Red Light District: Explore Amsterdam's Heart

Discover Amsterdam’s Red Light District with a local guide. Uncover its history, myths, and modern-day realities. Get insider tips and a special souvenir.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Red Light District (De Wallen) - Explore the rich history of the Red Light District and prostitution, and understand why sex workers chose this revered location. Discover how Amsterdam earned its reputation for a liberal stance on sex.
  • Dam Square - Uncover the origins of the coffee shop concept and learn about what was once the heart of…
What's Included
  • 1.5-hour walking tour of Amsterdam’s Red Light District
  • Map with information for the final part of the tour
  • Small gift to bring a smile to your face
What's Not Included
  • Tours in the Red Light District have been prohibited since 2020, so this tour goes to outskirts
Additional Information

This provides a unique and genuine insight into the core of Amsterdam’s most intriguing neighborhood. The guide will enhance your understanding of this captivating and often misunderstood area.
Explore the everyday lives of sex workers, the history of this age-old profession, and the Netherlands’ famously liberal stance on prostitution and drug policies….

Location
Bistro Berlage
Beursplein
The meeting point is Beursplein, on the square. Please wait at the bottom of the stairs of Bistro Berlage, we will meet in front of the bistro. The guide will be waiting by the large black lantern, holding a sign that says 'Guidance'.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(113 Ratings)
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1 star
Tim_d
Sep 9, 2025
Great tour and an awesome guide!! - The tour was great, David was an awesome tour guide and really made our day; very personable, funny, knowledgeable and was able to answer our questions on the history and customs of Amsterdam with ease. We also had an ad-hoc discussion on the engineering works being done to the canals. Honestly, we couldn't have asked for a more enjoyable and interesting 90 minutes. Thank you David.
Review provided by Viator
Austin_r
Sep 6, 2025
Great Tour Around the Outside of the District - Very fun and informative, but I will warn you that due to regulations you do NOT walk through the actual Red Light District, but rather you walk around it and peak in. She also gives you a map to self-guide your way through the district afterward, which is nice. It’s too bad the city doesn’t allow tours through the district, but it is kinda understandable. She was very informed and a great tour guide, so if you want some base information for getting to know the area, this is a perfect place to start. Also, you get some fun gummies in the shapes of genitalia 😅😜
Review provided by Viator
Matthew_d
Sep 6, 2025
Wonderful and engaging - Had such a fantastic tour this afternoon at 5pm. Guid was super insightful and great at answering everyones questions. Not only got a great understanding of the history of the Red Light Discrtict but also Amsterdam's cultural approaches of tolerance. Fantastic, would recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Chloess5531ng
Sep 5, 2025
Great tour experience! - We had a really great time walking around the red light district (you can’t tour directly in the district)! He showed us a ton of cool areas and explained a lot of really interesting facts. He was super funny and kept us really engaged with the cool history of the area!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
608jarraha
Aug 22, 2025
Fun, Informative, and Worth Repeating - "He was a great guide—knowledgeable about both the present and the past. Kind, funny, and engaging throughout. I really enjoyed the experience and would definitely join the tour again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chrisro8725ej
Aug 17, 2025
Highly Recommend this Tour - I recently took a tour of the Red Light District with Manouk, and it was one of the most informative and engaging tours I’ve ever experienced. She had an incredible depth of knowledge about the area’s history, culture, and current issues, and she presented everything with the perfect balance of professionalism, respect, and humor. What stood out most was her ability to make everyone feel comfortable while discussing a subject that can sometimes feel sensitive. She encouraged questions, created a safe space for open conversation, and gave insights that went far beyond what you’d ever learn just walking around on your own.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisa_f
Sep 8, 2025
I thought the tour guide... - I thought the tour guide was a local woman based on reviews. Instead, it was a college aged male. Carlos was okay but he offered no great insight but rather just the facts that one can get from Google or other quick research. Nonetheless the tour was informative regarding the general sex and drug ethos in the area.
Review provided by Viator
Nik_m
Aug 26, 2025
Informative tour of Red Light District - Very informative tour, helped by the fact that we only had 4x people in our group. Note this tour (or any other tour) isn't allowed to go into the Red Light district itself. Tour did extend for longer than the suggested duration which was nice, and our guide was very helpful!
Review provided by Viator
Patricia_c
Sep 5, 2025
Nice tour guide but not for us. - Tour guide was pleasant and knowledgeable but had trouble with meet up. Some topics discussed were inappropriate, even for being in the Red Light area. Brought us to Chinatown area which we did not wish to see and was not on itinerary.
Review provided by Viator
Scott_g
Sep 1, 2025
Skip it. Take a walking... - Skip it. Take a walking tour of Amsterdam and you get all the same information about the red light district. Tour does not go thru red light district, you can do that on your own if interested.
Review provided by Viator
From $31
up to 12 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).