Amsterdam Red Light District Rules 2026: What Tourists MUST Know
Posted on: 2 月 13, 2026
阿姆斯特丹红灯区规章制度：避免罚款或违规行为v
在前往世界上最迷人的地区之前，最好先了解一下阿姆斯特丹红灯区最重要的规章制度。您肯定不想不小心触犯法律吧？这份包含阿姆斯特丹红灯区13条法律的实用清单将为您提供帮助。
Our Red Light District Tour brings everything together — the walking route, key stops, local etiquette, stories from true experts and practical tips so you know exactly what to do (and what to avoid).
阿姆斯特丹红灯区晚上安全吗？
简而言之：对大多数游客来说，只要遵守当地规则并具备基本的城市安全意识，就可以放心前往。德瓦伦区热闹繁华，灯火通明，巡逻人员也很多，但和其他夜生活场所一样，您也应该保管好自己的财物，避免扰乱公共秩序的行为。
Police presence, cameras & crowds
- Expect visible police and stewards on peak evenings and weekends.
- Stick to the main, well-lit streets in Amsterdam Red Light District and its canals if you’re unfamiliar with the area.
- Keep phones and wallets secure—pickpockets target distracted visitors.
If you get pickpocketed, follow our Lost & Found Amsterdam steps for what to do next (where to report it and how to recover items).
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Street dealers: Politely decline and walk away.
- Unlicensed “guides” & bar touts: Book only via official providers.
- ATMs: Use bank-branch machines rather than isolated units.
The rules visitors most often get fined for
- No photos or filming of sex workers. Staff and police actively enforce this.
- No alcohol on the street in designated zones of the old city centre (includes parts of De Wallen).
- No smoking cannabis on the street in parts of the centre including De Wallen—use licensed coffeeshops only.
- Nuisance & noise: Shouting, blocking streets, or urinating in public can lead to on-the-spot fines.
- Littering: Use the bins—enforcement is strict in busy areas.
Note: Fines and rules can change. Always follow on-site instructions from police/stewards and check the municipality’s latest guidance.
Best time to visit
- Late afternoon–early evening: Calmer, easier for first-timers.
- 22:00–01:00: Busiest and most lively—expect crowds.
- Early morning: Many windows are closed for changeovers/cleaning.
- Mid-week: Generally quieter than Friday/Saturday.
Prefer a structured, safer first visit? Try our self-guided Red Light District Audio Tour with expert stories, directions and etiquette reminders built in.
Understanding the rules and laws of the area is only one part of planning a smooth visit — timing also makes a big difference. Crowd levels, police presence, local tolerance for noise, and even how strictly certain rules are enforced can vary depending on the day and hour you go. Visiting during calmer periods can help you explore respectfully, avoid nuisance situations, and better appreciate the historic side of De Wallen. If you want to plan your visit smartly, check this guide on the best time to visit Amsterdam Red Light District so you can match your trip timing with the most comfortable and respectful experience.
1 | Public Alcohol Ban in Amsterdam Red Light District
In some areas in Amsterdam a public ban on alcohol is enforced. The Red Light District is one of those areas. It is therefor forbidden to drink alcohol in the public spaces (on the streets) and it’s forbidden to have bottles or cans of alcoholic drinks on you. A fine of € 95,- is imposed on violations of the alcohol ban. The local police and municipality enforcers uphold the ban.
The main street of the Red Light District (Oudezijds Achterburgwal).
带有红色圆圈的路牌表示在荷兰禁止某些行为。上图所示的标志表明，在红灯区这一区域，禁止在街道上饮酒。
在阿姆斯特丹喝酒必须年满多少岁？
In Amsterdam, the legal drinking age for beer and wine is 18 years old. However, the legal drinking age for spirits and other distilled beverages is 18 years old as well. It’s important to note that bars and restaurants in Amsterdam are required to check IDs to ensure that their customers are of legal drinking age.
Failing to comply with this requirement can result in significant fines or even the loss of the establishment’s liquor license. Additionally, public drinking and public intoxication are not allowed and can also result in fines or other penalties.
2 | Street Prostitution in Holland Is Illegal
It’s forbidden for sex workers to offer or promote their services on the streets of Amsterdam’s Red Light District or elsewhere in the city.
The law applies on, or next to the road, or in a publicly accessible building. It’s also forbidden for possible customers to in any way accept proposals, in whatever form, to make use of their services. The fine for street prostitution for both the sex worker and the customer is € 115,-.
Sex workers statue next to Amsterdam’s Old Church.
5 | 外面窗窗妓院营业时间
Current Red Light District laws do not prohibit the smoking of cannabis outside on the streets. There are some public places in Amsterdam where smoking a joint outside is prohibited though. These places are for example: children’s playgrounds and school squares. In the Netherlands you are legally allowed to have 5 grams of weed on you, for personal use.
The terrace of coffeeshop The Bulldog on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal.
The unwritten law when it comes to smoking weed in the Netherlands is that people do it at home or in a coffeeshop. If you do smoke outside make sure that you are not a hindrance to other people. So don’t smoke a joint in front of houses with open windows for instance. Not everybody enjoys the smell.
Want the full picture (what’s allowed, where it’s banned, and what tourists should do)? See: Is weed legal in Amsterdam? Coffee shop rules explained.
4 | 荷兰的强制身份识别
Everyone aged 14 and older in the Netherlands must be able to identify himself or herself with a valid ID. For persons aged 16 or over who fail to comply with the obligation to identify themselves the fine is € 60,-. For persons aged 14 and 15, the fine is € 30,-.
Only certain government officials can ask for your ID. These are: police officers, ticket inspectors (public transport) and special enforcement officers (BOA’s in Dutch) like labor inspectors and forest wardens.
Amsterdam’s most narrow alley including 9 window brothels.
5 | 阿姆斯特丹橱窗妓院营业时间
Window prostitution businesses are allowed to be open to visitors from 08:00 am to 06:00 am. Yes, the window brothels are op 22 hours a day! The sex workers tend to work in 8 hour shifts and are not allowed to work more than 11 hours a day.
6 | Littering in Amsterdam is Not Allowed
请勿将汽水罐、塑料袋或其他（空）产品包装扔到街上。如果被当地政府抓到，您将被罚款。 € 140,-此外，在如此美丽的城市里，为什么要乱扔垃圾呢？
Dutch cops are very friendly if you just stick to the rules.
7 | 禁止在车内睡觉
在阿姆斯特丹，禁止将道路用作睡觉场所，也禁止使用车辆、船只、房车、帐篷或其他任何住宿设施作为睡觉场所或提供此类服务。最近，当局严厉打击在车内睡觉的行为。想要在自己的车里享受一段安静的时光，代价是…… € 140,-
8 | 荷兰的卖淫酒店是非法的
目前，阿姆斯特丹市禁止经营卖淫酒店。卖淫酒店向妓女提供房间，由她们在其他地方招揽顾客。这类酒店被禁止的原因是它们与街头卖淫密切相关。
However, Amsterdam escorts often go with their clients to hotels. Sometimes, customers invite escorts to Red Light District Amsterdam hotels. That is legal. The staff at the hotels are of course allowed to refuse an escort – if they know they are a sex worker.
Police also patrol the area by horse making the district even safer.
An alternative option would be to arrange a sex date in Holland. Discover these popular sex date platforms where men and women are just searching for sex dating without any strings attached.
9 | Amsterdam Red Light District Tour Regulations
阿姆斯特丹市中心的旅游服务提供者必须遵守2018年4月实施的规定。如果导游带领五人或五人以上的游客，则需要获得政府豁免。
It’s also mandatory for tour guides to inform the participants that it is not allowed to take pictures of the sex workers.
Do you want to learn everything about De Wallen? Then download our app with Red Light District tour and listen to fascinating stories of 22 experts. A virtual guide will show you around.
GET THE APP >
10 | Promoting Prostitution On The Streets Is Illegal
It is forbidden for sex workers (or anyone else) to advertise sex services on the streets. The fine for this is € 115,-. In general, prostitutes do not want to work on the street at all because it is less safe, less comfortable and it makes less money. In the 1950’s & 1960’s, some prostitutes worked on the streets in Amsterdam’s Red Light District. Also because there were less window brothels. Those days are over now partly because Amsterdam has more than 350 window brothels.
11 | Tours
Our local guide with more than 11 years experience in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam Red Light District tours with tour guides are banned by the local government. The only way to get a Red Light District tour is with our app. It contains an interesting audio tour, virtual guide, map and stories of 22 experts. Here you can read all other new rules for tours in the Red Light District.
BOOK A TOUR >
12 | Minimum Age Of Sex Workers in Amsterdam Red Light District
One of the last Red Light District laws you have to know about is the following. The prostitutes in Amsterdam’s Red Light District need to be at least 21 years old to work in the windows. Every time they rent a window brothel, they are required to show their ID to the brothel operator.
While exploring the laws and regulations that shape Amsterdam’s Red Light District, it’s also interesting to see how local entertainment venues operate within these rules. Some theatres, for example, offer adult-oriented performances in fully licensed and regulated environments that align with the city’s strict safety and operational standards. If you’re curious to experience one of these legal and well-managed venues for yourself, you can explore show details and secure your Moulin Rouge Amsterdam tickets for a night out that reflects Amsterdam’s unique blend of freedom, creativity, and oversight.
13 | 禁止在街上小便
在红灯区街道上小便严禁。当地居民非常反感游客在街上小便。请勿这样做，否则将被处以140欧元的罚款。
Please visit Sexy Loo instead. It’s a public restroom that looks like the Red Light District, filled with imitation red light windows.
Understanding the laws in Amsterdam’s Red Light District is important, especially for first-time visitors who want to explore the area responsibly. The district is safe and well-regulated, but knowing the rules—like not taking photos of sex workers and respecting local regulations—can help you avoid trouble and enjoy your visit. Learning about these laws also gives you a deeper appreciation of the neighborhood’s history and culture. If you’re planning a well-rounded trip, the Red Light District is just one of many exciting things to do in Amsterdam for young adults, alongside museums, nightlife, and unique local experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amsterdam Red Light District Laws
Do not photograph or film sex workers in the windows. It’s widely treated as strictly forbidden and can escalate quickly. If you want photos, stick to canals, buildings, and streets away from windows—and when in doubt, don’t shoot.
In many parts of central Amsterdam (including De Wallen), street drinking is banned. Tourists can get fined for drinking alcohol in public spaces there—often cited around €95. Drink inside bars/cafés instead.
Amsterdam allows cannabis sales in licensed coffeeshops under tolerance rules, but public smoking can be restricted—especially in busy city-centre areas like the Red Light District. Some sources mention fines (e.g., €100) for smoking weed there. Check local signage and rules.
Amsterdam has tightened rules for guided tours in the city centre, and tours may no longer be allowed along sex workers’ windows. There are also group-size (max 4 persons) and exemption/permit rules for guides, depending on group size and location.
Generally, it’s considered busy and well-patrolled, but it’s still a nightlife area. Stay aware of your surroundings, avoid flashing valuables, and watch for pickpockets and street dealers (on street corners)—especially on crowded streets. Respecting rules (especially no photos) avoids trouble.
At minimum, you can be confronted and told to delete it; situations can escalate fast because it’s seen as a serious violation of privacy. The safest rule is simple: don’t aim a camera or phone at the windows, doorways, or workers.
Hard drugs are illegal. Cannabis is “tolerated” under strict conditions (e.g., small personal amounts), but that tolerance does not make all public use legal—especially in restricted zones. Don’t assume “anything goes” in the city centre.
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