Amsterdam Private Tour: Red Light District and Coffee Shop Historical Exploration

497 Ratings

Amsterdam

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Explore Amsterdam’s Red Light District and coffee shop culture on this private walking tour. Learn about the history of prostitution, the liberal marijuana laws, and the transformation of the Zeedijk Street and Chinatown. Discover the secrets of the Red Light District and its current situation.

Duration: 2 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Red Light District - Discover Amsterdam’s renowned Red Light District and delve into its history and the city’s coffee shop culture on this 2.5-hour historical walking tour. Your expert local guide will offer educational insights into the Red Light District and coffee shop scene. Learn about Dutch laws, including the legality of prostitution and the tolerance of marijuana.
Dam Square - Also known as the City built on trees: Due to Amsterdam’s soil comprising a thick layer of fen and clay, some buildings are constructed on wooden poles anchored in a sandy layer about 11 meters deep. Historically, Amsterdam’s houses were built on wooden foundation piles driven deep into the clay, peat, and water until they reached the first layer of solid sand.
Chinatown - This area is part of the Red Light District, specifically within the Old Town. As the oldest part of the city, it is rich in history.
Int Aepjen - Also known as Pub The Ape, Int Aepjen is one of the two remaining wooden buildings in Amsterdam, built around 1540. Its survival is notable given the major fire in 1452, after which the government mandated brick facades for buildings.
In de Waag - Originally one of Amsterdam’s city gates and part of its defensive wall, the Waag was built around the 1400s and is the city’s second oldest building. It later housed guilds and craftsman’s organizations.
The Smallest House in Amsterdam - Constructed around the 1700s, the smallest house in Amsterdam initially served as storage for the VOC trading company before becoming a long-term residence.
Condomerie - Established in 1987, the Condomerie is the world’s first shop dedicated exclusively to condoms, offering custom sizes and a variety of unique options.

What's Included

Local guide
Guided walking tour

What's Not Included

Food and drinks
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Additional Information

Feel the pulse of Amsterdam’s Red Light District (De Wallen) and coffee shops on this private tour with a local guide. Explore the cobbled lanes of the famous area, plus Zeedijk Street and Chinatown, and see red-lit windows, sex shops, and erotic theaters. Your guide separates facts from fiction about the area’s past and the legalization of prostitution in 2000.

Hear the facts and fiction behind Amsterdam’s tolerant attitudes and laws
Learn about the Red Light District’s colorful past and how prostitution came to be legalized.
Find out more about Amsterdam’s coffee shop culture and upgrade to visit a coffeeshop with your guide.
Upgrade to visit the famous Erotic Museum and discover a huge collection of erotic objects and learn about the oldest profession in the world.

Location

Voyager Hotel Amsterdam

Geldersekade

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.8

(497 Ratings)

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Tammy_m

Aug 4, 2024

Great experience - We had a great tour with our guide. She was knowledgeable and fun. We covered a ton of ground and learned alot.

Review provided by Viator

Denise_m

Aug 3, 2024

Great tour - Aarrie our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and gave us a great tour of the red light district?

Review provided by Viator

David_h

Aug 1, 2024

Great experience - Today we had the pleasure to meet Aarre through a beautiful and educational (and taylored) personalized tour through the city. He is a historian, very knowledgeable and friendly and was very patient with our needs to adjust our schedule a bit as well as with my mom's process of learning English. I truly enjoyed the walk and I highly recommend to visitors.

Review provided by Viator

Sharon_c

Jul 28, 2024

A great tour not to be missed..thank you! Adam - The tour was informative and entertaining.. One of the highlights of our holiday. I would recommend this tour for anyone visiting Amsterdam. There was no waiting time our guide was on time he new all our names and was very welcoming. The tour was certainly value for money Thank you!!

Review provided by Viator

Aleksandra_s

Jul 28, 2024

Must do!! - The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. She explained the history and little secret spots of multiple areas. Definitely recommend!

Review provided by Viator

John_i

Jul 26, 2024

If sex and drugs are your thing…. - Our guide Aaron is a history buff and was extremely knowledgeable. He gave us a complete history of Amsterdam, Holland and the Netherlands as it related to the Red Light District and the surrounding “coffee shops”. He made this small group excursion highly informative and enjoyable. Warning: conservative mindsets may wish to avoid this tour (and those with smoke allergies)!

Review provided by Viator

Matzner5

Jul 17, 2024

Great peak into an unusual part of Amsterdam - We toured in the afternoon and our guide, Andrea, was amazing. She took time to explain and answer questions on awkward topics. There was lots of history infused in to the tour as well. The area was quite tame at 2:30 pm which allowed for more information to be shared.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Martin_k

Jul 15, 2024

Wonderful experience - Whilst the tour was interesting and informative the highlight was the tour guide Adam. Whilst he highlighted the more serious aspects of the tour, his commentary, personality and sense of humour was the absolute highlight. It was worth doing the tour just to meet Adam. I highly recommend it.

Review provided by Viator

Elaine_o

Jul 12, 2024

Classy - Our tour guide did an amazing job. It was well worth having the private guide. She had a fast knowledge of history, building. She was extremely professional. I highly recommend a private tour for the full experience.

Review provided by Viator

Tammie_g