Top 10 Amsterdam Shopping Areas

Amsterdam is undeniably the shopping capital of the Netherlands. Besides the diverse mix of trendy, antique, modern, luxury, cheap, second-hand, lavish and everything in between, what makes shopping in Amsterdam so fun is the different personalities that emerge from each of the city's main shopping districts.

We’ve outlined our top Amsterdam shopping areas, but take note: these don't even include the many open-air markets that deserve a category all their own. Whether you're window shopping or out to drop some serious cash, you're in for a complete range of choices with these picks.

01 of 10

De Negen Straatjes ('The Nine Little Streets')

Address

Negen Straatjes, 1016 Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Best for: Scenic, uniquely Amsterdam shopping experience
The quaint "Nine Streets" area is by far our favorite shopping spot in Amsterdam, not just for its picturesque location; they straddle the Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht in Amsterdam's Central Canal Ring--but for its original and diverse selection of stores. You'll never tire of strolling the hand-laid brickwork lanes, dotted with designer boutiques, cozy cafés, vintage stores and specialty shops. Look for "De 9 Straatjes" on the street signs and pick up a district shopping map from any of the charming retailers.

02 of 10

Utrechtsestraat

Address

Utrechtsestraat, 1017 Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Best for: Trendy shopping in the Eastern Canal Belt
What appears as a smaller undertaking than the Nine Streets or crazy Kalverstraat (see below), this long canal-crossing street has enough specialty stores and boutiques to keep you browsing for several hours. We especially like Leuk for quality basics and fun dresses, and lovely home stores like Kom, which sells special linens, tableware, and bath accessories. The street and its side alleys are also full of fantastic places to eat, from gourmet delis and casual cafés to fine-dining favorites and tapas bars.

03 of 10

Pieter Cornelisz (P.C.) Hooftstraat

Best for: Wishful window-shopping and high-brow label-hunting
Amsterdam's mini Fifth Avenue, located in the Museum Quarter neighborhood, is home to high-end classics (Chanel, Gucci, Hermés, Louis Vuitton), jewelry (Chopard, Cartier) and lifestyle stores, as well as several boutiques selling more luxury labels. Azzurro at 142 is the city's only retailer of Christian Louboutin shoes. More moderate shoppers can find reasonable prices in stores like Mexx and Claudia Strater.

04 of 10

More Streets in Oud Zuid ('Old South')

Address

Amsterdam Oud-Zuid, Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Best for: A sophisticated afternoon of shopping with affluent locals
Those who venture beyond the P.C. Hooftstraat while in the Oud Zuid ("Old South") neighborhood, are rewarded with smart clothing, accessories and gift stores in one of Amsterdam's nicest residential areas. Van Baerlestraat features chic names like Pauw and Vanila. Beethovenstraat, along with the eastern border of this neighborhood, boasts a row of women's, men's and children's chic shops. Don't miss Cornelis Schuytstraat and its trendy boutiques and home stores for a special Dutch outfit or gift.

Continue to 5 of 10 below.

05 of 10

De Jordaan

Address

Elandsgracht 45, 1016 TN Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Phone +31 20 471 1833

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Best for: Discovering hidden treasures in a funky Amsterdam area
It's fun to spend an afternoon getting lost in the maze of tiny streets in the heart of the bohemian-yuppie Jordaan neighborhood, where you'll stumble upon second-hand stores, artist's studios, small boutiques, and galleries. Head to the busy Haarlemmerstraat for more clothing stores and plenty of places to eat after a hard day's shopping.

06 of 10

Spiegelkwartier

Best for: Antiquing, scouting local artists
On the pretty little canal (Spiegelgracht) and narrow brick street (Nieuwe Spiegelstraat) just north of the Rijksmuseum, you'll find one after another of beautiful antique shops with art, furniture, Delftware, prints, books -- the list goes on and on. The many art galleries on the cross-street Kerkstraat are also part of this antique- and art-dense area, known as the "Spiegelkwartier."

07 of 10

Dam Square Area

Address

Dam, 1012 Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Best for: Rainy-day shopping
While it's not my favorite place to hang out all day (too ultra-touristy for me), the area around Dam Square does offer a wealth of shopping. My favorite is De Bijenkorf, a popular Dutch department store somewhat comparable to the American Bloomingdale's. The many mainstream stores of the nearby Magna Plaza shopping center (behind the Royal Palace) are open seven days a week until 7 p.m. (until 9 p.m. on Thursdays). I stay away from all the tacky souvenir shops on the Damrak.

08 of 10

Leidsestraat

Address

Leidsestraat, 1017 Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Best for: Popping into stores on your way to the Museum Quarter
Busy Leidsestraat features chic clothing stores like the UK-based Karen Millen alongside cheap souvenir traps, night shops, and fast-food joints. There are also shoe stores galore (Camper is a favorite) and a Hugo Boss store in the monumental building that once housed the high-end department store Metz & Co.

Continue to 9 of 10 below.

09 of 10

Kalverstraat

Address

Kalverstraat, 1012 Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Best for: "Shop 'til you drop" experience
This pedestrian-only street and its adjacent alleys and "Kalvertoren" shopping center feature a mix of chain clothing stores (Esprit, H&M, Mexx, WE, Zara), dozens of shoe stores, Dutch staple stores like HEMA and a pricey, chic department store, Maison de Bonneterie. If you can tolerate the ever-present crowds, you're likely to leave this street with a new purchase in hand.

10 of 10

KNSM Island

Address

KNSM Island, 1019 LG Amsterdam, Netherlands

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Best for: Modern design shopping
If it's all things modern you seek, head to KNSM Island, located in Amsterdam's Eastern Harbor. Tram line 10 will take you all the way to this young neighborhood of former warehouses, where you'll find innovative, modern design and home shops, like Pilat & Pilat and Pol's Potten.

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