Everyone knows the top sights in Amsterdam – the Anne Frank House where the famous girl and her family were hidden, the Rijksmuseum where some of the world’s best art is on show, and the beautiful canal rings you can explore on foot or by boat.
But there’s always more to a popular city than the main sights, and in Amsterdam the street markets are one of the gems that you really must seek out. We’ve picked our favourites – some are a little out of the way, whilst others are so slap-bang in the middle of the action that you might overlook them in the crowds.
Albert Cuyp Market
Albert Cuypstraat, De Pijp
Monday to Saturday
Just outside the central canal rings, this is Amsterdam’s most famous daily market. A wealth of things are on offer from fish, fruit and vegetable to fabrics, clothing and spices. It stretches over a kilometre and is a great example of the city’s multiculturalism. As it’s a little out of the way it’s off the usual tourist trail, so if you want to buy tulip bulbs at great prices, this is where to head
Bloemenmarkt
Singel, between Koningsplein and Muntplein
Open every day
This flower market is right in the centre of Amsterdam and it’s known as THE place to buy flowers and bulbs when you take a trip to the city. It’s a floating market, with the stalls floating on houseboats, but over the years they have become more and more fixed – so it’s really easy to do all your purchasing from solid ground. With 15 flower stalls there’s plenty of choice, so you’ll be able to find tulip bulbs in every colour of the rainbow.
Dappermarkt
Dapperstraat, Amsterdam East
Monday to Saturday
Officially Amsterdam’s coolest street market, this market gets going early and you’ve got to be there close to 8am to get the best deals. It’s all about multiculturalism here, with a welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. You’ll find produce from all over the world, and there are regular special events with music. It’s a great place to grab lunch and settle down for some people watching – you might even make some new friends!
Waterlooplein Flea Market
Waterlooplein
Monday to Saturday
Just 15 minutes from Dam Square you can find this huge flea market which is a treasure trove of second hand clothes, bric-a-brac, furniture and more. Plan to spend quite some time here as this is not a market on the same scale as the rest of Amsterdam – it’s got plenty of space which seems at odds with the super-skinny canal houses! This is the oldest market in the city, and although it’s close to the centre it’s not on the usual tourist trail. Haggling is more accepted here than elsewhere, but always be polite!
Spui Book Market
Spui between Kalverstraat and Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal
Fridays
Known as the best place to buy second hand books in the whole of the Netherlands, you will find there’s no genre left behind, from biographies and fantasy fiction to art and psychology. Stalls are seemingly endless, with tables and tents stretching right down the street. Although many of the titles will be in Dutch, there are always plenty of English books as well – or you can browse the art, antique maps and more which are also on sale here.
Lapjesmarkt
Westerdstraat, Jordaan
Mondays
This is the largest and oldest textiles and fabric market in the Netherlands, and you won’t believe how many different stalls and varieties of fabrics there are! It’s easy to get carried away thanks to cheap prices and the amazing selection – just think of your baggage limit on your return flight! This market blends with the Noordermarkt, which happens daily in the adjacent square, and is a great place to grab a bite to eat.
Fancy visiting Amsterdam to see the sights and check out some of the street markets? Book your flights and hotel – and check out our guide for more insider information.
