De Wallen is as infamous as they come regarding the central neighborhoods in
Amsterdam. This is where you'll find the city's notorious red-light district, one of the biggest and most well-known on the planet. You truly have and will probably never see any other place quite like in—sex is on full display and practically shown off for all the world to see. This alone should tell you that De Wallen is not worth checking out, right? Well, that's wrong! There's a lot to expect in this fascinating neighborhood beyond the brothels and erotic shops. It's high time you explore De Wallen for yourself!
Where is De Wallen in Amsterdam
De Wallen is right at the heart of the old center of Amsterdam. Located within the city center, not only is it one of
Amsterdam's central neighborhoods, but it's also in one of the most central parts of the capital. The district itself even has some of the city's famous canals flowing through it, further proving that it's an area that's hard to avoid if you're in the city center. Infamous though it may be, its location still draws many people to settle down here, especially since it's not too far from places like Jordaan, Marken, and Negen Straatjes, to name a few.
Is De Wallen, Amsterdam Safe?
Yes, it is. This may come as a surprise since De Wallen is Amsterdam's infamous red-light district, but the area is generally a safe place. It may attract some sketchy characters at night, but they're mostly within the red-light establishments. The rest of the neighborhood is still safe overall, regardless of the time of day. And as for why this is, it's important to note that
Amsterdam's crime rates were never that high to begin with. With a general crime rate that rarely goes above 30%, all of the city's neighborhoods are bound to be safe. Even its red-light district!
What's The Vibe in De Wallen, Amsterdam?
Don't let De Wallen's notoriety fool you. Yes, this place has the city's red-light district, but not only is the neighborhood safer than what many believe it is, it's also a lively area where the working class thrives. During the day, when the cabarets, sex shops, and brothels' lights are down, De Wallen is a fairly normal city district with great eateries, charming hotspots, and the like. You might not even recognize it with how
normal it looks, and this is why many people still consider settling down here when they
move to Amsterdam.
Is it Expensive in De Wallen, Amsterdam?
Is it really any surprise that De Wallen is one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Amsterdam? Not only is it a fairly famous tourist spot, but it's still right by the city center. Any area within the Dutch capital's central canal ring is bound to be pricey, and that's on top of the fact that
Amsterdam's living costs were fairly high to begin with. To provide some context, let's look at how much it costs to eat out in the area. The average price for a meal in De Wallen, Amsterdam, is already about €15.00 to €35.00 per person in inexpensive restaurants. What more if you dine in a more upscale spot?
What to See in De Wallen, Amsterdam
Regardless of what you think about it or not, De Wallen is still worth exploring for its fascinating red-light district alone. It's such a unique neighborhood where red-light establishments are out in the open, practically for all the world to see. You truly won't find anything quite like it anywhere else in the world! However, if you prefer to browse the district's more family-friendly sights, there's still the National Monument and the 14th-century Oude Kerk church, to name a few. Don't forget about the scenic canals that are always a pleasant sight to see in this city!
What to Do in De Wallen, Amsterdam
De Wallen is still one of those scenic neighborhoods in Amsterdam where a stroll is enough to take in the area. It's even unique in that most stroll here at night instead of during the day. The crimson glow of its red-light district never fails to draw in anyone curious about the city's darker and naughtier side. Nevertheless, De Wallen is still very lovely during the day, too. It's a great place to ride your bike along the canal, visit the charming cafes nearby, and take in the idyllic beauty that the Dutch capital is known for.
De Wallen's Best Restaurants in Amsterdam
It's worth reminding everyone, even locals, that De Wallen also has amazing places to eat. It's easy to get distracted by its notorious red-light district, but let's not forget that this is still a central district in Amsterdam. Much like many other neighborhoods nearby, De Wallen also boasts popular eateries, cool cafes, and even some of
Amsterdam's best Michelin-starred restaurants! The Pancakehouse Upstairs on Grimburgwal, for example, is a great place to enjoy brunch with friends. Mata Hari on Oudezijds Achterburgwal, on the other hand, is a chic gastropub that specializes in European cuisine. Both of these and any of De Wallen's awesome hotspots listed below are a must-try!
- Pancakehouse Upstairs on Grimburgwal
The Pantry on Leidsekruisstraat
- Restaurant Flore in De L'Europe on Nieuwe Doelenstraat
- Dal Pagliaccio on Oudebrugsteeg
- Mata Hari on Oudezijds Achterburgwal
- Restaurant Bellezza on Oudezijds Achterburgwal
- Dabka on Oudezijds Kolk
- Saint Morris Argentinian Restaurant on Oudezijds Voorburgwal
- Secret Garden on Reguliersdwarsstraat
- Het Karbeel on Warmoesstraat
What to Know About Renting in De Wallen, Amsterdam
Renting a luxury apartment in Amsterdam is generally expensive, and De Wallen is one of those neighborhoods that proves that. The average rent here is about €2,100.00, regardless of the size and location of the property. So that means that it's common to find a small studio apartment that will already cost you about €2,100.00. How's that for expensive? Fortunately, De Wallen's rental real estate market is diverse enough that it's not that hard to find a bigger place that'll cost less than the average price. You simply have to look hard to find the right home for you!
De Wallen is the most infamous neighborhood in Amsterdam. Home to the city’s red-light district, it’s still worth exploring beyond its notoriety. You’d be surprised at how you might view the district afterward.
