The Red Light District Now & during the Golden Age (Private Tour)
Description
This tour teaches you about the for the past, present and future of the oldest neighborhood in Amsterdam: the Red Light District. Your guide is a local resident who has both lived in the District & has a Masters degree in Dutch history. Do you want to know why Amsterdam has become the capital of tolerance? Do you have specific questions about Sex Work in the district? Or do you want to know about the quirky and unique aspects of Dutch history or culture? There will be plenty of time for discussion. We promise you will come as a stranger and leave with a new friend in Amsterdam!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Learn about the transformation of the Amsterdam port, from early Settlers in a provincial swamp through to the iconic Golden Age and the trading empire that spanned the globe.
Learn about the lives of the sailors who traveled the world, the harrowing conditions aboard a VOC ship and the unique spoils of trade that began arriving in Amsterdam in the 17th century.
From this lookout we will discuss the Dutch ability to manipulate water as well as learn about the unique connection between Amsterdam & New York.
Learn about the development of the prostitution; one of the oldest professions practiced in Amsterdam. Hear about Dutch prisons during the Golden Age and their famous attempts to reform prostitutes & sinners.
Walking down the famous ‘Zeedijk’ you will learn about origins of the Chinese community, the terrible crime wave of the 70s & 80s and modern experiments with tolerating drugs and prostitution.
Visit "De Waag" the location where Rembrandt created one of his great masterpieces: “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Tulip”.
Learn about the Dutch attitude to sex work & how they have attempted to create a safe alternative to the sex trade. Additionally, discuss the current problems in the RLD as well as the future of this unique residential neighborhood.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(7)
We had a great time on this Red Light District tour. We were a group of 2 retired couples and Aarre adapted his tour to our interests. Aarre was a wonderful guide, very knowledgeable, personable enthusiastic. We had a lot of fun, finishing up at a very authentic feeling brown pub. During our visit to Amsterdam we took a few tours and this was the one we enjoyed the most. We would particularly recommend a small private tour of the RLD, you definitely don’t want to do this one in a big group. We are looking forward to future tours with Aarre.
Aarre was so knowledgeable and gave such good information about the red light district and beyond. We loved his energy and his passion for history! Highly recommend Aarre Safari City Tours.
Aarre was very informative and this tour was one of our favorites! We learned a lot about the city and he even recommended some great restaurants to try after the tour! Highly recommend!
This was one of the best parts of my trip to Amsterdam. I’m traveling with my mom and a bunch of her friends that are older than me, so it was such a treat to get to hang with someone young and fun. He’s hilarious and knows his stuff; you can tell he has a masters in history. Looking forward to the 3-hour history tour he promised me next time I come and giving him a tour when he visits New Orleans (totally holding him to this!). Seriously book the tour; you won’t regret it.
This guy should have hundreds of good reviews. He was knowledgeable, entertaining, and respectful of the subject matter and his visitors. It was a great experience.
Incredible, engaging and humorous tour by Aarre. His knowledge of Amsterdam is really impressive and he was able to convey so many interesting stories and history.
Great tour guide. Very knowledgeable and fun. My friends and I were very pleased and would highly recommend to everyone.
