Good shopping Amsterdam style is less about one big mall and more about picking the right neighbourhood for what you want. The city is compact, so you can cover several shopping areas in a day on foot or by bike, and each one has its own personality. Here is a district-by-district rundown, with notes on where to go for what and which spots are better left to the crowds.
The main high street: Kalverstraat and around
Kalverstraat runs south from Dam Square and is the straightforward answer for chain shops: clothing, shoes, electronics, drugstores. It is busy nearly all day, especially at weekends and in summer. Nobody goes there for atmosphere, but it is practical when you need something specific in a hurry. Nearby, the old department store De Bijenkorf on Dam Square is a good place to see Dutch and international brands side by side, with food halls and a decent selection of design homeware. Magna Plaza, close to the Royal Palace, is a converted historic building with a mall inside, handy on rainy days.
The Nine Streets for independent shops
If you prefer small boutiques, head to the Negen Straatjes, or Nine Streets, in the canal belt. These nine small crossing streets hold vintage clothes, concept stores, specialist cheese and coffee shops, candles, books and a lot of interesting gift ideas. You can browse a couple of hours without noticing. Prices are higher than on the high street, but you are paying for uniqueness, and many places stock local designers you will not find at home.
Nearby streets such as Haarlemmerstraat and Haarlemmerdijk, to the north of the centre, offer a similar vibe with a more local feel. It is a good stretch for food shops, gift stores and fashion at friendly prices, and the cafes are less touristy than those in the middle.
Luxury and designer: PC Hooftstraat
For high-end fashion, PC Hooftstraat near the Museum Quarter is the address. Expect international luxury names and polished window displays. Even if you do not buy, it is a pleasant stroll that fits nicely before or after a museum visit. Nearby Cornelis Schuytstraat has some quieter premium shops, where the crowds are thinner.
Markets that are worth the trip
Markets are some of the best shopping Amsterdam offers, and they cost less than the shops.
- Albert Cuyp Market: a long, lively street market in De Pijp, with food stalls, cheap clothing, fabrics, flowers and snacks. Try a fresh stroopwafel from a stall.
- Waterlooplein: a flea market with second-hand clothes, odd bric-a-brac and secondhand records. Digging is the fun part.
- Noordermarkt: a weekly market in the Jordaan with organic produce and a separate antiques and vintage stretch, depending on the day.
- Flower market: floating stalls selling bulbs and cut flowers. It is touristy, but bulbs make a light, classic souvenir.
Opening days and times vary by market, so check current schedules before you go. Sundays and public holidays change a lot of things.
Bargains and budget shopping Amsterdam allows
The city is not known as cheap, but you can save money if you plan it. Look for secondhand shops and vintage stores, particularly in the Nine Streets and around De Pijp. Weekly markets usually beat shops on price for clothes and basics. Outlet stores outside the city can offer lower prices on fashion labels, though a trip may only pay off if you are buying several items. Sales usually run after the winter and summer seasons, so check the dates if you can be flexible.
If you are buying souvenirs, skip the tourist-heavy shops that sell identical clogs and mugs. Better ideas include Dutch cheese, stroopwafels, local jenever or gin from a speciality shop, Delft blue pieces from a reputable seller, licorice, and design items from a small local label. Check that Delft ceramics are actually from the Netherlands if that matters to you, because many cheaper pieces are made elsewhere.
Practical tips before you go
- Cards and contactless payments are accepted nearly everywhere, though a few market stalls still prefer cash.
- Many shops open later in the morning than you might expect, and some close on Mondays or have shorter hours on Sundays. Check current times.
- Travellers from outside the EU can often reclaim sales tax on larger purchases through a tax-free scheme. Ask the shop before paying and keep the paperwork.
- Watch for bikes when crossing streets with shopping bags. A calm pace makes all the difference.
- Pack light on the way in. Almost everything you buy will come home with you, and cheese is heavier than it looks.
A simple one-day route
For a first round of shopping Amsterdam style, start with coffee and the Jordaan, wander the Nine Streets in the late morning, have lunch in a cafe nearby, and cross the centre for Kalverstraat and Bijenkorf in the afternoon. If you have energy, finish at the Albert Cuyp Market or PC Hooftstraat depending on whether you want food and a bargain or a window-shopping walk. It covers four different kinds of shops without needing transport, and leaves a few hours for a canal-side rest in between.
More from us: Shopping.
Featured photo: Tuxyso / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).
