couple cela dépend du consentement mutuel. C'est plutôt un lieu pour les hommes car on y trouve pas son pendant pour les femmes, les escorte boys
Written 17 December 2020
Planning a trip for January 2021, and I’m wondering how easy is it to find some good ecstasy there? The wife and I would definitely like to indulge while there
Written 25 August 2020
I don’t know to be honest with you as that’s not my thing. I don’t think trip advisor is the place to be asking about illegal drugs either. But have a good trip and enjoy Amsterdam it is very beautiful.
Written 25 August 2020
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