Are you coming to the Netherlands soon? So find out everything there is to know about the surprising Red Quarter in Amsterdam!
Better known as Red District or Red Light District, the area De Wallen Amsterdam is the most touristic and lively area in Amsterdam. This red neighborhood can fascinate or on the contrary, bring its many visitors. In its maze of alleys, you will find lots of lively bars, coffee shops, but also prostitutes, illuminated in red in the windows. For this reason, it might not be in the taste of all travellers. It is however to visit, whether by curiosity, to make its own opinion on the place, or simply to discover a surprising mix.
For you will find in the De Wallen, the other name of the neighborhood, an incredible mix of splendid architectural monuments and strange souvenir shops. After all, the Red Quarter is located in the old city of Amsterdam, the omnipresent medieval architecture attests to this!
Are you coming to visit Amsterdam soon? So you are told everything you need to know about this Red Quarter, a special and surprising place in the capital!
The Red Quarter in a few words
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De Wallen is one of the oldest districts of the Dutch capital. At the origin of the neighbourhood are two roads, Rokin and Damrak along the original course of the Amstel River. This place quickly became a port and it is around this area that the red neighborhood appeared for the first time. Indeed, the proximity to a port then attracted prostitution. Over the years, this practice has in turn been legal or illegal, but still tolerated. If the Red Quarter is known for its red windows, it has also become the coffee shops district, where it is possible to consume cannabis freely. In short, the Red Quarter has become a tourist attraction, a place with an uncanny and surprising atmosphere, where visitors rush.
However, in the face of the crowd of tourists and the overflows they cause, the municipality is now looking for solutions to improve life in the neighbourhood. A project for residents, sex workers and travellers. More stringent control of prostitution and cannabis business is envisaged, or even a ban, as the new mayor mentioned. Femke Halsema .
What to see and what to do in the Red Quarter in Amsterdam?
The Red Light District in Amsterdam can certainly surprise the uninformed travellers. However, it is worth visiting to discover a facet, which one can appreciate or not, from the Dutch capital. Would you like to visit the Red Quarter in Amsterdam? So here's what you're going to discover during your visit.
L’Oude Kerk
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The neighborhood De Wallen is one of the oldest in Amsterdam. It is home to several historical monuments, magnificent buildings often forgotten for the benefit of less sympathetic shops and shops.
Among them, one cannot fail to mention the Oude kerk , the oldest church in Amsterdam. His name even means "old Church" in French! Located on the Oudekerksplein, it was built on the remains of a wooden chapel built by sinners. Redesigned in the 16th century, it blends Gothic and Renaissance styles. In 1578, the first Catholic church was converted to reformed worship.
L’Amstelkring
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200 meters from Oude kerk , you can visit the Amstelkring another old church in Amsterdam. Today museum, this place is known as “Ons’ Lieve Heer op Solder” which means “The Good God at the Attic”! This church, probably one of the most beautiful in the capital, was an underground church.
Indeed, at the end of the war of religion that shook the Netherlands and Amsterdam, the existing churches had all become “protestant” in 1578. Catholics no longer had the right to practise their religion publicly. The current museum now portrays the history of Catholicism in Amsterdam, but its interest lies mainly in its beautiful hidden church.
Tourist attractions related to sex or prostitution
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It's impossible not to mention this part of the Red Light District. After all, it is an important part of its history, and finally gave its name to the neighborhood. Travellers will be able to see in the erotic entertainment district, as well as prostitutes behind displays.
In the Red Quarter, you can also visit the Museum of Eroticism, as well as a very original condom shop: the Condomerie.
Bars and bars coffee shops Red Quarter
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The Red Quarter of Amsterdam is home to many coffee shops. This is even where the largest concentration of this type of establishment is in the Netherlands.
However, cannabis is not technically legal in the country. Only the purchase or possession of 5g of soft drugs are tolerated. If the police find you in possession of a larger quantity, you may encounter difficulties!
To learn more about the history of cannabis, you can visit the Cannabis Museum.
Note : the Red Quarter may be the hot area of Amsterdam, but still remains very secure. Many security cameras were installed in the streets, where the Dutch police frequently patrol. The aim is obviously to limit drift and overflow. Avoid walking alone in the advanced hours of the night. You might meet drunk tourists there.
Guided visits to the Red Quarter in Amsterdam
To learn more about the neighbourhood and its particular history, you can obviously opt for a guided tour of the Red Quarter in Amsterdam! Several types of visits exist.
On foot from the Red Quarter
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To visit the Red Quarter of Amsterdam, we recommend you to choose a guided tour on foot, night or day. With these tours, you will explore the streets of this neighborhood with unbearable pleasures, from the Condomerie to the Oude Kerk, but also the Nieumarkt and much more. During your visit, you will also discover the history of prostitution and drugs in Amsterdam. You will visit the most historic areas of the Red Quarter, its first street and its first church, where its history begins. The neighborhood has preserved a beautiful medieval architecture, which you will also discover during this visit.
These walking tours usually cost 15 to 20€ per person. They also last two hours on average. It should also be noted that guided tours in French are quite numerous. You will have no trouble finding one!
With tasting or stopping in a coffee shop
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The guided walking tour is the favourite activity of travellers in the Red Quarter. Many are the towers to offer in addition to the historical discovery, a stop in one or more bars or coffee shop in this old district of Amsterdam.
These visits usually cost 20 to 30€. A limited number of drinks or drinks are included in the visit fee. These visits usually last from one and a half hour to three or more hours!
A bike
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Amsterdam is known as the paradise of veterans. You will obviously have the opportunity to visit the city and its Red Quarter by bike! Accompanied by your professional guide, you will discover some of the most important and historic places in Amsterdam, including the sadly famous Red Light District. These visits usually last from 2 to 3 hours, and cost from 25 to 35€ per person.
Best hotels to stay in the Red Quarter in Amsterdam
You wish to write in the neighborhood De Wallen or its surroundings? If the Red Quarter is the hot area of Amsterdam, the left bank of the district De Wallen is still an excellent place to stay. Well located, this neighborhood allows you to easily reach the rest of the city and appreciate all the features! Known for its cheap hostels and hotels, the Red Quarter is ideal for small budgets. However, it is necessary to sort out among the offers.
Among the highly recommended hotels and hostels, you can trust St Christopher’s Inn . Decorated by local artists, dormitories and individual rooms in the original style are comfortable and well equipped. Clean and pleasant, the hostel even has a roof terrace. Located close to the Dam tram stop, you will have no trouble getting to the rest of Amsterdam from this hotel. For one night, count at least 33€ per person in a shared dorm.
Not far from Dam Square, you can also choose the 3-star hotel Best Western Dam Square Inn . Ideally located in the Old Town of Amsterdam, this property occupies an old distillery dating from the 17th century. The rooms are contemporary and sober, comfortable and well equipped. One night costs on average 200€ for two people .
Where to eat in the Red Quarter in Amsterdam?
The Red Quarter is one of the most touristic places in the Dutch capital. It houses many restaurants or bars where it is possible to eat. Among the best we recommend:
- The Amsterdamsche Vischhandel : located close to the Nieuwmarkt, this restaurant opened in 1938 is a beautiful example of the ancient fishery of Amsterdam. Ambiance and vintage decor are at the rendezvous, as well as Dutch specialties such as herring or herring kibbeling crispy frieze.
- Burger Bar : located in the north of the neighborhood De Wallen, this hamburger restaurant is a real institution in the capital. Fresh products, meat and quality toppings made its success!
- Pancakes Amsterdam : located at _Prins Hendrikkade 48_Pancakes is the perfect place to taste typical Dutch pancakes.
- Café-restaurant van Kerkwijk : a genuine Dutch canteen, this restaurant is ideal for discovering the gastronomy of Amsterdam. Fresh products, relaxed and friendly atmosphere, this hotel is to be visited absolutely!
How do I get to Red Quarter?
The Red Quarter is located in the centre of Amsterdam. It is thus very easy to get there.
- To reach the neighborhood De Wallen, you can stop at the metro stop Nieuwmarkt, with the lines 51, 53 and 54. This stop is close to the Red Light District. By Metro, you can also stop by Rokin with the line 52. The latter is located south of the Red Quarter of Amsterdam.
- You can also stop by Rokin with lines tram 4 and 14, as well as at the stop Dam in the centre of De Wallen. This last stop is just a step away from Paleis op de Dam and the National Monument.
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