The 23 best places to go shopping in Amsterdam

Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat

Some of the most well-known high-end brands (Chanel, Gucci and Hermes among them) can be found in the Museum Quarter neighbourhood's small Fifth Avenue, which is also home to businesses offering other high-end names.

Bloemenmarkt

The world's only floating flower market is located in Amsterdam (the stalls are indeed "floating" on houseboats, but they are semi-permanent fixtures now). Thousands of flowers in every hue are on display, and travellers can purchase Dutch bulbs to take home with them.

If you love flowers, then consider organising a trip to Amsterdam’s Keukenhof Park, and incredible flower garden home to millions of tulips during spring and summer.

Waterlooplein flea market

As many as 200 garage sales take place simultaneously in the "neighbourhood" of Amsterdam's largest flea market. For hours, you can wander the aisles of second-hand clothing, African drums and tie-dye T-shirts, as well as antique rugs and furniture.

Here, bargaining isn't always discouraged like it is at most Amsterdam markets.

Staalstrat

Despite the fact that Staalstraat isn’t one of the well-known places to shop in Amsterdam, it’s still worth a visit if you’re near the Waterlooplein and the Flower Market, which are both within walking distance of the street.

Fashion, design, and vintage stores abound on Staalstraat, each with a distinct atmosphere.

Utrechtsestraat

There are enough speciality shops and boutiques on this canal-crossing strip to keep you occupied for several hours, even if you don't plan to spend much time there.

Leuk, which carries high-quality basics and quirky clothes, and Kom, which carries unique linens, dinnerware, and bath accessories, are two of our favourites. Gourmet delis, informal cafes, fine-dining restaurants, and tapas bars can all be found on the street and its side alleyways.

Dam Square

The area around Dam Square is full with great shops and restaurants. De Bijenkorf, a well-known Dutch department store similar to Bloomingdale's, is my favourite.

The Magna Plaza shopping mall (behind the Royal Palace) is open seven days a week until 7 p.m. for many mainstream retailers (until 9 p.m. on Thursdays). On the Damrak, I avoid the tackier souvenir shops.

Amstelveen

There are sophisticated apparel businesses and cheap souvenir shops, nightclubs, and fast-food restaurants on the crowded Leidsestraat. Metz & Co. department store is jam-packed with popular brands and a few Dutch favourites.

Kalverstraat

Many shoe businesses, Dutch staples like HEMA and a high-end department store called Maison de Bonneterie along this pedestrian-only street and its accompanying lanes and "Kalvertoren" shopping mall.

Chain apparel retailers including Esprit, H&M, Mexx, WE, and Zara line the street. In spite of the constant throngs, you are sure to depart this street with a new purchase.

KNSM Island

Located in Amsterdam's Eastern Harbor, KNSM Island offers an abundance of modern attractions. Pilat & Pilat and Pol's Potten are two of the many inventive, modern design and home shops in this new neighbourhood of former warehouses.

The Spui book market

This secondhand and antique book market is a feast for the eyes for bibliophiles. Biography, literature, poetry and fantasy are just few of the genres represented in the dealer collections. A few English and international titles, as well as historic maps, prints and records are available for purchase.