European Sex Tourism Destinations
By alex, July 27th 2009 in Travel Destinations Comments (28)
StumbleThe red light districts listed here provide a window of opportunity for the inquisitive - or lusty - mind to peek into that often veiled aspect of human nature. Depending on your personal attitude you may view touring these place as a misery watching or pleasure cruise. Whatever your mindset just remember that this kind of business draws in the shadier creatures so be careful and watch your steps if you venture into one of the European sex centers listed below.
History
Whether you like it or not, sex has been traded since time immemorial. How different peoples treat this "merchandise" tells a lot about them. Attitudes towards prostitution are heavily ingrained in every culture and as such are worth exploring. Some countries fight it, while others try to regulate the business by legalizing or at least turning a blind eye to it and allowing prostitution to exist in designated city areas, known as red light districts.
The origin of the name itself remains uncertain. According to Wikipedia the following roots are possible:
"[...]the red lanterns carried by railway workers (which were left outside brothels when the workers entered, so that they could be quickly located for any needed train movement) or the red paper lanterns (which were thought to be sensual) that were hung outside brothels in ancient China to identify them as such."
The color of sex. By Ripi
or going further back:
"[...] in the Biblical story of Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho, aided the spies of Joshua and identified her house with a scarlet rope, which saved her household from the [ensuing] massacre."
Contrary to popular belief the existence of red light districts is no indication of humankind's descent into moral decay. The controversy they raise today stands in stark contrast to, for example, Medieval times when every major English town boasted a Gropecunt Lane. Below are some of the remains of that (in)glorious past.
De Wallen, Amsterdam, Netherlands
You can see the Erotic Museum on the left.By LouisL
The best known of all of them, De Wallen has long been a major tourist attraction in Amsterdam. Prostitutes of both sexes provide their services in a network of alleys housing some 300 one-room cabins. They solicit clients by displaying their wares from behind a glass window or door.
Taking photos is discouraged. Still... By Mr.Theklan
De Wallen is also home to marijuana selling coffee shops, Erotic Museum, sex shops, peep shows and sex theaters.
Oddly enough, the district is also where you find the oldest Amsterdam church, Oude Kerk. It now has to share the neighborhood with Belle - bronze statue of a sex worker.
Belle with Oude Kirke in background. By Nakedsky
If this sin city sounds enticing go there before it is too late: although prostitution is legal in the Netherlands, Amsterdam authorities have recently clamped down on the sex business following reports on organized crime involved in human trafficking and pimping.
Safety concerns : this is the most touristy of the red light districts, and police presence is strong; steer clear of the drug addicts and coke dealers and you will be fine.
Reeperbahn, Hamburg, Germany
By masck
The German equivalent of De Wallen is considered spicier by many visitors. Those who think Amsterdam too "lame and tame" find die sündige Meile (‘the sinful mile') of Hamburg much sinner: proof - Germany's only live sex act can be seen in the Safari cabaret.
At designated times of day street prostitution is legal on Davidstrasse, otherwise famous for its landmark police station. Also, there is less window shopping going on in Hamburg as prostitutes can display their bodies behind windows only in the gated Herbertstrasse, a street where minors and women are not welcome.
This section is reserved for adult males only.
Reeperbahn offers a whole range of more or less sinful entertainment: theaters, cabarets, sex shops, strip clubs, bars and nightclubs. Like in Amsterdam, an old 18th century church, Saint Joseph Kirche, stands a silent witness to the sexual extravaganza happening around.
By AFGHAN Lord
In 2008 the Beatles Platz was opened to commemorate the Liverpool four who played in its clubs in the 1960s.
Safety concerns : police presence is high but watch out for pickpockets and large numbers of junkies. Also, if it becomes apparent you are just looking you may be hassled.
Soho, London, England
Have you been naughty? By
Listed here purely on account of its past glory. From mid 18th century up to the 1970s it was a real sex biz center, packed with street prostitutes and brothels. It was so notorious it lends its name to several similar areas around the world.
How is British sex shop different from, say, Dutch one? By wheelzwheeler
Today it has been reduced to a few striptease clubs better known for extorting money from unsuspecting clients than for the quality of their services. Illegal brothels still operate in the area but the area has now grown into a gay culture center.
The rainbow flag over Soho. By markhillary
Safety concerns : according to numerous reports you should give a wide berth to local clubs where you run the risk of being charged exorbitant amounts for drinks and unsolicited company of a hostess. So unless you're a martial arts expert capable of handling a couple of oversized bouncers do not let any sexy lady lure you inside. Drug dealing is a persistent problem.
Rue St. Denis and Pigalle, Paris, France
Not quite sure about this one... Experts advise to check the Adam's apple.
Fur clad sex worker of all possible ages and sex combinations may be encountered along Rue St. Denis and all kinds of sex paraphernalia may be bought at its sex shops.
When you get tired of watching or patronizing the sex workers, ethnic eateriers will satisfy your hunger.
Famous Moulin Rouge. By NEPMET
A more high-end, civilized and tourist friendly red light area is Pigalle (nicknamed Pig Alley by Allied soldiers looking for peaceful action during WWII), home of the famous Moulin Rouge and nearby Museum of Eroticism, open till 2 am. You may also disguise your visit to Pigalle as backtracking the steps of its former inhabitants: Van Gogh and Picasso.
Safety concerns : beware of Soho style scams in the strip clubs.
Rue d'Aerchot (Aarschotstraat in Dutch), Brussels, Belgium
Business as usual. By jmerelo
This street is known for being lined with brothels from beginning to end. Its location near the business and financial district of Brussels combined with the proximity of the European parliament guarantees it a long and prosperous future.
Take a pick. By Talking Tree
Who knows, if lucky you might get a glimpse of a MEP going into one of the Amsterdam style windowed rooms, catching a show or browsing through the merchandise in one of the sex shops.
Safety concerns: not as friendly as De Wallern, so do not visit alone at night and stay out of dark alleys.
Talk Back
What are your views on red light districts in Europe? Should they be considered a tourist destination?
Share your comments below.
This is awesome! I was always planning to do this kind of tour and this is a great site for searching destinations.. thanks!
Sex tourism is disgusting. It is a way for prostitute users to exploit, control, and obtain power over prostitutes. The majority of sex tourists are men. It is not awesome!
BH
THAT'S WRONG THEY HAVE THIS UP HERE! TAKE IT OFF THE SITE.
If you are in Sofia, Bulgaria check out Kama Sutra on Dondudov Blvd. Most other clubs are rip offs and scammers, but the Kama Sutra is a great place for a great experience.
want sex tourism picture
Jay ur a fag.
I like it...great!
yeah, jay is gay, sex tourism rules
hi
Sex turism is not so bad. Except for when it involves children or forced women of course.In germany as well as holland there is a large network of sex turism, i visited almosteach one of the places above, except belgium.In holland you have many more (zandpad in utrech for example)
Hovewer the days of street prostitution are numbered i think. First of all because its unsafe.
Novadays I know this agency for sex in Germany called mensexclusive that i used a few times , and they provided me with acces to an exclusive sex club where the atmosfere was very relaxed and all the girls were working there for their own will. And they were making a lot of money for it. Plus they were tested and clean, and the atmosfere was luxury. While searching for prostitution on the street, you never know what diseaseas you might get and with who you are sleeping, plus all the dubious fellows that hang out on the streets.
I would say that these exclusive clubs are the future of prostitution in germany and holland. Because they are safer , cleaner and much better than street prostitution.
been amsterdam and germany they were both gd the girls r ok but expensive.
ive been 2 thailand twice that is where sex tourism is the best cheap and all nite beats the euro's aby day
best place is prauge show park ,best looking girls who keen to please you. Yum yum
Hi nice information.Best place is prauge show park Fur clad sex worker of all possible ages and sex combinations Thanks for shering
Sex tourism is nothing but exploitation of venerable women
is there any good places in moldova?
I think it's kinda cool to know. Especially, it's hard for girls to find such place like that.
Dunt portray me in the wrong way, but it's cool to try payed sex instead of normal sex, if you know what I mean.
Thanks anyway!
are there any legal brothels in Ukraine
love to go for holly day with hot woman
Yes . I agree with u Amsterdam, the coolest place to visit
Iv travelled around Europe a fair bit, the best place for sex tourism is Germany Frankfurt
yes you may find a charming girl, and the price is good . I recommend to visit Amsterdam , you will satisfy all your needs
thank u for all details...
This is awesome
Redlight districts are good there's nothin bad about it,they just doin their job and we should provide them with more facilities to them so they wil hav gud life ahead....i donno what i am sayin i am confuse...¤=?
yeah whatever?
Glad that most of these comments are possitive rather than from morally judgemental creeps.
I live in norway and i did a basic calculous of lost earnings.
In the town i live theres an average of 20 hoes working, they advertise on a site called escortdate.
Each hoe is acording to some statistics., has 5 customers per day.
Now if each customer pays the regular 256 dollars. that amounts to 25600 Dollars per day, these girls get in total.
Thats to much money to be funneld out of our country, into illegale and proboply dangerous peoples pockets. Instead of being taxed and used for eweryone. For ous to shut our eyes and hide behind failing moral values.