Red Light Secrets Museum
"The experience of sitting in the window, even though fully dressed, was quite overwhelming. You get to see various room settings and read number of facts about prostitution in the Netherlands."
Visit the Red Light Secrets Museum in Amsterdam and step into an intriguing world that remains hidden for most. Skip-the-line and discover the secrets of Amsterdam's Red Light District in the world’s only Museum of Prostitution.
Red Light Secrets Museum of Prostitution is situated at the center of the Amsterdam Red Light District, at walking distance from the Central Station and the Dam Square.
"Educational and very interesting insight into the oldest profession! I found the individual stories particularly enlightening and quite emotional."
- Skip the line
- Romantic experience, perfect for couples
Red light district walking tour
Take a walk on the wild side with a guided walking tour through Dark Amsterdam, the infamous Red Light District. Accompanied by a friendly and knowledgeable guide, you'll tour the area in safety for an enlightening and illuminating experience!
The tour takes you to the area that's synonymous with Amsterdam, the Wallen (Red Light District), passing monuments and entering narrow old streets such as the well-known Zeedijk street. In the past it was one of the most dangerous streets in Amsterdam, where sailors could be found searching for local amusement.
Nowadays, instead of the shady bars of yester year you'll find lively and welcoming Dutch pubs and restaurants.
"The most exciting tour with a lot of information, not only about Red Light district! Highly recommended!"
About the Red light district
The Red Light District is one of the liveliest parts of the city of Amsterdam. Of course, most people have heard about the Red Light District for one reason or another. It is most likely that the reason is either the sex industry or the infamous coffee shops.
The Red Light District is the greatest and most renowned red light district in the entire city of Amsterdam; it is also a hot spot for tourists to the city. It is crossed by numerous canals and cover several blocks that lie south of the Oude Kerk Church.
"De Wallen"
The phrase “Red Light District” was first introduced in 1894 and was published in a small newspaper in Milwaukee, USA. The Dutch, generally refer to this neighborhood as “De Wallen”. De Wallen is an area in Amsterdam where the sex industry certainly has a significant presence.
Prostitution in the region dates back as far as the 14th century. There were many sailors that arrived back into the port of Amsterdam who were seeking the company of a female. Over the years, the industry expanded and is today known as one of the most popular places to visit in the city.
Amsterdam has a reputation, across the globe for being the land of the free. Of course, it is one of the few places in Europe, where marijuana and prostitution are legal. However, it is well policed, and although the crime rates are low, they are decreasing each and every year.
Significant changes in 2009
The Red Light District went through a few significant changes in 2009. These changes were enforced by the government and involved the closing down of around one-third of the windows, and the same for the coffee shops.
There were 18 properties into total which were relinquished and with which the authorities were encouraging fashion boutiques and other such businesses to take out leases, in a bid to add some diversity to the area that is the Red Light District.
An attractive place for ...
It is an attractive place for Stags do’s, Hen do’s, and is hugely popular as a weekend city break, or a short stay destination. The Red Light District has a number of sex theaters, sex shops, a number of sex and cannabis museums, along with a couple of peep shows and many weird and wonderful coffee shops.
Perhaps one of the most magnificent things about the Red Light District is the transformation from day to night. What looks quite ordinary by day, is lit up like Christmas all year round, by night. There is an array of pubs, clubs, shops, walks, cruises and eateries up and down the Red Light District.
You will always find something to do. Not only is this a place filled with history and heritage, but it is also bustling with some of the most diverse people, and most enchanting architecture.