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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.

The WE shop in the Kalverstraat
Besides stores from the mobile phone providers such as Vodafone you will find some typical stores as well, like a cheese shop.
Cheese shop in the Kalverstraat

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.

The store in stores in The Bijenkorf
Stores in store in De Bijenkorf

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.

Clothes department at The Bijenkorf
On the fifth floor a restaurant is located. After shopping you can have a meal in The Kitchen restaurant where you can enjoy meals from the American, Italian and Japanese cuisine. Just a drink? Head to the Dam Café on the first floor and enjoy a nice view at the Dam square.
Bags at display in The Bijenkorf Amsterdam

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.

Vintage Store at 9 straatjes Amsterdam
Vintage stores in the 9 straatjes

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.

A chocolate store in one of the 9 straatjes in Amsterdam
Check the chocolate store!

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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