Shopping in Amsterdam

The Nine Streets

Amsterdam’s historic canal ring was dug into nine little streets (‘negen straatjes’) during the 17th century. These narrow streets intersect the main canals between the Leidsestraat and the Jordaan district, and are dotted with great restaurants, cafés, art galleries, jewellers, boutiques and vintage stores. With an exceptional array of styles, trends and prices, this area is truly a shopper’s paradise.

• Read more about these nine streets..

Upscale designers and labels

The Museum District (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum) is home to the majority of Amsterdam’s luxury boutiques and designer stores. The P.C. Hooftstraat is Amsterdam’s most upscale and exclusive shopping street. Along three short blocks is every label and designer you desire: Chanel, Louis Vuitton, DKNY, Mulberry, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and more. On the Van Baerlestraat there is a large Vanillia (popular Dutch brand) store. Famous Dutch designers Percy Irausquin and Marlies Dekkers have shops on the Cornelis Schuytstraat.

Department stores and shopping centres

The Maison de Bonneterie is an upscale department store on the Kalverstraat with labels such as Armani Jeans, Burberry, Diesel, Dolce & Gabbana, DKNY, Ferragamo, Gant, Hugo Boss, Polo Ralph Lauren, Riani and Marc Cain. Vroom & Dreesmann, the largest department store of the Netherlands, offers easy and affordable shopping. De Kalvertoren shopping centre, home to some 45 shops, sells many leading labels including Mango and Tommy Hilfiger Denim. Magna Plaza, an exclusive shopping centre in a stunning monumental building, is located close by at the Dam Square. Located right on Dam Square is the Bijenkorf: a trendy, dynamic department store with a broad collection, innovative themes and consumer initiatives.

The Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat 

The two main shopping streets in Amsterdam’s city centre are the Kalverstraat and the Leidsestraat. Of the two, the Leidsestraat has the more exclusive shops such as Filippa K, Karen Millen, Paul Warmer and Shoebaloo. The Kalverstraat is home to all the shops you would expect in a large city like H&M, Mexx, Zara and Miss Sixty. There are also several department stores here.

Antiques

Following the construction of the Rijksmuseum in 1900, the Spiegelkwartier emerged into Amsterdam’s centre for antiques and art. More than 70 antique shops and galleries in this area boast impressive collections of paintings, ceramics, glass, jewellery, furniture, tribal and Asiatic collectibles; centuries-old or finished yesterday.

The Haarlemmerdijk

The Haarlemmerdijk is a fantastic shopping street, nice and long, filled with shops all the way to Central Station. It is a lively strip where you will find everything from shoes, independent labels and second-hand clothes to food, interior design and Dutch collectables.

The Beethovenstraat

Fashion, perfumeries and upscale patisseries. The Beethovenstraat is a broad street less crowded than other areas, and an ideal spot to shop for luxury products.

Tax-Free Shopping in Holland

Non-EU residents have two possibilities to shop tax-free in Holland: shop at affiliated retailers to Global Refund and ask for a taxfree cheque OR shop at all shops in Holland and ask for a tax receipt. Register for a refund online at VATfree.nl or at Schiphol Airport, departures 2, counter Service Wings. Please note: Make sure tospend a minimum amount of 50 Euro per shop per day to become eligible for VAT refunds. Visit Customs before leaving the EU to ensure your VAT refund.

Opening hours shops

Shops are open from Monday to Saturday, 9:00 to 18:00 (Saturday until 17:00 and Thursday evenings until 21:00). Sundays 12:00 to 17:00.