Red Light District (De Wallen)

The Red Light District (De Wallen) is one of Amsterdam's oldest neighborhoods—and also the most controversial. The illuminated windows with sex workers, coffee shops, and peep shows are world-famous. But De Wallen is more than its reputation: It is also a residential area, a restaurant district, and one of the city's oldest neighborhoods with the Oude Kerk (oldest church in Amsterdam, 1306), charming canals, and historic facades.

What You Should Know

• Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands—sex work is regulated, taxed, and workers have rights and unions. The windows are a visible part of that.
• Photography is prohibited: Never photograph the women in the windows—it's disrespectful and can lead to confrontations. Keep cameras and phones pointed down in the narrow alleys.
• Safety: De Wallen is safer than it looks—police and cameras are ubiquitous. Normal caution is sufficient (pickpockets!), but don't be careless alone in dark side alleys at night.
• Sights: The Oude Kerk (admission: €13.50, changing art exhibitions), the Red Light Secrets Museum (insight into the world behind the windows, €14.50), and the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum (€9) are all located in the district.

Perspective: The city of Amsterdam is actively working to change the Red Light District—tourist tours through the alleys have been restricted, and there are plans to relocate windows. The district will change in the coming years. Enjoy it respectfully and with open eyes.