shopping in Amsterdam
Amsterdam's shopping spots
Amsterdam has some well-known places for shopping. From markets to the famous department store Bijenkorf.
Amsterdam is also known for its many specialty shops, including cheese shops, bookstores, and art supply stores.
Shopping in 'de Kalverstraat'
The Kalverstraat is the place to be for shopping, it is Amsterdam’s major shopping area. It is located between Dam Square and Rembrandt Square and it is almost 1 kilometer long. You will find around 160 shops in this street. It’s a pedestrian area only. The shops vary from apparel to shoes, like H&M, Zara, Mango and Levi’s.
If you walk in the Kalverstraat you probably will hear the music from, as we call in Dutch ‘draaiorgel’, a street organ. In the past, the people really had to spin the wheel to turn up the music but nowadays a small engine does the work. It is something typical you might see in crowded Dutch shopping streets.
Opening hours shopping in De Kalverstaat
The opening hours for shopping in Amsterdam’s main shopping street are:
Monday: from 1 pm till 6 pm
Tuesday till Wednesday: from 9 AM till 6 PM
Thursday: from 9 AM till 9 PM
Friday till Saturday: from 9 AM till 6 PM
Sunday: from 12 PM till 5 PM
explore amsterdam
See which museums there are to discover, which activities are fun to do and what else you can see and do in Amsterdam.
LUXURY DEPARTMENT STORE DE BIJENKORF
De Bijenkorf is a small chain of luxury department stores in The Netherlands. Besides the store in Amsterdam, there are 6 other stores, the store in Amsterdam is the flagship store in The Netherlands.
The building consists of five floors with luxury brands, fashion, accessories, beauty products, shoes and culinary delights.
Shop for the most exclusive brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hèrmes, Burberry and Gucci in de Bijenkorf Amsterdam.
On the ground floor you will find beauty products. Clothes and shoes on the 1st and 2nd floor. All major fashion brands are available.
You will find the Bijenkorf at the Dam square in the city’s center. Coming from Amsterdam Central Station you cannot miss it.
Opening hours shopping in De Bijenkorf
The opening hours for shopping in Amsterdam’s main department store are:
Monday: from 11 pm till 9 pm
Tuesday till Saturday: from 10 AM till 9 PM
Sunday: from 10 AM till 8 PM
Friday till Saturday: from 9 AM till 6 PM
Sunday: from 12 PM till 5 PM
SHOPPING IN THE 9 STRAATJES (NINE STREETS)
The ‘9 straatjes’ means the little 9 streets, a small neighborhood on the west side of the city center. It’s an area which consists of 9 streets located between the canals Keizersgracht, Herengracht, Singel and Prinsengracht.
The shops are located in those typical old buildings in Amsterdam. This part in Amsterdam was constructed back in the 17the century. It is not a crowded shopping area like the Kalverstraat, here you shop at ease.
Shop for the most exclusive brands such as Louis Vuitton, Hèrmes, Burberry and Gucci in de Bijenkorf Amsterdam.
On the ground floor you will find beauty products. Clothes and shoes on the 1st and 2nd floor. All major fashion brands are available.
Don’t expect to find some major brand stores here. You will not find them here. Instead, you will find little vintage stores and 2nd hand clothes.
The area is provided with cozy coffee bars where you can just relax and have a coffee from a barista. Or just have a lunch in one of the small restaurants for a healthy lunch.
Apart from clothing and shoes, take a look at the art shops, bookstores and jewellery shops.
The houseboat museum is also located in this area. Check this museum how people live in boats on the canals.
Map of the shopping area 'The 9 straatjes'
Opening hours shopping in The 9 Straatjes
As most shops are small shops, opening hours may vary between them.
In general:
Monday till Saturday: from 11 AM till 6 PM
Sunday from 12 noon till 5 PM
CANAL CRUISE
Of course you cannot leave Amsterdam without boarding a canal cruise. Most cruises last an hour and are guided tours. There are also special cruises, such as evenings cruises with drinks and bites. Most ships have an open-air section. You can also do a tour in open smaller boats or even private boats, ideal for groups where full catering can be arranged.
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