Amsterdam Red Light District (De Wallen)

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 visit by day or by night, when the district is especially lively. Some Amsterdam Red Light District (De Wallen) tours also include admission to popular attractions such as the Venustempel 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 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.

When to get there

You can visit the Red Light District year-round; don’t forget your rain jacket if you’re headed there during winter. Arrive after dark to see the area’s bustling nightlife, or explore the neighborhood by day and see a different side to the Red Light District. Most of the sex shops will be open during the day.

Alternative Amsterdam

The famously 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.

Ways to explore

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 along with attractions such as the Van Gogh Museum or New Market Square.

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

Accessibility

While the neighborhood is wheelchair-accessible, some historical attractions in it might not be.

Age limits

There’s no technical age limit as De Wallen is a residential neighborhood, but some parents might deem the area inappropriate for kids.

What to pack

Cash for smaller cafés, IDs for age-restricted venues

What to wear

Closed-toe shoes will help you navigate the cobbled streets.

Not allowed

Taking photographs of sex workers in the windows is strictly forbidden.

Amenities

Restaurants, hotels, convenience stores; public restrooms are located throughout the city, though some are pay-to-use.

Address

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. Like all of Amsterdam, the Red Light District is crisscrossed with bike lanes; there are ample places to park your bicycle.

Driving

Driving to the Red Light District is possible, but it’s not the most convenient option due to Amsterdam’s narrow streets and limited parking spaces. The nearest parking garage is Parking Centrum Oosterdok, a 15-minute walk away.

Public transportation

Amsterdam Central Station is just a 10-minute walk from the Amsterdam Red Light District (De Wallen). You can also take the metro to the Nieuwmarkt station (served by lines 51, 53, and 54).

Best times to visit

Arrive after dark to see the area’s bustling nightlife.

Best days to visit

Saturday and Sunday are when the area is at its liveliest, and nearly all shops and coffee shops are open on these days.

Best months to visit

June through September, for the lowest chance of Amsterdam’s regular rain.

Special events

King’s Day (Koningsdag) at the end of April sees the whole city celebrate in orange, with party boats lining the canals.