subject: Red Light District in Amsterdam [print this page] The Red Light District is probably the most famous section of Amsterdam. The windows in the area are filled with scantily-clad women and the streets are filled with drug dealers. As such, it is also one of the most dangerous areas, and a quick internet search will bring up a long list of warnings in addition to the usual tourist information sites. Despite this - or perhaps because of it - the Red Light District is an area where freedom is valued above all else and everyone is treated equally.
The Red Light District is located in the oldest area of Amsterdam and is made up of tall old buildings overshadowing the canal. It's the oldest part of Amsterdam and dates back to the 14th century. It developed even more during the 17th century, a time when Amsterdam was Europe's main trade center, with the creation of Amsterdam's canals.
There have been many attempts to control prostitution over the years, and one of these efforts included confining the "pleasure houses" to certain sections of the city, forming the beginnings of what is now known as the Red Light District. Since many of the customers were sailors, it was only natural for these areas to be close to the canals. This area along the canals was originally filled with a huge variety of breweries as well as brothels and various other forms of entertainment. Since then, the breweries have turned into more tourist-friendly pubs and the brothels and other shops have become legally licensed, making them safer for workers and customers alike.
There are many attractions in the Red Light District besides the brothels. The "Old Church" is one of Amsterdam's oldest and most original buildings. The Casa Rosso offers live erotic shows every night. The Erotic Museum features five floors full of pornographic artwork, including drawings John Lennon made for Yoko Ono as a wedding gift. The Venus Temple Sex Museum offers an interesting look at sex throughout history, showing historical artifacts from around the world as well as a look at popular culture and movies throughout the years. And finally, there's the Bananenbar, where scantily clad barmaid perform a variety of tricks with bananas as props. With this last attraction, you pay a fee at the door to visit for an hour with all your drinking covered - though a request for a specific trick will cost you more.
Despite the government's efforts to clean the area up, there are still plenty of pimps in the Red Light District. Their business ventures are still illegal and unlicensed, and therefore the women are often mistreated and there is no guarantee when it comes to their customers' safety.
The main warnings to heed when visiting the Red Light District are to keep moving and leave your valuables at home. Don't go alone and refrain from taking pictures of the women in the windows. If you follow these simple rules, the area is relatively safe.
Taking pictures or stopping to gawk at the ladies in the windows (without making use of their services) is likely to result in you loosing your camera or starting a fight. If you do plan on using the services available, you obviously need to bring some cash with you, but leave everything you don't need (including your camera) in your hotel room. There are plenty of muggers in the area, and bumping into someone as you pass them on the street can often result in your wallet walking away. The drug dealers in the area will generally offer you whatever they are selling and then walk away when you decline their offer - no harm done - though you may be surprised at the number of them who approach you. Obviously, as with any potentially dangerous area, you want to make sure to bring a friend along.
If you are traveling on your own or want to learn more about the history of the area, there are guided tours of the area available from Amsterdam City Tours. Your safety is guaranteed on these tours and you even have the chance to talk to a retired prostitute and get some behind-the-scenes information.
