Cruising down a canal in the Pijp yesterday, enjoying the perfect weather, I noticed at a certain point, a few man standing still, staring into the windows of houses. Right about there, I remembered where I was, the not-often-talked about Red Light District in the Pijp.

People are often so fixated on the Red Light District, especially you who have not been here yet. It has a sort of mythical status, to the point that I think people don't realize there are various districts in various towns and actually, well beyond the borders of the Netherlands.

But still, few can rival the insane circus atmosphere of Amsterdam main red light area. Where else can you be yelled at by sexworkers, while eating french fries, and shopping for another black tshirt with a big marijuana leaf on it?

Some may eventually wander over to the Jordaan and discover the mini-red-light. A slightly more tasteful area with a lovely canal view. But rarely do the tourists make it down to the Pijp's red light district. It stretches only about 2 or 3 blocks, strategically located just where a large pleasure boat company docks. Just a stones throw away from the beloved Albert Cuyp Market. (head south west to the Ruysdaelkade)

So whether you're an urban sociologist, a sex anthropologist, or a creepy old man, the Red Lights down in the south of Amsterdam may be of interest to you.