Red Light District

The gates of Amsterdam tolerance are open for prostitutes and soft drugs lovers. In the Red Light District you can experience physical pleasure all day long; perhaps it is because of the commercial orientation of the Dutch which has always allowed treating one’s body as a commodity and selling it.

From brothels to sex shops to museums, the Red Light District leaves nothing to the imagination. Certainly, the Red Light District that everyone knows about is the one where women, of all nationalities, parade their wares in red-fringed window parlours, many ready to offer more than a school boy peep-show in a private cabin. Since October 2000, window prostitutes have been allowed to legally ply their trade. If you are really keen on erotic shows Theatre Casa Rosso, Oudezijds Achterburgwal 106-108, is the place to be - Amsterdam's most famous and certainly largest night club. It is a must see for every tourist. Live shows every night, with audience participation.

The Prostitution Information Centre, Enge Kerksteeg 3, is another smashing spot situated just in the middle of the Rossebuurt, as the Dutch call the district. It is run by ex-prostitute Mariska Majoor. There are leaflets, magazines and books, and even a mock-up of a typical window room. You can pick up some brochures for free and ask for information, although a small donation is recommended.

You won’t have any trouble with finding a sex shop in this area but Condomerie – World’s first Specialized Condom Shop, Warmoesstraat 141, deserves special mention. Here you can find out everything about condoms. Although if you look for something more traditional Absolute Danny, Oudezijds Achterburgwal 78, will be the perfect place. The shop’s orientation is towards fetish clothing, with a large variety of clothes, corsets and lingerie in rubber, pvc, see-through and leather. According to the Dutch Playboy magazine this is one of the classiest erotic and fetish establishments in Holland, and it's definitely worth a try.

The Red Light District is also home to many gay bars and cinemas which can be found on the very busy Warmoesstraat. If the Red light alleyways are not your cup of tea, there are a number of brothels and private houses that offer a more traditional form of prostitution.

Perhaps not many people notice that the Rossebuurt is one of the most beautiful and the oldest parts of the city with its charming cobbled streets and 14th century architecture. You can also eat well here; i.e. in a Spanish restaurant Centra Spaans Restaurant, Lange Niezel 29, which is adored by the Dutch or very crowded sandwich bar Hat Karbeel, Warmoesstraat 58.

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