To not want to go to the red light district

[Filletsteak]

Going to Amsterdam next week with my partner. We've both said we have no interest in going to the red light district. Told friends this and they laughed and said we were being daft as it's a tourist attraction. Also they said it's pretty unavoidable, is this true?

I personally don't see prostitutes stood in windows as an attraction I need to tick off. Am I being silly? Surely there's plenty in Amsterdam to see and do that doesn't include that. Just don't understand why it's seen as socially acceptable to visit?

I spent a week in Amsterdam a couple of summers ago, and never went there.

I think that the bus tours are always a good option when visiting a city for just a short break.

I agree - gives you a good idea of the layout and where the main sites are.

I've been to Amsterdam recently to see an exhibition and you can avoid them if you want to. They are mostly in one area. I have seen them. They are all confident looking attractive women but the men outside were behaving like pigs and that's an insult to pigs. It was full of guys on stag do's mostly braying like donkeys.

The problem with the bus tours in Amsterdam is that they can’t go into much of the canal ring. I’d agree otherwise, we’ve done them elsewhere and they’ve been great for getting our bearings.

They do the central station down the Dam, round the museum quarter etc. Combine it with a canal boat tour and you get a really good idea of where things are.

Its just a street. Don't walk that way if you dont want to easily avoidable

I’d recommend the Dignita cafes - https://eatwelldogood.nl/en/

They’re part of a social enterprise that provides training to people who have been trafficked to support them into new lives. The food is lovely too. There are a couple of locations across the city including some near to the main tourist sites.

Been to Amsterdam a few times, if you want to go to the Van Gogh museum or Anne Frank’s house best off looking for tickets well in advance as when we recently went we looked the day before and everything was fully booked.

You can absolutely avoid it . I've been to Amsterdam many times and done all the touristy things and only been to the LRD twice . So there is no need to experience it if not needed .

If you decide to go then beware of pickpockets etc. It can become very busy at night which makes it an ideal place for thieves and others to operate. This is no reflection on Amsterdam at all ! It's just typical for any city and especially those popular with tourists.

You're also not allowed to stop and stare at the windows or photograph/ video anything . You will be abruptly moved on .

Nope, I wouldn’t go look either, no different from wanting to go look at a factory using child labour on your holiday in my opinion.

YANBU. I was put right off myself when my eyelash lady went with her boyfriend and a prostitute went up to him being all over him and telling him she was better than his girlfriend (who was stood right there) and could provide him with a good time

@minnieot See I can’t imagine feeling jealous if a prostitute approached my husband like that. I’d actually just be really sad and worried for her that she didn’t have any better options in life than that (or worse- that she wasn’t really doing it by choice).

It is avoidable. A couple of the best things to see: The Hidden Church in the Attic and The Oude Kerk are completely in the middle of it though.

Having said that DH managed to wander along not noticing and I had practically avoided it until I saw a street stall I needed eye bleach for.

It's not the red light district that is the problem TBH - in the Oude Kerk they are very clear both the district and the church have been there since the founding of the city, it's all the sex shops aimed at stag dos.

Don't be silly OP, it is not sleazy at all. It's part of The Netherlands shopping experience. A man can go in and buy a woman like he buys his shoes or a new tie.

He can browse the different types on offer in the windows. Take the piss with his mates over ones he considers too ugly, muse over those he fancies and then opt for the one he decides to buy. You will be fine to walk down these streets with the male shoppers. They are only treating themselves while on their hols.