One of the highlights of our grand tour of Northern Europe was the visit to Amsterdam for New Year. We explored the city of Amsterdam, but the Red Light District deserves it’s own article.
De Wallen
The Amsterdam Red Light District is now officially called De Wallen. The name comes from the area’s original “wall”—the red brick walls that once surrounded the warehouse buildings here. As the oldest part of Amsterdam, De Wallen is a maze of narrow streets, mostly free of cars but packed with tourists and bicycles. It’s a lively, bustling area, rich in history and full of energy.
De Wallen is a fairly large area, but not all of it is strictly the Red Light District. While it’s known for its sex shops, drug stores, and prostitution, it’s also home to a vibrant nightlife scene with plenty of pubs and clubs. When we visited during New Year’s, the streets were packed—so crowded, in fact, it was tough to move around. People were out at restaurants, snacking on street food, and soaking in the sights, making it a lively and energetic spot, even beyond its more notorious reputation.
Sex Museum
On the edge of De Wallen, just off Damrak, stands the famous Amsterdam Sex Museum. For just €10, we entered a narrow, classic Amsterdam building—complete with plenty of stairs. The museum was absolutely packed, with visitors everywhere, all eager to check out the exhibits. Some displays were surprisingly high quality and incredibly interesting. It is a fun and quirky stop for anyone curious about the more provocative side of Amsterdam’s history.
The most entertaining part of the visit was watching how people reacted to the pictures, sculptures, and displays. Some of the younger men seemed pretty excited, while the older women were either thoroughly enjoying it or downright appalled. We spent about half an hour exploring all four floors, taking in the quirky and sometimes shocking exhibits along the way. It was definitely a place that sparked a range of reactions!
Erotic Museum
Tucked deep within the Red Light District, along the Oudezijds Achterburgwal canal, we found the small but intriguing Erotic Museum. For just €10, we entered the slender building and began our exploration. Much like the Sex Museum, this place was spread across four floors, each connected by a steep and narrow staircase. Each floor had its own theme, and we had a blast wandering through the quirky displays. At the end of the tour, we stumbled upon a gift shop filled with amusing items—perfect for a Hen’s night or a Buck’s party, if you’re looking for some cheeky souvenirs!
Red Light District
We walked through the Red Light District several times, mainly to get to our favourite bar, The Black Tiger. This area is home to the iconic booth-style windows where women offer their services, with prices reportedly starting at €50 for “starters” and going up to €75 for “mains.” We’re still not entirely sure what those terms mean, but it seems to be common lingo for those looking to use the services. Street prostitution is illegal here, which helps create a safer environment for the women working in the district.
During the day, the red light booths were often empty, but by evening, they were fully occupied. Many of the women, engaged in legal prostitution, were strikingly beautiful, though mostly preoccupied with their phones, just waiting for customers. On one of the side streets, we noticed the “blue light” booths, where transgender prostitutes work. It was impossible to miss the heated argument happening between two of them across the street! Photography is strictly forbidden in the area, and if you’re caught snapping pictures, the consequences can be severe.
Moulin Rouge Sex Show
We couldn’t leave the Amsterdam Red Light District without experiencing a sex show, and after checking out some reviews, we decided on Moulin Rouge. Tickets were €50 for an hour-long show, which included two female striptease performances and two live sex shows. The venue itself was small and intimate, holding only about 100 guests, and photography wasn’t allowed inside.
We snagged front-row seats, with the stage just a few metres away. The striptease performances were fun to watch, especially as each performer invited a (male) volunteer to join her on stage, making for an interactive experience. The live sex shows were fascinating, especially since this kind of performance isn’t something you typically see in Australia. That said, we couldn’t help but wish the performers appeared more engaged with each other, as it seemed more like they were going through the motions than genuinely enjoying the experience.
