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Amsterdam Sex Guide advises where to find sex, working girls, prostitution, street hookers, brothels, red-light districts, sex shops, prostitutes, erotic massage parlors, strip clubs and escorts in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Amsterdam [1] is the capital of the Netherlands. With more than one million inhabitants in its urban area, it is the country's largest city and its financial, cultural, and creative centre. Amsterdam is colloquially known as Venice of the North, because of its lovely canals that criss-cross the city, its impressive architecture and more than 1,500 bridges. There is something for every traveller's taste here, whether you prefer culture and history, serious partying, or just the relaxing charm of an old European city.
Contents
- 1 Sex and Prostitution in Amsterdam
- 2 Red Light Districts
- 3 Prostitutes and Sex Workers
- 4 Street Hookers
- 5 Hookup and Pick Up Local Girls
- 6 Live Sex Cams
- 7 Where to Get Sex Now
- 8 Adult Locations
- 9 Escort Services and Agencies
- 10 Erotic Massage Parlors
- 11 Brothels and Sex Clubs
- 12 Sex Clubs
- 13 Strip Clubs and Striptease
- 14 Karaoke and KTVs
- 15 Swinger Clubs and BDSM
- 16 Sex Shops and Adult Stores
- 17 Love Hotels and Short Time Hotels
- 18 Nightclubs and Bars
- 19 Gay and Lesbian
- 20 Other Adult Services
- 21 Dating
- 22 How to find Sugar Babies and Sugar Daddies
- 23 Transsexuals and Shemales
- 24 Sexual Services for Women
- 25 Sleeping and Girl Friendly Hotels
- 26 Stay Safe
- 27 Attitudes
- 28 Get around Amsterdam
- 29 Festivals
- 30 Coffeeshops
- 31 See Also
Sex and Prostitution in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the top spot for sex tourism in the Netherlands, thanks to its infamous red-light district which is one of the Europes most well known tourist attractions.
The red light district is popular for both standard tourists and sex tourists alike, and sex shops, peep shows, strip clubs and countless prostitutes selling their wares behind red-lit glass windows abound. Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands, just as it is in many other European countries and well regulated in Amsterdam, which arguably creates safer conditions for sex workers. Sex prices in Amsterdam generally range in the red light areas, depending on the time of day, as well as the client’s age and attractiveness. Amsterdam’s notorious red light district caters to every kind of fetish and kink and the best part is, it’s (relatively) safe.
There are actually three such districts in Amsterdam, but the one simply referred to as the Red Light District is the largest and world famous one in the historic part of town just across from Central Station. This red light area is called De Wallen.
A large number of Amsterdam's estimated 7,000 sex workers are not Dutch nationals. Around 80 percent of the city's sex workers are from Eastern Europe. Most of the caucasian prostitutes are from Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, or Russia. Black prostitutes usually are from Suriname, Gambia and Senegal. Transexual prostitutes are often from Brazil, Venezuela and other South American countries.
There are also windows where are two girls working if you're into having a threesome. Price is usually a double comparing to having sex with just one girl.
See also: Prostitution in the Netherlands
Female Escorts
When you find a prostitute online in Amsterdam, there are attractive girls, but they are also expensive. Escort prices in Amsterdam vary between €200-€400 for the full experience. Out-call will always cost extras, but most Amsterdam Escorts live in the centrum, so it is very convenient to get to their place. Some of the international escorts also travel to Amsterdam and usually they will take clients at hotels in the Amsterdam centre, near Red-light district.
Red Light Districts
In the red-light district of Amsterdam you’ll see scores of working girls flirting with people from behind their red-light windows. There is no shame in walking through this area, as you’ll be joined by men and women of all ages since this is not only a major tourist attraction, but also a crowded hub for local residents. If you’ve seen random street prostitutes in other large cities you might be surprised to discover that many of the prostitutes working in Amsterdam are actually very attractive, though few are in fact Dutch. This is a legal profession in Amsterdam and many prostitutes belong to a union.
The window spots for working girls are decreasing slowly all the time. If we look few years back, there were much more windows where prostitutes used to work. Now days some of the windows have been turned into kiosks, shops, cafes etc. Anyway, there are still lots of window girls working in these red-light areas, especially in De Wallen.
From lots of personal journeys through the area I can tell you that many of these girls look like Playboy Centerfolds from a distance and most of those still look hot as hell when you get a bit closer. If you are a fan of thin and athletic girls, natural curves in the correct places, or even comically huge boob jobs, you will find someone who appeals to you behind some of these windows. Most girls are white and European looking, but there are plenty of black and Asian girls, and even a sprinkling of latinas from South America.
The advantage, of girls in windows, is that, what you see... is what you get !, the girls in order to compete will make an effort to put on that make up, wear that sexy dress, put on that beautiful smile - that you won't get from the girl from the escort web site, who more often than not will look completely different from the girl in the photo. The disadvantage, is that the sex is rather hurried, as the girls have to pay a large rent for their window booth, and need to have a considerable number of clients per evening, to reach also their savings target.
There are 3 red-light districts in Amsterdam.
- De Wallen is the Main Red-light district in Amsterdam
- The largest one of the Amsterdam red light areas and the most touristy. A bit annoying having queues of middle aged Chinese couples looking at you awe struck as you enter one of the window booths. It's totally normal to walk around De Wallen and no-one is thinking that you're there because of the working girls. There are living locals in this area and the areas is full of normal tourists.
- Very pleasant little pedestrian street, few people around, but much less hookers, mainly middle aged plump ones some ugly some very sexy, a few good looking ones. A few are also local Dutch women. This district caters to local demand.
- Down by museum quarter (Pijp)
- The smallest of the three red light zones. Caters mainly to local demand.
DO NOT try to take photos of prostitutes even from the streets, or you might lose your camera without any warning!
The Red Light District consists of several canals, and the side streets between them, south of Central Station and east of Damrak. Known as 'De Wallen' (the quays) in Dutch, because the canals were once part of the city defenses (walls and moats). Prostitution itself is limited to certain streets, mainly side streets and alleys, but the district is considered to include the canals, and some adjoining streets (such as Warmoesstraat and Zeedijk). The whole area has a heavy police presence, and many security cameras. Nevertheless it is still a residential district and has many bars and restaurants, and also includes historic buildings and museums — this is the oldest part of the city. The oldest church in Amsterdam, the Netherlands-gothic Oude Kerk on the Oudezijds Voorburgwal at Oudekerksplein, is now surrounded by window prostitution. The area has many sex shops and peep show bars. This section of town is a common attraction for bachelors celebrating a stag night, if you ever get hassled, a firm and loud "Leave me alone" will work most of the time.
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WARNING: Always negotiate everything clear before entering the red-light room! The following scam happens too often nowadays: First, you have been promised to have a quality time. Once you have entered in to the room, the prostitute will strip a bit and even maybe play a little bit with your genitals. Before this you had already paid for example 50 euros for her services. When you have turned on, she asks you another 50 euros for taking her clothes off and having sex! This is why you should always ask in the beginning what you can get with a price you have agreed (how long time? what does it include? blowjob? handjob? sexual intercourse? anal? other extra services? what sex positions you can try?, etc.). Negotiating beforehand will save you time and money. |
- Prostitutes behind the windows
- There are good looking hookers all around Red Light District and all different races and size. You can find a girl from different fetish, spanking, x-large silicon to a innocent school girl.
- Price for sex in Amsterdam in red-light district: Normally suck and fuck is 50 to 100€, if you can negotiate you can come in a non rush hours to 40€. If you are ugly or old price can be even 200€.
- Some try the 50 - 50 trick - You enter one of the booths of a girl - and she will then ask you for an extra 50 euro in exchange she will do an extra good job - like offering uncovered oral sex, or add 10/20 minutes, to the 20 minutes that one 50 euro bank note buys you. Most punters presume that 50 euros pays you at least half an hour, so one needs to clarify before entering the booth how much time 50 euros will buy, and try to negotiate a better time deal. Italian and Latin American female hookers are especially good at extracting more money from punters - but perhaps it's worth it, as often they are often very beautiful/sexy !
- Black Prostitutes behind the windows
- Black hookers in Amsterdam work around old church (oude kerk). Some of the black sex workers are decent looking, but most are either overweight or old. Suck and fuck with a black prostitutes near old church cost around 50€, but you can get blowjob or sex sometimes as low as 30€ if you can negotiate. There are also few black girls working in the other areas of De Wallen and these ebony hookers are usually very attractive, but cost to have sex with them is always at least 50 to 100€.
- Shemale Prostitutes behind the windows
- TS/TV/TG and CD "girls" are located around Redlight Bar close to the new market. If you walk around the bar you can see from 10 to 15 tranny prostitutes. Bloedstraat, Gordijnensteeg and Oudezijds Achterburgwal t-girl whores will ask 50 to 100€ for a suck and fuck (make sure you negotiate first; who will fuck who!). T-girls who work at the Barndesteeg are usually a little cheaper and you can get sex for as cheap as 40€ from them, but the quality of the ladyboys is not very good. Average price to have sex with Amsterdam red-light district t-girls is 50 to 100€ for suck and fuck and threesome will cost 200€. Some of the shemales in the red light area will also have sex for 30€, but most of these are a bit nasty or transvestites.
See Also: Window prostitution
Prostitutes and Sex Workers
There are different type of prostitutes in Amsterdam. The girls who work at the red-light district are most popular by locals and regular tourists who just come to the Amsterdam for a holidays. These prostitutes usually have sex with up to 30 customers a day as they try to get as many customers as possible during their shift with low prices from 50 to 100€ per 15 minutes.
The girls who work at the erotic massage centers provide also different kind of sex services on the side and ask a little more for sex than the window prostitutes. For more up-scale people there are brothels and sex clubs where sex cost more, but the service is more personalised and rooms are decorated for different tastes. Independent escorts also work from the private flats which are located usually in- or nearby the city center.
Window prostitutes on red-light district are usually originally from Eastern Europe, but you can also find girls from different parts of the world, such as Africa, South America and Asia. Some of the working girls behind the windows can be very beautiful.
Street Hookers
There use to be a tippelzone area in Amsterdam, where street whores were allowed to sell sex. But this sex place does not exist anymore.
Sometimes after the midnight you can spot African and South American streetwalkers in the De Wallen redlight area. These girls usually just walk around the area and try to get an eye contact with you. Sometimes of these street girls can act really aggressive and try to offer sex cheaper than the hookers who work in the window cabins. Be aware that these street prostitutes can try to steal belongings from the customers and even from a regular tourists who are just walking in the area. There were more of these black street prostitutes in De Wallen area maybe 10 years ago, but now days you rarely see them any other time than during the busy weekends.
See Also: Street Prostitution in Amsterdam
Hookup and Pick Up Local Girls
Meeting local girls and getting laid for free is fun! Read more on how to pick up girls in Amsterdam: https://hookuptravels.com/wiki/Amsterdam
Live Sex Cams
Can I watch Live Sex Cams in Amsterdam? - Yes, you can! Basically you can watch our online live sex shows for free anywhere in the world if you’re connected to internet. Join to get 10 free private teasers and 9.99 credits for free! You can choose any girl from our trusted Live Sex Cams!
Live Sex Cams are booming at the moment. Webcam models can be found from all over the world and you can find girls, guys, trannies, couples and groups of different ages performing to you. Watching live sex shows is usually free, but if you buy some credits, you will have much better chances to see adult action as desired! It's possible also to hire a webcam model to a private chat room where you can ask the person to fulfill your fantasies.
Where to Get Sex Now
It is easy to get sex online in Amsterdam. You just need to find the best available girls. See Girls Online Here!
Adult Locations
There are many great venues for adults in Amsterdam such as the window girls in the red-light district, brothels, sex clubs, swingers clubs, nude bars and many other erotic spots.
Escort Services and Agencies
Finding an escort when you’re travelling can be a bit tricky. An ideal alternative to escorts is a girl who is looking for a mutually beneficial relationship. There are thousands of horny girls willing to do anything for a generous guy. Click Here to hookup with a beautiful young woman now.
Most of the Amsterdam escort agencies are licensed and they have a permit to operate their business. Sometimes some of the agencies may lose their license if they have legal issues.
In addition to the obvious difference between you going to their location and them coming to yours, the escort Amsterdam game is also set up more for longer appointments that include actual companionship as well as one or more sex acts. Each agency has their own focus and set of rules, so it’s hard to generalize, but almost all of them have a 1-hour minimum and many actually have a 2-hour minimum. Most of them also have special rates for 4, 8, or 12 hours, or even for a full day or two, but of course none of this comes cheap. Some of the agencies have set operating hours running from mid afternoon until early morning, and a few claim to operate around the clock.
Usually escort agencies in Amsterdam charge around 250 to 350€ per girl. This price gives you 1 hour to spend with the girl. Overnight services cost about 1000€. If you prefer these type of things, you have a lot of options. But if you are looking for a quick sex, it is cheaper just go to the red-light district.
Amsterdam has multiple licensed escort agencies with stunning girls. Some of the escort agencies in Amsterdam have regular priced escorts and some have very high-class and expensive girls working for them.
Prices for Amsterdam escorts
As mentioned, most services start at a 1-hour minimum, although some start at 2 hours. With all of them you can add extra hours for a price that is usually a bit less than the first hour, but not by as much as you might think. The cheapest escorts in Amsterdam seem to start around €130 per hour, and the most expensive start around €325 per hour. Jan Bik, which was an combination of a sex club and a private-house brothel, offered out-call escorts for €100 per hour. But this place is closed today.
Needless to say, you pretty much get what you pay for in a business like this, but there are definitely situations where someone booked a girl from one of the more expensive services only to find that the photo they saw was 10 years and 30 lbs. ago. It seems very rare that a girl will arrive who is obviously not the one in the picture, but beyond that it’s still pretty easy to open the door to find something less than you were expecting staring back at you. If you go for one of the cheaper escort companies you know in advance you won’t be ordering up a perfect 10, and there is always a bit of risk in a transaction like this.
Erotic Massage Parlors
There are plenty of good erotic massage parlors in Amsterdam. One hour massage which includes a happy ending costs around 100 to 150€. Sometimes you will only get a HJ, but if you are lucky, you may even get BJ or sex. There are also escort girls advertising online who offer sensual massage services for about same price as they ask for sex. These type of girls usually have an apartment somewhere near the centrum. Asmara example is a sex club where you can get sex, massage or both.
If you like to get an erotic massage but you don't want to leave your hotel room, you can easily just order an escort or erotic massage therapist to your hotel as an outcall.
Most massage parlors have a great variety of different kind of massage services, such as:
- Erotic massage
- Nuru massage
- Lingam massage
- Yoni massage
- Prostate massage
- Tantric massage
- Oil massage
- Sex therapy
- Body 2 Body massage
- Sensual massage
- Soapy massage
- Dynamic massage
- Thai massage
- Energetic massage
- Holistic massage
- Hot Stone Massage
- Sports massage
- Swedish massage
- Sex massage
- Back / shoulder massage
- Relaxation massage
- Massage with happy ending
- Four hands massage
- Foot massage
- Chakramassage
- Chinese massage
- Chocolate massage
- Outcall massage to your hotel
Brothels and Sex Clubs
Club LV View Map
Club LV is a high class sexclub in Amsterdam with seducing sexy girls. Our girls are ready to fulfill all of your dreams and fantasies. Please contact us for more information or visit us at the Middenweg 144. Our girls can't wait to bring you pleasure.Details on this place are hard to come by. The ...- Middenweg 144, Amsterdam
- Netherlands Europe
Sex Club and Escort Vienna View Map
[[Erotic massage]] with [[Happy Ending]] costs 85€. The website is in Dutch and English. There are no photos on the website, but you can always call to ask who is in and how she looks like. The girls are extraordinarily beautiful and classy. Hours: 10am to 11 pm- Rijnstraat 224 1079 HV Amsterdam
- Netherlands Europe
Privehuis Park 118 View Map
Park 118 is actually part of a small brothel chain that is well regarded in the Netherlands, at least by many past clients. It’s supposedly quite nice and relaxed inside, and a few photos on their website confirm that, although the site is in Dutch and even when you translate it there isn’t much inf ...- Sarphatipark 118, 1073 ED Amsterdam
- Netherlands Europe
Asmara View Map
Mon-Sun 10am - 12am.Asmara´s helpful website says they have 31 girls on staff, and includes sexy photos of some of them. Prices at this one start at €130, but that includes everything, even drinks. Erotic massage is very good.- Willem de Zwijgerlaan 70
- Netherlands Europe
Crystal Club View Map
Open: Sunday / Thursday from 20: 00-04: 00 pm and Friday and Saturday until 05:00.Club promise the utmost in discretion and anonymity, and they are one of a few sex clubs that also runs an outcall escort service with the same girls. They show photos of actual girls on their site, which is rare amo ...- Stadhouderskade 64
- Netherlands Europe
Club Bianca View Map
THIS PLACE DOESNT EXIST ANYMORE. They don’t have a website, and previous clients generally give the place average reviews. In general the quality of the girls in bianca is very low in terms of looks compared to [[De Wallen]] red light district.. Hourly wages of full service, including shower is 17 ...- Willem de Zwijgerla 70
- Netherlands Europe
Golden Key View Map
Club Golden Key was founded in 1987, the intent of our sexclub has always been to create a place where men can relax, explore and share various sexual behaviours in a safe, discreet and non-judgemental way. Our staff and ladies are always happy to welcome you in our luxurious bar area. Whether you w ...- Overtoom 294
- Netherlands Europe
Club Elegance View Map
PLACE MAY BE CLOSED.Call club for complimentary chauffeur.Since Yab Yum was closed down by the city in early 2008, Club Elegance became the nicest and classiest of the sex clubs. There’s usually a €75 admission charge at the door, which includes 5 drinks.- Nicolaas Witsenkade 38
- Netherlands Europe
In Amsterdam there are around 10 establishments that are locally known as privéhuizen, which means private houses in Dutch. These are similar to the sex clubs, with a few key differences. They tend to be located in residential neighbourhoods, they don’t have public bar areas, and they are generally cheaper and more relaxed. You won’t have to worry about the taxi scam and the champagne hustle because the private house/brothels mainly attract more of a mellow clientele, including many locals who wouldn’t put up with the nonsense that goes along with most of the sex clubs.
For anyone who’s interested in getting off but doesn’t want to negotiate on the sidewalk of a crowded tourist district, or get caught up in some elaborate scam in one of the sex clubs, the private houses serve as a welcome option. They offer the utmost in privacy, discretion, and comfort, and at prices that are usually actually lower than in the Red Light District itself if you compare an hourly rate.
How the private-house brothels work
These places are generally in residential areas and usually a converted house or large apartment. The front door is usually only indicated by a small and discreet sign and perhaps symbols of the credit cards they accept on the window. You buzz or knock to get in and a hostess will greet you alone and lead you into a small and comfortable room where you’ll be seated alone. A main part of their business is doing everything they can so customers will never see each other, which is very different from the sex club experience.
Some places actually have a menu with a price list of various options and their costs, and if so you’ll be shown that shortly after you arrive. After you tell the hostess what you are after she will then leave to round up all the available girls, who will, one by one, come in the room and introduce themselves. At most of the whore houses there are between 5 and 10 girls working at a time, but of course this depends on the day of the week and the time of day. It’s important to remember the name of the one you prefer because after they each come and go the hostess will come back to ask which girl you’d like. If none struck your fancy you can leave and you won’t pay anything, but if you found one appealing you’ll ask for her. She will then meet you and take you to a private room that has freshly cleaned sheets on the bed.
There will usually be either a shower or a bath attached to the room, and not surprisingly a room with a bath will usually cost more. The hour (or half hour) will begin by her asking you to wash up a bit, and if you are lucky she’ll join you in the shower or tub. After everyone is clean and ready you’ll typically be treated to a full body massage, which could use up the rest of the first half hour. You can cut the massage short or skip it if you prefer, but this is the most common way to build up to later fun.
Most people pay for an hour and if they are finished the act early on they still can hang around and enjoy the girl’s company. Depending on the girl and the house you might be able to talk her into another go round if you are ready, or at least some other form of stimulation on her part to take care of you a second time in an hour. This part is negotiable and varies from place to place and girl to girl. You won’t be rushed out of the room no matter what though, as long as you’ve paid for your time there.
As your prepaid time is running out you might be asked if you’d like to extend it by paying more right then. Many people recommend first timers start with only half an hour and then leave the option of buying more time because many people feel a bit uncomfortable on their first trip to a brothel and at least this way you aren’t committing to more than you are ready for. If you’ve paid for a full hour and then decide the girl isn’t the one you want or you aren’t able to perform yourself then you aren’t eligible for a refund.
Before your time is up you’ll need to get dressed and ready again, and this is on part of your time. Some places will tell you where you stand with the hour, and others will just let the time go and then tell you how much you owe at the end, so make sure you ask in advance or don’t lose too much track of time.
On your way out the girl or the hostess will usually make sure the lounge area and hallways are free of other customers, so you can usually just slink back outside without ever seeing another soul aside from the hostess and the girls themselves.
Prices at the private-house brothels
Some might find it surprising that this classy and pressure-free experience is actually (sort of) cheaper than the window girls in the Red Light District. In the RLD you’ll normally get what they call a “suck and fuck” for a standard €50, but this lasts only 15-20 minutes on a small bed and usually includes nothing more than you’ve distinctly agreed to beforehand. At the private house brothels the usual hourly charge is €100 for a full hour, or €75 for half an hour, and this includes everything normal, although a bath (and sometimes even a shower) will cost from €10 to €40 extra. If you have special desires that some girls might object to (and they often will object) then that will cost extra if they agree, but aside from that it’s all-inclusive.
Some experienced customers recommend tipping extra at the beginning to make sure the girl is ready to play, and others recommend tipping at the end to make a good impression if you plan on returning. Tipping in general is optional though, so if you don’t tip you won’t get any attitude, at least not at the better places.
Payment can be made in cash or credit card, although with credit cards you can expect an extra fee of around 10% on top of the price.
How to find the private house brothels
There are many of thee private houses throughout Amsterdam, and some are far more famous than others. Only one of the better known private house brothels is actually in the Red Light District, and it’s really more of a Thai massage place with extra services available.
Sex Clubs
Amsterdam has quite a few notorious sex clubs, but many people who visit them get ripped off. They often start you with overpriced alcohol and you buying expensive non-alcoholic “champagne” for a girl hoping to get your business. Even worse, on top of an hourly fee starting around €150, you’ll often have to pay a taxi commission for the guy who brought you there of around €75, sometimes even if you didn’t come in a taxi. These places often have bad reputations, although if you’ve got a lot of money and want a little fun they might be a good choice.
As mentioned above, these places are quite similar to the private house-brothels, but they operate as nightclubs with liquor licenses and public lounge areas. Some of them are fairly small, but a couple are large and very similar to an upscale nightclub in the main area. All of them have a variety of rooms where you and the girl of your choice will have plenty of privacy. Some of the rooms are elaborate with Jacuzzi tubs and other fantasy elements, while others are basic rooms that will have a bath or shower attached.
How things work at the sex clubs
Once you arrive (we’ll discuss that a bit more below) you might be asked an admission charge, or maybe not, depending on the place. You’ll go in to a bar area where you’ll be mingling with a mix of other customers and prostitutes. You can scan the room looking for someone who you’d like to spend time with, but there isn’t a rush once you are inside, and girls will be coming and going so if you don’t see someone right away you might wait around.
When you find a girl who you like she’ll usually be very friendly with you if she senses it. The drinks you are buying yourself are expensive enough, but she’ll generally request that you buy her a drink while you chat. This will be discussed more below regarding the “champagne hustle.”
Once you’ve confirmed your choice you’ll go with the girl to a private room where you’ll have an hour total to spend with her, which includes the time you’ll spend undressing and dressing again. You’ll usually start with a shower or bath and then a full body massage, but at this point things can go in a few different directions depending on you and the girl. It’s best to discuss anything special you’d like before you get to the room because many of the prostitutes won’t perform certain things, at least for the standard fee.
Prices at the sex clubs
The prices between these places can vary wildly, but generally the nicer places with the better looking girls will charge more, so you kind of get what you pay for. There will usually be a standard hourly fee set for any girl in the place, but that fee can vary depending on the time of the day and the day of the week. The cheapest of the sex clubs use to be Jan Bik, and they charged €75 per hour for your time with a girl, all-inclusive, but unfortunately this sex club is closed today!
Most other sex clubs start around €150 per hour on up to about €300. Again, it depends on the time of day and day of the week. A few places have a lower set rate before 7 p.m. This fee for time with the girl does not include an admission charge if there is one, or drinks in the club, which can really get out of hand.
The taxi scam
This is hardly unique to Amsterdam, and in fact a variation of it takes place at adult businesses around the world. If you ask a taxi driver in Amsterdam to take you to a sex club, they’ll be thrilled to take you to the place that gives them the highest commission, regardless of anything else you might have asked about or suggested. You’ll of course have to pay the meter and a tip, and the driver will also get a commission of around €75 from the club for bringing you.
This sounds very nice of the sex club to do, but of course it’s you who ends up paying that entire commission as part of your tab either on your way in or on your way out. No one is likely to mention to you that your bill or admission was padded by €75 that goes to the taxi driver, but rest assured that you’ll pay it if you arrive by cab.
Most of the sex clubs will offer you free transportation on their websites, but of course this adds up to the exact same thing. You’ll pay a fortune for this “free ride” so the best way to get to one of these clubs is walking, or by public transportation, or if you do take a taxi just get an address of a restaurant or building nearby and then get out of the taxi and wait until they leave before you make a move to the club. You’ll have to be a bit discrete with this since this is a huge moneymaker for the taxi drivers and they’ll certainly figure things out if a single man asks to be taken from near a hotel to 50 meters from one of the sex clubs the taxi driver is only too familiar with.
The “champagne hustle”
ChampagneAgain, this is common around the world, so you can’t blame it on Amsterdam, although you can go to one of the private-house brothels if you want to avoid it. Once inside one of these clubs the entire staff will do everything in their power to encourage you to buy expensive champagne to share with the girl of your choice. These bottles of champagne can cost up to €500, and they usually start around €100 at the very minimum for a small bottle.
Since the girls typically get a bit less than half the hourly fee for their services, they work hard to sell champagne out front because they receive a hefty commission for every bottle sold. Some of the girls will even tell you that they can’t go into a private room until you’ve bought at least one bottle of champagne, and they aren’t kidding. Not every sex club is as aggressive as others about this, but prepare for this part of the experience when you are considering how much this experience is going to cost you.
Finding the sex clubs
There are many good sex clubs in Amsterdam and some of them are located very close to the city centre. Sadly many of the best sex clubs such as Huize Ria and Jan Bik have closed in the past years.
Strip Clubs and Striptease
Bananen Bar View Map
In the centre of the Red Light District you will find the most fun and surprising bar in erotic Amsterdam, the Bananenbar. Needless to say that the Banana plays a central roll in the entertainment and we are not talking cocktails here! The scarcely dressed waitresses who will make your heart beat fa ...- Oudezijds Achterburgwal 37
- Netherlands Europe
Casa Rosso View Map
Famous sex show in Amsterdam centrum. The theatre with the pink elephant on its facade cannot be missed during your visit. While sitting back in a comfortable red velvet chair and enjoying a drink, you will be entertained by a great variety of erotic shows performed by talented international erotic ...- Oudezijds Achterburgwal 106-108
- Netherlands Europe
La Vie en Proost View Map
Topless girls, gogo girls and lap-dances.OpeningstijdenMaandag t/m Donderdag & Zondag 20.00 - 03.00Vrijdag & Zaterdag 20.00 - 04.00 Entree: 5 Euro- Bethlehemsteeg 23
- Netherlands Europe
Moulin Rouge View Map
One of the must visit places in Amsterdam.- Oudezijds Achterburgwal 5-7
- Netherlands Europe
La Vie Deux View Map
La Vie Deux is the chic little sister of La Vie en Proost in the red light district of Amsterdam. It is located at Thorbecke Square which has traditionally been the location for erotic clubs in Amsterdam. After a thorough renovation it opened its doors in February 2011.- Thorbeckeplein 22, 1017 CS Amsterdam
- Netherlands Europe
La vie Deux View Map
Adult entertainment in Amsterdam- Thorbeckeplein 22, 1017 CS Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Netherlands Europe
- Overtoom 558, Amsterdam
- Netherlands Europe
Amstel Club Exclusif View Map
Open mon-Sat 9pm - 5am.- Amstelkade 34, 1078 AE Amsterdam
- Netherlands Europe
For those who may not feel like hiring a working girl but still would like to see the famous pleasure of Amsterdam sex scene, one of the city's strip clubs or live sex shows is a right place for you to visit. In these establishments, visitors pay an entrance fee to watch shows on the stage ranging from striptease to girls performing tricks with toys, ping pong balls and candles all the way to live shows where couples are having sexual intercourse and blow job on the stage. Remember to bring your wallet for any of these shows, as excitement in Amsterdam does not come cheap.
Some of these strip joints in Amsterdam, also offer sex and massage services. Almost all of them have private cabins for a lap-dance. You should never go to the strip club that taxi driver recommends as they will always take you to the most expensive nude bar in Amsterdam and get a huge commission by doing this.
The most famous sex club in Amsterdam is Casa Rosso. This famous sex theatre is located directly at the middle of Red-light district and it is famous from it´s shocking and funny sex shows. You can find it if when you see the big elephant sign. Also Banana Bar' and Moulin Rouge have very popular sex shows.
You can just have a drink and watch the sex shows, the girls are fine and you don't have to pay them anything, but of course you can tip them if you want to.
Karaoke and KTVs
There are some Karaoke / KTV bars in Amsterdam, but these places are not the type of places you find in East Asia where sex is also being sold.
Swinger Clubs and BDSM
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Escort Amsterdam Agency
High-Quality Escort Services by Real, Hot Call Girls in Amsterdam. If you have reached the page of our website then we know what your wishes are.- Amsterdam
- +31633247111
- Netherlands
Showboat View Map
The Showboat is situated in a former ferry and has two decks. On the upper deck you'll find a huge bar, dance floor and lounge. The lower deck features showers, a sauna and hamman and many private- and open rooms as well as a huge BDSM facility.- Lagedijk 328, 1544 BX Zaandijk
- Netherlands Europe
Club Paradise View Map
Club Paradise is a great place for anyone in the mood for an erotic highlight during their stay in Amsterdam. It is a swingers club packed with couples, men and women. The club has lots of facilities: A well stocked bar, a huge dance floor with poles, lounge, separate smoking rooms, an orgy bed, pri ...- Schaafstraat 26, 1021 KE Amsterdam Noord
- Netherlands Europe
Swingersclub Fata-Morgana View Map
Friday from 21.00 h. to 03.00 h. € 85,00 per couple, Saturday from 21.00 h. to 04.00 h. € 110,00 per couple, Sunday from 14.00 h. to 24.00 h. € 99,00 per couple. NO RESERVATION REQUIRED - NO CREDITCARDS ACCEPTED- Rijksweg 15 1398 PN - Muiden The Netherlands
- Netherlands Europe
Sameplace View Map
Sameplace is a small swingers club. Some of the days it is for couples only, some are for men only and some night are for transexuals and their admirers.Mon 8pm—1am (gay men only); Tue to Thu 9pm—2am; Fri and Sat 9pm—4am; Sun 10pm—3am- Nassaukade 120, 1052 EC Amsterdam
- Netherlands Europe
Amsterdam is a very open minded city and there are some great swingers clubs in Amsterdam and also nearby Dutch cities. Almost all people in Amsterdam are very open about their sexuality. Naturists in Amsterdam should also check out some of the unisex saunas in Amsterdam. There are few good saunas, bathhouses, gyms and health centers in the city centre that have unisex bathing areas where everyone are nude. Sexual acts are banned at these venues, but they are great places to meet other people or even pick up a girl.
Adult Club Sameplace located in Nassaukade 120 is very popular swingers club and their slogan is "Freedom is the right not to lie about yourself”. This club is open to everyone and you can find couples, straights guys and girls, gays and TV/TS girls. Sameplace consists of a cafe, bar, and dungeon with S&M activities. Sameplace hosts theme parties few nights a week and is a great club given that the club places great emphasis on respect. Watching, touching, and joining in sex require permission, and a dress code is required to keep the club to a certain quality. Club Paradise and Showboat are also very popular swingers clubs in Amsterdam and these venues are very raunchy and perfect places for anyone who has interest on group sex activities. Also well-known Candyclub notes itself as the oldest swinging club in Amsterdam and can be found very close to Oosterpark, east of the city centre at Eikenweg 29. Candyclub has a relaxed, more relaxed atmosphere than many other Amsterdam swinger clubs and delights itself particularly on its easy to join group activities.
Swinger clubs in Amsterdam charge the entrance based on whether you are a couple, single female or single male and offer a place for like-minded people to come and engage in a wide variety of adult activities. Usually single males have to pay more than others. Sometimes single females are welcome without any entrance fee.
Popular Swingers clubs and parties in Amsterdam and nearby areas:
- Adult Club Sameplace
- Club Paradise
- Showboat
- Candyclub
- ParenClub Devils and Angels, Susteren
- Fata-Morgana, near Amsterdam
- Fun 4 Two
- Amourette Marseeeven
Sex Shops and Adult Stores
If you don’t feel like visiting or cannot find any local sex shops in Amsterdam, you can easily order adult products from Online Sex Shop.
DVD Paradise View Map
Sex Shop. A wide selection of DVD’s and toys. Also rental of private video cabins.- Oudezijds Achterburgwal 135
- Netherlands Europe
Happy Shop View Map
A very small shop full of paraphernalia, located in the old, beginning of the 17th century house, on the edge of the Red Light District behind the Beurs van Berlage. Open: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 12 am - 8 pm, Thursday: 12 am - 9 pm- Oude Brugsteeg 5, Amsterdam
- Netherlands Europe
Alfa Blue View Map
Sex Shop. You will find what you are looking for at this place. Very big DVD selection.- Nieuwendijk 26, Amsterdam
- Netherlands Europe
Sexshop City View Map
Online sex shop with a wide selection of adult sex toys and sexy lingerie for men and women.- Rozenstraat 35, 1016 NM
- Netherlands Europe
Adonis Cinema View Map
This is a mainly gay shop .The gay cinema with a darkroom, is one of the biggest and most popular in the town. Open: 10-1; Sunday and Saturday 10-3.- Warmoestraat 92, Amsterdam
- Netherlands Europe
Bronx View Map
Sex Shop.Though The Bronx mainly started as a sex shop for gay men, they now also cater for straight and bisexual men and women. They sell magazines, DVDs, lubrication, condoms, sexy underwear and toys, or as they call it “gay life style products”. For straight men and women they have some sexy un ...- Kerkstraat 53-55, Amsterdam
- Netherlands Europe
William Higgins' Le Salon View Map
Adult video arcade.Video cabins, some with glory holes, lots of steep, windy stairs between sections, & mostly straight porn (an oddity, given the place is named for William Higgins, gay porn producer). Most booths have glory holes. You can also stand behind darkened glass in a dark room and have ...- Nieuwendijk 20-22, Amsterdam
- Netherlands Europe
There are plenty of Sex shops in Amsterdam. Most of the adult shops are located in the Red-light district. Some of the sex shops only sell basic items such as dildos, porn movies, erotic clothing, condoms, poppers and herbal potency pills. There are also sex shops with live sex or striptease [peep show
Love Hotels and Short Time Hotels
Hourly hotels are not very common in Amsterdam except at the Schiphol airport. There are some love themed hotels in Amsterdam centrum however for couples. But you do not really need these type of hotels in Amsterdam because there are so many beautiful window prostitutes.
Nightclubs and Bars
When it comes to nightlife in Amsterdam, there are dance festivals, venues and club nights to suit every taste! DJs keep the crowd going with everything from techno, dub step and trance to rap music, funk and deep house.
De Wallen red-light district is more popular among the people who like to relax, smoke weed and maybe sip a couple of beer at the pubs. Most nightclubs are located a little bit further at the Leidseplein square and other areas.
Gay and Lesbian
Gay modeling in internet is getting more popular all the time and it's a big market alongside with gay porn. You can watch gay live sex also in Amsterdam as long as you are connected to internet. Check it out: Gay Live Sex Video Chat
Chez René View Map
Gay bar. Open daily 18:00 - 03:00; Fri, Sat till 04:00. Small gay & lesbian bar in the Amstel area.- Amstel 50
- Netherlands Europe
- Warmoesstraat 51, Amsterdam
- Netherlands Europe
SoHo View Map
English pub style. In good weather with street terrace. Open Wed, Thu 18:00 - 03:00; Fri 18:00 - 04:00; Sat 17:00 - 04:00; Sun 16:00 - 03:00.- Reguliersdwarsstraat 36
- Netherlands Europe
Sauna Damrak View Map
Amsterdam's oldest all-male sauna, opened in the 1980s, Damrak 54 compensates for its lack of darkroom and private cabins with clean, rather tasteful and manly facilities in a living room atmosphere. Features include saunas, sun beds, jacuzzi, steam bath, a bar and an expansive rooftop terrace that' ...- Damrak 54-1HG, 1012 LL Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Netherlands Europe
Reality View Map
Small gay bar for black and arab men & friends. Daily 20:00 - 03:00; Fri, Sat till 04:00.- Reguliersdwarsstraat 129
- Netherlands Europe
- Spuistraat 109
- Netherlands Europe
Spijker Bar View Map
Gay jeans bar with pool table. Guys over 30.- Kerkstraat 4, Amsterdam
- Netherlands Europe
De Engel van Amsterdam View Map
Gay bar with music and Drag entertainment. In good weather with street terrace. Open daily 13:00 - 01:00/02:00.- Zeedijk 21, Amsterdam
- Netherlands Europe
Bar Vivelavie View Map
Lesbian bar.- Amstelstraat 7, 1017 DA Amsterdam
- Netherlands Europe
Montmartre View Map
Open daily 17:00 - 01:00; Fri, Sat till 03:00. Popular Dutch Pop & Schlager music pub. Especially on weekend nights it's too packed.- Halvemaansteeg 17
- Netherlands Europe
There are several gay areas in Amsterdam, all of them not really far from each other. First of all you got the street with the unpronounceable name, Reguliersdwarsstraat, which is rather mainstream and quite busy at the weekend. Nearby is the area around the Amstel street with its several gay bars, many of them in traditional Dutch style and atmosphere. Kerkstraat has two small gay hotels and a couple of old and new gay bars & clubs, and finally there is the Warmoesstraat with its gay cruise bars and fetish shops.
Not all sex clubs in Amsterdam are exclusively for straight people, including the gay-friendly Sameplace swingers club, and there are plenty of places for some paid gay fun in Amsterdam. These venues range from gay saunas where likeminded guys can engage their desires to more formal arrangements where you can hire a professional partner.
Thermos, at Raamstraast 33, is by far the most famous gay sauna in Amsterdam. Thermos offers classical spa, bathhouse and sauna facilities and is open day and night from noon until 8AM. For more of a paid service, Boys Club 21 can be found right in the city centre at Spuistraat 21 and has a choice of professional guys as well as private rooms to hire.
There are many good gay saunas and bathhouses in Amsterdam. Straight saunas are often also full nude venues if you like to check out some straight guys. You can also find many sex cinemas and adult arcades from the red-light district.
GAY CRUISING, GLORY HOLES, BEACHES & PARKS:
- Zilverstrand Nude Beach. In the most Southern part of the Zilverstrand, nudist recreation is permitted. The nudist beach is situated on the Gooimeer. Along a large part of the water there is a sandy beach.
- Gaasperplas. Lots of "straight" boys from the area want to be blown there. All ages. Lots of black guys there too, because they live around this area.
- Oosterpark. Crowd: Locals and Turkish and Moroccan gay immigrants. You can find here everything you want. Next to Tropenmuseum. At east side of the lake.
- Westerpark. In summer its popular with Turkish and Moroccan gays. During the day cruise between the Westerpark and the Sloterdijk along the railroad tracks behind the Begraafplaats St.
- Van Leyenberghlaan Canal. Nude sunbathers, bi & str8s come by for BJ's. All types from teens to older guys & even the occasional hot Arab boy!
- Vondelpark. Vondelpark is the largest city park in Amsterdam, and certainly the most famous park in the Netherlands, which welcomes about 10 million visitors every year.
- Het Nieuwe Meer. All types of guys go here, from vanilla to kink. Crowd: Young hung & beautiful Dutch boys -- from young to trolls. Along the water for sun beauties & into the woods for sex.
- Oud Zuid. This park is located at the corner of Anthonie van Dijckstraat and Albrecht Durerstraat, outside the British School. There are plenty of bushes and trees to hide your groping and other actions.
- Sarphatipark. Crowd is mostly Arabs, hustlers, trade, bi's, str8s, hookers & low life types. Always busy in the evening.
- Corner of Leidsestraat and Prinsengracht a Krul Public, Corner Leidsestraat/Prinsengracht. A public on the corner of Leidsestraat and Prinsengracht. It is a so called "krul", a public for two men. The divider has got small holes so you can watch the other guy urinate or . Especially busy in the evenings, just pee and cough and wait for an answer.
Other Adult Services
Escort Amsterdam
Escort Amsterdam Agency at your service 24/7 with high class escort girls and a wide variety of services to make all your fantasies come true !- Damrak
- +31633247111
- Netherlands
Beauty Escort Amsterdam
Escort Amsterdam Agency- Amsterdam
- +31644881403
- Netherlands
BDSM
There are few BDSM clubs in Amsterdam and most Amsterdam swingers clubs have BDSM themed nights. There are also some experienced dominatrix escorts in Amsterdam and few of them can be also found working in the De Wallen and Singel red-light districts.
Dating
Dating in Amsterdam can be a bit tricky due to cultural differences, so your best bet is to sign up for a dating site before your trip so you can meet a few locals ahead of time. AdultFriendFinder.com lets you meet local members in Amsterdam and get to know them on a personal basis before you arrive. Take advantage of site features like live chat and member to member webcams so you can begin flirting before arranging a face-to-face meeting. Since your time in Amsterdam may be limited, get to know each other’s desires beforehand, so that when you meet you can start having some real fun.
How to find Sugar Babies and Sugar Daddies
If you are looking for an alternative to escorts in Amsterdam with a girl who doesn’t charge by the hour, sugar dating is the ideal solution. There are thousands of beautiful young women at SecretBenfits willing to do anything for a man who will help them pay their bills.
Often referred to as the “Tinder for Older Guys”, SecretBenfits matches hot young women interested in pampering older gentlemen. You don’t have to be a millionaire at SecretBenfits.com, you just need to be a respectful gentleman who knows how to treat a woman.
Transsexuals and Shemales
Finding someone for transsexual dating when you’re on the road can be a bit tricky, so your best bet is to sign up for a dating site before you go so you can find locals ahead of time. TSdates.com is a dating site designed to help you find exactly what you are looking for in your hookup in Amsterdam. Take advantage of site features like live chat and member to member webcams so you can begin flirting before arranging a face-to-face meeting. With over 40 million members, and thousands of transsexual members around the world, TSdates.com is the world’s largest site of sex-minded friends for discreet encounters and will help you find your next transsexual play partner.
Where can I find shemales in Amsterdam? You can watch transsexual live sex shows in Amsterdam as long as you are connected to internet. Check Now: Tranny Live Sex Video Chat
Transsexual Prostitutes in the Amsterdam Red Light District
Most T-girls who work at the De Wallen red-light district are located around the Red Light Bar close to the Nieuwmarkt. If you walk around the bar you can see from 10-15 TS/TV/TG or CD girls depending of the time. Usually from early morning until the noon there are only few shemale escorts working behind the windows. After the lunch time more and more trannies will come to the work and in evening there are many more to choose from.
T-Girls who work at Bloedstraat, Gordijnensteeg and Oudezzids Achterburgwal want 50 to 100€ for suck and fuck (make sure you negotiate first; who will fuck who).
Barndesteeg trannies are usually little cheaper and you can get sex for as cheap as 30€, but quality of the t-girls is not good. So average price for Amsterdam red light district tranny t-girl prostitute is 50-100€ for suck and fuck.
In the Bloedstraat (close to the neumarket) there are sometimes few "post-op t-girls" working (meaning they have done operation and removed their penis).
All these areas are in De Wallen red light area. Then there are about 5 trans girls also in the Singel red light area along the Spuistraat. Price is 50 to 100€ there, but can be bargained down.
Transexuals prostitutes tend to have blue lights rather than the red lights in their windows. Back in the days it was common to see transexual prostitutes flashing their cocks for you behind the windows, but it is not common anymore, since they are banned to do so. Do not in any attempt take pictures from the t-girls or they can get really mad!
Other good transsexual hot spots in Amsterdam
- Lellebel, Utrechtsestraat 4
- Drag & transvestite bar. Open Tue, Thu 21:00 – 03:00; Fri, Sat 20:00 – 04:00; Sun 21:00 – 03:00. +31 (0)20-4275139
- The Queen's Head, Zeedijk 20
- Friendly bar with occasional weekly drag shows.
- Butterfly Thai cafe, Oudezijds Achterburg Wal, 1012 Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Sexy Thai ladyboy workers. At nighttime good place to score while having a beer.
- NYX Club, Reguliersdwarsstraat 42, 1017 BM, Amsterdam
- You will find some transsexuals and transvestites there also, even though its mostly just a gay club. Many dance floors, bars and lounge areas. Mixed young crowd.
- Amstel Fifty Fourr, Amstel 54 (+31206234254)
- Occasionally with drag queen shows. Open daily 16:00 – 01:00; Fri, Sat till 03:00.
- De Engel van Amsterdam, Zeedijk 21 (+31 (0)20-4276381)
- Gay bar with music and Drag queen entertainment. Daily 13:00 – 01:00/02:00.
Sexual Services for Women
Women should easily find sex partners in Amsterdam from many night clubs, cafes and pubs which you can find from the city centre. There are also some good looking and skilled male escorts in Amsterdam who charge about 150 to 300€ an hour.The Paradise Club is a great place for women who want sex. This place is a swingers club packed with couples, single men and women. It is located just a 10 minutes from the central railway station. Club Paradise Schaafstraat 26, 1021 KE Amsterdam Noord. Sameplace is another swingers club, but in some days it is for couples only, some are for men only and some night are for transexual lovers. But it is mostly open for everyone, women and men, solo's and couple's, bisexuals, straight, gays, cross dressers, transgenders, swingers, exhibitionists and fetishists. Tel: +31-20-4751981 Nassaukade 120, 1052 EC Amsterdam. Third swingers club is called Showboat and it is located in Zaandam 10 minutes away from central railway station. Lagedijk 328, 1544 BX Zaandijk, +31 75 622 2348. Huize Ria is a strip club, but also provides other services for the ladies. Located in Overtoom 558. 1054LN,Amsterdam.
Sleeping and Girl Friendly Hotels
Amsterdam has over 400 registered hotels of varying standards from budget facilities to some of the most expensive hotels in Europe. Advance booking is recommended, especially for weekends and holidays. Don't expect you'll find an affordable bed once you're here. Most hotels and hostels can be found in the Old Centre, notably south of central station, and in the South around the Museum Quarter. Charming boutique accommodation can be found in the wealthy residential Canal Ring, home to the rich and famous and its squares are the prime nightlife spots of the city. The Jordaan is another area for hip boutique accommodations, slightly upmarket, but still for mid-range prices. Some cheaper hostels can also be found in the red-light district.
A simple bed in a hostel starts around €15 on weekdays in the winter and up to €90 on a weekend in the summer. Hostels often expect you to book at least 2 nights in a weekend. A twin room in a budget hotel, 1-2 stars, might cost around €40 on weekdays in the winter and up to €100 on summer weekends. In a three and four star hotel, the prices would range from €100 to €200, depending on season, and five stars hotels can cost between €150 and €400 a night.
Do not expect a wide amount of services from cheaper end hostels and hotels. Most of these do not have elevators and have the usual steep staircases; if you suffer from vertigo, do get an assurance that you will be getting a first or second floor room or book a hotel that has an elevator.
Since the internet business started many Amsterdam visitors prefer book some hotels alternative such as holiday apartments and houseboats. There are several sites offering short term apartments. Here you can book your own apartment Amsterdam Stay [2]. A company specialized on accommodation offered by private owners (rooms, apartments and houseboats) is CityMundo [3]
See also: Global list of girl friendly hotels
Stay Safe
You should take normal precautions against pickpockets and baggage theft, especially in the main shopping streets, in trams and trains, at stations, and anywhere where tourists congregate. Street begging is no longer common in Amsterdam, since the police take a harder line. Some beggars are addicts, some are homeless, and some are both.
What looks like a footpath, especially along a canal bank, may be a bike lane. Bike lanes are normally marked by red/purple tiles or asphalt, and a bike icon on the ground. However, the colour fades over time, so you might miss the difference. Don't expect cyclists to be kind to pedestrians: some consider the side-walk an extension of the road, to be used when it suits them. Never stay or walk on the bike path or street for extended periods of time, as you will be greeted only by angry bell ringing. Keep in mind that for many Amsterdammers, the bike is their main means of transportation. For the bike theft problem see above, Get around.
Watch out for trams when crossing the street. Taxis are also allowed to use some tram lanes, and even if not allowed, they often use them anyway.
Groups of women visiting the Red Light District at night might feel harassed in the aggressive environment, though this is said to be the safest area because of the police presence. Keep to main streets and groups. Do not take photographs of the prostitutes!, you will be yelled at or worse.
Although not really dangerous, women especially might want to avoid the narrow lane north of the Oude Kerk (Old Church) after dark as the atmosphere can be quite intimidating.
Neighborhoods
Amsterdam is actually one of the safest cities in the world. International consultancy Mercer ranked Amsterdam 13 out of 215 world cities for personal safety in its 2010 Quality of Life Survey. [4]
Journeywoman.com calls Amsterdam 'female-friendly' and recommends it as a city where women travelling alone should feel comfortable and safe. [5]
However, there are differences between the neighborhoods. While it's filled with all types of people during the day, the Red Light District does attract seedier visitors and vagrants after sunset. You may want to avoid walking alone here or in parks at night.
The Bijlmer and Slotervaart in West still have a bad name regarding violence and harassment. With recent urban renewal projects, these neighborhoods have made significant progress in the last few years.
Cannabis and other drugs
It cannot be denied that many tourists come to Amsterdam for the coffeeshops. Coffeeshops (in English but written as one word) sell only soft drugs such as marijuana and hash - asking for other drugs is pointless because coffeeshops are watched closely by the authorities, and nothing will get them closed faster than having hard drugs for sale. 'Café' is the general name for a place licenced to sell alcohol: a bar.
Quality varies. Coffeeshops aimed at tourists are more likely to have overpriced and poor quality products. A simple rule of thumb is: if the place looks good and well-kept chances are their wares will be good as well. Don't just enter a coffeeshop being overwhelmed that it's possible at all to buy and consume cannabis openly: be discerning as to the quality.
If you're not a smoker, and you really want to try it, start with something light, make sure you don't have an empty stomach, and don't combine it with any other drugs or intoxicants, including alcohol. Be forthright with the counter person about your inexperience, they see it all the time. Go with an experienced person if you can. Regardless of the strength, your first experience can be quite a sensation at first, but will quickly decrease in intensity. You may want to plan to return to your hotel and "hole up" for a couple hours until you become comfortable with the feeling. If you do find yourself too strongly under the influence - feeling nauseated, woozey or faint - drink orange juice or eat something sweet like cookies or candy, and get fresh air. Dutch-grown nederwiet (a.k.a. super skunk) is much stronger than you might expect, even if you are experienced. The THC level can be as high as 15%, twice the norm (source: Trimbos Institute).
There's a small chance you will be approached by people offering to sell you hard drugs in the street, especially as you are walking through the Red Light District. Ignoring or failing that a firm refusal is enough - they will not pester you. The selling of drugs in the street is illegal and often dangerous; moreover the drugs sold to strangers are usually fake. When they invite you to see the goods, they can lure you into a narrow street and rob you.
So-called smartshops do not sell any illegal products, but a range of dietary supplements, including 'herbal exstacy' - a legal attempt at an ecstasy pill alternative which is a complete waste of money and various more or less obscure psychedelic herbs and despite a change in the law, one type of magic mushrooms. It is the latter which causes problems as people often underestimate their strength. Magic mushrooms have few physical risks attached to them, but can have a very strong short-acting psychological effect, which can either be great or very distressing, depending on your own mindset (e.g. if you are relaxed, have any serious worries, history of mental illness, etc.) and your surroundings (e.g. if you feel comfortable and safe in them). The first time you try this should always be in a familiar and trusted environment, not on the streets of an unfamiliar city. If you do decide to try it please get informed first. Conscious Dreams [6], the company who invented the entire concept of a 'smartshop' back in 1994 does this clearly (without downplaying the possible risks just to sell more like some other shops do) and responsibly. Also plan well ahead, make sure you have thought out where you will be, most recommended is going to a large park like the Vondelpark, the Rembrandtpark or the Amsterdamse Bos where it is quiet, and there is no risk from traffic. Make sure that being intoxicated will not endanger your safety, or that of anybody else. Be sure to make your purchase in the Smartshops rather than a regular coffeeshop. They are better regulated and information is available from the attendants that work there. They are also of better quality and stronger potency than at the coffeeshops.
If you're not sure of how much to take, take a small dose. Then you'll know what your "tolerance" level is. People who have bad trips are those who take a dosage over their own tolerance level. Never take more than one packet of mushrooms - usually half is good for your first time. A good smart shop can give you more info about this.
Do keep in mind that all hemp related products (except the seeds) are still illegal. This can be confusing for most tourists, who do think hemp products are legal since they are sold in coffeeshops. Hemp products are not legal, rather they are "tolerated" under the Dutch Opium Act. Read more about the legalities in the article about the Netherlands.
As of April 2009 you can still buy Magic mushrooms.
Amsterdam plays host to the Cannabis Cup, the most important marijuana related event in the world every year during the week of Thanksgiving. The Cannabis Cup is organized by High Times magazine, and offers both tourists and natives the chance to enjoy 5 days of consuming and judging marijuana in different forms. Participants are eligible to pay $199 in advance or €250 at the door to obtain a "judges pass", which allows entry to the event for all 5 days, admission to numerous concerts and seminars held during the event, the ability to vote on numerous awards that are handed out, and free bus tours to and from the event. Day passes are available for €30 for each day, and certain concerts sell tickets at the door provided they are not already sold out.
Attitudes
Many people choose to visit Amsterdam because of its reputation for tolerance, although part of this reputation is attributable to cultural misunderstandings. Prostitution is legalised and licensed in the Netherlands, and in Amsterdam it is very visible (window prostitution), and there are large numbers of prostitutes. The sale, possession, and consumption of small quantities of cannabis, while technically illegal, is tolerated by authorities (the policy of gedogen). This does not mean that you can get away with anything in Amsterdam. In any case, public attitudes and official policy have hardened in recent years. For more on coffeeshops and drugs, see below in Stay safe.
Depending on your viewpoint some people will consider Amsterdam an unwholesome city whereas other people will find their relaxed attitudes refreshing. If you avoid the red light district, Amsterdam is an excellent family destination.
According to a Eurobarometer report in 2012, 90% of the population speak English as a second language.
Get around Amsterdam
Amsterdam's centre is fairly small, and almost abnormally flat, so you can easily get to most tourist destinations on foot - from the train station, within half an hour.
Festivals
Amsterdam is a cultural haven with year-round festivals for every pocket.
- Queensday April 30: The national holiday, nominally in celebration of the Queen's birthday (in fact the previous Queen's birthday) is hard to describe to anyone who's never been there. The city turns into one giant mass of orange-dressed people (all Amsterdam locals, and another 1 million or so from throughout the country visit the parties in the city) with flea markets, bands playing, and many on-street parties, ranging from small cafes placing a few kegs of beer outside to huge open-air stages hosting world-famous DJ's. The Vondelpark is the place for children selling and performing. An experience you'll never forget. Normally held on April 30th, but if that is a Sunday, it is celebrated one day earlier (to avoid offence to orthodox Protestants). (in 2013, the 30th of April will be used as coronation day, because the new King will be crowned the 28th, but the festivities will also happen on the 30th. BEWARE: it is VERY crowded on this day, so MIND YOUR PURSE/WALLET. If you do not like crowds, go out of the city.)
- Gay Pride: [7]. Amsterdam gay pride on the first weekend in August. One of the biggest festivals in Amsterdam with parties, performances, workshops and a boat parade on the Prinsengracht on Saturday afternoon which is always well worth seeing.
- Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE): Usually held during the second last weekend in October, this electronic music annual festival gathers cream of the crop faces from the house and techno scenes. Buy your tickets in advance to avoid paying more at the door and queueing for hours on. Besides partying for four nights in a row, the conference offers workshops, seminars, presentations etc.
Coffeeshops
Amsterdam is renowned for its liberal drug policy. Coffeeshops, not to be confused with coffeehouses or cafes, are allowed to sell cannabis and hash for personal use (not more than 5 grams). While technically still illegal, mostly to comply to international treaties, personal use of (soft) drugs are regulated by the Ministry of Justice under an official policy of gedogen; literally this means to accept or tolerate, legally it is a doctrine of non-prosecution on the basis that action taken would be so highly irregular as to constitute selective prosecution. The city council of Amsterdam allows coffeeshops to operate only with the provision of set, non-transferable licenses as shown by an official green and white sticker on the window of a coffeeshop. Coffeeshops are to sell only soft drugs (such as cannabis), selling of other drugs is not allowed. Also selling of dried hallucinogenic mushrooms is not allowed.
That said, drug usage is increasingly being strictly controlled by the Dutch government. Garish advertising is not allowed (look for red-yellow-green rasta colors and the English word "coffeeshop"); no alcohol or edible cannabis products may be sold inside a coffeeshop; customers who want to smoke their weed mixed with tobacco are limited to special sealed 'smoking areas'; the amount of coffeeshops has decreased significantly since 1995; coffeeshops within a '250 meter school zone' have been closed down; and the usage of magic mushrooms has been forbidden since December 2008 (after two fatal incidents with foreign tourists).
Still there are about 250 coffeeshops in Amsterdam, most of them in the Old Centre. Prices hover around €7.50 for 1 gram, with the average joint holding around 0.33g and a 5g/person sales limit. Most coffeeshops are happy to recommend varieties and prepare your joint for you. Some offer vaporizers/inhalators for people who don't want to smoke.
Using (soft) drugs is not allowed in public places, though in reality it will never be an issue. Just stay away from children's playgrounds and schools. Many coffeeshops offer a 'smoking lounge' where soft drugs may be used. Also note that despite the confusion on the subject, the Netherlands-wide smoking ban applies only to tobacco. However, since the Dutch commonly smoke tobacco mixed with their marijuana or hash, many coffeeshops, especially those unaccustomed to tourists, may require all smoking to be done in a separated smoking section or outdoors (this is far more common in coffeeshops outside of Amsterdam). Most central coffeeshops with large tourist clienteles will allow marijuana or hash smoking in their entire space, requiring you to smoke in the separated section only if your joint contains tobacco. Many coffeeshops also provide a non-tobacco herbal filler for those who find pure joints too strong. You may usually smoke joints containing this herbal filler anywhere within the coffeeshop although individual house rules may vary. If in doubt, always ask the staff.
- Bulldog, [8]. Chain of touristy coffeeshops.
- Grey Area. Tiny, but famous for their outstanding weed, especially "American" strains.
- The Bluebird - one of the best selections of pot in Amsterdam.
- De Kuil (420 Cafe)
- Global Chillage - Good produce and nice tunes but uncomfortable seating.
- Barney's [9]. Multiple Cannabis Cup winner.
- Kadinsky - 2 coffeshops, across the smaller one (at Damrak) is the "Kadinsky Bar" where you can order alcohol & smoke your goods.
- Hill Street Blues - lively atmosphere but buy cannabis elsewhere.
- Coffeeshop Relax, [10]. Cozy coffeeshop with homely relaxed atmosphere in the nicest neighborhood of Amsterdam's Jordaan.
- Club Media - Completely organic menu, fair selection, good prices, lovely staff, free fruit!
- Katsu - Just around the corner from Media, good prices + nice atmosphere.
- The Greenhouse - usually pretty crowded but when warm or if you can get a seat definitely one of the nice coffeeshops near the red light. Also has a bar next door.
- De Dampkring - three locations, bought out Pink Floyd and renovated it. Original shop featured in a scene in Ocean's 12. Very decent hashish ("Rifman" products), rather high prices.
- De Kroon.
- Abraxas.
- Homegrown Fantasy.
- The Jungle (Het Oerwoud) - Good selection of pre-rolled joints sorted on strength (from beginner to expert). Has two pool tables.
- The Otherside. - Gay coffeeshop.
- Betty Too - Absolute gem, cozy and friendly place with moderate prizes and interesting, international crowd.
See Also
- Netherlands, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht
- Belgium, Brussels
- Germany, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Hamburg, Berlin
- Prostitution in the Netherlands, Dutch Sex Phrasebook
- Age of consent in Netherlands
- Prostitution | Street prostitution | Global prostitution prices
- Sex topics & Phrasebooks | Sex worker | Prostitute types
- Red-light district | List of red-light districts all over the world
- Brothel | Escort agency | Call girl | Erotic massage | Strip club
- How to Behave in Strip Clubs | Massage Parlor Etiquette
- Sex tourism | Sex industry | Countries with most prostitutes
- Sex vocabulary & Abbreviations | Humorous sexual terms
- Gay | Lesbian | Gay and lesbian travel | Bisexuality | Shemale
- Age of consent | Stay safe | Scams | Safe sex | STD | HIV/AIDS
