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 neighbourhoods offers something different for everyone, from high-end department stores for the affluent to independent galleries for the collectors.

With the diversity of residents in Amsterdam, locals have taken a shine to a variety of styles in fashion and home décor. Of course, there are plenty of great spots for dining and sightseeing if you need a breather from all that shopping. Markets in Amsterdam are goldmines for rare books, antiques, souvenirs, and vintage clothing. There’s even a floating market specialising in one of the Netherlands’ most popular exports: tulips!

Where are the best places to go shopping in Amsterdam?

  • 1

    De Negen Straatjes (The 9 Streets)

    Check out vintage stores in Amsterdam’s shopping district

    De Negen Straatjes (The 9 Streets)
    • Budget
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    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 neighbourhood 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 cafés 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 neighbourhood.

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    Map
  • 2

    Magna Plaza

    A neo-gothic shopping mall near Dam Square

    Magna Plaza
    • 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 Mango, Swarovski, America Today, and Lacoste, as well as stores selling Dutch specialities 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.

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    Location: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 182I, 1012 SJ Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Open: Monday–Wednesday from 10 am to 8 pm, Thursday–Sunday from 10 am to 9 pm

    Map
  • 3

    Spiegelkwartier

    Amsterdam’s epicentre for art and antiques

    Spiegelkwartier
    • Shoppers

    Spiegelkwartier is home to over 80 antique dealers and independent art galleries. This neighbourhood is within the Amsterdam Canal Ring, just 500 metres northeast of the iconic Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum.

    Spiegelkwartier has been the epicentre of the city's antique trade for over 80 years, attracting collectors from all over the world. Spiegelgracht is the neighbourhood’s main shopping artery, where you can find rare paintings, ceramics, antiques, and quirky collectables on display. Popular venues include Galerie Lieve Hemel, Gallery Delaive, and European Makers Gallery.

    Map
  • 4

    P.C. Hooftstraat

    A shopping street offering exclusively luxury brands

    P.C. Hooftstraat
    • Shoppers

    P.C. Hooftstraat is arguably the most luxurious shopping street in Amsterdam. You can find it in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid, between Vondelpark and Musuemplein. This puts you within walking distance of the city’s largest parks and 3 notable museums.

    The 300-metre-long street is lined with some of the world’s most exclusive brands, including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Mulberry, Ralph Lauren, DKNY, and Tommy Hilfiger. The impressive storefronts at P.C. Hooftstraat make for a nice photo backdrop if you’re not planning to splurge on a designer dress or shirt.

    Map

    photo by Ceescamel (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

  • 5

    De Bijenkorf

    Find high-end fashion and accessories at Amsterdam’s flagship store

    De Bijenkorf
    • Luxury
    • Shoppers

    De Bijenkorf is an upmarket department store in the Netherlands. Its Amsterdam flagship 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, Hermès, 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 Turn on the Lights and Chinese New Year.

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    Location: Dam 1, 1012 JS Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Open: Daily from 10 am to 8 pm

    Phone: +31 (0)20 808 9333

    Map

    photo by Patrick Nouhailler's… (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

  • 6

    Kalverstraat

    The shopping street between Dam Square and Muntplein

    Kalverstraat
    • 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 towards 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.

    Map

    photo by Ank Kumar (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

  • 7

    Bloemenmarkt

    A floating flower market in Muntplein

    Bloemenmarkt
    • Shoppers

    Bloemenmarkt is a prominent floating flower market in Amsterdam’s city centre. 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 exports, 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 offer souvenirs with tulip and Amsterdam themes, too.

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    Location: Singel, 1012 DH Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 9 am to 5.30 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 5.30 pm

    Map

    photo by VirtualSteve (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

  • 8

    Utrechtsestraat

    Diverse shopping street in the Amsterdam Canal Ring

    Utrechtsestraat
    • 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 specialising in home décor, gadgets, clothing, and accessories. Along the street are several cafés, restaurants and bars – all great for a quick break in between shopping sprees.

    Utrechtsestraat also houses Concerto, one of Amsterdam’s largest music stores. Established in 1955, it occupies 5 shopfronts 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 films, TV series and documentaries on DVD.

    Map

    photo by Elekes Andor (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

  • 9

    Albert Cuypmarkt

    One of Europe’s largest open-air markets

    Albert Cuypmarkt
    • Budget
    • Food
    • Shoppers

    The Albert Cuypmarkt is one of the largest daytime markets in Europe. It’s located in De Pijp, a multicultural neighbourhood just south of Amsterdam city centre. The market hosts over 250 stalls selling just about anything, from fresh fruits, flowers and vegetables to accessories, clothes, and textiles.

    The Albert Cuypmarkt also caters to De Pijp’s community, which consists mostly of Turkish, Surinamese, Antillean, and Moroccan residents. You’ll find several ethnic restaurants close to the market, as well as snack stalls selling authentic Dutch snacks like cheese, soused herring, and stroopwafels (wafer cookie with caramel filling).

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    Location: Albert Cuypstraat, 1073 BD Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Map

    photo by Steven Lek (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

  • 10

    Leidsestraat

    One of central Amsterdam’s main shopping streets

    Leidsestraat
    • Shoppers

    Leidsestraat is one of the busiest shopping streets in Amsterdam-Centrum. It spans around 500 metres between the Prinsengracht and Herengracht canals. Along its length, you can find exclusive brands like Filippa K, Karen Millen, Abercrombie & Fitch, Paul Warmer and Camper. High-street options like Onitsuka Tiger, COS, and Brandy Melville are located close to Herengracht.

    Towards the southwestern edge of Leidsestraat, you’ll find great restaurants, cafés, theatres, and clubs at the Leidseplein square. As one of Amsterdam's main commercial streets, you can easily get here by tram or bus if you're not exploring the city by bicycle.

    Map

    photo by Elekes Andor (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

Penny Wong | Compulsive Traveller