As one of the city’s most famous neighbourhoods, experiencing the infamous red light district is a must on any visit to Amsterdam.
The Dutch capital’s red light district is perhaps the most-well known district of its kind in the entire world, famous for its provocative sex culture.
However, the area has more going for it than just prostitution, and has many activities well suited to young adults.
From exploring the cannabis museum to trying your hand at a nude painting workshop, continue reading for a list of 19 things to do in the Amsterdam red light district for young adults.
1. Red Light Secrets Museum
Experience the world’s only museum about prostitution, the Red Light Secrets Museum.
In the heart of Amsterdam’s red light district is where you’ll find this hidden gem.
It serves to teach visitors about the ins and outs of the infamous profession.
By the end of the visit, you’ll have heard first-hand accounts from the working women and learned everything there is to know about the industry.
For an extra dose of history, the museum is set inside a canal house that dates back to the 17th century.
It is the perfect introduction for young adults looking to learn about the prominent Amsterdam district.
Tour details
- Duration: 1 hour
- Address:Oudezijds Achterburgwal 60h, 1012 DP Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Inclusions: Entry fees, booklet about the district, Inga’s personal audio stories
2. Amsterdam’s Top Nightclubs
If you went to Amsterdam and didn’t party, did you really experience the city?
This two day nightclub tour of Amsterdam takes you to all the best party spots in the city.
Clubs you’ll be visiting include Club Smokey, Club Amsterdamned, Club Hartje, and Club Candela.
More than just clubs, you’ll be taken to the Hard Rock Café and the Holland Casino.
Plus, you won’t have to worry about a thing.
All entry fees and plenty of alcoholic beverages are included in the price, ensuring you can have a hassle-free time.
Tour details
- Duration: 2 days
- Departure Point: Panama
- Inclusions: Entry fees, free shots/drinks, free makeup touch up, 10 euro credits at Uber & UberEats
3. Amsterdam Tour with Former Sex Workers
Spend an evening in the most exclusive sex club in all of the Netherlands.
The Bonton is open for tours so you and your friends can enjoy an authentic red light district club experience.
You’ll travel through the entire building with a guide by your side.
The VIP rooms, changing rooms, and bathrooms are all part of the tour.
At the end, you’ll get to chat with some of the sex club workers.
Guests will also learn about the history of the building and prostitution in Amsterdam.
Tour details
- Duration: 1 hour
- Departure Point: Stadhouderskade 64, 1072 AD Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Inclusions: Guided tour
4. Venustempel Sex Museum
Amsterdam’s famous Venustempel Sex Museum is the first museum of its kind in the world.
Great for a group of young adults, this exclusive museum tour will show you all kinds of erotic artefacts.
Paintings, sculptures, statues, recordings, and photographs are all on display at the Venustempel Sex Museum.
The museum is divided into exhibits, which were all personally curated by the owner of the museum who opened it in 1985.
Over 500,000 people visit this museum each year, and for good reason.
In addition to the artifacts inside, the museum is located in one of the city’s historic 17th century buildings.
Inclusions for most tours
- Local guide
- Private tour
- Entry fees
5. Amsterdam Dungeon
Learn about the dark side of Amsterdam’s past through this 1 hour Amsterdam Dungeon experience.
If you’re a fan of haunted houses, you’ll love this.
In the Amsterdam Dungeon, you’ll find 11 actors reenacting spooky stories from the city’s history.
Some of the stories go back as far as 500 years.
This interactive theatrical show is not to be missed, especially for young adults.
With both funny and frightening moments, there’s something for everyone.
Tour details
- Duration: 1 hour
- Address: The Amsterdam Dungeon, Rokin 78, 1012 KW Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- Inclusions: Entry fee
6. Coffee and Cannabis Walking Tour
In addition to the red light district, Amsterdam is known for its cannabis coffee shops.
This two hour walking tour will take you to some of the most popular coffee shops in the city.
You’ll learn about coffee culture and how it’s intertwined with the history of marijuana legalisation in Amsterdam.
Tours begin at Dam Palace, one of the oldest coffee shops around.
From there, you’ll walk to three other coffee shops and an Irish pub.
You’ll even have an opportunity to sample some local street food on Reguliersdwarsstraat.
Tour details
- Duration: 2 hours
- Departure Point: Dam 4, 1012 NP Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Inclusions: Snacks, local guide
7. Hash, Marihuana & Hemp Museum
Young adults are sure to love this tour of Amsterdam’s Hash, Marihuana & Hemp Museum.
An audio tour will teach you about the past, present, and future of the cannabis plant.
The museum houses a variety of rare artifacts, each of which relates to some aspect of cannabis culture.
The curator of the museum spent over 40 years collecting these items.
They ultimately tell the story of cannabis’ versatility, and how it’s been used for so many different purposes over the years.
In addition to prints and antiques, the Hash, Marihuana & Hemp Museum contains original paintings by 17th century artists David Teniers, Cornelis Decker, and Herman Saftleven.
Tour details
- Duration: 1-3 hours
- Address: Oudezijds Achterburgwal 148, 1012 DV Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- Inclusions: Audio tour, entry fees
8. Nude Painting Workshop
Combining the red light district and art comes this nude painting workshop.
Try your hand at painting in one of the city’s trendiest locales.
Respected as one of the great forms of painting throughout history, this workshop will allow you to learn how to paint a nude person.
The nude model will be present for one hour.
At the beginning of the workshop, the experienced instructor will teach you the basic techniques of painting with charcoal.
From there, it’s time to channel your inner Rembrandt and create a masterpiece!
Tour details
- Duration: 2 hours
- Inclusions: Experienced instructor, materials/supplies, alcoholic beverages, nude model
9. Red Light District Food Tour
Foodies, this one’s for you!
Although the red light district has gained prominence for its sex culture, the area also has some incredible food.
This two hour food tour will show you a new side of the district.
The tour will begin with stops at some of the biggest attractions in Amsterdam – the Old Church, China Town, the city’s first coffee shop, and the narrowest street of the city.
From there, you’ll learn about food culture in the Netherlands from your expert guide.
To cap things off, you’ll be able to indulge in three Dutch food tastings: kroket, Dutch cheese, and stroopwafel.
Tour details
- Duration: 2 hours
- Departure Point: Amsterdam Centraal, Stationsplein, 1012 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Inclusions: Snacks
10. Cocktail Workshop
The ultimate way to spend a night with your friends in Amsterdam is by becoming a mixologist.
This cocktail workshop will teach you the tricks of the trade when it comes to the art of mixology.
You’ll have an expert bartender guiding you every step of the way as you create cocktails of your choice.
And guess what – you get to drink what you make!
You’ll be able to experiment with different flavours and spirits or perfect a classic like the mojito.
This is a great group activity, especially for a younger crowd.
Tour details
- Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Departure Point: Private room above Pacifico Restaurant
- Inclusions: Alcohol and ingredients, 3 cocktails, professional bartender
11. XtraCold Icebar
Spend your evening drinking at one of the coolest places in Amsterdam – literally.
This freezing bar, called XtraCold Ice Bar, is one of the most unique spots in the city.
The bar maintains a temperature of -10 degrees celsius and everything inside is made out of ice.
Three drinks are complimentary on tours.
You’ll also receive a complimentary thermal coat to ensure you stay warm while in this icy bar.
Plus, there is a hip “warm” area of the bar in case you need a break from the cold.
Tour details
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Departure Point: Amstel 194, 1017 AG Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Inclusions: A welcome drink, WiFi, entry fee, special clothing, 2 freezing flavoured shots or beer
12. Red Light District Pub Crawl
Partying in Amsterdam?
Yes, please!
If there’s one European city known for its wild nightlife, it’s definitely the Dutch capital.
This red light district pub crawl will allow you and your friends to experience one of the best aspects of Amsterdam: its many bars and clubs.
This walking tour will introduce you to other young travelers so you can make new friends.
Plus, you’ll be treated to free drinks at every stop that your professional tour guide makes.
Tour details
- Duration: 6 hours
- Inclusions: 6 free drinks, souvenir t-shirt for the ladies, professional guide
13. Beer Bike Tour
This Beer Bike Tour is one of the most fun ways to experience Amsterdam.
Up to 15 people are invited to hop aboard the Beer Bike where 20 litres of beer and prosecco are served.
You can guarantee that you’ll be refreshed all day long!
An experienced driver will take you everywhere you want to go.
This is the ideal tour for larger groups, such as bachelor or bachelorette parties.
See Amsterdam in a new way!
Tour details
- Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Departure Point: Piet Heinkade 95a
- Departure Time: 6:00 pm
- Inclusions: Driver/guide, 20 litres of beer and prosecco
14. Heineken Experience
Are you a beer lover?
Then no trip to Amsterdam is complete without visiting the Heineken Experience.
Learn everything there is to know about this famous beer.
The interactive museum is housed in Heineken’s first ever brewery.
You’ll discover Heineken’s brewing process, its four ingredients, and get to relax in the tasting room.
Finish off the tour by sipping on two complimentary Heineken beers.
Tour details
- Duration: 2 hours
- Address: Stadhouderskade 78, 1072 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Inclusions: Entry fees, 2 drinks
15. House of Bols
Sip on a cocktail at the famous House of Bols.
This cocktail and Genever experience is not to be missed, especially by young adults.
An interactive experience for all, you’ll enter the world of cocktails, liqueurs, and of course, Genever (a popular Dutch spirit).
You’ll also learn about Lucas Bols, the oldest distilled spirit brand across the globe.
Combining Lucas Bols and Genever, you’ll have the option of trying the Bols Genever cocktail.
After this tour, you’ll understand why the House of Bols won the Dutch Design Award for Best Exhibition and Experience.
Tour details
- Duration: 1 hour
- Address: Paulus Potterstraat 14, 1071 CZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Inclusions: Entry fees, alcoholic beverages
Amsterdam is the place to be for young adults.
Between exploring the famed red light district and learning about the history of cannabis culture, you’ll never struggle to find things to do in this European city.
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