Amsterdam Private Tour: Red Light District and Coffee Shop Historical Exploration
4.8
432 Ratings
Amsterdam
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 - Explore Amsterdam’s popular Red Light District neighborhood and learn about the district’s history as well as the coffee shop culture in Amsterdam on this 2.5-hour historical walking tour. Your knowledgeable local guide will provide you with an educational insight on Amsterdam’s Red Light District and coffee shop culture. Learn about Dutch law and how prostitution is legal and marijuana is tolerated.
What's Included
  • Local guide
  • Private tour
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

Take part in an insightful and engaging 2.5-hour private walking expedition through Amsterdam, gaining knowledge about the city’s renowned Red Light District and coffee shop history. Traverse the narrow pathways of the Red Light District alongside your local guide who will share the backstory of Amsterdam’s prostitution. Then, tour a coffee shop where the guide will demystify the city’s lenient cannabis laws, or tour the Sexmuseum Amsterdam (if you choose this option.)

Throughout this tour, you will venture into an antiquated mariner locale named Zeedijk Street and the popular Chinatown in Amsterdam, which in the past was notorious for being unsafe, but has transformed into a friendly and secure haven. In this district, you will discover landmarks such as the Waag, the Ape pub, and The Buddhist Temple.

Unearth the reasons behind the legalization of prostitution and the origin of the term “coffeeshop”. Navigate the eminent prostitute streets and understand their culture, as well as the present state of the Red Light District.

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
(432 Ratings)
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Nicolas_b
Apr 3, 2024
Great tour of the Red Light District! - Had a wonderful time exploring the Red Light District with our guide Gio. His knowledge and enthusiasm made the tour truly memorable. A must-do experience in Amsterdam!
Review provided by Viator
Kelly_f
Apr 3, 2024
Wonderful experience! - I loved learning all the history of the red light district and seeing everything that makes up the old city. We took our tour in the afternoon which made it easier to navigate and less crowds.
Review provided by Viator
Jasmine_m
Apr 2, 2024
Recommend to book the private option, amazing! - It was an amazing tour with our guide Gio. We choose the private option that we recommend to anyone taking this tour. The area can get quite crowded but with a private guide it’s so helpful to explore the many narrow streets. Without Gio we would have never be able to really experience the area. Besides that he explained everything really well and answered all our sometimes difficult questions (we are very curious people). A must do and book private!
Review provided by Viator
Maryjaneb-k
Mar 30, 2024
Great Tour! - Great tour and tour guide. He knew a lot about the history of Amsterdam and gave us so much information about the city and about the history of the red light district. Well done evening. Did the small group tour at 6pm before the crowds of people came out for the evening activities!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jefferey_b
Mar 28, 2024
Great Guide-10/10!!! - 10/10! Aarre was a great guide. We brought our 18 year old and 15 year old which concerned us prior to the tour based on the areas reputation. However, Aarre was very professional and was very knowledgeable about the history of the Red Light District. This was well worth the money. I’d highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Ally9576
Mar 25, 2024
Thank you Mauritzio !! - We had the pleasure of having Mauritzio as our guide. He is absolutely passionate about this city and know I feel we know everything there is to know. Fun stories, history details and more. Thank you so much for this tour !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
S
Mar 22, 2024
Entertaining/Interesting Tour - Our tour was fun, informative, extremely interesting and entertaining. Katheryn our guide told us about the history of the area and Amsterdam. She customized the tour based on our interests as we walked along. We couldn’t have been happier with this tour. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephanie
Mar 22, 2024
Interesting, fun, educational, not too bizarre - Aaron was great! He’s very knowledgeable about history and the impact of wars etc on Amsterdam. He told many little known facts and stories. We walked on outskirts of Red Light while he spoke about the many aspects of the area. We walked down streets where the windows were. The Red Light District was what was expected, but Aaron made it much more enjoyable and entertaining. He also told us all about the “coffee houses”. :)
Review provided by Viator
Davidpg7813fg
Mar 22, 2024
A must do tour - Quality walking tour and our guide Pedro was excellent. Great to hear about the history of the city from a really engaged guide. Would thoroughly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ramona_d
Mar 31, 2024
Left behind by a Bad guide in the Red Light District - Our tour guide conceded that he was likely a bit high and drunk as we checked in at the meeting spot. As the tour progressed he lost focus on how he organized his presentation but more troubling, he lost at least two guests-me and my elderly parent…yes, in the large crowd of the Red Light District as we attempted to follow him and our small group, when we emerged from a dense area we could not see him anywhere. We waited until it was clear he was not returning or had continued on and ended up walking a little less than a mile in the dark on a Saturday night back to our hotel. We did not go into any coffee shops as he said he didn’t think anyone selected that option. This is incorrect because the tour was supposed to include both a tour and information of Red Light District and at least one coffeeshop. He walked us in and quickly through the blue light and beginning of the red light district but described it afterwards which was disappointing because it would have made more sense to explain the rules and information immediately before we walked through the area. Not a good experience, unsafe and sadly a waste of money $
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
1
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May 2024
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