

Things to do and don't do in Red Light District 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. The RLD is also home to many gay bars and cinemas which can be found on the very busy Warmoesstraat. For goods, there is a somewhat eclectic mix of videos, magazines, sex aids and toys. Exactly what goes on in these places is up to you to discover, if you so wish. But of course, for the more adventurous among us, there are more interactive shows, for example at Amsterdam Banana Bar ( Oudezijds Achterburgwal 37). For the merely curious, there are numerous peep shows that may come with video booths. 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). 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. Furthermore, you have a few cultural activities such as the Museum of Prostitution, the Museum of Erotism or the Museum of Cannabis. You can find a great variety of sex shops, peep shows, strip clubs, sex theaters and typical Dutch brown cafes. The Amsterdam Red Light District is not only about prostitution and coffee shops. Help is also at hand in the district itself thanks to the Prostitution Information Center. The government ensures that all prostitutes are able to access medical care and work in better conditions by regulating and monitoring their practices.
#USA FLAG WITH RED STRIPE MEANING WINDOWS#
The name of "Red Light District" comes from the red neon lights that highlight the 300 windows where women are working. That's why prostitutes in Amsterdam stand up behind a window and have their own room.

Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands, but not on the streets.

So instead of criminalizing everything, they enjoy the honesty of it. Embracing the fact that people may be into prostitution, soft drugs and pornography. Red Light District accommodation deals webpage.Īmsterdam prides itself on its liberal and tolerant attitude. Hotels, hostels, apartments even houseboats. As the largest provider of this service they often have good deals and list all accomodation types. The best way to compare Red Light District accommodation options is by using the well-known booking engine "". The best is to keep your phone or camera in your pocket otherwise you risk to be kicked out by the bouncers. The same rule is applicable if you go to a strip club, peep show or sex theater. Be careful if you try to take a photograph as working women can become very aggressive. A sign is sticked on every window as a reminder. It is strictly forbidden to take pictures or film women behind their windows. This law is trying to calm down disorder in touristic areas. But if you are caught smoking freely on the street you will be penalized with 100 euro. It is still possible to smoke cannabis outdoors on coffeeshops terraces. The ban is in effect from May 2023 in the public areas of Dam Square, Red Light District, Damrak and Nieuwenmarkt. Attractions in the Amsterdam Red Light Districtīecause RLD is in the historical centre of Amsterdam city, it is close to many interesting attractions and architectural wonders. With one card you can go to most tourist destinations without other tickets.Ĭomparison of Amsterdam city passes and discount cards. Visiting Amsterdam is easier and cheaper with a "City Pass". The atmosphere pretty much thrives until around 2am or 3am when the crowds die down and businesses shuts down. 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. During the day, the district is less lively and even less attractive as the more sordid aspects reveal themselves in natural daylight.

If curiosity gets the better of you, come down at night when the district really comes to life. When to go to Red Light District Amsterdam? It is actually a safe area in Amsterdam as clusters of policemen, and private bodyguards employed by the girls themselves are always on duty. Red Light District SafetyĬontrary to what a lot of people might assume, the Amsterdam Red Light District has a friendly atmosphere and isn't as dangerous as it used to be. Amsterdam Red Light District has it all.Īmsterdam has three different Red Light Districts but the most famous and the most attractive is the one located inside the city center. From prostitution to erotic shops and from museums to churches.
