If it’s your first trip to Amsterdam and the red light district in particular. Then you may find yourself asking some questions like “Why here?” among many other questions. Well lets get started…
The Red light district covers a huge area and is located in the oldest part of Amsterdam. I Suppose the age old tradition of prostitution and the oldest part of town goes hand in hand. The buildings in this part of town cover over 700 years of history with as many tales and secrets as you can imagine a part of town like this would have.
More than 4 million people visit the red light district each and every year. But how many of those 4 million know the history of the famous (or infamous) red light district? I would say it wouldn’t be all that many. Maybe a few thousand? Set yourself a part from the rest just by reading a little bit of info about this part of the town.
Originally sailors would frequent the canals of the red light district which are lined with trees as well as buildings. Obviously been a sailor at sea in those times, there weren’t any women at sea and some of these sailors had been away from their wives or women in general for months.
Since those times long ago when sailors were the main visitors to the RLD, the area has changed a little bit. But not as much as you’d think over the course of 700 years.
Theres an information centre to help answer any questions and red light district tours to help visitors to the area enjoy the area a bit more without feeling like they are a pervert. It is after all an amazing place to learn about as well as walk around. The information centre can be found quite easily. Once your in the RLD and can see the old church, then just around the corner is the PIC (Prostitute information centre). Its address is De Enge Kerksteeg 3.
Opening times for the PIC are from noon until 7pm on Tuesdays,Wednesdays,Fridays and Saturdays.
As the PIC is run by volunteers, should you be asking alot of questions or feel like it was time well spent. It’d be nice if you were to leave them a donation. Although it’s not necessary to enjoy the PIC. You may also enjoy checking out the reconstruction of the working enviroment for the window girls that work in this part of town. Get an idea of what is inside each room as well as how much a room costs per night. (Usually around €110 per night).
As previously mentioned around the site taking photos is a big no no. Don’t do it unless you don’t mind having your camera thrown into a canal or an angry sex worker chasing you down the street. Signs which read “NO photos” are everywhere in this part of town. If you don’t want any hassle, you’d best heed this advice.
Interested in a tour around the RLD? Check out this page for more info on which tours run and when.
