Next to Amsterdam's rail hub, Centraal Station, De Wallen is the city's oldest neighborhood, with most buildings (such as its oldest remaining, the Oude Kerk) dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. It's also infamous as being home to one of the world's most famous legal red-light districts, with sex shops, erotic theaters/peep shows, strip clubs, brothels, and most famously "window brothels" like this one, rented out by prostitutes in shifts, where they display themselves behind picture windows or in doorway. Some tour operators even run tours of the district, and one of them AmsterdamRedLightDistrictTour.com, has published a pretty good description of its various features and attractions.


(Thijs Paanakker)