Walking in Amsterdam
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  • A Red Light District canal lit red at night, with the Moulin Rouge sign
  • A no-smoking-cannabis sign in the city centre at night
  • De Bijenkorf on Dam Square, lit in rainbow colours at night
  • Canal houses reflected in the water at night
  • The neon sign of the Green Place coffeeshop
  • Busy coffeeshop terraces in the evening
  • The window of a smart shop at night
  • Toy mushrooms in a smart shop window
  • A canal leading to De Waag, lit up at night
  • The same canal at dusk, with De Waag at its end
  • De Waag weigh house on the Nieuwmarkt at night
  • A street in Amsterdam’s Chinatown at night
  • The Buddhist temple on the Zeedijk
  • The Zeedijk full of people in the evening
  • The Basilica of St Nicholas at the end of a lively street
  • The tower of the Oude Kerk lit up at night
  • An old gateway crowned by Amsterdam’s XXX coat of arms
  • Red-lit windows reflected in a canal at night
  • The neon window of the Moulin Rouge nightclub
  • The neon front of a sex shop
  • The shop window of the Condomerie
  • A guide telling a group the district’s stories at night
  • A guide pointing out a canal to the group in the evening
  • A Red Light District canal lit red at night, with the Moulin Rouge sign
  • A no-smoking-cannabis sign in the city centre at night
  • De Bijenkorf on Dam Square, lit in rainbow colours at night
  • Canal houses reflected in the water at night
  • The neon sign of the Green Place coffeeshop
  • Busy coffeeshop terraces in the evening
  • The window of a smart shop at night
  • Toy mushrooms in a smart shop window
  • A canal leading to De Waag, lit up at night
  • The same canal at dusk, with De Waag at its end
  • De Waag weigh house on the Nieuwmarkt at night
  • A street in Amsterdam’s Chinatown at night
  • The Buddhist temple on the Zeedijk
  • The Zeedijk full of people in the evening
  • The Basilica of St Nicholas at the end of a lively street
  • The tower of the Oude Kerk lit up at night
  • An old gateway crowned by Amsterdam’s XXX coat of arms
  • Red-lit windows reflected in a canal at night
  • The neon window of the Moulin Rouge nightclub
  • The neon front of a sex shop
  • The shop window of the Condomerie
  • A guide telling a group the district’s stories at night
  • A guide pointing out a canal to the group in the evening

Alternative Amsterdam

Coffeeshops, the Red Light District and nightlife

This guided walk takes you through one of the most distinctive parts of Amsterdam: the Red Light District.

Famous today for its red-lit windows and its coffeeshops, unlike anything else in the world, this part of the city was once the crossroads of pirates, merchants and prostitutes. Over the centuries it has taken shape into one of Amsterdam’s main attractions.

Through history and anecdotes, the tour explores Amsterdam’s alternative culture. You will hear the story of the Red Light District and the streets around it, from the Middle Ages to today, and understand how and why prostitution has always been part of the city, and how and why the coffeeshops and the culture of tolerance were born that have made Amsterdam one of the most alternative places in the world.

The walk runs through lively streets full of history and old legends: you will see historic cafés where pirates once met, and hear the legends born in this neighbourhood, such as that of the famous Flying Dutchman.

  • 2 hoursFrom the meeting point to the ending point, stops included.
  • Cancel or change up to 24 hours before the startIf your plans change: the full terms come with your booking confirmation.

Itinerary

  1. Dam SquareThe most important square in the city.
  2. The BulldogThe most iconic coffeeshop brand in Amsterdam.
  3. NieuwmarktAn iconic square on the edge of the Red Light District.
  4. ZeedijkOne of Amsterdam’s liveliest streets, from the Middle Ages to today.
  5. Café In ’t AepjenAmsterdam’s historic sailors’ café.
  6. CondomerieThe first condom shop in the world!

Included

  • A guide who speaks the language you choose
  • Pictures that bring the guide’s explanations to life
  • An outside visit to key historic sites of Amsterdam’s alternative culture

Where the walk starts and ends

The Manders fountain statue on the Rokin, by the Van Stapele biscuit shop
  1. Meeting pointVan Stapele biscuit shop, RokinRokin 17, 1012 KK Amsterdam
  2. Ending pointDam SquareDam, 1012 JS Amsterdam

How to recognise it

Your guide waits in front of the Van Stapele biscuit shop, next to the Manders fountain statue on the Rokin, holding a black umbrella printed with the company logo.

Open in Maps

Suitable for children

No

Practical information

Group size

From 1 to 15 people. Amsterdam law allows each guide a group of at most 15 people. For larger parties we bring more guides and split the party into groups of no more than 15. Under Amsterdam law, even newborn babies must be registered and have a ticket: a child without one cannot join a tour whose group has reached the legal maximum.

What to bring

Comfortable shoes, and waterproof clothes or an umbrella: in Amsterdam, rain is always just around the corner! Please be at the meeting point 15 minutes before the tour starts. There are no breaks along the way, so we suggest a bathroom stop and a drink before you arrive.

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible.

Alternative Amsterdam2 hours