Markets in Amsterdam
Shopping in Amsterdam’s colourful and lively markets is a great way to clinch a bargain while picking up a few Dutch souvenirs for your friends and family back home.
The city’s market culture dates back to the early 18th century with the first stall set up in the Jewish Quarter in 1783. Today, there are 12 daily outdoor markets, 15 markets which are open one or two days of the week and several markets which open on a certain day of the season. Most are open during normal shopping hours so weather permitting, you can shop to your hearts’ content. Of course while you are pursuing through the items, always keep your eye on your belongings, as markets are every pick-pocketers paradise.
There are some great markets to choose, located mostly in the centre of town. Whatever you are into, you are most likely to find it at one of the many markets- whether its general domestic appliances and other household goods or speciality produce such as cheeses or bread. All items are individually priced but if you are really daring, go down to the Waterlooplein Flea Market, one of the few markets in Amsterdam where haggling is commonplace, for your flowers or plants visit the Flower Market – Bloemenmarkt, and for your biological food check the Farmer’s market - Boerenmarkt (on Noordermarkt).
The most important Amsterdam´s markets are:
Albert Cuypmarkt
Amsterdam’s largest and busiest market
Speciality: General goods, food produce, exotic herbs and spices
Located: Albert Cuypstraat/Ferdinand Bolstraat, 1072 LL
Tram: Albert Cuypstraat: tram 16, 20, 24 & 25
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 am - 5.00 pm
Antiekmarkt De Looier
 Antiques and curiosa market - one of the few covered markets in Amsterdam
Specialty: furniture, jewelry, silverware, collectables.
Located: Elandsgracht 109, 1016 TT
Tram: Elandsgracht: tram 7, 10, 17 & 20
Open: each day of the week except Friday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday closed.
Art Plein Spui
Market where artist sell their works of art.
Speciality: Original prints, small oil paintings.
Located: Spui Plein, 1012 WZ
Tram: 1,2, 4, 5, 9, 16, 17, 24 and 25 – tram stop Spui
Open: Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (not in winter)
Bloemenmarkt
The only floating flower market in the world
Speciality: Flowers, seeds, bulbs and rare flowers such as black tulips
Located: Singel, 1071 AZ
Tram: Muntplein: tram 4, 9, 14, 16, 24 & 25
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30 am - 5.00 pm
Boekenmarkt
Very popular book market
Speciality: Books, cards, maps, engravings
Located: Oudemanhuispoort
Tram: Muntplein: tram 4, 9, 14, 16, 24 & 25
Open: Monday - Saturday 10.00 am - 4.00 pm
Farmer's Market, Noordermarkt - Boerenmarkt
(Biological Fresh Food Market - Biologische versmarkt).
Biological food, fresh fruits, cheese and cakes, snacks. The most popular Amsterdam market at the moment.
Speciality: Mushrooms, biological food, cheese, fresh fish, herbs.
Located: Noordermarkt, 1015 MV
Tram: Westermarkt -tram 13 & 17 or Marnixbad - tram 3 & 10
Open: Saturday 9.00 am - 3.00 pm
Dappermarkt
 Amsterdam’s cheapest market
Speciality: Clothes, food, general goods
Located: Dapperstraat, 1093 BK
Tram: Eerste van Swindenstraat: tram 9 & 14
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.00 am - 4.00 pm
Lindengracht market
Saturday food and folwers market, next to the Noordermakt – usual weekend shopping place for people who live in Amsterdam.  Also bicycles, cosmetics and small objects you might need at home.
Speciality: Food, general goods, bicycles and bicycle parts, shoes, DVD´s.
Located: Lindengracht, 1015 KJ
Tram: Marnixbad: tram 3 & 10
Open: Saturday 9.00 am - 4.00 pm
Postzegelmarkt
A collector’s market
Specialty: Stamps, coins, old postcards, commemorative medals
Located: Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 280, 1012 RL
Tram: station Het Spui - tram 1, 2, 5, 13, 17 & 20
Open: Wednesday & Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Waterlooplein Flea Market
Flea market, an unique 300-stall outdoor bazaar is full of curiosa, general bric-a-brac, second-hand clothing, CDs, DVDs, appliances and other brand new and used goods. Speciality: Second-hand clothes, curiosa.
Located: Waterlooplein, 1011 PG
Tram: 1, 2, 5, 13 from Magna Plaza or 14 from Central Station
Open: Monday - Friday 9.00 am - 5.30 pm; Saturday: 8.30 am –5.30 pm.
Westerstraat market
Best market for clothes and small objects. Often the products from the shops which went bankrupt are sold here. Open only on Monday morning. Also a small flea market – just at the church on the Noordermarkt.
Speciality: Clothes and shoes (often by big names in fashion), small objects, general goods, textiles.
Located: Westerstraat, 1015 ML
Tram: Marnixbad: tram 3 & 10
Open: Monday 9.00 am - 13.00 pm
Page reviewed and updated on 26 June 2006. |
