The Oudekerksplein lies at the heart of the Red Light District. The square is a former graveyard. Around the square are some 35 prostitution windows. The government is trying to reduce the number of prostitutes on Oudekerksplein and replace them with restaurants, shops and artists' workshops. The Oude Kerk (Old Church) is the oldest building in the city, founded by fishermen. A stone church, dedicated to St. Nicolas, was built around 1300. The church is sometimes being used for exhibitions, which you can visit. The church is rich in details and historical artifacts - definitely worth a visit. On the square you can find a statue titled "Belle", honoring the prostitutes of the world. The inscription on this statue reads: "Respect sex workers all over the world". The street also has a bronze plaque of a hand caressing a female breast, made and placed by an anonymous artist. Behind the Old Church is the Prostitution Information Center (PIC). This institute gives information on prostitution from the point of view of the sex workers. There is plenty to do and see in the shop of the PIC and everybody is welcome for a visit.
Chinatown Amsterdam was founded in 1911. It is the oldest Chinese quarter in Europe. The neighbourhood has many Chinese restaurants and Chinese shops. At the Zeedijk you can find the Buddhist temple Fo Guang Shan He Hua. It is the biggest religious building in Europe that is built in Chinese style.
At the Nieuwmarkt square there are over 20 cafés and coffeeshops. There is a small daily market on the square, as well as an organic food market on Saturdays. On Sunday during the summer months, the square hosts a market for antiques and books. The Nieuwmarkt is dominated by a building known as the Waag, originally a gate in the Medieval city walls around Amsterdam, but converted into a weighing house after the walls were demolished in the 17th century. In World War II the square was used by the Nazis as a collection point for Jews who had been rounded up to be sent to the concentration camps.
Do you want to visit the Red Light District, but you find this a little scary? Then you should do a guided Red Light District Walking tour. The Red Light District Walking Tour is the safest and most fun way to discover this world-famous Red light District. The tour will take you on a 1.5-hour guided walk through the Red Light District. You will be accompanied by an expert guide (fluent in English and Spanish) who will show you around and make sure you get to know and see everything about the area.
The Red Light District is the hottest area in town, but if you need to cooldown you should visit in the Amsterdam Icebar. This is the coolest bar in the world! In the 17th century the Icebar was the place from which the Dutch famous Explorers sailed out to the arctic North. The Icebar will take you back in time to relive these discovery journeys. You will be welcomed by a sailor host and be offered a free welcome drink. Suddenly the ship’s bell rings and you are ready to ‘embark’ the Icebar. A door opens and as you enter, the temperature drops to -10 degrees Celsius. You will be served drinks again in a glass… made of ice, of course!
So you have seen (almost) naked bodies around the Red Light District. But that was only skin deep. Would like to go one step further and get more intimate? Then you should visit BODY WORLDS. The quest for love and happiness dominates our lives, but what defines whether we are happy or not? The anatomy museum BODY WORLDS: The Happiness Project in the heart of Amsterdam takes visitors on a thrilling voyage of discovery through the human body, in search of what makes us happy and the impact of happiness on our health. More than 200 anatomical specimens of real human bodies show the complexity, resilience and vulnerability of the body. They show how our organs work, and the effect of common diseases.
