De Wallen: Top Outdoor Activities in Amsterdam’s Red Light District

Alright, so you’re thinking about swinging by De Wallen, which is very well known as Amsterdam’s Red Light District? It’s obviously not just neon lights and late-night establishments, too; it’s actually got very deep history and surprisingly offers a variety of outdoor activities that, in a way, let you experience a different side to Amsterdam hidden gems. Let’s have a gander at the top five things you can do outside in De Wallen that will leave you with stories, too. Get ready for some cool adventures.

Canal Tours: Floating Through History

Possibly, one of the greatest ways to experience Amsterdam, too, is from the water, so canal tours are the top of the list. Just imagine gliding along canals that have been there since the 17th century, past gabled houses and underneath storybook bridges gabled houses. In some respects, some tours provide interesting historical tidbits about De Wallen. Very different than what you’d learn just by walking around. Usually, you can hop on a tour from several spots close by Central Station and, I think, a few even offer nighttime tours that will allow you to see the Red Light District with a completely different feel. Very striking against the dark sky.

Walking Tours: Stories in Every Stone

Basically, if you favor getting around on foot, then look into a guided walking tour. So many companies provide walking tours which actually center just around the Red Light District, very much focusing on its history, culture and the people who live and work there walking tour. Usually, a great guide can point out stuff that you definitely would never notice yourself, and then they fill you in on the local stories and, I mean, lore behind it all. I find it’s almost like they take you back through time, and the stories spring to life!

Oude Kerk: Discovering Tranquility

You will find the Oude Kerk which is thought of as the “Old Church,” basically right in the middle of De Wallen. Anyway, it’s Amsterdam’s oldest building, which is quite something, dating all the way back to the 13th century, in fact. It may seem odd to pop into a very historic church when there is plenty of the Red Light District’s obvious adult entertainment to experience adult entertainment, however, it’s really very much worth it. That’s to say, you can have a stroll in the surrounding square, check out the church’s amazing architecture, or just find a bench, too, and do a bit of people-watching. Plus, the church hosts regular exhibits and concerts, that, actually, add a totally different layer to your visit.

Street Art Exploration: Art Amongst the Action

As a matter of fact, De Wallen is a living canvas. So if you go, you’ll see awesome street art. That is because artists, that is, often unknown, leave marks around the area. Just explore side streets plus less-traveled alleyways. This is where some impressive murals plus stencils are often. Seeing how creatives showcase concepts where anything can happen street art usually lets guests relate to what they’re checking out in ways they would never dream.

Window Shopping (Responsibly): An Open-Air Exhibition

Alright, in a way, “window shopping” may sound odd, however, it is one of the most typical outdoor activities, you know, in De Wallen. I mean, so it should be done respectfully, yet viewing the window displays gives insights regarding the district. Seeing various setups behind windows, which very many sex workers inhabit daily, very much can change concepts of day-to-day things like profession, plus life day-to-day life. Even if somebody never thought to analyze those views formerly, seeing window shopping unfold changes that.