De Wallen, Amsterdam, Netherlands: Amsterdam is home to what
is arguably the most famous red light district in the world. De Wallen lies in the oldest part of the
city, surrounded by medieval dam walls and crisscrossed by the city’s many
canals. This network of alleys is home to several hundred small rooms in which
women and some of more ambiguous sex sell their wares through glass windows and
doors as well as to dozens of theatres, peep shows and sex shops. If sins of the
flesh aren’t your thing, you’ll find plenty of other kinds of entertainment in
De Wallen in the numerous coffee shops that sell marijuana or in the
accompanying museums
exhibiting the more taboo aspects of history. Unlike many of the red light
districts you will encounter, Amsterdam’s is relatively safe and verges on being
"touristy," so it could be a good place to start your exploration of red light
districts.


Rue d’Aerchot, Brussels, Belgium: Also known as
Aarschotstraat in Dutch, this street is known for being lined with brothels from
beginning to end. Somewhat centrally located, this street isn’t hard to find as
it is along one of the city’s main train stations and conveniently borders the
business and financial district. Here
you’ll find a much smaller version of Amsterdam’s picture windows where you can
browse the local "merchandise" or take in some shows or shop the local sex
shops. You’ll want to be careful at night, however, as Brussels’ red light
district isn’t quite as tourist friendly as Amsterdam’s, but so
long as you stay with a group and out of dark alleys, you should be alright.

Rue St. Denis, Paris, France: It’s only natural that a city
known for lovers would have a notorious red light district as well. Pass through
the arched entrance, and the Rue St. Denis is lined with ladies
looking for customers and passerbys, though recent regulations have reduced the
amount of women openly displaying their goods. For the curious, looking doesn’t
cost a thing, and you can walk up and down the avenue as much as you like,
though you may be carefully watched by the ladies. Other parts of the street
feature sex shops, ethnic eateries, and clothing stores, providing something for
everyone. For a more upscale and tourist friendly red light experience, visitors
might also want to check out the Pigalle, home of the famous Moulin
Rouge.


Boy’s Town, Nuevo Laredo, Mexico: In the border town of
Nuevo Laredo, those looking for the naughtier kinds of entertainment won’t be
disappointed. Boy’s Town is a walled compound, within which there are several
streets home to bars, cantinas, restaurants, and of course brothels. This part
of the city is what is known as a Zona de tolerancia, or an area of a city where
prostitution is allowed but often carefully controlled by the government. This
doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful, as those operating
under the radar are commonplace, and drug dealing and use is rampant. Visitors
will find a wide variety of erotic entertainments, ranging from strip teases, to
sex shows, to the company of working girls and transvestites. Of course, for
those just browsing, there are bars and restaurants as well where patrons can
listen to Cumbia and enjoy some tequila. 

Kamathipura, Mumbai, India: Kamathipura is both the oldest
red light district in Mumbai and Asia’s largest. Originally created to cater to
British troops away from home, today this region is so packed with sex workers
there’s hardly a place to sit down. Perhaps one of the most distressingly dismal
of the red light districts listed here, it’s still worth a visit just to see the
sheer size and scope of it, as working women line the streets and hang out of
upper floor windows looking for willing customers. While many brothels are
well-run and reputable, child prostitution and
sexually transmitted diseases are still common practice in others. Though it may
be intimidating, your red light visiting wouldn’t be complete without seeing
both ends of the spectrum.


Hira Mandi, Lahore, Pakistan: Hira Mandi in Pakistan has an
interesting history behind the decaying but still
noble facades of its buildings. Once home to a thriving diamond market, the area
now largely brings in those looking to patronize sex workers who line the street
calling to potential customers. Many women work as prostitutes under the guise
of being mujra dancers, also a nod to the areas history, where back in it’s
prime, royal courtesans danced the same dances, albeit in much more luxury than
the women of today. Visitors will also find that during the day the district is
full of colorful bazaars, local restaurants, and shops selling shoes and musical
instruments. It’s worth a visit for the historical and architectural elements
alone. 

Many people prefer to sample the culture of the cities they visit from the
safety of well-lit avenues, museums, and historical monuments. While there is a
great deal to be learned from these things, cities often have a whole other
side, perhaps a darker one, but colorful nonetheless, that is left unexplored.
While venturing into the red-light districts of unfamiliar cities isn’t for
everyone, for the more adventurous it can be an interesting and sometimes
enlightening experience. Here are a few of the most famous and exotic red light
districts you can explore on your next vacation. 

Reeperbahn, Hamburg, Germany: Reeperbahn is home to not only 
Hamburg’s red light district, but also loads of other sinful nightlife
indulgences as well. The street is colorfully known as "the sinful mile" and is lined with
dozens of strip clubs, sex shops, brothels, and more. The racier part of the
street, the Herbertstrasse, reserved for the most exclusive and expensive
prostitution is blocked off, with a gate saying minors and women are not to
enter. Unlike many other red light districts, browsing is not encouraged in the
Herbertstrasse, and if it’s discovered you’re not buying you may be hassled by
the working women. If you’re not interested in making a purchase of that nature,
the street is also home tons of pubs, discos, casinos and lounges where you can
taste some German beer, dance, or just meet up with some friends.


Soho, London, England: Soho is much more than a red light
district of London. Long known as an entertainment hub of the city, Soho offers
numerous eateries and theaters as well as loads of pubs. Of course, a big part
of the history of the area is wrapped up in the sex industry as well. During the
1950′s the sex industry was at its peak, with over 250 sex shops and brothels
lining the street. Crackdowns have since limited their numbers but prostitution
is still fairly widespread in certain parts of the area. While generally not any
more unsafe than other areas of the city, visitors should be wary of strip clubs
offering cheap dances or other erotic entertainment. Often, these scams are
meant to lure in unsuspecting tourists who are then charged exorbitant rates by
force. Today, it’s home to notable sites like Soho Revue Bar, a gay bar and
cabaret revue, and the site of the famous Windmill Theatre featured in the film
Mrs. Henderson Presents, now a lap-dancing club.

Kabukicho, Tokyo, Japan: Located in the commercial and
administrative ward of Tokyo called Shinjuku, Kabukicho is home to many
host/hostess bars, sex shops, love hotels, restaurants and nightclubs. It’s hard
to miss this section of town, as it’s illuminated by scores of flashing lights
and signs, so at least you won’t have to worry about not seeing anyone due to
the dark. While there are numerous more erotic ventures in Kabukicho, it’s also
home to some of Tokyo’s most famous restaurants and theaters which are often
packed with tourists and locals alike. Known as the "sleepless city", visitors
looking for companionship or curiosity will find plenty of options with
offerings including nude shows in private rooms, pornographic theatres and
emporiums, peep shows, pantyless tea rooms, massage parlors, and soaplands which
offer various bathing services. While prostitution is technically illegal in Japan, these
businesses operate within a stone’s throw from local government offices, and
though police can and do enforce the law, they seem to do so quite
half-heartedly.


Soi Cowboy, Bangkok, Thailand: Named after a cowboy-hat
wearing foreigner, it’s no shock that this red light district of Bangkok has 
become fairly popular with tourists, especially those from Europe and America.
Located near Sukhumvit Road, which is also home to two other red light areas,
Nana Plaza and Patpong, Soi Cowboy is a typical red light district in Thailand.
Visitors can patronize the many bars lining the streets where attractive
young women will dance provocatively, usually clad in bikinis, as nude dancing
is technically illegal. For a bar fine, visitors can choose a woman to accompany
them back to their hotel room if they so choose. Those less interested in taking
home a companion will find entertainment in the elephants paraded up and down
the streets as well as restaurants featuring local and foreign cuisines. 

King’s Cross, Sydney, Australia: King’s Cross in Sydney is
named after its equally seedy counterpart in London, and is one of the most
densely populated regions of the city and Australia at large. Lined with neon
signs and brightly lit storefronts, King’s Cross is a common destination for
foreigners and natives alike who are curious to see how the other half lives.
While recent years have seen some gentrification of the area, there is still a
proliferation of strip clubs, topless waitresses, adult bookshops and sleazy
nightclubs to keep the inquisitive visitor occupied. Be careful at night, as
though Australia is a relatively safe destination, those wandering alone in the
area are at risk of being mugged which could put a serious damper on your
evening of fun.


Whether you are just satisfying your curiosity or perhaps more carnal
appetites, no matter where you are, remember that red light districts are known
as seedy parts of town for a reason. Even those controlled heavily by the
government can be home to those who’d love to part you from your money,
sometimes in ways that aren’t quite pleasant. So while you should enjoy
yourself, make sure you do so carefully and responsibly so your walk on the wild
side won’t turn out to be more than you’ve bargained for.