There are various shops and retail areas to explore in the capital of the Netherlands. Here are some of the places where you can experience the best shopping in Amsterdam:
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Best Shopping in Amsterdam: Department Stores
de Bijenkorf
This high-end department store chain has its flagship store in Dam Square. de Bijenkorf is famous for its selection of luxury beauty products and fashion items.
View of de Bijenkorf from Dam Square – photo by C messier under CC-BY-SA-4.0
HEMA
What started as a single dime-store has become a popular department store chain in the Netherlands. And in Amsterdam alone, HEMA has several locations, including those on Kinkerstraat, on Ferdinand Bolstraat, on Linnaeusstraat, in Kalverpassage and on Haarlemmerplein.
Inside a HEMA department store in Amsterdam – photo by gertrudis2010 under CC-BY-SA-3.0
Hudson’s Bay
Yes, this Canadian department store has found its way to Amsterdam. Here, one can browse through different items, including travel-related products, clothing and household goods.
Hudson’s Bay in Amsterdam – photo by Steven Lek under CC-BY-SA-4.0
Best Shopping in Amsterdam: Malls
Gelderlandplein
Gelderlandplein might be a single-story shopping hub but it definitely has a lot to offer. It has more than 60 shops and dining places, as well as a supermarket.
Gelderlandplein in Amsterdam – photo by Ceescamel under CC-BY-SA-4.0
Kalverpassage
Kalvertoren Shopping Centre went through a renovation and is now known as Kalverpassage, with its luxury shops, art installations and various restaurants.
Kalvertoren Shopping Centre, now known as Kalverpassage – photo by Iijjccoo under CC-BY-SA-3.0-migrated-with-disclaimers and GFDL-en
Magna Plaza
The Neo-Gothic design of Magna Plaza takes you on a royal shopping experience. It offers luxury brands and a gourmet dining hub in a historic building, making shopping there fit for royalty.
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Christmas decorated Magna Plaza Shopping Centre in Amsterdam, Netherlands – photo by Stephanie Kraus under CC BY 2.0
Best Shopping in Amsterdam: Markets
Albert Cuypmarkt
Have a taste of local shopping at the Albert Cuyp Market, where there are various stalls offering not just fresh produce and local foods, but also flowers, clothing and several other items.
Some of the stalls at Albert Cuypmarkt – photo by Steven Lek under CC-BY-SA-4.0
Bloemenmarkt
Since 1862, Bloemenmarkt has been displaying different flowers on floating barges.
The floating Bloemenmarkt – photo by Emanuele under CC BY-SA 2.0
IJ-Hallen Flea Market
A massive flea market set in a former shipyard, you can find all sorts of second-hand items at IJ-Hallen.
IJ-Hallen Flea Market at NDSM Wharf – photo by Stephen Kelly under CC BY 2.0
Waterlooplein Market
This flea market has been offering various items in the same site since the 19th century. Open six days a week, there are lots of bargain finds in more than 100 stalls at the Waterlooplein Market.
Waterlooplein Market – photo by FaceMePLS under CC BY 2.0
Best Shopping in Amsterdam: Neighborhoods
De 9 Straatjes
The neighborhood of 9 Little Streets in Amsterdam is famous for its quaint shops. There are various products and styles to choose from in this picturesque retail paradise.
Berenstraat, one of the 9 Little Streets – photo by Jorge Láscar from Australia under CC-BY-2.0
Museumkwartier
Amsterdam’s Museum Quarter is home to P.C. Hooftstraat, a high end shopping street. It is also where you can find Van Baerlestraat that has more affordable shops offering various products, including clothing, household items, electronics, bicycles and motorcycles.
Some of the shops on P.C. Hooftstraat – photo by robin bos under CC BY 2.0
Spiegelkwartier
If you’re looking for artsy items or antiques, you are in the right neighborhood. There are several galleries and antique shops found within Spiegelkwartier, making it the destination for anything centuries-old, vintage, contemporary or ultra-modern.
Some of the shops along Spiegelgracht in the Spiegelkwartier – photo by M.M.Minderhoud under GFDL and CC-BY-SA-3.0,2.5,2.0,1.0
Best Shopping in Amsterdam: Specialty Shops
De Winkel van Nijntje
The rabbit character that the world knows as Miffy is called Nijntje in the Netherlands. And De Winkel van Nijntje is a toy store in Amsterdam that specializes in anything related to Dick Bruna’s famous character.
“Miffy’s Shop” in Amsterdam – photo by Gonnie under PD-self
Duikelman
Duikelman BV is all about kitchen supplies. You’ll find nearly everything that has to do with the kitchen in this kitchenware store on Ferdinand Bolstraat.
Kitchen appliances on display at Duikelman BV – photo by Franklin Heijnen under CC BY-SA 2.0
Henk
Step inside this store and browse through the different comic books and manga it offers.
Henk Comics & Manga in Amsterdam – photo by Donald Trung Quoc Don (Chữ Hán: 徵國單) – Wikimedia Commons under CC-BY-SA-4.0
P.G.C. Hajenius
The Art Deco interior of this tobacco shop in Amsterdam is an attractive setting for browsing its selection of cigars.
Inside P.G.C. Hajenius – photo by Gryffindor under CC-Zero
Best Shopping in Amsterdam: Streets
Haarlemmerdijk
With a street this long, it’s not a surprise to find a vast array of shops on it. From specialty stores to boutiques to international brands, Haarlemmerdijk simply has a lot to offer.
Haarlemmerdijk as seen from the Haarlemmerpoort in Amsterdam – photo by Marion Golsteijn under CC BY-SA 4.0
Kalverstraat
Kalverstraat is an archetypal European shopping street, brimming with popular shops. H&M, FOSSIL, Esprit, Superdry™, Vodafone, Levi’s®, VANS and The Body Shop are some of the familiar brands you can find here.
Some of internationally-known shops on Kalverstraat – photo by Deror Avi under GFDL and CC-BY-SA-3.0,2.5,2.0,1.0
Leidsestraat
Walking along Leidsestraat can be dizzying with all the shopping options that line it. Nonetheless, it’s a haven for shopaholics with the Sacha flagship store, Abercrombie & Fitch, Brandy Melville, PANDORA, Sunglass Hut and various other shops on this street.
Some of the shops in a portion of Leidsestraat – photo by Jorge Franganillo under CC BY 2.0
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