Amsterdam Travel Guide

Visiting The Red Light District

When I was a teenager, all of the teenaged boys at school used to talk (in voices of awe) about Amsterdam as the party capital of the world. I always imagined it a place filled with grime and drugs and half-naked women. As a woman, I never found the idea very appealing. When I visited Amsterdam for the first time, I was amused by how beautiful it was, so different from my half-formed imaginings. Amsterdam is the cleanest, prettiest, most charming city I've ever seen.

Except, perhaps, for the Red Light District. If you're taking your first trip to Amsterdam, you of course have to plan a foray into the Red Light District. There are very few places in the world just like this, and it's most certainly worth seeing. In fact, I find this area of the city fascinating, and not because I'm on the lookout for a good prostitute. How can an area like the green and beautiful Museumplein district be in the same city as the Red Light District?

Safety

Amsterdam feels like a very safe city, especially in the quieter areas outside the city center. However, you do have to be careful in the Red Light District. While violent crime in the city is quite low, muggings and attempted muggings are not unheard of in the Red Light District. This area is also running over with drug pushers and, of course, prostitutes. So if the idea of seeing bare-breasted women and being asked if you want to buy some cocaine makes you very uncomfortable, I'd skip a visit to the Red Light District.

Suggestions & Behavior

One important thing to remember when going into the Red Light District is that there are prostitutes on display there at all hours of the day. The most important rule to follow When visiting the area as a tourist (besides "watch your wallet") is that taking photos of the prostitutes is not tolerated even if you just want to laugh about it with friends back home. If you're caught, your film may be taken, or your camera broken.

Considering the area and what it entails, the Red Light District is not particularly dangerous. But it can be an uncomfortable place to visit, especially when you're alone. The few times I've visited the Red Light District, I've gone during the day, as I felt more secure being there during daylight. The key thing when visiting the Red Light District is to try to stay in your comfort zone. If you get into a situation where you feel uncomfortable, it's probably time to leave.

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