15 Must See in Amsterdam Red Light District

Veröffentlicht am: 1. Juni 2026


Must see in Amsterdam Red Light District experiences

Top 15 Must See in Amsterdam Red Light District

Fensterbordell

Zuletzt aktualisiert: 1. Mai 2026

amsterdam windows background
Two of the red light district windows in Amsterdam Red Light District.

1 | Sex Shows

Rote Neonbeleuchtung des Moulin Rouge in Amsterdam zeigt den Namen der Attraktion vor schwarzem Hintergrund.

Why: It’s the district’s most famous Nachtleben experience and neon scene.
Tipp: Check age/ID rules and prices before entering. No photos inside.

Live sex shows are the district’s best-known night out, and they lean into Amsterdam’s liberal attitude to sex. Expect bold, choreographed adult performances on a small stage.

A visit to the Red Light District isn’t complete without visiting one of the Sexshows in Amsterdam. We’d recommend visiting Moulin Rouge betreten.

The Moulin Rouge in Amsterdam’s Red Light District is a historic Erwachsenenunterhaltung venue, known for its burlesque shows and racy atmosphere.

It has run since the late 19th century, which makes it a genuine Red Light District landmark.

Expect live dancers and musicians and a deliberately racy show. It won’t suit everyone, but it’s a real slice of the city’s nightlife.

For those who’re into exciting shows, tickets to Moulin Rouge in Amsterdam should be high on your list. One of the best decisions you can make when purchasing tickets is to buy them online ahead of time.

Buying online guarantees your entry, so you skip the door queue.

Fensterbordell

Fensterbordelle
The windows brothels are definitely a must see in Amsterdam Red Light District.

Fensterbordell

Prostitution has been legal in the Dutch capital since 1811 and prostitution has always taken place in De Wallen area. This is one of the few places on earth where you can see this.

Learn more about this unique part of the Netherlands during a Red Light District with a licensed guide or with the Amsterdamer Rotlichtviertel app.

Fensterbordell

RED LIGHT DISTRICT MAP!

3 | Coffeeshops

coffeeshop the bulldog first
The first cannabis shops in the world are definitely a must see in Amsterdam. 

Coffeeshops are where Amsterdam tolerates the sale of cannabis, and De Wallen has several of them.

Adults can buy small amounts and smoke on site, and the staff will talk you through the menu.

You’ll find different strains, sold to smoke, vape or eat as edibles.

Amsterdam has 164 coffeeshops. The first one was founded in 1972. Back in the 1990’s there used be over 400 coffeeshops in the Dutch capital.

We asked more than 200 frequent coffeeshop visitors which coffeeshop they think is the best coffeeshop in town. This resulted into a list of 10 die besten Coffeeshops in Amsterdam. Are you curious which received the most votes?

SHOW ME! >

4 | Condomerie

Condomerie shop Amsterdam
Since 1987, this shop sells condoms only.

The first shop in the world completely dedicated to condoms. The idea came to the owners at the start of outbreak of the HIV-Aids epidemic in the 1980’s.

They were of the opinion that the public needed a store with professional staff that could give advice on condoms. At the time you could already buy condoms at pharmacy but there were too few option, hardly any choice or any good information.

Thus the Condomerie was born and it is a featured highlight on our Rotlichtviertel Tour. Theodoor van Boven is the founder of the Condomerie and one of the 22 experts in the app Amsterdam Audio Tours.

APP ERHALTEN

5 | Old Church Amsterdam

Das müssen Sie im Amsterdamer Rotlichtviertel gesehen haben
Religious or not. De Oude Kerk is a must see in Amsterdam!

Why: Amsterdam’s oldest building and the calm heart of De Wallen.
Tipp: Walk the square to feel the contrast of quiet and buzz.

Amsterdam’s oldest building the Alte Kirche (Oude Kerk) Fensterbordell

The first records of the church come from the year 1213. A lot has happened since then and the church has undergone numerous reconstructions and a switch from Catholicism to protestantism.

The wooden ceiling, which is the largest of its type in Europe, is made from Estonian oak and dates back to 1390. Very special!

6 | Narrow Alleys

Must see in Amsterdam Red Light District alleys
Nine windows in Amsterdam’s most narrow alley.

The Red Light District is home to the narrowest alley in Amsterdam. At its narrowest point this alley is just 1 meter wide. Besides being very narrow it also has nine Fensterbordelle so this is quite an intimate experience.

DISCOVER RED LIGHT DISTRICT >

7 | The Waag

Must see in Amsterdam Red Light District de Waag
Amsterdams zweitältestes Gebäude.

Why: Medieval city gate, lively square, weekend markets.
Tipp: Coffee stop + people-watching after museum visits.

The 15th century former city gate still stands beautifully at the center of the Nieuwmarkt Square. The building has had many different functions throughout its life.

These include being a guild house, a Museum, a fire station an anatomical theatre, and currently it’s The Waag Restaurant. Rembrandt even made one of his art works here.

The famous painting by Rembrandt called “The anatomical lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulip” shows an anatomical dissection taking place inside Die Waag. 

8 | FEBO

Febo Snackbar Amsterdam
FEBO is Holland’s most famous snack-bar with typical Dutch food.

FEBO is a Dutch fast-food chain famous for its automatiek: a wall of little hatches you open to grab a hot snack. You pay, open the door, and pull out your food. Most branches stay open late, so it’s a good stop after a night out. Its iconic yellow and red vending machines, which dispense classic Dutch treats like kroketten (croquettes) and frikandellen (fried sausages), are a must-try for anyone visiting the Niederlanden.

febo kroket

Walk on in and pull a deep fried snack from the automatique. Try out local delicacies like the kroket – a breaded deep fried cow or veal meat ragout which is super crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside.

9 | 5D-Kino Amsterdam (dauerhaft geschlossen)

Das 5D-Pornokino hat im Oktober 2026 dauerhaft geschlossen. Was es war, lesen Sie auf unserer Seite über das ehemalige 5D-Pornokino, oder wählen Sie eine Live-Show im Moulin Rouge Amsterdam Review als Alternative.

10 | Our Lord In The Attic

Ons Lieve Heer Op Solder
The last hidden church is definitely a must see in Amsterdam.

Ein hidden church museum right in the middle of Amsterdam’s Red Light District. This church is located in the attic of a completely restored 17th century canal house.

This little hidden church is a great symbol of tolerance in Amsterdam. Back in those days celebrating mass was forbidden, but in the case of hidden churches they were tolerated.

This museum is a must for those who’d like to see the inside of an old canal house and learn about world famous Dutch tolerance. You can find more information or buy your tickets via the link below:

TICKETS KAUFEN >

11 | Museum Of Prostitution

Museum Of Prostitution Red Light Secrets
Red Light Secrets on the famous Amsterdam Red Light District street.

Ever wondered what a brothel looks like from the inside? The Red Light Secrets Fensterbordell

12 | Chinatown

Chinese Temple Amsterdam
Our local guide took this photo of this temple on the Zeedijk street.

Amsterdam has its very own little Chinatown. It was first established in the year 1911 and is the oldest Chinese neighbourhood on European soil. Since the year 2000 the area has had a Fo Guang Shan He Hua Tempel which is the largest Chinese style religious building in Europe. Visit this temple for free!

Besides this highlight this is the place you want to be for asian food. All types of Asian restaurants can be found in this area including Thai, Indonesian, Japanese and Malaysian food.

13 | Sex Worker Statue

Must see in Amsterdam Belle statue
Belle statue. Respect sex workers all over the world.

There are only two places in the world where there are statues for Sexarbeiter and one of them is in the middle of Amsterdam Red Light District – just next to The Alte Kirche (Oude Kerk). The Dutch are quite tolerant and open-minded. Just two reasons why you can find this sex worker statue here, right in the old city centre.

14 | Amsterdam’s Oldest House

On one of the oldest streets in the capital you can find the oldest house. Funny thing is is that this house was only discovered to be the oldest house back in 2010. The old house with a wooden skeleton dates back to 1485 but stands hidden behind a facade dating back to 1800. Before this discovery the wooden house at the Begijnhof was considered to be the oldest house in Amsterdam. Amsterdam’s oldest house is currently functioning as a gay club named Dirty Dicks.

Or try the Frikandel, a minced meat deep fried snack that can be covered in a sauce of your liking. Tipp: try it with mayonaise, curry and unions.

15 | Street Art

Must see in Amsterdam Red Light District street art
We took this photo of this piece of street art at the Oudekerksplein.

De Wallen is filled with street art from graffiti to actual bronze items. This bronze plaque was placed secretly at night on the street of the Oudekerksplein.

After noise complaints from the neighbourhood from people stepping on the plaque it was removed by the municipality. The secret artist came forward and a deal was struck with the municipality. The plaque was placed at another spot and the artist remains anonymous.

amsterdam street art

We made a great app that offers a Rotlichtviertel Tour with audio from 22 experts who share their expertise about Amsterdam. This piece of street art is one of the 30 highlights. The app contains almost two hour of audio with beautiful picture and cost just 5 euro. You can list to it at home or in De Wallen. Do you want to learn more about Amsterdam?

De Wallen Amsterdam

First of all, some basic information: De Wallen – the Dutch name for the Amsterdam’s Red Light District – is the oldest and most fascinating part of Holland’s capital. And, it’s one of the three prostitution areas in the capital. The other two are located on the Ruysdaelkade and the Singel and the Spuistraat.

The Dutch liberal and open-minded culture can be seen everywhere in the Red Light District. Only here you can see a church that’s surrounded by Fensterbordelle with sex workers, Coffeeshops und schönen Häusern, mit einer Kindertagesstätte gleich nebenan.

cycling in holland
Amsterdam’s oldest canal.

Diese Liste enthält 15 Sehenswürdigkeiten im Amsterdamer Rotlichtviertel, die jedem gefallen werden. Auf wenigen kompakten Straßen kommen hier Architektur, Kunst, niederländische Geschichte, Religion, Essen und erotische Unterhaltung zusammen. Mehr als 4000 Menschen aus allen Gesellschaftsschichten leben noch immer hier.

Food and Drink Near De Wallen

You’ll find quick bites and sit-down meals close to every sight. For a fast start, grab stroopwafels, kaassoufflé, or fries with mayo. They’re easy to eat while walking and friendly on the wallet.

Zeedijk offers Indonesian rice tables (rijsttafel), Chinese noodles, und dim sum. Many places take cards, but small cafés may prefer debit. For drinks, try a brown café—classic Dutch pubs with wood interiors and local beer.

Tasty options

  • Street fries with satay or mayo

  • Indonesian rijsttafel to sample many dishes

  • Chinese hand-pulled noodles on Zeedijk

  • Apple pie with whipped cream in a café

Food planner

Meal Where Budget tip
Snack Street stands near Dam/Nieuwmarkt Share a large fries
Lunch Zeedijk noodle or rice bowls Look for day menus
Coffee Brown café or bakery Skip soda, order tap water
Dessert Wafels or pie Ask for “slagroom” (whipped cream)

Respect café rules: order if you sit, and don’t bring outside food to indoor tables. Leave cash for tips if you enjoyed the service.

Nightlife and Shows in De Wallen

Night in De Wallen is busy, colorful, and loud. Plan ahead to avoid long lines. Many venues sell timed tickets online or at the door earlier in the day. Check age limits and ID requirements.

Expect small stages, cabaret-style seating, and short sets between acts. If a place looks crowded or pushy at the entrance, move on.

Evening ideas

  • Live music bars and cozy pubs

  • Cabaret and variety shows

  • Comedy clubs in nearby streets

  • Night canal cruise for lights and views

Night plan cheat sheet

19:00–20:00 20:00–22:00 22:00–00:00
Dinner on Zeedijk Timed show or comedy set Drinks at a brown café

Know your limits. Stay hydrated, keep your group together, and plan your route home. Trams and metros run late, and taxis are easy to find near Dam and Central Station.

After the main sights, plan a proper sit-down dinner rather than another street snack. If you’re craving something warm, filling, and easy to tailor to your spice level after a long evening of sightseeing, use this guide to find a great Thai restaurant amsterdam pick (think curries, noodle soups, and classic wok dishes), so you can end your route with a sit-down meal or quick bowl before heading back to your hotel.

More Must See in Amsterdam

Need more tips? Discover these 15 Aktivitäten in Amsterdam für junge Erwachsene.

Indoor Things To Do in Amsterdam

When the weather is bad it’s best to go inside. Discover these 10 fun indoor things to do in Amsterdam and get the most out of your trip.

Amsterdam expert Martijn

Über den Autor — Martijn

Martijn verfasst praktische Reiseführer über Amsterdam, das Rotlichtviertel und die Niederlande mit Schwerpunkt auf Nachtleben, Verhaltensregeln für Besucher und den Auswirkungen lokaler Regeln auf Touristen. Er erklärt sensible Themen sachlich und respektvoll, damit Besucher wissen, was sie erwartet und wie sie sich schützen können.

  • Fokus: Stadtplanung im Stadtzentrum, Nachtleben, Besucherregeln
  • Standards: klar, neutral, aktualisiert bei Regeländerungen
  • Transparenz: Einige Links können Affiliate-Links sein. Wenn Sie über diese Links buchen, erhalten wir möglicherweise eine Provision, ohne dass Ihnen dadurch zusätzliche Kosten entstehen.

Letzte Aktualisierung: May, 2026
Sitz in: Amsterdam, Niederlande

SIEHE AUCH:

10x Cheap Hotels Near Amsterdam Red Light District 

5x Museums in Amsterdam Red Light District

Amsterdam Red Light District News

Schreibe einen Kommentar

Deine E-Mail-Adresse wird nicht veröffentlicht. Erforderliche Felder sind mit * markiert.