Red Light District - De Wallen, Amsterdam

I've heard so many stories about this place. People say it's a must visit for any tourist and in fact after reading several travel tips, I was convinced that I too must check it out.

We found Red Light District by accident. We were walking from Dam Square and to our surprised we were already there. There were so many people looking excited and curious. Then I saw those ladies inside the glass doors...that explain the whole thing. For those who might don't know, they are prostitutes and prostitution is legal in Netherlands. Some of them were good looking, some were not...really. I don't dare to take any photos of the ladies and I think we are not allow to do that. There were men 'negotiating' as well and yes, I dragged my 56 year old mum along. She was really cool with it...ha3.

Owhh I forgot, around this area...you'll find many shops selling sex stuff (toys, dvd, books, t-shirts, lingerie and others). Some of the shops looked very kinky, but I had fun exploring them.

I didn't really browsed all, one row of glass doors was enough for me. Anyway, I think its a good free entertainment (unless you're planning to 'fish').

New Europe Walking Tours give free walking tours during the day and paid redlight district tours at night.
These guys are great, they hold tours throughout europe, and free tour guides work for tips, so they really give it everything!
I did most of the free tours and a free paid ones, and i recommend them highly!

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Prostitution is legal – in the Red Light District. It is licensed and controlled by the Government. Women working in the trade do have health checks. Throughout the area women stand inside glass doors and ‘advertise’. They rent spaces that contain beds, toilets and other fixtures needed for their business. All of these rooms have a panic alarm and security that is sometimes the big hairy bloke standing in the street next to you. If a curtain is closed over that usually means either they have not arrived for work yet, or are actively at work.

The ladies will stop and talk to you, but not for long when they realise you are not coming in for business.

Interested in renting a space? Look for signs with the details of the agents.

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So here I was on my last visit to Amsterdam idling away an hour or so at The Old Sailor with a couple of beers and watching the world go by when this pair of pics presented themselves as an "Upstairs, Downstairs" set and so just had to use them here.

PS if pic #2 is too lewd for you don't enlarge it!

PPS As someone once enquired - "What sort of pussy do you prefer?"

Me, I just like a soft fluffy one. I HATE cats though ;)

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The Red Light District is pretty much of a must do in Amsterdam.

And whilst you get a general idea of what it is all about by having a walk round you get a better viewpoint if you just stay in one place and of course the best place to do this is a pub!

To those of you who know me through my other pages this will come as no surprise!

The Old Sailor is situated slap bang (for want of a better expression) in the middle of the area and has a really good atmosphere even though it does get very busy as the evening progresses.

Under no circumstances even attempt to order food here at night, unless of course you like being laughed at - "This is a pub: we sell BEER!" was the barman's reply to a couple who came in looking for food.

Immediately opposite the Old Sailor is a brothel and it is fascinating to watch the punters comings and goings (once again for want of a better expression!) - the curtains being drawn, only to be reopened a couple of mins later and the guys leaving with quite a variety of expressions - these have to be seen to be believed!

This neighbourhood is maybe the most famous item in the world if it is about tourism and Amsterdam. Everyone immediately jumps to this conclusion and not without being right. The "Wallen" (Kay, Dike, stretch of hightened land along a canal or river) or "Walletjes" (little "Wallen") are a folk area that now houses the prostitution district with the many red lights. Surrounding the old church, this part has however also some other interesting things. It is one of the oldest parts of Amsterdam and many houses are really magnificently kept monuments. It is a district with a whole own character, which has nothing to do with criminal behaviour. So, when walking here, don't only look into the windows and into the nice ladies eyes (or 30 cm lower), but gaze up to the facades and discover the other side of the Red Light District (more about the "Wallen" under custom-tips).

"Roxanne
You don't have to put on the red light
Those days are over
You don't have to sell your body to the night

Roxanne
You don't have to wear that dress tonight
Walk the streets for money
You don't care if it's wrong or if it's right..."

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Amsterdam Red Light District, is famous throughout the world, even more famous than Van Gogh museum and the typical tour of the canals. The red light district there since about 1200, although he is not known by that name. Not only the neighborhood of prostitutes, some of the most beautiful buildings and streets of Amsterdam are here and it is also a great place for unusual shops and interesting pubs and restaurants.

El Barrio Rojo de Ámsterdam, es famoso en todo el mundo, incluso mas famoso que el museo Van Gogh y el típico paseo por los canales. El Barrio Rojo existe aproximadamente desde el año 1200, aunque no se le conocía con ese nombre. No es solo el barrio de las prostitutas, los edificios y calles mas bonitas de Ámsterdam se encuentran aquí , también puedes encontrar las tiendas mas inusuales y los pubs y restaurantes mas interesantes.