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Learn the real history behind Amsterdam's Red Light District. Enjoy a hosted introduction at House of Stapel café, then explore the district at your own pace.

Highlights

• Discover the real history and laws behind Amsterdam's Red Light District
• Enjoy a hosted introduction with a complimentary drink at House of Stapel
• Explore the district at your own pace using a web app with audio stories
• Visit landmarks like Oude Kerk, Belle Statue, and the iconic canals
• Learn about the neighborhood's history, culture, and community

Description

Begin with a hosted introduction at House of Stapel, a cozy brown café where your local host provides crucial context over complimentary coffee or soft drink. Then explore the district at your own pace using a Red Light District Maps web app — audio stories, historical context, and respectful guidance at each landmark. Meet your local host at House of Stapel brown café, steps from the Red Light District but outside the chaos. Over complimentary coffee, tea, or soft drink, they provide essential context. Learn about the historical evolution of the district, including its medieval origins around Oude Kerk (Old Church) and how sailors and sex work created this neighborhood. Discover how Amsterdam's Golden Age wealth shaped De Wallen, and hear about the 20th-century criminalization vs. 21st-century legalization. Understand modern challenges like trafficking, gentrification, and community tension. Learn about the legal framework, including how sex work is regulated in the Netherlands, licensing, taxation, health requirements, and what's legal vs. illegal (key distinctions). Find out about police presence and worker protection, and why window prostitution exists (visibility = safety). Gain insight into the cultural context, including Dutch pragmatism and harm reduction philosophy, how this neighborhood shaped Amsterdam's identity, the Belle statue and sex workers' rights movement, community organizations and support systems, and why locals want respect, not judgment. Get respectful guidelines, including where photography is absolutely forbidden, how to walk through without being disrespectful, understanding 'no means no' in every context, why this is someone's workplace and neighborhood, and cultural etiquette that demonstrates you understand. This 15-minute conversation transforms how you see the neighborhood. Your host answers questions honestly, provides nuance that guidebooks skip, and prepares you to explore thoughtfully rather than gawk. After the intro, continue independently using the Red Light District Maps web app (no download/login required, works in any browser). The app provides a walking route connecting key landmarks, audio stories at each location (plug in headphones), historical photos and context, trivia and lesser-known facts, respectful photography guidelines, and estimated timing for each stop.

Includes

Hosted introduction with complimentary drink at House of Stapel café Self-guided walk using Red Light District Maps app Audio stories, context, and trivia at each landmark Visit to Oude Kerk (Old Church), Belle Statue, iconic canals

Important Information

• Respectful, educational approach — not voyeuristic Photography is forbidden in certain areas Evening departure (6 PM or 8 PM) when district is most authentic Small group intro (max 10), then explore at your own pace

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund