De Wallen, often referred to as De Walletjes, is Amsterdam’s largest and most renowned red-light district. Located in the heart of the city, this historic area features a maze of narrow alleys housing around 300 one-room cabins. Here, sex workers offer their services from behind windows or glass doors, typically illuminated by distinctive red lights and blacklight, making window prostitution the most visible form of sex work in Amsterdam.
Together with the nearby Singelgebied and Ruysdaelkade, De Wallen forms part of the Rosse Buurt, Amsterdam’s collective red-light areas. As the oldest and most prominent of these, De Wallen draws millions of visitors annually, making it one of the city’s top tourist destinations. Due to the high volume of tourists, the Amsterdam government is actively exploring measures to manage and potentially limit visitor numbers to preserve the area’s character and ensure safety.
Beyond its reputation for prostitution, De Wallen offers a variety of other attractions. Visitors can explore numerous sex shops, sex theaters, peep shows, and even a dedicated sex museum that delves into the history of eroticism. Additionally, the area is home to a cannabis museum and several coffee shops where cannabis is legally sold, reflecting Amsterdam’s liberal culture. This unique blend of history, adult entertainment, and cultural landmarks makes De Wallen a fascinating, albeit controversial, destination for travelers worldwide.