The city's oldest district, De WallenThis is a notoriously seedy place, full of drugs, prostitutes and drunken tourists.
But the Red Light District has so much more to offer. Come with me and discover my favorite places in De Wallen.
De Wallen: article summary
De Wallen: the history of the red light district
Visit Red Light District is located in Amsterdam's oldest district, also known as De Wallen.
This part of the town was originally built in the 14ᵉ century and is perhaps known as De Wallen, as it was once surrounded by the city's defensive walls or ramparts.
De Wallen is officially bounded by Lange Niezel to the north, Nieuwmarkt to the east, Sint Jansstraat to the south and Warmoesstraat to the west.
Amsterdam's oldest buildings can be found in De Wallen, including theOude Kerk and the Waag. Due to its historical proximity to the port, this part of town became the place where prostitutes plied their trade from the 14th century onwards.
Later, in the 18th century, gaming halls employing prostitutes opened in the area. Over the years, gambling salons have mostly disappeared.
Shopping in the red light district
Some of Amsterdam's most interesting stores are located in and around De Wallen. As mentioned above, the city encourages the opening of small entrepreneurial businesses in the area, which has led to some magnificent shopping venues.
My favourite stores include :
- Les Petites Puces, the city's cutest little vintage store
- Condomery, where you'll find every conceivable shape, size and color of condom
- Anna & Nina, a boutique for chic, soft clothing and accessories
Eating and drinking in De Wallen
At first glance, it may seem that the food options at De Wallen are a little limited, but they are. there are quite a few gems in the region. The red light district is bordered by Chinatown, so there are plenty of delicious Asian restaurants nearby, as well as a wide range of different food choices.
Alongside De Wallen, you can find :
- Koffieschenkerij, a secret garden with a charming dining room and café
- De Laatste Kruimel, a small café with delicious sandwiches and cakes
- From Bakkerswinkel, you can enjoy a tasty breakfast, lunch and coffee.
- Thai Bird, a popular snack bar and restaurant serving delicious Thai cuisine
- Burger Bar, the ideal place for a quick, tasty burger
- Wynand Fockink, one of the city's oldest distilleries and tasting rooms
De Wallen: all activities
On site, you can visit the Oude Kerk. It's a fantastic place, often featuring special exhibitions.
The second building Amsterdam's oldest is De Waag. You can of course explore the premises and enjoy lunch or dinner in their restaurant.
If you'd like to do some shopping, I recommend visiting the Saturday organic market at Nieuwmarkt. It's a place not to be missed if you want to mingle with the crowds and discover how the city's inhabitants live.
How to get to De Wallen
Visit Amsterdam Central Station is just a stone's throw away. You can also easily reach the red light district from the Nieuwmarkt metro station.
Of course, in Amsterdam, the preferred mode of transport is always the bicycle, but it's easy to reach De Wallen by car. streetcar or on foot.
De Wallen is much more than just a red light district. In fact, it's home to an amazing history that you must discover when you visit Amsterdam. You'll discover a different, more authentic part of the city, with activities you won't see anywhere else during your stay.
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