Amsterdam’s red-light district, also known as De Wallen, is famous for its brothels, sex shows, and peep shows, and these attractions are deeply embedded in the city’s history. For decades, the allure of the red neon lights, the casual yet energetic atmosphere, and the unmistakable sense of eroticism have drawn visitors from all over the world. Whether it’s curiosity or the desire for an “only-in-Amsterdam” experience, the district’s peep shows remain a must-visit.
History of Peep Shows in Amsterdam
The origin of Amsterdam’s red-light district, or De Wallen, dates back to the early 14th century when the port city became a hub of trade and international movement. With sailors arriving from all over the world, the need for entertainment and leisure grew, and the district evolved to meet those demands. By the 1960s and 70s, Amsterdam’s liberal attitudes toward sex and adult entertainment gave birth to the peep show phenomenon.
Peep shows became popular as a discreet way for people to engage in voyeurism without direct interaction. Unlike live sex shows or brothels, peep shows allowed patrons to view performances from behind small booths, preserving anonymity while offering an intimate experience. Amsterdam’s peep shows reached their peak popularity during the 1980s and 90s, coinciding with the boom in tourism.
Today, with the advent of digital pornography and shifting social trends, the number of peep shows has dwindled, leaving only one remaining establishment—Sex Palace. However, this lone venue serves as a nostalgic reminder of Amsterdam’s rich and unapologetically bold adult entertainment history.
Cultural Significance of Peep Shows
Peep shows in Amsterdam have long been a symbol of the city’s progressive and pragmatic stance on sex, but their significance runs much deeper than just adult entertainment. To understand their cultural role today, you have to look back at how it all started — and how far it’s come.
Amsterdam’s Red Light District has roots stretching back to the 14th century, when sailors would arrive at the port looking for pleasure, comfort, and escape after long voyages. Prostitution existed openly in the city for centuries, and rather than push it underground, Dutch authorities took a different approach: regulate it, monitor it, and protect the people involved. That mindset laid the foundation for what the area would become.
Peep shows began appearing in the 1960s and 70s, during a time when adult cinema was surging across Europe. In true Amsterdam fashion, they were introduced as part of a broader movement toward sexual liberation and personal freedom. Unlike in other cities, where these venues were hidden behind unmarked doors or down back alleys, Amsterdam brought them into the open. Neon signs flashed proudly, and tourists began flowing in, curious not just about the shows themselves, but about the idea that such openness could even exist.
By the 1980s and 90s, peep shows had become iconic. Booths with rotating stages, coin-operated windows, and live performers turned into tourist attractions — but also maintained a level of professionalism and safety rarely seen elsewhere. Workers were protected under Dutch law, and the district functioned as a legal, regulated hub for adult entertainment.
But in recent years, the story has shifted.
While peep shows remain part of the Red Light District, they are no longer the centerpiece. Today, the area is as much about cultural exploration as it is about sex. Amsterdam’s Red Light District is also home to centuries-old canal houses, art galleries, boutique hotels, quirky museums, and — yes — some of the best coffee shops in the world. The famous cobbled streets are filled with bikers, families, and curious travelers who may never even step inside an adult venue.
The peep shows that do remain are fewer but more tourist-friendly. Venues like Casa Rosso and Moulin Rouge lean into performance and spectacle, offering cabaret-style shows that blend eroticism with art and humor. It’s less about shock and more about experience now. Some visitors go just to say they’ve seen it, others leave surprised by how comfortable and safe it all felt.
What makes Amsterdam different is its ability to integrate the controversial into the everyday. The Red Light District isn’t some dark secret — it’s a living, breathing part of the city that represents freedom, expression, and a refusal to judge. Sex work is legal, peep shows are regulated, and the people involved are treated like professionals, not criminals.
And while the neon glow still draws crowds, today’s visitors often stay for more than just the show. They sip coffee by the canal, rent bikes to explore hidden streets, or grab a space cake at a nearby coffee shop. The Red Light District has evolved into a place where sexuality, history, and tourism intersect — and peep shows are just one layer of that complex identity.
So yes, the booths are still there. But so are 17th-century churches, local bakeries, and museum tours about the district’s history. The cultural significance of peep shows today isn’t just about what’s happening behind the glass — it’s about what Amsterdam has always stood for: openness, honesty, and the freedom to choose your own path.
Is It Safe and Respectful to Visit?
Before I ever set foot in Amsterdam’s red-light district, I had a ton of questions. Was it safe? Was I going to offend someone just by being there? Would I even know how to act?
Turns out, it felt safer than a lot of other tourist-heavy areas I’ve been to. There were security cameras everywhere, police on patrol, and most of the people wandering around were just curious tourists like me. But even though it felt relaxed, there’s an unspoken code you quickly learn to follow — and it’s important that you do.
The biggest rule? Don’t take photos or videos of the workers. Ever.
You’ll see signs everywhere reminding you, but even if you don’t, just know it’s taken seriously. The women behind the windows are there to work, not to become part of your vacation slideshow. I saw one guy pull out his phone, and within seconds, he was being confronted by a security guard and told to delete the footage. He was lucky it didn’t get worse.
If you’re dying to capture the atmosphere, do it discreetly — and never directly at the windows or the workers. I’ve seen people using video glasses or body cams to get general footage of the street, but even that felt risky. Personally, I chose to just take mental snapshots instead.
What really struck me was how professional everything felt. The workers carry themselves with confidence. Some smile and wave to passersby, others stay behind tinted glass until a potential client comes along. Either way, they’re in control. It felt less like a chaotic party zone and more like an adult marketplace with boundaries.
I didn’t go into any of the windows myself, but I did check out a peep show and one of the live theaters out of curiosity. If you decide to go, go with an open mind and a respectful attitude. Don’t treat it like a joke or a dare. The performers on stage aren’t just there to entertain — they’re working. Just like any job, they deserve dignity and basic respect.
So yes, it’s safe. And yes, you can absolutely go as a solo traveler or with friends and have a good time. Just remember: this isn’t a theme park. It’s a real place where real people are doing real work. Respect that, and you’ll be fine.
My Amsterdam Peep Show Tour
When we visited Amsterdam with a couple of friends, we found ourselves gravitating back to the infamous Red Light District far more often than we had anticipated. What started as a casual curiosity quickly turned into something much more—an exploration of an entirely different culture that was unlike anything we had ever experienced before. Every corner seemed to reveal something new, from the neon-lit windows to the groups of tourists wandering through the narrow streets in awe.
It was almost surreal to see how openly everything was displayed, how casually people would stroll past windows where women were advertising their services as if it were no different from window shopping for clothes. The mix of locals and tourists, all moving through the same maze of lights, was fascinating in itself. Some were laughing and taking it all in with wide eyes, while others seemed like regulars, walking confidently through the district as if it were just another day.
The whole experience felt both exhilarating and bizarre. It was like walking through an alternate reality where taboos didn’t exist. The sheer number of men knocking on the windows and then disappearing behind the curtains was staggering. I remember standing there, watching one guy nervously glance around before finally tapping on a window, the woman behind the glass motioning him inside. It all happened so fast, so casually, that it felt almost unreal.
Even though we didn’t partake in any of the window services, we were still intrigued by the whole atmosphere. After a while, we decided to take it a step further and check out an Amsterdam peep show—because if you’re going to immerse yourself in the Red Light District, why not go all the way, right? It’s one of those things you just have to do for the experience. Of course, I want to clarify that it was Adela who was really pushing for it, and I, being the good friend that I am, didn’t want to disappoint her. So, off we went, armed with curiosity and a handful of euros.
As we walked toward the infamous “Sex Palace,” the excitement was mixed with a touch of nervous laughter. The bright neon lights flickered overhead as we approached, and the air was thick with the distinct smells of the district. We made our way inside, not quite knowing what to expect but fully prepared for a story we’d be telling for years to come.
Once inside, we were greeted with sensory overload—bright flashing lights, posters of scantily clad women, and the unmistakable sound of coin slots clinking as people fed the machines for their two-minute peep show. It was an odd combination of amusement and awkwardness. The concept of stepping into a tiny booth, feeding the machine, and watching a live performance was strange enough. But seeing the audience—people you could just barely make out through the glass, doing the same thing as you—gave the whole experience an unexpectedly communal feeling.
We could barely contain our laughter as we entered the booth, the anticipation building as we dropped our coins into the slot. When the curtain lifted, the show began, and while it was everything we expected it to be—seductive, titillating, and undeniably voyeuristic—it was also something we hadn’t quite anticipated: funny. Yes, funny. Maybe it was the surreal nature of it all, or perhaps it was just seeing our friends through the other side of the glass, cracking up as the performer made her rounds. Either way, it became more of a shared joke than anything else, a bonding experience that we could laugh about for the rest of the trip.
Visiting the Amsterdam peep show
Much to our surprise, there is only one Amsterdam peep show left in the whole city back in 2012!
The very name initially “Sex Palace” is situated on the banks of one of the main canals in the heart of the red-light district on Oudezijds Achterburgwal Street. Walking under the neon flashing lights into the entranceway, your senses are assaulted by sights, sounds, and disturbing smell.
All around the walls are posters and screens showing ladies in various states of undress and positions. A whiteboard lists the movies you can rent out for your viewing pleasure in one of the many private booths. But we were only there for one thing:
The circular structure sits slightly to the left of the entrance with a dozen small doors along its walls.
Those small doors lead into equally small rooms no larger than a traditional UK phone box. A small covered viewing window blocks your view forward.
The money box clinging to the wall to operate the viewing window only accepts coins. But don’t worry if you only have notes as they handily have a large coin machine dishing out 2 euro coins for ease of watching.
Once you close the door and chuck in your money, the viewing window pops open for 2 minutes and allows you to view the large, slowly rotating stage on which a scantily dressed woman displays herself. She could have represented any country in the upcoming Olympics with her flexibility!
I was cracking up laughing the entire time I was in there because you can just make out the rest of the “audience” in the opposite booths. I even got a little wave and smile as the girl slowly revolved past my window.
The Amsterdam peep show was a little bit creepy. But even though we were there late on a Saturday night, the booths were making a roaring trade. From the hen parties to the couples, nearly everyone else was there for the same reason as us. To check out one or two rounds before heading back into the night giggling like school girls at a sleepover at what we had just done.
On the other hand, the shifty-eyed single men skulked away to their respective viewing windows again and again with pockets full of coins.
If you ever get the chance, we highly recommend taking the plunge and visiting an Amsterdam peep show. Just make sure that you are always respectful of the women in the performances and the ones on the streets!
Top 10 Peep Shows and Adult Entertainment Spots in Amsterdam (2025)
Amsterdam’s Red Light District has changed a lot over the years, but it still offers a wild mix of the unexpected. Peep shows used to be on every corner — now, only one remains. Still, that old-school vibe lives on through unique sex shows, creative venues, and some pretty unforgettable nightlife. Here are my top picks for 2025:
Sex Palace Peep Show
This is the last true peep show in Amsterdam, and it’s as authentic as it gets. You pop a coin in, step into a tiny booth, and get a couple of minutes of live entertainment. It’s simple, gritty, and kind of charming in a retro way. If you’re curious about the roots of Amsterdam peep shows, this is the place to start.Casa Rosso Erotic Theatre
One of the most iconic adult venues in the city. The performances are live, often a bit theatrical, and switch up constantly so you never really know what you’re walking into. It’s touristy, but in a fun, you-won’t-forget-this kind of way.Moulin Rouge Amsterdam
This place has a burlesque vibe but with much more intensity. The shows are raunchy and raw, and there’s no sugarcoating it. Think of it as a stage show that doesn’t hold back.Club BonTon
Sleek, modern, and a little upscale. This is where you go if you want a more polished strip club experience. They have private rooms and table service, and it doesn’t feel like a dive at all. Definitely more high-end than your typical Red Light haunt.Coqtales Male Strip Show (For Women)
If you’re looking for something more empowering and playful, this is the spot. It’s geared toward women and bachelorette parties, and it leans into humor, flirtation, and crowd interaction. More cheeky than sleazy.5D Porn Cinema
This is one of the weirdest, coolest spots I visited. You strap into a moving seat, put on 3D glasses, and watch an adult movie complete with wind, light, and other “sensory” surprises. It’s ridiculous, immersive, and something you’ll talk about for days.Bananenbar
Yes, it’s as wild as it sounds. Inside, you’ll find dancers incorporating bananas into their performances in ways you probably didn’t think were possible. Drinks are usually included in the cover, and the whole vibe is cheeky and over-the-top.Hospital Bar
Fully themed with beds, nurses, and plenty of pole action. It’s part nightclub, part performance, part fantasy. Not subtle at all, but that’s kind of the point.La Vie en Proost
This one’s a quieter, more traditional gentlemen’s club. It doesn’t try to impress with gimmicks, but if you’re into lap dances and a more intimate vibe, it’s a solid choice.Sexy Loo
Technically a restroom—but not just any restroom. It’s decorated in over-the-top adult themes, has music, lights, and yes, a mirror you probably shouldn’t look too closely at. It’s a fun, strange stop on your way through the district.