De Wallen - Red Lights District

District Amsterdam, Netherlands

De Wallen or De Walletjes is the largest and best known red light district and one of the major tourist attractions in Amsterdam. It is located in the heart of the old part of the city and comprises several blocks south of the Oude Kerk church and is crossed by numerous canals. De Wallen is a network of alleys containing just under three hundred rooms, rented by female prostitutes, who offer their services behind a glass wall or door, illuminated by the typical red lights. The area also contains a large number of sex shops, peep shows, a sex museum and a cannabis museum, as well as a few coffee shops.

Prostitution has enjoyed a long tradition of tolerance in Amsterdam. Safety is key here. In addition to preventing forced prostitution, the aim is an open and honest approach. Sex-workers here have their own union, plenty of police protection, an information centre (for visitors as well), frequent monitoring and testing and professional standards. The Amsterdam city center has a romantic image. But behind the exciting, unconventional, ‘anything goes’ image of the city center lurks a different reality -- a reality that sometimes consists of sex trafficking, forced prostitution. This is something that the city and the justice department are fighting against. New opportunities are setting in place a future for the city centre. The Amsterdam municipal council’s 1012 project aims to discourage crime and corruption in the city center by reducing the types of businesses that are conducive to crime and by permitting prostitution in just two areas. Together with residents, business proprietors and investors, the municipal council is working to strengthen the area’s unique character and stimulate an economic upgrade. Read more about the 1012 project in the Red Light District.