Discover the dark side of Amsterdam’s oldest district with this 1.5-hour walking tour. Join an experienced guide who will bring to life the fascinating and diverse stories of the city’s most controversial neighbourhood, which is also the historic center of Amsterdam! From coffeeshops to sex theaters and fetish stores, find out the realities and fictions of this storied district.
Your Red Lights and Dark Amsterdam Tour meets at the National Monument at Dam Square.
One of Europe's most famous neighborhoods
The narrow streets and canals at the heart of mediaeval Amsterdam have gone from being known as the city’s most dangerous district during the heroin crisis of the 80s, to becoming a major drawcard for modern-day travelers, attracted by the reputation of Amsterdam’s liberal laws and everything the area has to offer. On this walking tour, you’ll see sights like the Condomerie on the famous Warmoesstraat and hear about how Amsterdam’s coffee shops, sex workers and drug laws became world-famous.
Take guidance from a local
Your expert local guide is not only knowledgeable about the area itself, but is also well up to speed on the challenges that face the locals who live and work here. As more and more people flock to Amsterdam, it becomes harder for local businesses to operate a non-tourist trade and harder for residents to live in this iconic neighbourhood. On this walking tour, you won’t just hear the stories and the history - you’ll also get essential information on how to integrate with the locals and have a minimal impact on their way of life.
*Please note that, out of respect for the locals and workers in the district, the route of this tour does not include streets with sex workers’ windows
Your booking options
We're now offering 2 different booking options for individuals for our Free Tour of Amsterdam.
Confirmed Booking Benefits:
For tours at capacity, you’re guaranteed a place
Free confirmed rebooking up to 24hrs before your tour
Free cancellation up to 48hrs before your tour
Booking a confirmed reservation supports guides
Unconfirmed Booking Benefits:
FREE!
Cancellations not required, but highly appreciated
Booking ahead helps us plan for your best experience
A third of unconfirmed bookings are promoted to the tour
The Red Lights and Dark Amsterdam Tour starts in front of the National Monument in Dam Square
Wander along Warmoesstraat and discover sex shops and the famous Condomerie
Learn about the history of sex work in Amsterdam
Find out how Amsterdam’s liberal drug policies came about
Hear about the development of the neighborhood, from the counterculture movement of the 1960s to modern gentrification
Learn to be a responsible traveler with essential tips on how to behave if you go to explore the Red Light District yourself
TOUR SCHEDULES
Today
English - Unconfirmed Bookings
5:00 PM
Espau00f1ol - Reservas Confirmadas
5:00 PM
English - Confirmed Bookings
5:00 PM
PHOTOS
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
Expert local guide
What’s not included
Gratuities for the guide (optional)
Additional Information
Participants on all tours and activities (no matter which provider) in Amsterdam are subject to a €1.50 "entertainment tax". This additional cost is already included in the price of your tour. Please note that this tax is not retained by SANDEMANs, nor by the freelance guides leading your tour, but is a compulsory, additional tax that is passed on directly to the Amsterdam municipality. Thank you for your understanding
Our business is connecting great guides and smart travelers, and we're proud that so many local guides employ us to welcome travelers like you on their journey through some of the world's best cities. No two tours are alike, and the sites, stories, and length of the tour will vary depending on what your freelance guide decides is best. That's why the tours we promote never get stale or feel scripted, and why both independent guides and savvy travelers prefer SANDEMANs
Due to the high visitor numbers in the Red Light District, group sizes are strictly capped to a 15-person maximum. Book in advance to avoid disappointment
Any guest who is behaving inappropriately towards the residents or sex workers of the Red Light District will be asked to leave the tour
Children up to 13 years old are welcome to join this tour for free. However, this tour contains content that may not be suitable for younger guests
Wheelchair accessible
MAP
The Red Lights and Dark Amsterdam Tour starts in front of the National Monument in Dam SquareOpen in Google Maps
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Customer reviews
Something Different
We wanted to see the Red Light District from a general angle so we decided a tour was the best option for us. Our tour guide Sam was a really down to earth and friendly guy. He knew so much about the place and brought a real human element to it from his life experience. He also had some really funny jokes which I’ve been telling people back home and there have been a hit. Sam also made sure we were respectful of the locals and kept us together in quiet locations to keep the noise to a minimum. I would definitely do a tour with Sam again and recommend him.
We had a great time on both the walking tour and the red light district tour. Our tour guide Sam was awesome with heaps of interesting stories and quirky facts of Amsterdam. We would definitely recommend him for any tour.
Excellent tour guide for Amsterdam red light district
We went on a great tour last night of the red light district with Sam. He made the tour come alive by focusing on the human element of sex workers. He was a fountain of information with a great presentation style. I highly recommend Sandemanns tours and be sure to ask for Sam!
We have done the Free Walking Tour with Paul and the Red Light District Tour with Alexander. Both tours were as it should be: interesting, funny and entertaining! I can highly recommend both tours!
My friends and I did the free tour of Amsterdam with Mark as our guide. We had an excellent time with him, he was funny and very informative. Later in the evening we did the paid tour of the Red Light District with Lisa. Again, we had a great time. Lisa was pleasant and very knowledge of the topic. She made the tour comfortable and fun. I've had nothing but great experiences with this company.
The Free Tour is the best introduction to Amsterdam! A general overview tour including many of the highlights of the city, the Free Tour usually lasts around 2 hours and is provided by a local freelance guide in partnership with SANDEMANs NEW Europe, so tour content can vary depending on your guide’s particular area of interest and expertise.
The Free Tour is a walking tour with no need for public transport and is designed for independent travellers, not groups. You can book your spot in advance online or simply show up at the start point on the day.
We believe in supporting local communities and are committed to giving a voice to some of Amsterdam's best local freelance tour guides, who passionately share the city's history and culture with their own unique and always-entertaining style. They'll never pressure you to tip; we believe that, if money is given, it should be voluntary and in direct proportion to the quality of the tour and the budget of the traveler.
Why join the SANDEMANs Free Tour?
Expert local guides
Theme specific tours
Location specific tours
The Free Tour is guaranteed to fit within your budget
The guides performing tips-based Free Tours are incentivized to perform every time
Explore Amsterdam's most controversial neighbourhood with a private guided tour
Info & Booking
€ -
Customise Your Private Tour!
Tell us the landmarks, stories or parts of the city you want to see, how long you have to see them and when you want to go, and we’ll build an itinerary that suits you.
Explore Amsterdam's most controversial neighbourhood with a private guided tour
Info & Booking
€ -
Participation in tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe is strictly on a voluntary basis. Neither SANDEMANs NEW Europe, nor the self-employed freelance guides who are the providers of the tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe, will be held responsible in any way for injuries to body or property incurred during tours. The tour guides reserve the right to deny participation in any tour, to any person, for any reason. Thank you for your understanding.
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