10x Amsterdam Red Light District Do’s & Don’ts

Posted on: août 25, 2025

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Top 10 Amsterdam Red Light District Do’s & Don’ts

Amsterdam Red Light District Do’s & Don’ts: Many tourists get fined or scammed—learn how to avoid mistakes and stay safe.

Top 20 Amsterdam Red Light District Do’s & Don’ts

Respect for Sex Workers

The Red Light District is one of Amsterdam’s most famous areas, but it’s also a workplace for many. Sex workers here deserve respect, just like anyone else. Remember that this is their job, not a tourist attraction.

Do’s:

• Speak politely and treat workers with respect.

• Follow the rules clearly posted in the windows.

• Understand that consent and boundaries are key.

Don’ts:

• Never take photos or videos of sex workers. It’s against the law and deeply offensive.

• Don’t tap or bang on the windows. It’s rude and can get you into trouble fast.

👉 Quick Tip Table

Respect ensures a safer, more positive experience for both visitors and workers.

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Local Laws & Rules

Amsterdam is open-minded, but it has clear laws. Knowing them makes your visit easier. Many tourists assume “everything goes,” but that’s not true.

Do’s:

• Buy cannabis only in licensed coffeeshops.

• Drink alcohol only in bars, not in the street.

• Follow the rules about licensed windows and brothels.

Don’ts:

• Don’t buy drugs from street dealers. It’s illegal and unsafe.

• Don’t think prostitution is “unregulated.” Workers are protected by law.

• Don’t smoke in non-smoking areas.

📌 Fast Facts:

• Public urination = €150 fine.

• Open containers on the street = €95 fine.

• Buying hard drugs = crime.

Learning these rules helps you avoid fines and keeps your trip stress-free.

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Safety & Security

The Red Light District can be crowded, especially at night. Staying safe means being aware of your surroundings and avoiding risky situations.

Do’s:

• Keep wallets and phones in front pockets. Pickpocketing is common.

• Stick with friends, especially late at night.

• Use ATMs inside banks for safety.

Don’ts:

• Don’t buy drugs on the street. Scammers sell fake or dangerous substances.

• Don’t flash large amounts of cash.

• Don’t follow strangers into alleys or bars.

✅ Safety Checklist

• Stay in well-lit areas.

• Know your way back to your hotel.

• Save emergency numbers (112 for emergencies in the Netherlands).

A little caution goes a long way in making your visit enjoyable.

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Cultural Etiquette

The Red Light District is part of a real neighborhood. Locals live and work here, and they deserve peace and respect. Tourists often forget this and behave like it’s a theme park.

Do’s:

• Keep your voice down, especially at night.

• Use trash bins—don’t litter the streets.

• Support local businesses beyond bars and coffeeshops.

Don’ts:

• Don’t block narrow streets with big groups.

• Don’t treat the district like a “drunk tour.”

• Don’t forget that people actually live here.

📌 Good Tourist vs. Bad Tourist

Following etiquette helps protect the district’s future for everyone.

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Money & Practical Tips

Money management is often overlooked, but it can make a big difference. Not every place accepts cards, so having cash is smart. At the same time, knowing the prices avoids scams.

Do’s:

• Carry some euros in small bills.

• Ask for the price upfront before booking services.

• Use ATMs in secure locations.

Don’ts:

• Don’t rely only on credit cards. Many coffeeshops and smaller bars are cash-only.

• Don’t fall for “free” offers in the street. Nothing is free here.

• Don’t forget tipping—rounding up a bill is polite.

💶 Money Tips Table

Being smart with money keeps you safe and avoids awkward situations.

efore you go to ‘De Wallen‘ you don’t want to breach Amsterdam social etiquette. If you want to blend in like a local when exploring the capital, keep these 10 Amsterdam Red Light District Do’s and Don’ts in mind.

This is the most narrow alley in Amsterdam.

10 Do’s in Amsterdam Red Light District

If you’re going to visit Holland’s capital then you should not miss the Red Light District. It’s the most interesting part in town and it represents the liberal & openminded Dutch culture.

Nowhere else in the world one can find window brothels in opposite of a church, travailleuses du sexe just behind a Buddhistic temple or a store where they display all kinds of condoms in the window.

1 | Download this Application d'Amsterdam, listen to real stories of 22 experts and become a Red Light District connoisseur.

2 | Be respectful towards the travailleuses du sexe.

3 | When visiting a prostitute; make clear agreements upfront and pay in advance.

4 | Do experience the Museum of Prostitution. It’s fun and interesting!

5 | Do check out world’s first specialised condom shop: The Condomerie. Founded in 1987.

Cafe Aen ‘t Water in the Red Light District of Amsterdam.

6 | Do have a drink in Cafe In ‘t Aepjen, Cafe Aen ‘t Water ou alors Mata Hari – traditional Dutch bars where you can meet locals.

7 | Do check out Chinatown in the Red Light District.

8 | Do enter the oldest building of Amsterdam, The Old Church.

9 | Do see the Nieuwmarkt et The Waag.

10 | Do experience one of the sex shows in Amsterdam

The Old Church Square with ‘De Oude Kerk‘ left and window brothels right.

10 Don’ts in Amsterdam Red Light District

1 | Do not take pictures of sex workers! Sure you may photograph the streets or canals but do not takes pictures of the prostitutes in Amsterdam. They all want to stay anonymous because most of them have not told their family or friends about their profession. Please respect that.

2 | Don’t stare at sex workers. That’s rude! Rather smile politely.

3 | Don’t cause noise disturbance (after 11 pm). Think of the residents in the Red Light District. More than 4000 people live here.

4 | Don’t stand too long in front of the window brothels. Especially if you don’t want to go inside. It’s rude to block the business of the sex workers and they might get annoyed if you do so.

5 | Don’t throw rubbish on the streets or into the canals. It’s disrespectful, bad for the environment and you will be fined. Please check Amsterdam Red Light District Laws for further information.

The Oudezijds Achterburgwal attracts most of the visitors.

6 | Don’t combine magic truffles with alcohol or marijuana.

7 | Don’t drink alcohol on the street. A fine will cost you 95 euros.

8 | Don’t buy drugs from street dealers. They (mostly) sell fake-drugs. Moreover, it’s illegal!

9 | Don’t use the streets as a public toilet. You’ll be fined. Rather go to Sexy Loo – a toilet that look like regular red light window brothels.

10 | Don’t have unprotected sex with prostitutes. Sex workers in Amsterdam Red Light District do not even allow this. For them safety is more important than money. So do not even think of asking this.

The same goes for Amsterdam escorts. In general, they do not allow sex without contraceptives.

One of the many alleys with window brothels in Amsterdam.

Do you still have unanswered questions about the Red Light District in Amsterdam? Please discover the FAQ page.

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