Shopping in Amsterdam – The Best Girly Weekend Yet
Shopping in Amsterdam is an experience not to be missed. With a huge variety of stores, malls and shopping areas, you are pleasantly spoilt for choice.
Something for everyone
Shopping in Amsterdam: In the historic Canal District of Amsterdam, is an area made up of nine narrow streets and alleys, constructed during the 17 Century. Known as Negen Straatjes this is an excellent area for shopping, where you will find restaurants, cafe’s, speciality boutiques, jewellery shops, vintage stores and much more. With a wide variety of styles and prices, there is something here for everyone.
Looking for something a little more luxurious? Head for the Museum District, and P.C. Hooftstraat to find all your well known designer labels, luxury goods and cosmetics. If you are a fan of Department stores, head to Dam Square where you will find De Bijenkorf one of Amsterdam’s best known chain stores.
Just behind Dam Square is Magna Plaza, home to a wide collection of shops. Many are popular high street shops and chain stores, as well as stores offering cosmetics and skincare products. This impressive building has three floors of shopping experience, and was once home to the Amsterdam Post Office. Nearby on the Kalversrtaat is the De Kalvertoren shopping centre with 45 shops. This is one of Amsterdam’s busiest commercial shopping areas.
A little culture
The Spiegelkwartier is Amsterdam’s centre for art and antiquities, with more than 70 shops and galleries boasting impressive collections of jewellery, glass, ceramics, sculptures, porcelain and paintings as well as furniture and tribal artefacts. If you are looking for something a little unusual this is the place to look. Many items are one-of-a-kind pieces.
At the Eastern edge of the canal belt is the Utrechterstraat, full of fashion boutiques, trendy stores, interior design shops and much more, including cafe’s, bars and restaurants.
Flea markets
The Albert Cuyp Markt is a street market selling a selection of Moroccan, Indonesian and Turkish foods, as well as clothing, books, textiles and flowers. It is one of the largest open air markets in Europe. Here you’ll find great bargains as well as fresh food and local produce.
The best known and most central flea market in Amsterdam is Waterlooplien selling furniture, bicycles, quirky knick-knacks, vintage clothing, Hawaiian shirts and creations from new designers trying to make a name for themselves.
This is just a tiny selection of shops, malls and markets in Amsterdam. If you love shopping, you’ll absolutely adore Amsterdam.
Time to rest
Of course, when you’re done with all that shopping, you’ll need a somewhere to rest your feet and recharge your batteries for the next shopping excursion. There are a wide variety of places on offer from luxurious hotels to budget hostels. If you want something right in the heart of the city, look no further than Amsterdam Hostel Uptown. A B&B in a historic building close to all amenities, with a friendly atmosphere, low prices and high standards of safety and security. You even get a free city map so you can find all those wonderful shops.
