Red Light District Information

The Red Light District is of course one of the most famous places in the world and people come from all over to marvel and be shocked by the countless red lighted windows, strip clubs, live sex shows, sex shops and peep shows all of which you rarely find in such numbers anywhere else. However you will be surprised to still find that the Red Light District is in Amsterdam’s most historically significant neighborhood with some of Amsterdam’s oldest houses and sites such as the Oude Kerk (Old Church) the oldest church in the city. Before making your own judgment on how this all works together it’s also good to visit the fascinating Prostitution Information Centre. Another eye opener is the Erotic Museum.

Heading South East through the Red Light District you will work your way to Nieuwmarkt, a relaxed cobbled market square area where they have an organic market here on Saturdays. Nieuwmarkt is surrounded by cosy cafes (Dutch Pubs) and restaurants with the medieval Waag (Weighing house) in the centre, which is now also a restaurant. Try not to miss the street that runs along the top side of the red light district the Zeedijk as this is home to Amsterdam’s Chinese population, the Fo Guang Shan He Hua Temple or Zeedijk Temple as it's locally known and of course good Chinese restaurants. 

The Red Light District and Nieuwmarkt belong to the North part of the area historically known as Oud Zijde with the University District to the south. From Central Station make your way south east, this will be your left with the station behind you. If you are coming into the city by metro you can get off at Nieuwmarkt station. The border streets for this area are the Oudezijds Voorburgwal on the west side and the Nieuwe Herengracht to the east.