Shopping in Amsterdam: a tourist attraction in its own right

A tourist attraction: Cheese (Leerdammer, anyone?), clogs, tulip bulbs and beautiful blue Delft pottery are just a few of the traditional Dutch gifts and souvenirs that you can pick up during a trip to Amsterdam. Shopping in this city is a real delight, and there are also plenty of modern boutiques to explore during a lazy afternoon. 

The best department stores in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s department stores are characterised not just by the wealth of products (from perfumes to high end clothing) that they have on offer but also by their gorgeous buildings. Famed for its huge white domed Atrium, the Maison de Bonneterie is a prime example of a magnificent Dutch department store, as is the fabulous nineteenth century Bijenkorf building. Bijenkorf means ‘beehive’ and when you visit this building right in the centre, on Dam Square, you will see why it has been given this name. If luxury items such as exquisite scents, jewellery and culinary delicacies are on your shopping list whilst you sojourn in Amsterdam, then heading to one of these department stores is highly recommended. 

Open air markets and traditional wares

Amsterdam is famed for its bustling, personality packed flea and flower markets. Tulip bulbs are a great purchase from the canal side flower markets: take them home with you want watch them bloom, bringing a little touch of Dutch authenticity to your front room. When it comes to flea markets, Waterlooplein Market is perhaps the most popular and it has hundreds of stalls selling everything from antiques to clothing. Farmers frequently bring their wares to Amsterdam’s markets and so you can have a wonderful time sampling the various cheeses on offer and deciding which ones to wrap and take home with you. Albert Cuyp Market (which has been running in the city since way back in 1905) and Noordermarkt are two examples of markets that are popular with locals and tourists alike; both of these markets sell a range of goods including food, clothing, antiques, handicrafts and flowers.

Bring your shopping bags back to your hostel

It is important to have a strategically placed base in Amsterdam from which to head out on your shopping missions. Hostel Sarphati is the perfect place to stay if you want to eat, drink and shop in the city in between visiting the most famous Amsterdam attractions such as the museums and the canals.