Best for first-time visitors
Start with the complete guide, then use the map to build a simple walking route.
Read the complete guideAmsterdam travel guide • De Wallen • Updated for 2026
Planning to visit Amsterdam’s Red Light District? This guide explains what De Wallen is, what to expect, the main rules, safety tips, and the easiest walking route. Start with the essentials below, then use the free map, FAQ, and audio tour to plan your visit.
Amsterdam’s Red Light District, also called De Wallen, is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. It is known for its canals, historic alleys, nightlife, sex-work windows, bars, museums, and late-evening atmosphere. Many visitors come for the history and curiosity, but it is still a residential and regulated area, so respectful behavior matters.
Start with the complete guide, then use the map to build a simple walking route.
Read the complete guideUse the free Red Light District map to find the main streets, canals, and nearby highlights.
Open the mapCheck the key laws, etiquette, and common mistakes before you go.
Read the rulesUse the audio tour on your phone for a structured route and local context.
Start the audio tourFor full context, practical tips, and what first-time visitors usually miss, read the complete Red Light District guide.
Yes, in general it is busy and well-known, but it is still smart to stay alert, avoid disruptive behavior, and keep valuables secure.
You should not photograph the prostitution windows or workers. That is one of the most important rules visitors need to know.
A short walk can take 30 to 60 minutes. A more complete visit with context, route planning, and stops usually takes 90 to 120 minutes.
Need more details? Read the full FAQ.
Use the free map and route planner to explore De Wallen with less backtracking.
Learn the key rules, fines, etiquette, and what visitors should avoid.
Get quick answers to the most common visitor questions.
Explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS audio tour.
Read the full visitor guide with history, practical tips, and local context.
Understand what De Wallen is, where it is, and what to expect.
One of the better-known evening experiences in the area. Useful for visitors who want nightlife options after exploring De Wallen.
After reading the guide, compare tours, self-guided options, and entertainment tickets relevant to the Red Light District area.
Book Moulin Rouge Amsterdam tickets online and check the key details before you go. This page covers prices, show times, refund rules, seating, location, and what to expect before booking.
✦ Tickets from €40
✦ Duration: about 1 hour
✦ Age: 18+
✦ Opening hours: Mon–Thu 20:00–02:00
✦ Opening hours: Fri–Sun 14:00–02:00
✦ Arrival: at least 5 minutes before showtime
✦ Seating: not guaranteed during busy periods
✦ Refunds: request at least 1 day before the event
✦ Payment handled via Weeztix
✦ Instant confirmation / mobile ticket
✦ Location: Oudezijds Achterburgwal 5-7, 1012 DA Amsterdam

Moulin Rouge Amsterdam is a compact adult theatre in the heart of De Wallen. It works well for visitors who want a short nightlife experience in a central location without planning a full evening around one venue.
The show combines live acts, music, and a lively adult-theatre atmosphere in Amsterdam’s Red Light District.

Photo from our in-person visit to Moulin Rouge Amsterdam in March 2026
Because the venue is central and the show lasts about an hour, it fits easily into an evening plan with dinner, drinks, or a walk through De Wallen.
✦ Trusted by 61,000+ visitors since 2010
✦ We personally visited the show to help keep this guide accurate
You can book Moulin Rouge Amsterdam tickets online here and secure your spot in advance.
✦ Stories of 22 experts
✦ Condomerie
✦ Red Light Windows ✦ Coffee Shops
✦ Blue Light District
✦ Canals ✦ Narrow alleys ✦ Chinatown ✦ FEBO
✦ Nieuwmarkt & De Waag ✦ The Old Church
Become an Amsterdam connoisseur in record time.
✦ Language: English.
✦ Duration: +- 2 hours
✦ Required: Smartphone & Headset.
✦ Included: GPS-map, Photos & Stories.
✦ Not required: Internet connection.
✦ Price: 5,99
Step into the captivating world of Amsterdam’s Red Light District tour. Immerse yourself in an unforgettable journey through its secrets and allure.
Learn everything about Amsterdam Red Light District from 22 real experts, with the convenience of your smartphone. Get educated by real historians, police officers, tour guides and many other experts.
Listen to it at home like a podcast. Or, in Amsterdam Red Light District of course!

Our Amsterdam Audio Tours app offers a Red Light District audio tour with fascinating stories from 22 experts, a virtual guide and has dozens of photos.
Start, pause or finish whenever you like, wherever you like.
✦ Holland’s first 5D cinema.
✦ 3D movie about the Red Light District.
✦ Sensory effects: wind, bubbles & movement.
✦ Unforgettable Amsterdam experience.
✦ Film made by famous actress Kim Holland.

✦ Duration: < 10 minutes.
✦ Group size: max. 18 persons at a time.
✦ Price: 14,75 per person.
✦ Meeting point: Oudekerksplein 18.
Buy e-tickets here! Then you don’t have to wait in line for other people. A ticket for the Amsterdam 5D Cinema is also great to give as a funny gift.
✦ Visit an Amsterdam brothel without customers
✦ Former Sex worker as guide ✦ Hear bizarre stories
✦ Climb up the strip poles ✦ See luxurious rooms
✦ Behind the scenes ✦ Learn about sex work
✦ Group size: Max 20 persons.
✦ Duration: 1 hour.
✦ Notice: No brothel customers, strippers and sex workers present during tour.
✦ Price: 20 euro
✦ Language: English
✦ Meeting point: Stadhouderskade 64-1
✦ Not accessible for people who have difficulties walking.
During this interesting and fun activity in Amsterdam you will learn everything about legal sex work in the Netherlands.
Discover what a real brothel looks like from the inside. Exciting stories. Facts about prostitution.

✦ Four sexy male strippers ✦ Incl. club afterparty-tickets ✦ Best male strip show in town ✦ Perfect for bachelorette/hen & birthday parties ✦ Option to go on stage ✦ Take pictures ✦ Lapdance

* Available: Saturday’s.
* Start Show: 9 pm & 10:30 PM
* Language: English.
* Where is the meeting point?
Craving an unforgettable night out? This place is the ultimate male strip club in Amsterdam that delivers just that. Forget the routine outings and experience the exceptional. This is where exhilaration meets elegance, promising a night that’s anything but ordinary. Read on and uncover the secret to a sensational evening.
Coqtales is not just a venue; it’s an experience that promises to redefine your idea of a night out in Amsterdam. As the city’s premier male strip club, it offers an immersive entertainment experience that combines allure, excitement, and top-tier performances. The club prides itself on providing a welcoming and thrilling atmosphere where every guest is treated to a visual spectacle. Distinguished from other nightlife spots in Amsterdam, male strip club showcases a lineup of charismatic and talented guy strippers who deliver electrifying performances, ensuring a memorable night for all. The club’s reputation is built on a foundation of high-quality shows, featuring a variety of acts that cater to a wide array of tastes and preferences.
When planning your visit to Coqtales, you’ll find a selection of ticket options to suit your party size and preferences. From the moment you begin the booking process, the focus is on providing you with a seamless experience. Our male strip club tickets for this venue are competitively priced. Details about the showtimes, duration, and any age restrictions are clearly outlined, making it easy to plan your evening.
Our Lord in the Attic Museum is one of the most special small museums in Amsterdam. Behind a normal-looking 17th-century canal house, you find a full hidden Catholic church built across the top floors. That mix of home, history, and religion is what makes this place so memorable.
If you want the short answer, here it is: this museum is worth visiting because it shows how people in Amsterdam lived, believed, and adapted in a time when Catholic worship was not allowed in public. It is also one of the city’s oldest museums and one of the most unusual museum spaces you can enter in the old centre.
Last updated: 31 March 2026
Tired of the usual tourist spots in Amsterdam’s Red Light District? Say goodbye to the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary with Ons Lieve Heer op Solder. Don’t settle for mundane sightseeing when you can immerse yourself in the hidden gem of a 17th-century church, tucked away from the bustling streets. Sick of the clichés? Elevate your experience, delve into history, and bask in the serenity of a remarkable hidden church. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to escape the mundane – secure your tickets now and make your Amsterdam adventure truly exceptional with Ons Lieve Heer op Solder. Get ready to explore, escape, and elevate your journey!
| Quick fact | Answer |
|---|---|
| Official name | Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder |
| Address | Oudezijds Voorburgwal 38-40, 1012 GD Amsterdam |
| Opening hours | Monday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00 |
| Visit length | About 50 minutes to 1.5 hour |
| Audio guide | Free and available in eight languages |
| Main draw | A hidden church inside a 17th-century canal house |
Book Our Lord in the Attic Museum tickets with audio guide
Following the Rijksmuseum, the recently renovated Museum “Our Lord in the Attic” holds the distinction of being the city’s second oldest museum. This unique site offers visitors an immersive glimpse into the past, allowing them to step back in time to when the house itself doubled as a church. Concealed behind the charming canal house façade lies a remarkable treasure: a preserved 17th-century home, complete with an entire church. This remarkable “attic” church came into existence during the post-Reformation era, a period when Catholic worship was prohibited from being conducted openly.
In Museum Ons’ Lieve Heer Op Solder you’ll find a uniquely preserved seventeenth-century canal house dating back to the Dutch Golden Age. This museum will not only give you an idea about how people lived in those days, it also tells you about the religious history and tolerance in the Netherlands.
The main religion in the 17th century was Protestantism. Our Lord in the Attic is the biggest and best-preserved example of a hidden church, where Catholics, who were unable to worship in public, held services. That is why this museum matters. It is not only beautiful, but also historically important.
A useful definition here is hidden church. A hidden church, also called a clandestine church or house church, is a place of worship hidden inside a normal building so services can take place quietly and without a public church exterior. This concept helps explain why the museum looks like a canal house from the street but opens into something much larger and more surprising inside.
During our visit we took the audio tour which we found very educational and not boring. In our experience, this was the smallest and cutest church we ever seen, but it still felt grand because of the rich decoration, altar, pews, and layered galleries. That contrast is a big part of its charm.
From the outside, the building looks like a classic canal house with a narrow façade that blends into the old street. Inside, the route takes you through preserved living rooms, kitchens, staircases, and finally up into the hidden church. The climb itself is part of the experience, because it helps you understand how carefully this place was concealed. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Check ticket prices and audio guide entry here
It’s the oldest museum in Amsterdam, second only to the world-famous Rijksmuseum. This is a museum that everyone should visit when they visit Amsterdam. But to understand why, it helps to know the religious background.
After the Alteration of Amsterdam in 1578, Catholic worship could no longer be held openly in the city. Former Catholic churches and monasteries were taken over for Protestant use. Catholics were allowed freedom of conscience, but public worship was restricted. That created a strange but important situation: belief was tolerated, but not openly displayed. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
This is where the story of this museum becomes powerful. Instead of building a visible church, the owners created one inside the house. That shows something important about Amsterdam history. Tolerance here was real, but limited. People could believe what they wanted behind the front door, yet they had to hide public signs of that belief. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
A simple way to think about the museum is this:
canal house + hidden church + religious limits + daily family life = one of Amsterdam’s most revealing historic buildings
| Historical point | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| 17th-century canal house | Shows how wealthy people lived in the Dutch Golden Age |
| Hidden Catholic church | Shows how religion adapted to public restrictions |
| Old city centre location | Places the story right inside historic Amsterdam |
| Museum status | Preserves both the home and the church for modern visitors |
In our opinion, this is one of the best places in Amsterdam to understand the idea of Dutch tolerance properly. It was not total freedom in the modern sense. It was a practical, layered form of coexistence, and this building explains that better than a textbook can. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
The visit starts in the canal house itself. You move through old rooms, narrow staircases, and domestic spaces that show how people lived in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. These lower floors matter because they give the church context. You do not jump straight into the highlight. You build toward it.
Then comes the surprise. Up in the attic, the house opens into a full church space spread across the top floors. It has an altar, galleries, benches, and decoration that feel much larger than you expect from the outside. In our experience, that reveal is the best moment of the whole visit.
The museum’s audio guide is a major help here. Officially, free audio guides are available in eight languages. That matters because this is a story-rich building, not just a visual one. If you rush through without context, you will miss much of what makes it special. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
During our visit we took the audio tour which we found very educational and not boring. It explained the rooms clearly, gave useful historical background, and helped us understand why the hidden church existed at all. It also stopped the visit from feeling like just another old house museum.

A picture of Birgit Buchner (director) inside Our Lord in the Attic that our local guides took during our visit.
The only big limitation is accessibility. The museum itself says a visit involves climbing a lot of narrow stairs, so it is not equally accessible for everyone. That is important to know before booking. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
The museum is in the old city centre at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 38-40, only a short walk from Amsterdam Central Station and very close to the Red Light District. That makes it easy to fit into a city-centre route with churches, canals, bars, and old streets nearby. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Opening hours are currently Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. The museum’s own FAQ says a normal visit takes about 50 minutes to 1.5 hour, which felt right to us. If you like history and take the audio guide seriously, expect the longer end of that range. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Step by step, the visit works well like this:
There is also family programming. The museum has children’s activities and family routes, including a scavenger-style experience for younger children and an audio tour for kids aged around 10 to 12. That makes it more family-friendly than many people expect from a historical site. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
– Get educated about Amsterdam Red Light District
– Sit behind a former red light window yourself.
– See the different types of working rooms.
– Interactive exhibition.
– Read the secret confessions left behind by visitors.
– Audio tour included in ticket price.
– Learn about the real lives of sex workers.
– Hear stories of sex workers.
Red Light Secrets is world’s only museum dedicated to legal sex work. Learn more about legal prostitution in Amsterdam and sit in a red-lit window yourself.
* Open: 7 days a week.
* Minimum age: 16 years old.
* Opening hours: 11 am till 1 am.
* Audio Tour: English, German, Spanish, French & Dutch.
* Price: 14,50 euro per person.
– Ride the highest swing of Europe (additional cost of 5 euro)
– Swing out over the edge at 100 meter (320-foot)
– One of the highest buildings of Amsterdam
– Fast lane entrance
– Enjoy the best skyline-view in Amsterdam
– See the Red Light District from above
– Unforgettable experience. Highly recommended!
*Available: 7 days a week
* Hours: 10 am till 9 pm
* Price: 40,49 euro per person
Upside Down Amsterdam is an interactive photo experience in Amsterdam South. It is built around optical illusions, themed rooms, colorful sets, and playful spaces where visitors can create photos and videos that look impossible.
The main idea is simple: the rooms change your sense of direction. Floors look like walls, furniture hangs in the air, mirrors stretch space, and camera angles do the rest. That is why the attraction feels more like a mix of museum, playground, and photo studio than a traditional museum.
During our visit, we noticed that the experience works best when people lean into it. If you only walk through and glance around, it feels quick. If you stop, pose, and try different angles, it becomes much more fun.
A useful definition here is optical illusion. An optical illusion is something that tricks your eyes or brain into seeing space differently from how it really is. That is the whole concept behind this attraction.
| Quick fact | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is it? | An interactive illusion and photo experience |
| Location | Europaboulevard 5, Amsterdam |
| Best for | Friends, families, couples, and social content lovers |
| Main appeal | Creative photos, playful rooms, and immersive sets |
| Typical visit time | About 1 to 1.5 hours |
If you want to book ahead, you can check Upside Down Amsterdam tickets here.
One of the biggest highlights is the upside-down room. This is the space most people think of first, because it creates the feeling that you are standing on the ceiling while normal life hangs below you. It is simple, but it works very well in photos.
Another strong section is the infinity room, where mirrors create endless reflections. The effect is easy to understand in person but harder to explain in words, which is part of why people love it. You step inside and the room suddenly feels much larger than it is.
The venue also includes playful themed spaces such as an underwater-style area, a flying carpet scene, oversized props, and rooms built for social media photos. The official ticket pages say there are more than 25 interactive rooms and installations, so the experience has enough variety to keep the visit moving.
During our visit, we noticed that the best rooms were not always the biggest ones. Sometimes the smaller sets gave the best results because they were easier to frame and less crowded.
A simple photo equation helps here: good pose + right camera angle + room illusion = better final image. That is why some people spend 30 seconds in a room, while others spend 3 minutes and get much better results.
The biggest reason to visit is that it is fun in a very low-pressure way. You do not need deep art knowledge, and you do not need to understand any complex story before you go in. You just need curiosity and a phone or camera.
It also offers a fresh type of indoor activity in Amsterdam. Many city attractions focus on art, history, canals, or nightlife. This one is about play, photos, and perspective. That makes it a good fit if you want a lighter break between more traditional sights.
During our visit, we noticed that the attraction works especially well for groups of two to four people. That is enough to help each other take photos, but not so many that every room becomes slow.
In our opinion, the place is strongest for three reasons: it is interactive, it is easy to enjoy in bad weather, and it creates keepsake photos people actually want to save. It is also family-friendly, which broadens who can enjoy it.
| Reason to visit | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Creative design | The rooms feel different from normal museums |
| Photo value | You leave with strong visual memories, not just snapshots |
| Indoor activity | Very useful on rainy or cold Amsterdam days |
| Group-friendly | Works well with friends, couples, and families |
| Easy to combine | Fits well with nearby museums, RAI, or an evening plan |
That last point matters. If you want a playful afternoon before moving into Amsterdam nightlife, this attraction pairs well with an evening show. A practical next step is Moulin Rouge Amsterdam tickets, especially if you want your day to move from light and visual to lively and theatrical.
Tickets can be bought online or at the venue, but online booking is the safer option. The official ticket page says tickets are tied to a selected date and time slot, and online bookings can save up to €6 per ticket.
Another useful detail is that purchased tickets are non-refundable, but they can be rescheduled for free. That is good to know before booking, especially if your Amsterdam plans may change.
During our visit, we noticed that timed entry helps keep the flow manageable. It does not remove waiting completely, but it does reduce the chance of long entrance lines during busier hours.
Here is the simplest booking process:
| Ticket point | What to know |
|---|---|
| Booking method | Online is recommended |
| Entry type | Timed entry |
| Refund policy | Non-refundable |
| Changes | Can be rescheduled free of charge |
| Photos | Free download after your visit |
You can compare prices and availability here: book The Upside Down tickets.
The easiest route from Amsterdam Central Station is by Metro 52 toward Zuid. The official directions say to get off at Europaplein, leave the station, cross at the traffic lights, turn right, and the entrance is about 20 meters ahead on your left.
That is the best choice for most visitors because it is direct and simple. In our opinion, it is much easier than trying to piece together trams if you do not already know Amsterdam well.
You can also travel by train or metro to RAI Station. From there, the official site says it is about a 7-minute walk by train connection or around 3 minutes from the M50/M51 metro route after leaving the station and following the walking route.
Step by step from Central Station:
| Starting point | Best route | End stop |
|---|---|---|
| Central Station | Metro 52 toward Zuid | Europaplein |
| RAI Station | Walk from train or metro | The entrance on Europaboulevard |
| By car | Parking via Gelrestraat 2 | Short walk to entrance |
The address to use is Europaboulevard 5, 1079 PC Amsterdam. There is also parking under the building, with the entrance via Gelrestraat 2. The official site mentions a parking discount when you tell the staff you parked there.