Amsterdam's Red Light District is situated in the oldest part of the city.  In fact, the area is called "Ouid Zijds" which means "Old City", I think.  And it's in this oldest part of the city that the worlds oldest profession thrives.  Truth be told, there are actually three different Red Light Districts, but it all started in the Old City.  The other two areas are much smaller... one is near the Singel canal, and the other is in an area of Amsterdam called the "Pijp". 

Legend has it that back in "the day" whenever a prostitute was found working outside the designated area, she'd be marched back to the RLD in a public fashion. 

Prostitutes are generally working from late morning until the early morning hours... but not all are available all the time.  For them, this is a job and they've got other things to do in their lives other than turning tricks.  Some of them are Dutch citizens putting themselves through school... or bankrolling for retirement, others are foreigners with visas, and yet others are actual sex slaves.  The ugly business of human trafficing does exist in Amsterdam, and it's a real problem in some cases.  The only way to be sure that you're not supporting that sort of thing is to not go to a "window girl".  The Dutch government has recently taken some steps to prevent human trafficing, but it's still a real problem. 

All that being said, any kind of woman is available in the Red Light District... young, old, tall, short, big, small, black, white.... got the picture?  You might wander these streets and think to yourself the same thing I did; which was, "none of these women are very attractive" (hey, what can I say... I've got high standards!).  Of course, seek and ye shall find.

But should one of them strike your fancy, here's how the whole thing will go down.  You'll walk up to her window and begin the transaction.  Be very specific about what you want to do with her, if you want her to be wearing nothing at all... or whatever.  Why should you be very specific?  Because if you're not, she'll want to charge you more when you say, "Aren't you going to take off your bra?"  Just about everything is negotiable in the RLD, except for one thing:  They will always make you use a condom (for their protection and yours).  The general price that everything starts at is 50euro for 15 minutes.  Any extra time costs more. 

There's another whole scene when it comes to brothels.  Over there they're called "Privihuis" (think 'private house').  Most "privehuizen" are in normal Amsterdam neighborhoods, and almost all are have some kind of red light around their doorway.  Privehuizen tend to be quieter and "less public" than just walking the streets of the RLD.  You'll be welcomed at the door by the madamme (no kidding!), she'll bring you to a room with a couch, perhaps offer you a beverage and then leave.  After that the available prostitutes will enter the room one by one and introduce themselves.  The madamme will return, you'll tell her which one tickles your fancy... make your payment and then be escorted to a room where you can... well, you get the idea.  If none of the girls meet your specific interest, just tell her that you're not interested and you can leave, no harm done. 

There is a website you might want to check out if you're seriously considering hooking up with a hooker in Amsterdam... here's a link:  IGNATZMICE DOT COM.