Skip to content 
Amsterdam’s Red Light District attracts millions of visitors from around the world each year. Among these masses are unforgettable characters who stand out due to their funny, strange, or remarkable behavior. Here are some stories about the most notable tourists the district has ever seen.
1. The Singing Englishman
Story: One evening, an Englishman stood in the middle of the street singing as if he were on a Broadway stage. He loudly belted out old hits and attracted a crowd that sang along and cheered. When the police arrived, they initially thought he had a permit for street performances. It turned out he was just very drunk and had discovered his inner rock star. Eventually, he was politely asked to stop his performance and return to his hostel.
2. The Lost Japanese Tourist
Story: A Japanese tourist became hopelessly lost in the narrow streets of the Red Light District. He spoke very little English and had no idea where he was. Instead of panicking, he politely asked everyone for help with a big smile on his face. His politeness and determination caught the attention of a group of locals who eventually escorted him back to his hotel, not without first taking a few selfies with him.
3. The Drunk Superhero
Story: An Australian tourist decided it would be a good idea to walk around the Red Light District dressed as Batman. What started as a funny costume party ended with Batman trying to steal a bike because he thought it was his "Batbike." The police had to intervene and take the superhero into custody, where he spent the night in a cell still wearing his cape.
4. The Photography Enthusiast
Story: An American tourist with an expensive camera decided he needed to capture the perfect shot of the windows. Despite the warnings and signs everywhere, he kept trying to take photos. Eventually, he was confronted by a group of angry sex workers who forced him to delete the pictures. He left the district with a good story and a lesson about respect and privacy.
5. The Russian Party Animal
Story: A group of Russian tourists decided to celebrate a bachelor party in the Red Light District. One of them, the bachelor himself, got so drunk that he fell asleep in the middle of a busy street. His friends decided not to wake him but instead built a mini-camp around him with party decorations and balloons. The police had to intervene and move the man to a safer place while his friends continued to party.
6. The Philosophizing German
Story: A German tourist got into a deep philosophical conversation with a local sex worker about the meaning of life and the role of sex work in society. The discussion lasted for hours and attracted a curious crowd. Although he never intended to use her services, he greatly appreciated the discussion and left with a new appreciation for the complexities of the world.
7. The Italian with the Cheese
Story: An Italian tourist brought a wheel of his favorite Parmesan cheese and decided to share it with everyone he met. He walked around offering pieces of cheese to tourists, locals, and even police officers. His enthusiasm and generosity quickly made him popular, and he ended the night with an almost empty cheese wheel and many new friends.
8. The Swedish Rescue Mission
Story: A group of Swedish tourists saw a cat fall into the canal and decided to rescue it. After a heroic rescue mission in which three of them fell into the water themselves, they managed to save the cat. They were wet and cold, but the locals and tourists cheered them on and offered them dry clothes and warm drinks.
9. The Curious Canadian
Story: A Canadian decided he needed to try every service in the Red Light District to understand what made the area so unique. He kept a detailed diary of his experiences and interviews with locals and sex workers. His adventure ended with an extensive blog post that went viral, highlighting the human side of the Red Light District.
10. The French Magician
Story: A French tourist who had taught himself magic tricks decided to try them out on the street. He started performing card tricks for passersby and ended up with a large crowd cheering him on. His final trick, pulling a dove out of his hat, caused great hilarity when the dove decided to land on a tourist and wouldn’t fly away.
