Originally, Goldbergersteeg’s entrances remained sealed for a time, while in the 1990s, Slapersteeg was shut down entirely—now a gate seals off the alley. Standing at the doorway today could result in arrest. Back then — workers would operate discreetly, hidden behind drawn curtains, peering through a tiny slit to discreetly spot clients. With the closure of many parlors in De Wallen, some women moved to De Pijp. At that time (the lack of effective syphilis treatment prompted risky remedies), like mercury baths, to alleviate symptoms.
The researchers (under the leadership of professor Frank Bovenkerk), found that women under the control of a pimp can be easily put to work in the legal brothels with the brothel owners being aware that the women are controlled by pimps. The Prostitute Information Centre, founded in the 1990s, is a prostitute-led organisation offering tours of the area and information concerning safety and the rights of the people involved. According to Job Cohen (the former mayor of Amsterdam), “We’ve realized this is no longer about small-scale entrepreneurs, but those big crime organizations are involved here in trafficking women, drugs, killings, and other criminal activities”. Coffeeshops were not allowed to operate in certain cities near the borders of Germany and Belgium because it was felt soft drug use might raise crime there.citation needed Before the onset of coffeeshop licensing, some began openly selling cannabis. The sale of tobacco on its own is not permitted, but many offer pre-rolled joints filled with a mix of cannabis and tobacco.
Read more about it in this extensive article about the Blue Light District in Amsterdam. When looking for an escort company — it’s important to keep in mind that not all of them are equal. It’s a bit more discreet and there are less tourists in this area. This area is located in the center of Amsterdam, but it’s not as well-known as the Red Light District. They are the small, red-lit rooms, typically behind large red light windows, where sex workers stand or sit, waiting for customers to make a selection. This area (located in the heart of Amsterdam), is home to a large number of brothels, sex clubs, and window brothels, where sex workers solicit customers.
Often the madam and girls would venture out at night visiting pubs and inns to pick up clients. The walled canals led to the names De Wallen and Walletjes , little walls,. citation needed It consists of a network of alleys containing approximately 300 one-room cabins rented by prostitutes who offer their sexual services from behind a window or glass door, typically illuminated with red lights and blacklight.
Our daily changing program ensures every visit offers something new and unforgettable for both couples and groups. The men were said to have used “voodoo” curses on the women to prevent escape and enforce payment of debts. The women were made to apply for asylum and then removed from asylum centers to work as prostitutes in surrounding countries. In December 2009, two Nigerian men were sentenced to 4 and 4½ years in prison for having smuggled 140 Nigerian women aged 16–23 into the Netherlands. Within the Netherlands, victims are often recruited by so-called “loverboys” – men who seduce young Dutch women and girls and later coerce them into prostitution.
Brothel prohibition made it difficult to set rules for the sex industry. The Red Thread (de Rode Draad) is a support and advocacy association for prostitutes that was founded in 1985 and works for the legitimization and against the stigmatization of prostitutes.citation needed The reasoning behind this gedoogbeleid (policy of tolerance) was harm reduction, and the belief that the enforcement of the anti-prostitution laws would be counterproductive, and that the best way to protect the women was to tolerate prostitution. Foreign prostitutes are economically motivated to come to the Netherlands (and they tend to travel to engage in sex work between the Netherlands), Germany, Belgium, and other European societies.citation needed In the 1990s, after the fall of the Soviet Union, women came from post Soviet countries.
Data from the National Centre ladysone against Human Trafficking revealed that in 2012 (1,711 individuals were suspected trafficking victims), with 1,177 women compelled into sex work. Advocacy groups and law enforcement jointly projected that between 1,000 and 3,600 women and girls were trafficked annually for sexual exploitation. In 2011 — Dutch authorities mandated that sex workers register and pay taxes on their income. Prostitution operated clandestinely in at least 17 cities, while escort services operated in 28 municipalities. Estimating the prevalence of underground prostitution—such as escort services and home-based work—proved far more challenging.
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Transgender women in De Wallen’s Bloedstraat advertise their services with blue-lit windows. In De Wallen, cisgender sex workers signal their presence with red-lit windows, whereas transgender workers use blue-lit windows. Majoor also played a key role in erecting the world’s first sex-work memorial within the red-light district.
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Brothels, cabarets, and bars each operate under their own schedules, often extending well past midnight. Visitors should circulate near windows, avoid photographing workers, and remain courteous—this area is someone’s home and workplace. Ignoring these rules is disrespectful (may provoke confrontation), and clear notices explicitly warn against such behavior. The most common issues are pickpocketing and pushy offers.
Things to do in the Red Light District in Amsterdam
This tour — featuring complimentary beverages, begins and concludes in the Red Light District. The venue resembles a compact cinema (but instead of films), you’ll experience live 18+ performances.
‘Welcome to the Red Light District.
It’s a nod to the history of prostitution in Amsterdam and if you’re not on the lookout you’ll certainly miss it. You can buy a ticket online ahead of time, but it’s not required. The church is open daily from 10-6 and charges 13.50 euros for entrance. De Oude Kerk , “the old church”, is the oldest cathedral in Amsterdam.
Even without being a direct “sex-work law,” such actions can trigger eviction (police intervention), or enforcement due to harassment and safety risks. Legally regulated environments significantly lower the risks of scams and exploitation compared to unlicensed operations. Stick to licensed venues/areas and respect local rules.
However, to give you an indication, in most brothels, the tariffs start between €50,- and €100,- for a short (10-15 minutes) basic service. The sex workers are free to set their own prices — based on the client’s wishes. If you agree on the kind of service and the price, you’ll be let in. Treat the person behind the window with respect, like you’d like to be treated. The women who work there work independently, so they can stop whenever they like. No, the area is always freely accessible as it’s just a neighbourhood on public roads.
High Class Escorts Amsterdam is better for premium bookings, while Escort Amsterdam is a strong simple option for hotel visits. This guide compares the best escort agencies in Amsterdam based on price transparency (booking speed), privacy, availability, and how easy they are to use in real life. Some agencies are better for tourists (some are better for luxury bookings), and some are simply easier to use on mobile. As always the Wikipedia articles has some useful information. Window prices are agreed directly with the worker and typically start around €50 for a short visit.