Shopping in Amsterdam is an experience in itself. In the city centre you’ll find shops with an unprecedented variety. In addition to luxurious department stores and shops of the well-known chains, you’ll find various shopping areas with a unique character. There is something for everyone in Amsterdam. The luxurious shopper can indulge in the P.C. Hooftstraat while lovers of antiques can go to the Spiegelkwartier.
Amsterdam has an extremely large number of specialty shops and stores with trinkets. There is simply market for everything. When you are in Amsterdam, you’ll notice that the shops are popping up everywhere. In the small streets the shopping areas flow into each other. Do you want to go out and stroll around the shops for an afternoon, then you’ll certainly appreciate the tips below.
1. The Nine Little Streets
The Nine Streets is a shopping area with many small, separate shops and restaurants. The streets connect the large Amsterdam canals. They’re located in the charming 17th century part of the city. This shopping area is a great alternative against the large shopping district in nearby Kalverstraat. You’ll find The Nine Little Streets just west of Dam Square. At least 150 boutiques, antique shops, shoe and clothing stores and many restaurants are located here.
2. Magna Plaza
Directly behind the Royal Palace on the Dam Square, you’ll find Magna Plaza. It’s a beautiful indoor shopping centre in a monumental building of the former post office of Amsterdam. On various floors you can find shops of Mango, Lacoste, Cavallaro Napoli, Micabella Club and many others. You’ll also find nice tourist shops such as Cheese & More and Typical Dutch.
3. De Bijenkorf
This is the most luxurious department store in Amsterdam with 20,000 m² of retail space. It’s located on Dam Square in a monumental building from 1915 that was built in a historic style. De Bijenkorf has been established here for more than 100 years. It has everything to offer what you expect from a contemporary luxury department store. On the 5th floor is a restaurant with a view over Amsterdam.
4. P.C. Hooftstraat
Are you interested in luxury shopping? Then you can go to the P.C. Hooftstraat. This is the chicest shopping street in the Netherlands. Together with a few other streets, the shopping area is located near the Vondelpark, just past the Rijksmuseum. The P.C. Hooftstraat contains many exclusive clothing stores including Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermès and Tiffany & Co.
5. Spiegelkwartier
The Walhalla for antiques and art is located in the Spiegelkwartier. Here you’ll find more than 100 antique dealers and art galleries. Together they offer a huge range of antiques, old and contemporary art, exotic folk art and contemporary ceramics. The Spiegelkwartier is located in the driveway to the Rijksmuseum and has gradually expanded to other streets.
6. Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat
These shopping streets are traditionally known as the Amsterdam shopping area par excellence. The shopping area is in the heart of the city and starts at Dam Square. Nowadays you’ll find many large chains such as H&M, Zara and Esprit. Especially clothing and fashion are widely available. The Kalverstraat is completely closed to car traffic and is therefore a relaxed pedestrian zone.
7. Haarlemmerbuurt
Finally, we take a look at the Haarlemmerbuurt. This district is located west of the Central Station. There are about 235 stores here. You’ll find a wide range of shops, from established chain stores to cozy, independent boutiques, specialty stores and cool restaurants. This area offers, just like the Nine Little Streets, a varied alternative to the large chains in the Kalverstraat.
