Shops and markets in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is not very large and shopping here does not get tired. You can buy very original things in the city. There are many shops of Dutch designers with their own vision of fashion, antique and art shops and, of course, jewelry stores. The best time for shopping is the second half of December. After Christmas, discounts reach their maximum, but a lot has already been sold out by that time. There are sales during other seasons, but they are not so big..
First of all, Amsterdam is known for the quality of gem cutting. The first stones were processed here four centuries ago. There are many jewelry stores offering masterly cut diamonds on the shopping streets of the city. If you want to learn more about diamonds and the process of their processing, then jewelry factories offer an excursion program. The Coster Diamonds factory is located in the museum square, and the large jewelry store Amsterdam Diamonds Center is located in the central Dam square..
Shopping areas, streets and markets
- There are quite a few shopping streets in Amsterdam: Leidsestraat, Haarlemmerdijk, Pieter Cornelisz, Hooftstraat and Wolvenstraat, Huidenstraat. Nieuwendijk and Kalverstraat are suitable for lovers of well-known brands H&M, Mexx, Zara, Esprit, Bershka. You can also find quite original shops here: Desigual with cheerful bright Spanish clothes or Sabon with Israeli Dead Sea cosmetics. The multi-brand three-storey Maison de Bonetterie store will also be of interest. Alcoholic drinks in original containers are sold at the de Vreng en zonen store. The bottle may look like a car or other means of transportation, a fairy-tale character. Nearby - at the corner of Nieuwendijk and Haringpakkerssteeg - you can buy Dutch cheese for wine in a specialty store.
- The area of 9 streets (9 straatjes) is attractive for connoisseurs of eccentricity in fashion and preferences. There are many boutiques of young Dutch and European designers. Music lovers will love the Sugar and Spice store, where in addition to contemporary music you can choose something on vinyl. The Gamekeeper store sells modern and not so board games. The area is also home to notable second-hand shops such as Episode with dresses for special occasions..
- Custom purchases can also be made in the Van Baerlestraat area. Here is the shop of two wonderful graduates of the Dutch Academy of Arts, The People Of The Labyrints, with their flying, hand-painted fabrics and incredible cuts. The prices in the store are high, but you don't have to buy to get into high fashion, you can just try it on. Much more pleasant prices at Gaastra store. It is a Dutch casual clothing brand. It is interesting that earlier this company sewed sea sails, and now it has retrained for very original clothes..
- Tourists will be interested in the market on Spui Square. On Friday, it is filled with old books, postcards, reproductions. Contemporary Dutch artists present their works on Sundays..
- For amateur gardeners, there is a direct road to the Amsterdam flower market. Dormant bulbs and young plants, cacti and orchids, a lot of flowers. How the customs officers will react to the seed is a big question. But you can endlessly wander and enjoy the variety of shapes and colors here..
