10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Amsterdam
Where to Shop in Amsterdam and What to Buy?
Our guide to the best places to go shopping in Amsterdam highlights the city’s legacy as a notable shopping destination. You can find a fantastic array of malls, markets, and independent shops that will keep you busy for hours. Each of Amsterdam’s neighborhoods offers something different, from high-end department stores to independent galleries.
With the diversity of residents in Amsterdam, locals enjoy a variety of styles in fashion and home decor. Markets in Amsterdam are goldmines for rare books, antiques, souvenirs, and vintage clothing. There’s even a floating market specializing in one of the Netherlands’ most popular exports: tulips.
1. De Negen Straatjes (The 9 Streets)
Vintage stores in Amsterdam’s bohemian shopping district
Good for: Food, Luxury
De Negen Straatjes is a tourist hot spot and shopping district in Amsterdam. It combines 9 streets along the famous Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht, and Singel canals. Most of the architecture around the neighborhood retains the city’s iconic old-school charm of narrow brick buildings.
You can find a range of art galleries, gift shops, designer boutiques, and vintage stores in the area. In summer, De Negen Straatjes’s many cafes and restaurants have outdoor seating for those looking to enjoy views of Amsterdam’s picturesque canals. The famous Anne Frank House is just a 10-minute walk north of the neighborhood. Read more
De Negen Straatjes (The 9 Streets)
2. Magna Plaza
Upscale shopping in a neo-gothic building
Good for: Food, History, Shoppers
The Magna Plaza occupies a 19th-century building designed in the neo-gothic style by Dutch architect P.C. Peters. You can find this 4-storey indoor mall opposite Dam Square and the Royal Palace of Amsterdam.
Despite its rather opulent design, the Magna Plaza contains a wide range of popular brands. You can find branches of high-street fashion retailers as well as stores selling Dutch specialties like cheese, tulip bulbs, and wooden clogs. The Food Department is a 1,100-square-metre food hall on the 2nd floor, where you can enjoy dishes like sushi, dim sum, tacos, and chicken wings. Read more
Location: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 182I, 1012 SJ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Monday–Wednesday from 10 am to 7 pm, Thursday 10 am to 9 pm, Friday–Saturday 10 am to 7 pm, Sunday 11 am to 7 pm
Magna Plaza
3. Spiegelkwartier
Amsterdam’s epicenter for art and antiques
Good for: Shoppers, Unusual
Spiegelkwartier is home to over 80 antique dealers and independent art galleries. This charming neighborhood is within the Amsterdam Canal Ring, just 500 meters northeast of the iconic Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum.
Spiegelkwartier has been the epicenter of the city’s antiques trade for over 80 years, attracting collectors from all over the world. Spiegelgracht is the region’s main shopping artery, where you can find rare paintings, ceramics, antiques, and quirky collectables on display. Popular venues include Gallery Delaive and Iris Galerie Amsterdam.
Location: 1017 JP Amsterdam Netherlands
Spiegelkwartier
4. Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat
A street exclusively offering luxury brands
Good for: Luxury, Shoppers
Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat is arguably the most luxurious shopping street in the city. You can find it in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid, between Vondelpark and Museumplein. This puts you within walking distance of the city’s largest park and 3 notable museums, so there’s plenty to do nearby, once you tire of shopping.
The 300-metre-long street is lined with some of the world’s most exclusive brands, including Versace, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Burberry, and Emporio Armani. The impressive storefronts along this distinguished street make for fantastic photo backdrops, even if you’re not planning to splurge on a designer dress or shirt.
Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat
5. De Bijenkorf
High-end fashion at Amsterdam’s flagship store
Good for: Couples, Luxury, Shoppers
De Bijenkorf is an upmarket department store in the Netherlands. Its Amsterdam flagship store is in Dam Square, within a short walk of iconic sites like the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, New Church (De Nieuwe Kerk), and Madame Tussauds Amsterdam.
Established in 1870, the 21,000-square-metre complex has plenty of luxury brands from all over the world. Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Hermes, Longchamp, Michael Kors, Gucci, Chanel, and Kenzo all have a branch in De Bijenkorf. The department store often hosts fashion shows and annual festivals like the Amsterdam Light Festival and Chinese New Year. Read more
Location: Monday from 11 am to 9pm, Tuesday–Saturday 10 am to 9 pm, Sunday 10 am to 8 pm
Open: Daily from 10 am to 8 pm
Phone: +31 (0)20 808 9333
De Bijenkorf
6. Kalverstraat
The shopping street between Dam Square and Muntplein
Good for: Shoppers
Kalverstraat appeals to shoppers in Amsterdam with its range of retail options. The 2.5-km-long street, which runs from Dam Square to Muntplein, is lined with store chains of prominent high-street brands. You can shop for trendy fashion and footwear at Hollister Co, H&M, Zara, VANS, Levi’s, Esprit, and Nike. Beauty brands like Lush and House of Rituals are also available.
Head toward Muntplein to find Kalverpassage, a modern shopping complex that houses the HEMA department store. Interesting attractions like the Amsterdam Museum, Begijnhof and Dungeon Amsterdam are within walking distance of Kalverstraat.
Kalverstraat
7. Bloemenmarkt
A floating flower market in Muntplein
Good for: History, Photo, Shoppers
Bloemenmarkt is a prominent floating flower market in Amsterdam’s city center. You can find a row of flower stalls on houseboats along the Singel canal, between Koningsplein and Muntplein. Tulips may be the Netherlands’ most popular export, but you can also find orchids, narcissus, geraniums, and roses for sale at this market.
Since 1862, many aspiring botanists have come to Bloemenmarkt to buy seeds, bulbs, pots, and soil. Of course, bouquets are readily available if you’re not planning to grow your own flowers. Some stalls also offer tulip-themed souvenirs to bring home for friends and family. Read more
Location: Singel 630, 600 Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Monday–Saturday from 9 am to 5.30 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 5.30 pm
Bloemenmarkt
8. Utrechtsestraat
Diverse shopping street in the Amsterdam Canal Ring
Good for: Shoppers
Utrechtsestraat is a vibrant street along the Keizersgracht canal, on the Amsterdam Canal Ring’s eastern edge. You’ll find a good range of concept stores specializing in home decor, gadgets, clothing, and accessories. Along the street are several cafes, restaurants, and bars which are ready to provide you with a refreshing break in between shopping sprees.
Utrechtsestraat also houses Concerto, one of Amsterdam’s largest music stores. Established in 1955, it occupies 5 storefronts with sections dedicated to pop, jazz, classical, dance, and world music. You can find new and preloved vinyl records and CDs, as well as feature movies, TV series, and documentaries on DVD.
Utrechtsestraat
9. Albert Cuyp Market
One of Europe’s largest open-air markets
Good for: Shoppers, Food, Budget
The Albert Cuyp Market is one of the largest daytime markets in Europe. It’s located in De Pijp, a multicultural neighborhood just south of Amsterdam’s city center. The market hosts over 250 stalls selling just about anything, from fresh fruits, flowers, and vegetables to accessories, clothes, and textiles.
The Albert Cuyp Market also caters to De Pijp’s community, which consists mostly of Turkish, Surinamese, Antillean, and Moroccan residents. You’ll find several international restaurants close to the market, as well as snack stalls selling authentic Dutch snacks like cheese, pickled herring, and stroopwafels (a wafer sandwich with caramel filling). Read more
Location: Albert Cuypstraat 101, 1072 VV Amsterdam, Netherlands
Open: Monday–Saturday from 9.30 am to 5 pm (closed on Sundays)
Albert Cuyp Market
10. Leidsestraat
A key shopping street in central Amsterdam
Good for: Couples, Families, Shoppers
Leidsestraat is one of the busiest shopping streets in Amsterdam-Centrum. It spans around 500 meters between the Prinsengracht and Herengracht canals. Along its length, you can find exclusive brands like Paul Warmer and Camper. High-street options like COS and Brandy Melville are located close to Herengracht.
Towards the southwestern edge of Leidsestraat, you’ll find great restaurants, cafes, theaters, and clubs at Leidseplein square. As one of Amsterdam’s main commercial streets, you can easily get here by streetcar or bus if you’re not exploring the city by bicycle.
Leidsestraat
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