Red Light District: Tours and Guided Visits

Amsterdam's Red Light District is world-famous for its array of erotic entertainment. From sex shops and peep shows to marijuana cafes, there's something to suit every taste. However, the Red Light District is more than its reputation as a hub of prostitution — it's also a vibrant and historic neighborhood.

Visitors can explore narrow alleyways lined with old-fashioned canals, visit religious monuments or simply enjoy people-watching at one of the many squares.

Take a tour of the Red Light District and allow your preconceived notions to be changed.

Here's all you need to know about Red Light District, one of the most famous places for sightseeing tours in Amsterdam.

Where is the Red Light District located?

The Red Light District is located in the center of Amsterdam and is one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. The majority of its sights are located on Zeedijk and the Warmoesstraat, between the Oudezijds Achterburgwal, and Oudezijds Voorburgwal canals.

You can access the Red Light District from Dam Square or Damrak — the main street in the city.

The district is located close to Amsterdam Centraal train station. From there, it is a 5 to 10-minute walk to the Red Light District, in the direction of Dam Square.

The total distance between the two locations is around 750 meters, making the Red Light District easily accessible for most people on foot.

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

Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum

The Hash Marihuana and Hemp Museum focuses on Amsterdam's association with cannabis. Often a controversial subject, marijuana can either be seen as a way to reap the medicinal benefits of the cannabis plant or as a quick high.

This museum aims to open your mind to the uses of cannabis, by showing the making of hashish, which has been happening for thousands of years. You'll see anti-marijuana propaganda from the 1930s, through a collection of books and movies. Additionally, you can see the global connections with the cannabis plant and how different cultures have used it throughout history.

Amstelkring Museum

The Amstelkring Museum is a house in the city center, which was built in the 17th century and is home to a secret chapel. Named after its location, the "Lord in the Attic Chapel" was built at a time when Catholic worship was forbidden. The attic seats over 150 people and has served as a working church for over 200 years.

Today, there is a service once a month, and the chapel occasionally hosts weddings. The house is filled with religious relics and artifacts from the 17th century, including historic paintings.

Red Light Secrets Museum

The Red Light Secrets museum is the first exhibition of prostitution in the world. This site allows you to explore the history of sex work in Amsterdam and is located within an old brothel. You can experience what life is like for a modern-day prostitute by sitting behind a window — which is how they wait for their next customer.

You'll find out the rarely spoken-about aspects of this highly-judged career, including how much money prostitutes make, and how many turn to this line of work.

What are the best tours to visit the Red Light District?

Private Red Light District and coffee shop tour

Waltzing through the Red Light District in this private tour, your guide will provide you with a running commentary of the history of the area famed for prostitution. You'll learn about the laws that allow sex workers to sell their services in this district, as well as the dos and don’ts of prostitution.

Once you've taken in the abundance of sights and sounds in this corner of the city, you'll explore Amsterdam's coffee shop scene. You can also choose to visit the Sexmuseum, which is filled with erotic artworks and artifacts.

Red Light District and food tour

On your food tour of the Red Light District, you can expect to pass by several iconic sites, including Chinatown and Oude Kerk. As you pass the red lights the district is famous for, you'll learn the truths behind this line of work.

Moving through the streets, you'll enjoy sampling some of the Netherlands' finest cuisine, such as stroopwafel, which is a waffle cookie with a sticky caramel center. Other classic Dutch fares on offer include croquettes and cheeses, such as Edam, and Gouda.

With a private guide on hand, you'll learn all about the history of these traditional foods and how they play a part in Dutch culture.

Amsterdam Red Light District party

Entering the Red Light District at night, you'll see the region at its most active and spectacular. You'll learn how the neighborhood rose up and see the back alleys of the district, where hundreds of sex workers live.

You'll get up close to the action by viewing the live window displays where prostitutes await their next customers. Dipping into a bakery en route, you'll rest with a sample of the Dutch classic —  stroopwafel — paired with a mug of hot chocolate. After ambling around some more of the notorious area, you'll enjoy a drink in one of Amsterdam's most famed cafes.

Red Light District Ganja tour

Amsterdam is one of the only places in Europe where cannabis is legalized. The city's lax approach to the herbal drug has resulted in a marijuana culture in many coffee shops around Amsterdam. In this walking tour through the Red Light District, you'll drift in and out of several of these establishments, sampling goods made using cannabis.

What are the prices of the tours?

You can expect tours in the Red Light District that revolve around cannabis to cost around €30 per person. The price is reflective of the length of the tour as this is a shorter excursion than many others.

You'll pay between €80 and €100 per person for a private tour in the Red Light District that explores the city's coffee shops.

Tours in the Red Light District that include food tastings cost approximately €190 if you participate alone. However, you can travel in a group of up to 15 and the price reduces for each additional person. If you have the maximum number of guests in your party, you'll each pay under €50.

Private Red Light District party tours happen at night and cost €190 per group. The price is fixed, regardless of whether you're a solo traveler or are visiting Amsterdam in a larger group. In a group of eight, you’ll each pay just over €20.

Where do the tours start?

Tours in the Red Light District begin at a variety of destinations across the city. Amsterdam is easy to navigate with a fantastic cycle network and a plethora of public transportation options. You'll be able to see where your tour meets before booking to ensure you have ample time to arrange your transportation there.

It's worth noting that some tours end at a different location from the starting point. If this is the case, your excursion will alert you of this before booking.

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

The best time to take a guided tour in the Red Light District is during the evening when the streets come to life. This is the time of day when you can soak up the authentic atmosphere of the region.

However, if you have time in your itinerary, you should consider visiting this part of the city twice — once during the daytime and again at night. This will allow you to see the contrasts of the area at different times of the day.

Travel tips

• Visit the Red Light District with an open mind. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the practices that happen in the area, it's legal for sex workers to advertise their services in the neighborhood.
• Do not take photos of sex workers in window displays. This rule is in place to respect the privacy of prostitutes who wish to remain anonymous. However, you are permitted to take pictures of empty window displays.
• If you see a blue or purple light on a tour of the Red Light District, this means that the person behind the window is transgender or a cross-dresser.