Where to go shopping
Amsterdam is not only fizzing of culture, also the shopaholics among us will have a great time here! To avoid that you only walk through that one long shopping street with famous brands, we give you some great tips to explore also the shops around the corner!
Let´s start at ´De negen straatjes´, the place to shop in Amsterdam. This area of the city is not only famous for its many shops, also its picturesque appearance gives her a charm which is difficult to resist. Surrounded by the famous Prinsengracht, Keizergracht and Herengracht here you will find original and traditional shops, ranging from hip vintage stores to Amsterdam specialty stores such as de handbags shop ´Dutchies´. Many shops are also open on Sunday! Also nice to know is that you can gbuy a real ´shopping guide´ on many different places.
Who wants to walk around the entire day to do some good bargains can go to the Utrechtsestraat. In this long shopping street you can find cozy decoration stores, specialty stores and affordable, trendy boutiques. But for those who have the big purchases in mind will do better at the historic heart of Amsterdam, the Dam. From small souvenir shops to large shopping centers, you will find it all at the Dam!
Who´s not yet satisfied after shopping at the Dam and the Utrechtsestraat, can take a look at the Kalverstraat. When you walk through this pedestrian shopping street, you come in a shopping paradise as we speak. You also find here the large clothing chains like H&M, Zara, Esprit and Mexx.
Designer lovers are also well catered in Amsterdam. In the P.C. Hooftstraat there are housed big fashion names like Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Hermés. In the Old-South of Amsterdam you will find the more affordable luxury, mainly Dutch made. Van Baerlestraat, Beethovenstraat and the Cornelis Schuystraat are some of the streets that are known for their ´high fashion level´.
Also the Jordaan hosts a lot of original designer gadgets, although you need to find it yourself in one of the many nice second-hand shops.
The people who are looking for a new design for their home can go to KNSM Island. They have an endless supply of cool gadgets and practical decoration. But not only design is hot in Amsterdam, also the antique lovers can go on a razzle in the famous Spiegel Quarter (Spiegelkwartier), where both local artists and antique dealers gather.
Amsterdam market city!
A visit to Amsterdam is nog complete without a visit to the most popular market in the Netherlands! On the Albert Cuyp market you will find real Amsterdam humor, the Amsterdam atmosphere and the Amsterdam sociability. The market has existed since 1905 and after more than one hundred years it is still attractive to ordinary inhabitants of Amsterdam, bargain hunters, strollers, day visitors and tourists.
On this market there are fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, flowers and the traditional stroopwafels, but also beautiful textiles, trendy clothing, leather goods and jewelry can be found here.
The Dappermarkt is a marketplace, which has been judged the Best Market of the Netherlands in 2007. It is a very lively place, good for buying low cost fruits and food products.There also are a lot of exotic cuisine on the market. If you came here for shopping, visit the shops or many cafes around Dappermarkt – the market itself is more general goods place, on a very basic level.
Also interesting to visit is the flower market. This is the only floating flower market in the world, and one of the most fragrant places of interest of Amsterdam - in all seasons. The flower stalls stand on the houseboats. You will find there all sorts of tulips, narcissus and other bulbs and flowers. The bulbs are ready for export, so you can enjoy them at home too. In December the market also sells green Christmas trees.
