17 Best Amsterdam Red Light District Things to Do

Top 17 Amsterdam Red Light District Things To Do

Amsterdam Red Light District things to do go far beyond the famous windows. In one small medieval quarter you can climb a 700-year-old church tower, catch a live show, eat fresh herring and squeeze down the city’s narrowest alley.

This guide ranks the 17 best things to do in De Wallen – by day and night, for couples and groups, free and paid – with current prices, the 2026 rule changes and honest local tips. For the full background, see our Red Light District visitor guide.

Last updated: October 2026.

Thing to do	Type	Cost	Best time
Audio tour of De Wallen	Self-guided audio	~€5	Any time
Moulin Rouge sex show	Erotic theatre	from ~€50	Night
Old Church (Oude Kerk) tower	Viewpoint climb	~€8.50	Day, Apr–Oct
Our Lord in the Attic	Hidden-church museum	~€16 (check)	Day
Hash, Marihuana & Hemp Museum	Museum	~€11 (check)	Day
Red Light Secrets	Museum of prostitution	~€14.50	Day & evening
Amsterdam Exchange Experience	Guided tour	Check	Day
Wynand Fockink (jenever)	Historic tasting house	Pay per drink	Afternoon & evening
Dutch herring (Zeedijk)	Street food	~€3–5	Day
Magic truffles (Kokopelli)	Smart shop	~€18.50 / 15g	Any time
Condomerie	Shop & photo stop	Free	Day
Casablanca karaoke	Bar / karaoke	Free entry	Night, Thu–Sat
Café ’t Mandje	Historic bar	Free entry	Any time
Nieuwmarkt & De Waag	Historic square	Free	Any time
Trompettersteeg	Narrowest alley	Free	Any time
Belle statue & Oudekerksplein	Free landmark	Free	Any time

The Red Light District by Day vs at Night

The Red Light District by day – the quiet Oudezijds Achterburgwal canal in De Wallen. Our own photo.

The Red Light District is really two places in one. By day, De Wallen is a quiet, pretty corner of the old city – green canals, medieval churches, coffee spots and second-hand book stalls, with most window curtains still drawn.

It is the best time to admire the architecture and to visit the museums without the crowds.

After dark is when the district earns its name. From late evening the red – and a handful of blue and purple – windows switch on, the neon of the show venues reflects in the canals, and the lanes fill up, busiest at around 11pm.

Many of the 17 things below are perfect in daylight; the shows, the bars and the full red-lit atmosphere belong to the night. If you can, come twice.

1 | Amsterdam Red Light District Tour

Exploring Amsterdam’s Red Light District on a self-guided audio tour.

Amsterdam’s Red Light District has such a rich and diverse history that you simply can not grasp it by just walking around. Get to know this area with an amazing audio tour.

Learn everything about legal sex work. Hear about window prostitution, negotiations-processes, safety measures, laws, local prices and whatnot.

Get our Amsterdam Audio Stories app. It offers an amazing GPS guided Amsterdam Red Light Distric tour hosted by a virtual guide AND 22 experts. One of the experts is even a sex worker.

Want the practical side? Read how to find prostitutes in Amsterdam and about the Blue Light District.

Nowadays, this is only way to take a Red Light District tour. The municipality of Amsterdam has recently banned Amsterdam Red Light District tours with a group and tour guide.

Fortunately, this app is here! Download it today and discover De Wallen with the best experts in your pocket.

GET THE APP >

The Oudezijds Achterburgwal at night.

This Amsterdam Audio Tours App allows you to experience a GPS-guided tour in the Red Light District independently, affordable and at any time. All you need is a smartphone!

Amsterdam Audio Tours included stories of almost 2 hours from 22 experts, plus a virtual tour guide, GPS and dozens of photos. Listen to interesting information from real prostitutes, police officers, historians, locals, sexologists, entrepreneurs and many others.

Press play and turn your sound on! The Fokkens twins – who worked as prostitutes for 50 years – are two of the 22 experts in this red light district tour app. This clip gives an idea what our app is all about.

Amsterdam Audio Tours cost 5 euro and can be listened in the Red Light District or at home as a podcast.

GET THE APP >

2 | Sex Show at Moulin Rouge

The Moulin Rouge neon on the Oudezijds Achterburgwal, in the heart of De Wallen.

One of the best things to do in Amsterdam Red Light District is to visit Moulin Rouge.

Experience what this neighborhood is really known for: The great sex shows.

At Moulin Rouge you can see 5 impressive sex shows in 1 hour. Experience female and male entertainers as you move close to the stage.

The Moulin Rouge on the Oudezijds Achterburgwal is one of the district’s longest-running erotic theatres. Its shows are short and fast-paced, with several acts in each hour.

It is a seated, indoor show, which makes it a good break from the busy streets – and a popular pick for couples and small groups. Evening slots fill up fast, so book your Moulin Rouge tickets ahead.

3 |  Climb Amsterdam Old Church Tower

A view from the Old Church Tower.

This is one of the best kept secrets of the Amsterdam Red Light District! Even most locals don’t know that this is possible. The Old Church – in the middle of the Red Light District – has two entrances.

A main entrance that gives access to the large and special ‘Oude Kerk’. And an entrance for the tower part. Most people only visit the Oude Kerk, but do not know that they can also climb the Old Church Tower.

Experience a beautiful panoramic view over the oldest part of Amsterdam. During this half hour tour an expert explains everything about Amsterdam’s oldest building: The Old Church.

Be advised that you’ll have to climb a lot of stairs to get to the top, but we believe the climb is definitely worth it!

Prices and Opening Hours

The tour costs € 8,50 per person. Climb the Old Church Tower between April and October. Monday through Saturday, from 1 pm till 7 pm. A reservation is not possible for this tour.

Learn more today: Old Church Tour. Of all the Amsterdam Red Dight district things to do, this one is high on our list – mainly because of the beautiful view at the top of the building.

4 | Experience The Amsterdam 5D Cinema (permanently closed)

The 5D Porn Cinema closed permanently in October 2026. Read what it was on our page about the former 5D Porn Cinema, or pick a live show at Moulin Rouge Amsterdam instead.

5 | Visit The Last Amsterdam Hidden Church

Ons Lieve Heer op Solder – a hidden church in Amsterdam Red Light District.

The Our Lord in the Attic Museum is a uniquely preserved seventeenth-century house dating back to the Dutch Golden Age.

After exploring the original interior of a 17th-century house you’ll end up in the attic of the building, where you’ll find an entire hidden Catholic church.

Back in 1663 it was prohibited to celebrate mass, however the Dutch authorities turned a blind eye. This building is the perfect symbol of Dutch tolerance throughout the last five centuries.

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6 | Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum

Founded by one of Holland’s most important cannabis pioneers.

The Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum in Amsterdam is the most important and oldest museum in the world dedicated to just Cannabis Sativa L, the plant that is probably most known as hemp or marijuana.

Inside you’ll find exhibits and a unique collection about all the aspects of cannabis. The museum also functions as a knowledge center and facilitates scientific research.

This museum plays a serious and informative part in the world of cannabis.

The Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum was founded by one the most important cannabis pioneers in the Netherlands: Ben Dronkers. He is also the CEO of Sensi Seeds – a successful company that sells seeds of cannabis.

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7 | Visit The Amsterdam Exchange Experience

World’s first stock exchange on the Beursplein in Amsterdam.

Did you know that the first stock exchange in the world was built right here in Amsterdam? The back of the building can even been seen from the Warmoesstraat – in the Red Light District.

What better way is there to learn more about stock exchanges than getting a guided tour about it in the city that started it all? At the Amsterdam Stock Exchange they offer tours every first Wednesday of the month.

However, some months they offer the tour more frequently, check the schedule on the Amsterdam Exchange Experience website for availability and reservation.

8 | Taste Jenever at Wynand Fockink

Just off the Dam, down the tiny Pijlsteeg alley, you will find Wynand Fockink – one of Amsterdam’s oldest tasting houses, in a building that dates back to 1679.

Step into the little wood-panelled room and order a jenever or one of the dozens of house liqueurs. There is no seating and no fuss – you point and you sip.

Tradition says you bend over the brimful glass and take that first sip without using your hands. It is a very Dutch, slightly giddy little ritual.

You will find it at Pijlsteeg 31, a two-minute walk from the Warmoesstraat. It opens in the afternoon and evening – check the Wynand Fockink website before you go.

9 | Try Dutch Herring

Fresh Dutch herring on the Zeedijk, a two-minute walk from the Red Light District.

Wanna try real Dutch food? Get some herring with pickles and unions in Amsterdam.

Preferably in the Red Light District – on the Zeedijk street – in the typical Dutch shop called “Amsterdamsche Visch Handel”. This shop is super small. It doesn’t even have a counter.

The fish is only presented in the display window of the shop. Their kibbeling is also delicious!

10 | Experience Magic Truffles in Amsterdam

Kokopelli – one of smart shops in Amsterdam.

Okey, this tip is not for everyone. But it is something that is legal in Amsterdam.

So for those who want to know more about this: Kokopelli is Amsterdam’s first  smart shop. A smart shop is a place that sells Magic Truffels among others.

This is a legal psychedelic drug that keeps you high for about 4 hours. Kokopelli is the place in the Red Light District if you’re interested in doing a little mind-exploration.

Here at Kokopelli, they look to offer safe experiences to their customers and to provide good and reliable information about their products.

In the back they have a space to relax. The lounge has a beautiful view over the water and the Damrak. The lounge is supurbly decorated and painted.

15 grams of Magic Truffels (a.k.a. Magic Mushrooms) go for around € 18,50 and is enough for 2/3 persons. Be sure to check out this unique place, even if you don’t want to use anything.

The owner of Kokopelli – Veronique Verschueren – can also be heard in our Red Light District tour.

In it, she explains everything about magic truffels, the Dutch drug policy and the history of smart shops in Amsterdam. Super interesting!

11 | Go on a Sex Date

Amsterdam’s open attitude is not limited to the windows. If that scene is not for you, many visitors arrange a consensual, no-strings sex date through apps and sites instead.

Our guide lists eight practical ways to set one up safely and respectfully – the key, as always, is clear communication and mutual consent.

12 | Buy Condoms At The Condomerie

World’s first condom store displays dozens of condoms in the shop window.

The idea for the world’s first condom shop arrived at the start of the new HIV AIDS epidemic. The now owners of the shop realised that good sexual huigene and use of condoms would now become essential.

Condoms were already available everywhere but there was a general lack of information and choice. The time had arrived for a specialised condom shop with quality service, information and of course a large collection of unique condoms.

Great place to take a selfie, learn about safe sex and to get a souvenir.

13 | Sing Karaoke At Casablanca

Karaoke nights at Casa Blanca on the Zeedijk, on the edge of the Red Light District.

Casa Blanca is an old and established Jazz Cafe in Amsterdam – located on the Zeedijk street. Since 1946 people have been dancing here to jazzy grooves. A new edition to the program are karaoke nights every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

In our opinion this one of the best karaoke bars in Amsterdam. The crowd is well mixed and the vibes are good!

Check the massive list of song options and leave a note for the DJ. When it’s your turn step on stage and dazzle the crowd! (or not).

Singing karaoke is really fun to do during a date in Amsterdam.

14 | Visit Amsterdam First Gay Friendly Pub

One of the first gay-bars in town.

Cafe ‘t Mandje is located on the Zeedijk at number 63. The pub openend its doors in 1927 and it became the first gay friendly pub in Amsterdam.

Other gay bars existed before that time in Amsterdam but they only catered to homosexuals or lesbians.

t’ Mandy was new in letting all the people of Amsterdam mingle together and have a good time without prejudice.

Experience the Dutch tolerance yourself and have a drink at this super cute, historic pub.

15 | Go see Nieuwmarkt

The medieval Waag on Nieuwmarkt, at the edge of De Wallen. Our own photo.

Nestled in the heart of Amsterdam, Nieuwmarkt is a bustling square that marries the city’s rich history with its vibrant present.

Flanked by quaint buildings and bustling cafes, the square is dominated by the striking De Waag, a medieval building that once served as a city gate and now houses a charming restaurant.

A stroll around Nieuwmarkt offers a sensory delight, with the scent of fresh herring from street vendors, the sight of antique shops, and the sounds of laughter from locals enjoying the open-air terraces.

Regularly hosting markets, including a popular organic food market on Saturdays, Nieuwmarkt is a must-visit spot for tourists looking to soak in authentic Amsterdam atmosphere.

16 | Visit Red Light Secrets, the Museum of Prostitution

Red Light Secrets, the museum of prostitution on the Oudezijds Achterburgwal. Our own photo.

If you want to understand what really happens behind the famous windows, Red Light Secrets is the place to start. It is the only museum in the world set inside a former working brothel, right on the Oudezijds Achterburgwal canal in the heart of De Wallen.

You walk through the real rooms – the window workspace, the bedroom, the SM dungeon and the confession booth – while an audio guide voiced by a fictional sex worker named “Inga” explains what the job is actually like: the clients, the house rules, the money and the safety measures.

It is the most on-topic thing you can do in the district, and it answers the questions most visitors are too shy to ask out loud. The museum stays open late into the evening, so it works nicely as a first stop before the surrounding windows come to life.

17 | Squeeze Through Trompettersteeg, the Narrowest Alley

Trompettersteeg, the narrowest alley in Amsterdam’s Red Light District. Our own photo.

Trompettersteeg is the narrowest alley in the Red Light District – barely a metre wide, so you often have to turn sideways to let someone pass. You will find it just off the Oudezijds Voorburgwal, right next to Coffeeshop The Bulldog.

Its red-painted walls, the white Amsterdam coat-of-arms street art and the blunt “no photos” warnings make it one of the most atmospheric – and most photographed – corners of De Wallen.

One word on etiquette: the windows along these tiny lanes are workplaces, so walk through, enjoy the atmosphere, but never photograph the workers. The alley itself is fair game – and it is the shot everyone comes for.

What’s changing in the Red Light District (2026)

De Wallen is slowly changing, and a few shifts are worth knowing before you visit.

• Fewer windows – the city has steadily reduced window brothels; around one in three has closed in the last 15 years as Amsterdam reshapes the area.
• No group tours past the windows – since 2020, guided tours may not stop at the windows and group sizes are capped. A self-guided audio tour is now the practical way to get the history on the spot.
• Earlier closing – windows close by around 3am and bars stop serving earlier (about 2am at weekends), so the liveliest window is mid-evening to midnight.
• A possible move – the council has proposed relocating part of the window work to a purpose-built “Erotic Centre” elsewhere in the city, but any move is years away (earliest around 2031) and not yet decided.

Rules and hours change, so check the City of Amsterdam for the latest before you go.

Practical tips & etiquette

The Red Light District is both a tourist hotspot and a working neighbourhood. A few simple rules keep your visit smooth and respectful.

• No photos of the workers – never photograph or film the people in the windows. It is strictly forbidden and taken very seriously.
• Keep your valuables close – the lanes get packed after dark, so mind your phone and wallet.
• Come on foot or by transport – the nearest stops are Nieuwmarkt and Amsterdam Centraal, both about 5 minutes away.
• Keep the alleys moving – narrow lanes like Trompettersteeg are busy, so do not linger in doorways.
• Keep it low-key – the city fines anti-social behaviour, and bars stop serving earlier than you might expect.

Looking to unwind in the area? See our pick of the top 10 erotic massage parlours in Amsterdam.

Best time to visit

When	What it is like
Morning (9am–12pm)	Calm streets – best for museums, the tower and coffee
Afternoon (12–6pm)	Lively but still easy to walk around
Evening (6–10pm)	The red neon is on and the atmosphere is at its best
Late night (after 10pm)	Party vibe, very busy, peaks around 11pm – not for everyone

If you need a break from the crowds, step over to the Zeedijk (Amsterdam’s small Chinatown), a few steps away and full of cosy Asian restaurants.

Amsterdam Red Light District: frequently asked questions

What is the number one thing to do in the Red Light District?

Taking a guided Red Light District tour is the best way to understand what you are seeing — the history, the rules and the stories behind De Wallen. After dark, a show at the Moulin Rouge is the area’s signature night out.

Can you do things in the Red Light District for free?

Yes. Wandering the medieval canals around the Oudezijds Voorburgwal, seeing the exterior of the Oude Kerk (Amsterdam’s oldest building) and finding the bronze Belle statue on the Oudekerksplein all cost nothing. Just remember: never photograph the window workers.

What is the best time to visit the Red Light District?

Evenings are when the red neon comes on and the area is at its liveliest. For a calmer, daylight look at the canals and architecture, go in the late morning.

Is the Red Light District worth visiting in 2026?

Yes — it remains one of Amsterdam’s most historic and fascinating neighbourhoods. Visit respectfully, follow the local rules, and stick to the main streets at night.

What are the best things to do in the Red Light District for couples?

Plenty here suits couples. A seated show at the Moulin Rouge, a climb up the Old Church tower, karaoke at Casablanca and a herring or Asian dinner on the Zeedijk all work well as a two. Many couples also visit Red Light Secrets together.

Is the Red Light District safe?

Yes, it is one of the most policed areas in Amsterdam and is generally safe, even late at night. The main risks are pickpockets in the crowds and overpriced drinks in some bars. Stick to the main lanes, keep your valuables close and you will be fine.

How does the Red Light District work?

Sex work is legal and regulated in the Netherlands. The women (and some men) rent the windows and work for themselves, setting their own prices and rules. What you see on the street is legal, licensed and taxed – not something hidden.

Can you take photos in the Red Light District?

You can photograph the canals, streets and buildings, but never the workers in the windows. It is strictly forbidden, disrespectful and can get your phone taken. When in doubt, keep the camera pointed at the architecture.

What time does the Red Light District open and get busy?

The streets are always open to walk, but the red windows light up from late afternoon and the area is busiest from about 10pm to midnight. Windows close by around 3am. For museums and the tower, come in the daytime.

How do you get to the Red Light District?

It is a five-minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal, straight down the Damrak and Warmoesstraat. The nearest metro and tram stops are Nieuwmarkt and Centraal. There is no need to drive – the centre is pedestrian-friendly.

How long do you need in the Red Light District?

A quick walk takes 30 minutes, but to actually do things – a museum, the tower, a show, a bite to eat – allow two to three hours. Coming once by day and once after dark is ideal.

Is the Red Light District closing down?

No, it is not closing, but it is shrinking. About a third of the windows have gone over 15 years, and the city has proposed moving part of the work to a future “Erotic Centre” (earliest around 2031). For now De Wallen is open and very much worth visiting.

Sources

Opening hours and prices were checked against official venue sites, including oudekerk.nl for the Old Church tower. The 2026 changes draw on reporting by NL Times and the City of Amsterdam. Rules and prices change often – always confirm before you visit.

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