Why visit / Interesting facts:
- Famous and unique district
- Major tourist attraction
- Vibrant part of Amsterdam
Time required: 30 minutes
Public transport:
- Tram Line 4: Dam stop
- Tram Line 9: Dam stop
- Tram Line 16: Dam stop
Address:
Photos: (see more photos)
Photo: Ghassan Tabet
Things you need to know:
- Rosse Buurt (Red Light District) occupies Amsterdam's oldest quarter, de Walletjes (meaning the little walls)
- It is one of Amsterdam's most famous tourist attractions with prostitutes sitting in windows
- The district emerged in the 13th c. when Amsterdam became one of Europe's leading ports; and sailors coming back from long journeys were desperate for female attention
- The sex industry amounts to approximately a $1 billion business in the Netherlands
- To this day debates are ongoing about the right approach to and regulations on prostitution
- The health department strictly regulates the sex industry requiring all kinds of rules to be followed such as the temperature prostitutes must wash their underwear
- The women have diverse backgrounds: some are professionals but many are young students earning money for college or housewives trying to raise some extra cash
What to do there:
- Walk around the district (Oudezijds Achterburgwal street) that offers a fascinating window into the world's oldest profession
