Shopping in Amsterdam

Main Shopping Streets

Amsterdam is a city full of shopping opportunities. Whether you like the hustle and bustle of large commercial city streets, searching quaint antiquie fairs for hidden bargains or cruising ultra hip boutiques, Amsterdam is full of temptation..  

Amsterdam’s main central shopping streets are Nieuwendijk and Kalverstraat which are both open seven days a week (although Sunday trading hours are restricted to 11am – 4pm in most cases)

Both thoroughdares host both large chain stores and and some smaller independent boutique shops.

At Magna Plaza (behind the palace on Dam Square) you can also find an enslosed shopping arcade, and if you like department stores try the Bijenkorf (‘The Beehive’) on the Damrak or ‘Vroom & Dreesman’ near the Flower Market end of the Kalverstraat.

Designer Labels & Boutiques

If you are in search of those ‘designer’ labels try the P.C. Hofstraat where the stores are almost exclusively dedicated to sartorial elegance - with all the big names crowding the rails.

Alternatively head for 'the nine streets' to hunt one-off creations and exclusive brands in one of the most charming of Amsterdam neighbourhoods.

Art..?

Art lover? Try a gentle wander through the streets running north from the Museumplein towards central, or for an excursion into the unknown stroll into the ‘Jordaan’ area of the city (to the west of Centraal Station) where small streets harbour tiny shops of all varieties.

From March until October on the Spui & Thorbeckeplein Sunday art markets are held where artists sell directly to the public.

Markets

Amsterdam also has a number of good markets mostly serving the needs of local residents, but with something for everybody.

Try the bustling ‘Albert Cuyp’ market in the ‘Pijp’ area if you want to go in search of bargains, the ‘Dappermarkt’ in the east for some or for something a little more exotic try a rummage around the Waterlooplein market which sells assorted bric-a-brac, second hand goods and pretty much everything in between! more..