Red Light District Amsterdam

- -For Red Light District videos visit youtube.com. Please also read further information on how to behave in the red light district.

From brothels to sex shops to museums, the Red Light District leaves nothing to the imagination. It is very likely that you will have heard about this neighbourhood and to be frank, everything you will have heard is probably true , but to really put rumours to rest, you have got to check it out for yourself. TheRossebuurt, as the locals know it, is unlike any other place. Guaranteed. Certainly, the Red Light District that everyone knows about is the one where women, of all nationalities, parade their wares in red-fringed window parlours, many ready to offer more than a school boy peep-show in a private cabin. Another familiar image of the Red Light District is of packs of men, young and old , couples holding hands and pointing in shock of it all, giggling groups of women celebrating a hen night , and busloads of Japanese tourists toting cameras (except not in the direction of the female entertainers! Strictly banned!). This is proof enough that the RLD deserves a visit, if not a little look in.

Perhaps what few really notice is that the Rossebuurt (Dutch for ‘pink’ or ‘red’ neighbourhood) is in fact one of the oldest and most beautiful parts of the city with its long winding narrow, cobbled streets and utterly charming 14 th century architecture,

such as the gothic Oude Kerk, or Old Church. TheRed Light District simply oozes charm and one cannot help but admire the old buildings that lean at odd-angles, and the tree-enshrouded canals. Music, especially during the summer season, invites you to linger just that little bit longer while the arrival of new classier eateries and great authentic restaurants such as Café Pacifico, one of Europe 's first Mexican restaurants, make it so appealing. Recently resurfaced streets, restored façades and trendier clientele to the area are now transforming what was once a dark and seedy part of town.

Amsterdam prides itself, and rightly so, on its wholly liberal and tolerant attitude, embracing the fact that people may be into prostitution, soft drugs and pornography-and this is only human. So instead of criminalizing everything, this very upfront city wears its heart on its sleeve-what you see is generally what you get. Enjoy the honesty of it all, as you won’t find it anywhere else. So how do you get to it? It depends which RLD you are looking for as t here are in factthree Red Light Districts in Amsterdam: the main area is in the Walletjes area (between Centraal Station and Nieuwenmarkt), and the other two, in Singel (betweenRaadhuistraat and Centraal Station) and de Pijp (behind the Rijksmuseum).

Prostitution in Amsterdam
Prostitution is legal in Holland, and in Amsterdam most of it is concentrated in theRed Light District where it has enjoyed a long tradition of tolerance. Since October 2000, window prostitutes have been allowed to legally ply their trade. Today, prostitutes in the Netherlands are also taxpayers. Unfortunately, discrimination is still very much part and parcel in this trade as many prostitutes report that some banks even refuse to grant mortgages for example. However, now as a legal profession, the government ensures that all prostitutes are able to access medical care and work in better conditions by regulating and monitoring working practices and standards. Help is also at hand in the district itself thanks to the Prostitution Information Center. Also, contrary to popular belief, the RLD is actually the safest area in Amsterdam as clusters of policemen, and private bodyguards employed by the girls themselves are always on duty.

Condom shop Het Gulden Vlies
This shop called also Condomerie, is a kingdom of condoms. It has all colors, shapes, sizes and flavors. Some are even hand painted and are for decoration only. You may find there a surprising amount of information and books.

Did you know?

Window prostitution is distinct to the Netherlands. Until recently, there was also a tipple -zone (pick-up area) servicing the needs of clientele on the move. Utrecht, 30 minutes east of Amsterdam, has its own canal-based RLD, Rotterdam has a number of sex clubs or private houses (privenhuizen) and smaller cities like Groningen and Alkmaar have also jumped on the red light bandwagon.

So where to go? Well, if curiosity does get the better of you, come down at night when the district really comes to life. During the day, the district is less lively and even less attractive as the more sordid aspects reveal themselves in natural daylight. Although there are women forever tapping on the windows even during the light hours, most of the action takes place around 11pm , when the district is swarming with crowds and the red neon lights illuminate the inky canals. The atmosphere pretty much thrives until around 2 or 3am when the crowds die down and businesses shut up shop.

Whether you are window-shopping, Amsterdam style, or actually wanting to buy something, there is likely to be a place, window, or even two, that cater to your every whim. For those not easily offended, there are plenty of live sex shows and the most notorious of these go on at the theatres Casa Rosso (OZ Achterburgwal) and the infamous Moulin Rouge (Oudezijds Achterburgwal 5-7). For the merely curious, there are numerous peep shows that may come with video booths. But of course, for the more adventurous among us, there are more interactive shows, for example at Amsterdam Banana Bar (Oudezijds Achterburgwal 37). Exactly what goes on in these places is up to you to discover, if you so wish. For goods, there is a somewhat eclectic mix of videos, magazines, sex aids and toys. The RLD is also home to many gay bars and cinemas which can be found on the very busy Warmoesstraat. If the Red light alleyways are not your cup of tea, there are a number of brothels and private houses that offer a more traditional form of prostitution.

For culture, you don’t need to look very far as the very picturesque Zeedijk, the Jewish quarter, Waterloo Square and Nieuwmarkt Square lie just around the corner. RLD also boasts a string of unusual shops and pubs, so be sure to visit. And restaurants? Try the stylish Mediterranean kitchen , the Blauw aan de Wal ( Oudezijds Achterburgwal 99), the French brasserie Café Roux (Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197 or head down toChinatown.

Things to do in Amsterdam Red Light District
To make sure you get the best out of the Red Light District and that it doesn’t get the worse out of you, stick to these tips closely:

Do not take photos of the occupied windows - this is strictly prohibited and any attempt will be quickly stamped out (it could get messy, you have been warned!). Enjoy some discrete Red Light District pictures that are also available for free download, see our copyright license. Watch out for pick-pocketers, as this is almost always an extremely overcrowded area. Try and go in a group or at least go in twos to avoid attracting any unwanted attention. Do not buy from dealers -whether its drugs or bikes- or else you will find yourself on the other side of the law! Don’t visit the Red Light District first otherwise you may get the wrong idea about the Dutch and Amsterdam as this is not all we are about! Enjoy yourself, as a trip down the RLD will leave a lasting impression.

Hotels in Amsterdam Red Light District
Although the area of Red light district may look dodgy, it is certainly not any dangerous place to stay. It is actually quite safe and well controlled part of the city, Amsterdam's heart of night entertainment. Hotels located direcly in the Red Light District are often prefered by visitors seeking the close feel and excitement of Amsterdam's night life. If you still look for more quiet area, there are many hotels just a short walk away.

Map of Amsterdam Red Light District
Handy selection on the map of Amsterdam to guide you where the famous area is located in the center of the city. Provided by Google Maps.

Amsterdam Red Light District tours
RLD is certainly the major Amsterdam's tourist attraction and there are several tour agencies and independent tour guides offering the guided tours. They can certainly provide you with more information while telling some interesting stories about the history of the oldest profession in the world.

• Red light walking tour

  This tour takes you through the Red Light District as well as the major nightlife areas of Amsterdam. The best time to walk is in the early evening when the district is in full swing but avoid the area late night as things can get quite rowdy.
  Start: Nieuwmarkt
  Finish: Rembrandtplein
  Walk Time: 1 ½ hours
  1. Nieuwmarkt - Home to the last remaining gate entrance from the old city walls, the “Waag” was once a weigh house used to weigh goods before entering the city for tax purposes. The square in front of the Waag is now home to a produce market in the summer months.
     
     Walk north along Zeedijk.
     
  2. China Town – As you walk along Zeedijk you will pass through China town. Immigrants from Asia have been a part of the city since the early 1600’s. The first Buddhist Temple in Europe is along this street on the left side opened in 2000.
     
     Continue along the Zeedijk until you reach the first waterway.
     
  3. Little Venice – This area is known as “Little Venice” because it is the only place where the water goes right up to the houses, just like Venice. If you look to the right you can see St. Nicholas Church. Saint Nicholas is the Patron Saint of Sailors and was an important saint for the sailors who were also the red light district’s original clientele.
     
     Take a left after the bridge and walk down Oudezijds Voorburgwal Canal to number
     40.
     
  4. Amstelkring Museum – This unassuming canal house at number 40 Oudezijds Voorburgwal contains a hidden church in its attic that was once used by the Catholics after their religion was outlawed by the Calvinist government. A truly unique sight well worth the price of admission. Open 10am – 5pm.
     
     Continue along Oudezijds Voorburgwal Canal one block.
     
  5. Oude Kerk – On the left side of the canal about three blocks on is the oldest church in Amsterdam. No one style defines the church as it has been remodeled countless times since the original structure was built in 1306.
     
     Continue past the church to the narrow alley just beyond near the Bulldog Coffeeshop.
     
  6. Trompettersteeg Alley – This impossibly narrow alley leads to the greatest concentration of brothels in the city. Try not to get lost in the narrow maze of alleys as you get up close and personal with some of those famous Amsterdam ladies of the night.
     
     Leave the alley the same way you came in and continue along Oudezijds Voorburgwal. Turn left at the first bridge and walk through the alley to the next canal over, Oudezijds Achterburgwal.
     
  7. Oudezijds Achterburgwal – This canal is the oldest in Amsterdam and was once home to 16 different convents and monasteries. As you can see, a lot has changed since then. The street is filled with brothels, novelty sex shopsand of course that famous Amsterdam institution: “The Casa Rosso.”
     
     When you done exploring the street, cross over to the next canal, Kloveniersburgwal leading away from Nieumarkt.
     
  8. Kloveniersburgwal – Make a right and walk along the canal. On your right at number 48 is the former headquarters of the colonial East India Company, now the library for the University of Amsterdam. Just past the next bridge, on your right, is the street Rusland, home to the famous Rusland Coffeeshop, the first coffeeshop in Amsterdam and still one of the best.
     
     Continue walking down Kloveniersburgwal along the left side of the canal until your reach the Amstel River.
     
  9. Amstel River – This is the river which gives Amsterdam it’s name, literally, the “Dam on the Amstel.” The Muziektheater is visible to your right as you cross the bridge, nicknamed the “Stopera” because the locals hated the design so much they tried to stop construction.
     
     Continue over the bridge and through the alley to Rembrandtplein.
     
  10. Rembrandtplein – This square is home to some of the best dance clubs in Europe. There is a statue of Rembrandt in the middle that gives the square its name. To the right down Amstelstraat is the Tuschinski Music theater, an art deco masterpiece. The narrow alley leading out of the right side of the square is Regulierdwarsstraat, which is the beginning of the Amsterdam’s gay party district.
  For a full audio guided tour of the Red Light District, go to Walki-Talki.com to download to your iPod or MP3 Player.

• Amsterdam Red Light District Tours

  The Red Light District, the oldest neighbourhood of Amsterdam with the oldest profession and the oldest buildings will give you good impression of Dutch life, culture, history and architecture. Ladies from all over the world give you a colourful impression in the red light heart of Amsterdam. They have a legalized profession and organised trade union called the Red String. Although they are accepted and tolerated they have to follow strict rules including regular doctor check-ups, possession of legal papers and be at least eighteen years old.
  Aside from ladies in their red lighted windows, sex clubs, and coffee shops, you'll also find eclectic stores and a myriad of fine and adventurous dining spots; from the café's live Jazz and Salsa to dinner theatre, and a host of dining menus from around the world.
  As a contrast, this colourful neighbourhood also contains monolithic Old Church, the Saint Nicolas Church, and a delightful museum “Our Lord in the Attic”, a clandestine Catholic Church atop a seventeenth century merchant house.
  Seemingly silent and mysterious among the Dutch and multi-national mix, Red Light China Town thrives with a Buddhist Temple and the Chinese Medical Center, which combines western med school training with traditional Chinese treatments including herbal remedies, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage, available among the area's many shops. Colourful Amsterdam is waiting for you
  We offer a guided tour and will show and tell about all the aspects mentioned above and you may pick and choose the highlights of your own tour.

• Amsterdam Red Light District Guide Book

  The Amsterdam Red Light District Guide, written by a helpful man named Dave, is an insider's guide to prostitution in Amsterdam. This 35 page e-book breaks down the does and don'ts, what to expect and what to look out for when taking part in an Amsterdam activity that is often unknown and a little scary to visitors from countries with less relaxed prostitution laws.
  One thing to be clear on from the start, this is not a definitive guide to De Wallen, the area in Amsterdam more commonly known as the Red Light District. This guide focuses solely on one particular activity and does not mention  much of the history and culture of the area, except where it relates to prostitution. This is also not an authoritative, officially endorsed guide to prostitution, with a lot of personal opinion and experience in place of hard fact and confirmed statistics; something the author is clear on at the beginning.
  What It Covers
  With this in mind, The Amsterdam Red Light District Guide gives a lot of insight into the often mysterious world of sex tourism. The author gives his tips on how to approach the girls, including how to negotiate for service, haggle for price and what times of day are best suited to what you want. The unsexy side of prostitution is covered as well, with the author warning the reader in advance of some necessary aspects of the activity, mostly hygiene related, that may seem a bit of a turn-off when experienced at first. Another very important matter discussed in this book is how to leave a good impression with the girls, something that is very important if you intend to come back or just don't want to get thrown out of a window by an angry prostitute and a professionally detached bouncer.
  Maps
  A helpful map of Amsterdam's Red Light District is also included in the guide, which breaks the area down in a way most tourist maps don't. The Amsterdam Red Light District Guide's map shows the main areas for window prostitution in the District, broken down by the different types of girls that tend to work in different areas. Higher end, more expensive areas are highlighted as well as places to go for girls of a specific ethnicity. For ease of navigation, some areas in the District are given names used only by the author; asking directions to these areas from a bystander in Amsterdam is likely to earn you blank looks.
  Target Audience
  This is a book that is aimed at a very specific target audience, namely heterosexual males from American or European backgrounds interesting in actively engaging in sex tourism. While you don't need to be from this background to make use of the book's insights, the style of writing and use of language may be a little hard to swallow for those of other backgrounds. The author's phrasing is casual and conversational, resulting in often crude language that may come off a little prejudiced or misogynistic; this is definitely not a guide for girls!
  The Amsterdam Red Light District Guide can be purchased online from this website via direct download link and comes with a bonus gift of a coffeeshops guide included in the price as well as direct email support offered by the author.
  Click this link to visit Amsterdam Red Light District Guide homepage and download your guide!

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