Shopping

Shopping in Amsterdam

In addition to its box-like buildings and houses that look as if made by chocolate, Amsterdam is also an ideal city for shopping with its different options. If you ask where one goes to shopping in Amsterdam and which streets are the most famous ones; the stops you need to add to your routes are Kalverstraat, which is the most crowded shopping street in the city, De Negen Straatjes where you can find designer boutiques and Utrechtsestraat, which offers more alternative options. 

If you like vintage shopping, Laura Dols (Wolvenstraat 6&7) and Episode (Waterlooplein) are among the shops where you can find the cleanest and the highest quality products for fair prices. If you are into interesting designs, it's a must to visit Friday Next, which designs goods, couches and bags and is located in Overtoom 31. 

Let's look closer to some must-visit stores: 

290 Square Meters

There are Nike shoes which you can modify for yourself, specially designed perfumes, books and magazines, pens, Freitag bags and many Dutch designers to discover.

Houtkopersdwarsstraat 3

Tel: 020 419 2525 

Independent Outlet

You've come to the right place to find products of brands like Fred Perry and Vans for cheap prices. Vijzelstraat 77

Tel: 020 421 2096

Lambiek

Those who love comic books should stop by Lambiek, spend a day between books and check the exhibition that is changed every two months.

Kerkstraat 132

Tel: 020 626 7543

Magna Plaza

You'll find many options from expensive brands like Gucci to chains like Mango in this shopping center located in a grand building right behind Dam Square.

Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 182

Nic Nic

The best place in Amsterdam for furnitures, ashtrays and salvaged goods from 50's and 60's. Even if you're not going to buy, it's worth checking.

Gasthuismolensteeg 5

Tel: 020 622 8523

SPRMRKT

Wouldn't you like to walk around brands like Margiela, Rick Owens, the Acne Jeans collection and Wendy & Jim with a personal stylist and create your own style?

Rozengracht 191-193

Tel: 020 330 5601

Walking around in fairs...

Albert Cuypmarkt: If exotic fruits, countless dip-sauce varieties with French fries, flowers, chocolates and fresh fish interest you, it's open from Monday to Saturday between 9.30 am and 5 pm. 

Noordenmarkt: If you need any vinyls, record players, towels, antiques, accessories, bags or shoes, you can spend hours in Noordenmarkt, which is known as the flea market that every city needs. 

Antiekmarkt: Jewellery, antique, knick-knack and silverwork enthusiasts come together in Elandsgracht 109 every day except Fridays. 

Art Plein Spui: Artists sell their works in this fair which is only open on Sundays. 

Bloemenmarkt: World's only flower fair is on Singel Street from Mondays to Saturdays. It's also possible to find seeds for plants. 

Nieuwmark: Antiques and ornaments on Sundays; farmer's fair where people sell their own crops on Saturdays. 

Waterlooplein: Second hand clothes, DVDs and all kinds of small things to buy are in Waterlooplein from Monday to Saturday.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Amsterdam

You can find many accommodation alternatives in Amsterdam which is one of the most important metropols in the world and flooded by tourist from many different countries. From the most luxurious Amsterdam hotels to the budget-friendly hostels for students, you can choose the one that is the most suitable for your taste and budget. 

If you're looking for a boutique hotel... 

Lloyd Hotel

The hotel, that has been created with the restoration of an old youth prison, also displays the works of recently famed Flemish designers like Atelier van Lieshout and Marcel Wanders.

Oostelijke Handelskade 34

Tel: 020 561 3636

Hotel V Frederiksplein

All rooms, that have been categorized as single, double, big or very big, have bathrooms tiled with pebbles. It's a must to drink a cocktail in front of the fireplace in the entrance of the hotel. Room prices are between 150€ - 250€.

Weteringschans 136

Tel: 020 662 3233

Hotel Arena

Arena’s motto is minimal, modern and chic. If you're staying here, you'll frequently see advertisers and collectionists in the cafe named ToDrink, which is a popular place among locals thanks to its amazing view, in the restaurant called ToDine in the evening and in the bar called ToNight at nights. 

's-Gravesandestraat 51

Tel: (0)20 - 850 24 00

Hotel Roemer

Rain showers, iPod speakers and coffee machines... The rooms that have been designed to make you feel at home have everything in them. If you can't find a room here, you can check the close-by hotel called Hotel Vanda which rents rooms for cheaper prices.

Visscherstraat 8-10

Tel: 020 515 04 55

The Dylan

Its 41 rooms have been designed in 6 different themes under the inspiration of the peaceful world of Asia. You sleep on silk sheets in some of them and wake up with the smell of lavendar in others. The building was used as a theatre in the 17th century, and as a shelter for the poor in the 18th. Room prices start at 250€ and go upwards according to the room's style and the season.

Keizersgracht 384

Tel: 020 530 2010

The College Hotel

This is a business managed by hotel management school students. You can enjoy Flemish cuisine in The College Restaurant and make friends with locals in the hotel's bar.

Roelofhart Straat 1

Tel: 020 5711511

If you're looking for a hostel for a cheap vacation... 

The Flying Pig

In Amsterdam’s most famous hostel, which is the home for young people coming from all around the world, you'll also find staff members who'll create a list of things to do according to your interests. Bed prices start from 25€ and private rooms for 2 start from 35€.

Vossiusstraat 46

Nieuwendijk 100

The Shelter

How many hostels, where open-mic nights are organized, everyone in its cafe knows each other and you wake up with a view of canal seen from its windows, are there? This is one of those. Beds cost 30€ in 4-people rooms with bathrooms and 20€ for bunks.

Barndesteeg 21

Tel: 020 62 53 230

St. Christopher’s Inn – Amsterdam

It has both a style and cheap prices. This hostel, each room of which has been designed with a different theme, different artworks and decorative pieces, is ideal for those who not only looks for a bed but also wants some style.

129 Warmoesstraat

Tel: 020 6231 380

You can check the following websites if you want bigger lists with comparisons:

http://www.weekendhotel.nl/

http://www.venere.com/

http://www.amsterdamby.com/

Food

Food and Drink in Amsterdam

As we all know, this city is the capital for sauce-dipping of crusty potatoes which are soft inside. If you are curious about what to eat in Amsterdam, you shouldn't come back before tasting it. But if you also want to have 3 different meals in fancy restaurants, here's a list for you:

For breakfast...

Café Nielsen

If you're looking for a French toast, some fruit salad, omelettes, bagels and cream cheese or a rich breakfast in short, this is the right place. It's also a great pleasure to sit on the stools in front of the windows and watch people come and go. 

Berenstraat 19

Tel: 020 330 6006

Bagels & Beans

There are endless cheese options, jams, delicatessen and dried nuts in their menu. Bagel with tomato, goat cheese and pine nuts is one of the favorite tastes and employees are always cheerful.

Waterlooplein 2

Raadhuisstraat 18

Hotel Pulitzer

The hotel's breakfast place, which offers an all-you-can-eat breakfast comprised of elements from Fleming, British and American cuisines, is open between 7 am - 11 am. Another address for those who like this breakfast style in hotels is Eden Amsterdam. You can have a rich breakfast with jazz music on Sunday mornings for 37.50€.

Prinsengracht 315-331

Tel: 020-5235235

Eetcafe Volle Maan

If you are wandering around in De Pijp vicinity and get hungry, we recommend you to taste fresh orange juice with tomato-edam cheese toast on the side.

Sarphatipark 4

Tel: 020 6759945

Lunch, Afternoon 

Pancake Bakery

There is a chance that you won't find a table, even if you get in the line at 11:30 am. This is almost like a pancake factory that makes more than 30 kinds of pancakes from salty (with mushrooms, bacons, cheese, onions, potatoes...) to sweet ones (with pineapple, banana, strawberry, chocolate, whipped cream...)

Prinsengracht 191-A

Tel: 020 625 1333

Singel 404

This place, which takes its name from the number of its building and is only open fur lunch, offers tastes like pumpkin soup, hot sandwiches, tuna fish toast and apple pie.

Singel 404

Tel: 020 428 01 54 

Café Brecht

This cafe on the side of the canal, which will take you back to Bertolt Brehct's times with ripped wallpapers, vintage couches and antique plates, is filled with locals at noon. On Wednesdays, you can get cool haircuts with early appointments and writers come together for reading group meetings on Sundays.

Weteringschans 157

Tel: 020 627 2211

Burger Bar

If you're looking for some familiar tastes apart from Amsterdam food, we can direct you here. This is a colorful, self-service hamburger place. When you go in, you'll see a big common table on the right side and high stands with stools and a bar on the left. You can give your orders from the menu above the counter, which consists only hamburger and potatoes. The price of the hamburger varies from 4.95€ to 12.95€ depending on the type and the amount of the meat. Extras cost 1€ each on average. For those who don't get satisfied enough with burgers, potato chips cost 2,20€, homemade delicious sauces cost 0,50€.

Kolksteeg 2

Tel: 020 624 9049

Pane e Olio

This is a tiny restaurant managed by two Italians from Tuscany, a catering service, delicatessen shop and a place where fine food to make you happy is cooked. You'll find many options from quiche to pasta alternatives, courses with eggplant and different sandwiches.

Oude Leliestraat 6

Tel : 06 2 520 4495 

Hap Hmm

Don't miss this place with Flemish grandma foods served in a warm and canteen-like place for 6€ and sometimes even less.

1e Helmerstraat 33

Tel: 020 6181884

The ones waiting for a dinner... 

Beddington’s

You'll find Flemish cuisine influenced by Asia and Japan in the courses created by the English chef Jean Beddington. Tuna fish with horsaradish served with sweet potato mash is the specialty of the place. You'll pay 55€ for a 4-course dinner.

Utrechtsedwarsstraat 141

Tel: 020 620 7393

La Olivia

The point of this place is that they are serving tapas every day in an open buffet. After choosing your entrees there, you can order one main course from the three different options for fish or meat.

Egelantiersstraat 122-4

Tel: 020 320 4316

Greetje

One of the best examples of modernized Flemish cuisine... Toasted breads are brought to your table with goose liver; stamppot (vegetable and potato mash), which is a traditional Flemish food, makes a good companion for all kinds of meat. Main courses cost around 25€ and the restaurant serves after 6 pm.

Peperstraat 23-25

Tel: 020 779 7450

Razmataz

Mediterranean cuisine and French meat... That's the keystone of the menu which is written on a blackboard and changed every day. They also have special treats like asparagus, bean salad and strawberry soup.

Hugo de Grootplein 7

Tel: 020 486 8408

District V

Being one of the most popular restaurants in De Pijp, District V offers its 3-course meal in three different forms as in with meat, fish or for vegetarians. Steak tartare and seafood gazpacho are among their must-tastes. This place is also an ideal spot for those who are looking for a bar atmosphere after 11 pm.

Van der Helstplein 17

Tel: 020 770 0884

Balthazar’s Keuken

If you want to eat in one of the most popular restaurants of Jordaan, which is the hippest and the most cosmopolitan area of the city, you'll need to make a reservation in advance.

Elandsgracht 108

Tel: 020 420 2114

De Klos

This is a heaven for those craving meat. Scallops are served with salad and potatoes on the side. Its artless atmosphere is a good fit for real gourmets.

Kerkstraat 41-43

Tel: 020 625 3730 

Blauw

Do you know about Indonesian food? If your answer is "No", you are at the right place to learn about it. Fruits, sauces, desserts and meat. These are the basics of it all.

Amstelveenseweg 158

Tel: 020 675 5000

Hotel de Goudfazant

You'll be at tables with white clothes in an industrial building facing food cooked in an open kitchen. Aambeeldstraat 10

Tel: 020 636 5170

Envy

Deli platters are followed by sea food and meat plates prepared in the form of tapas by chefs right in front of your eyes. You'll see how many different forms beets can take varying from chips to meringue, from sauces to pickles.

Prinsengracht 381

Tel: 020 344 6407

Useful Information

Country code: +31

Police, Ambulance, Fire Service: 112

Doctor: 020 592 3434

Places to see

Places to Visit in Amsterdam

This old European city built on canals offer many alternatives both for days with its museums, libraries, parks and gardens and for nights with its clubs and bars. 

Openbare Bibliotheek

There is a cafe with an Amsterdam view from above, where people hang out on white couches and use the internet, at the top of this building, which has the title of the biggest public library of Europe.

Oosterdokskade 143 

Vondelpark

Amsterdam's biggest park, which has two different cafes, a movie library, cyclists, people who have picnics, horses, roller-skaters and skaters, young people reading books on the side of the canal and musicians in it, is very lovely especially on Sundays.

1e Constantijn Huygensstraat

Diamond Center

Diamond culture, that has been thrived with the large Jewish population, is concentrated in one center in Amsterdam.

Rokin 1-5

Van Gogh Museum 

More than 200 oil paintings and around 500 sketches are a part of the permanent exhibition in Amsterdam Van Gogh Museum. Don't forget to check its website for talks, concerts and movie nights held in Friday nights.

Paulus Potterstraat 7 

Artis Royal Zoo

120-year-old aquarium, baby elephant Mumba and a rainforest in a covered space. This zoo is a subject of interest for adults as much as it's for children. If you don't have an Amsterdam card, the entrance costs 18.95€.

Plantage Kerklaan 38-40

Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica

If you come across one of those temporary exhibitions held in this library, where there are more than 20000 manuscripts, don't miss it.

Bloemstraat 15

Foam

FOAM, which is built in an old house on the side of the canal, is the museum for photography lovers. It's a must-see spot especially for those who are interested in advertisement and fashion photography.

Keizersgracht 609

Nemo

Having been opened in 1998, Amsterdam's science museum is the right address especially for kids to learn while having fun.

Oosterdok 2

Rijksmuseum

Silver, porcelain, baby houses, ceramics, sculptures from Asia, paintings given as presents in the Ottoman times, jewelleries, guns, many documents and goods belonging to Holland from the 17th and the 18th centuries are exhibited here.

Stadhouderskade 42

Stedelijk

Cézanne, Picasso, Matisse, Chagall, De Kooning, Newman, Ryman, Judd, Stella, Lichtenstein, Warhol, Nauman, Middleton, Dibbets, Kiefer, Polke, Merz… Whoever you want to see from the modern era, you can find them in this collection.

Paulus Potterstraat 13

Anne Frank Huis

The house in which Jewish Anne Frank, whose book we've all read, hid from Nazis with her family for 2 years is in Amsterdam and it's open to visitors as a museum.

Prinsengracht 267

Erotic Museum

This museum which contains John Lennon's erotic lithographs, exhibits nude portraits created by many different artists. 

Oudezijds Achterburgwal 54

Efteling

If you have kids whose dreams lay in Disneyland, you need to take them to this heaven in Amsterdam, where there are witches, fairy tale characters, castles and characters from Arabian Nights and Grimms' Fairy Tales. 

Europalaan 1, Kaatsheuvel, Noord Brabant

Heineken Brewery

Holland's worldwide famous beer company has turned its building, where production stopped in 1988, into a museum which shows the journey of beer and has 4D animations in it.

Stadhouderskade 78

Hortus Botanicus

It's the most colorful garden of Amsterdam since first tropical trees and flowers were planted in 1652.

Plantage Middenlaan 2A

Koninklijy Paleis

It's said that more than 1000 kilos of grass have been planted in the garden of the royal palace, of which construction was completed in the 17th century. Its interior decoration, which has the touches of important artists like Ferdinand Bol, Govert Flinck, Rembrandt, is splendid.  

Dam

A day in galleries... 

Amsterdam is one of the cities which have showed great improvements in terms of modern art and has been flocked by artist. If you want to see a couple of exhibitions while you're already there, you need to walk around in the Jordaan vicinity, which is a true modern art field. 

Some of the galleries you need to see are Diana Stigler (Elandsstraat 90); Annet Gelink (Laurierstraat 187-189) where you can see the works of current Dutch artists like Ed van der Elsken, Alicia Frames, Barbara Visser, Ryan Gander, Virgil Marti; Fons Welters (Bloemstraat 140); Gabriel Rolt (Elandsgracht 34); Motive (Ms. van Riemsdijkweg 41A); Martin Van Zomeren (Prinsengracht 276).

 If you don't want to stay away from art while you're walking around on De Pijp, you can check Juliette Jongma (Gerard Doustraat 128a) and Upstream Gallery (Van Ostadestraat 294). 

AMSTERDAM'S NEIGHBOURHOODS  

 Central: This area also known as "the center" and covering the area starting from train station through Dam Square to the canal, is the most touristic area of Amsterdam. Red Light District, where erotic shows are displayed on windows, and shopping and nightlife center named Leidseplein are also located here. This place is also a huge "money trap" since it's the very first place all tourists face after leaving the train. 

Jordaan: You'll find small boutiques, the atmosphere of a small neighbourhood, galleries, not-so-expensive restaurants which serve sophisticated food and the biggest and the richest flea market of the city called Noordemarkt in these narrow streets that connect with each other all along the canals. 

De Pijp: This is the area where locals live and shop for flower seeds in Saprhatipark, where you can find fresh bread, cheese and vegetables in Cupymarkt and where it turns into nightlife center at nights. 

Museumplein: The area is also known as "museum island" and it houses important museums like Van Gogh, Stedelijk. 

Plantagebuurt: Jewish Historical Museum, botanical gardens, television studios, Wertheimpark, which is also used as a picnic area, Oosterpark and zoo are all located here. 

Nightlife 

If you want to walk around between bars after your dinner like a true Amsterdam local, your neighbourhood is De Pijp. Many cafes like Flamingo, Het Paardje, Café de Pijp all along Eerste Van der Helststraat, Ferdinand Boisstraat, Daniel Stalperstraat streets are waiting for you to drink cocktails after 11 pm. Apart from bars, Amsterdam's night life is waiting to be discovered by those who love clubs and dance halls as well.

Lux

If you want to drink something before a night out, Lux is the place for you. If you get bored here, Kamer and Weber right next to it will be filled with people sipping their drinks after work or dinner.

Marnixstraat 403

Tel: 020 42 422 1412

Paradiso

Magnetic Fields, Girls Like Us, Crocodiles... Dub, funk, house and dance music from Berlin, Londra and Paris stages. Attention: Those who go in Paradisco can't get out before 5 am.

Weteringschans 6

Tel: 020 626 4521 

Melkweg

Theatrical performances and movie screenings also take place on this stage.

Lijnbaansgracht 234 /A

Tel: 020 531 8181

Air

These days, whoever you ask will tell you the name of Air for uninterrupted music. It offers as much fun for gays as for heterosexuals. Dance is guaranteed.

Amstelstraat 16

Tel: 020 362 4150 

Studio 80

The club, which is seen as one of the best places in Europe in the techno-house category, starts to juice up after midnight. 

Rembrandtplein 17

Tel: 020 521 8333

Club 8

A club on the top floor, pool tables in the middle and a gallery with works of young artists in the entrance. Especially university students hang out in this multi-floored place.

Admiraal de Ruijterweg 56B 

Tel: 020 6851703

OT301

OT301, which is an alternative culture center with walls covered with graffities where concerts and galas are held; movie screenings, weekly yoga courses, workshops and parties take place, gets its name from its adress. It's a project realized by a radical and activist art collective.

Overtoom 301

Tel: 020 7794913

Bloemenbar

There are many couches, good music and delicious drinks in this spacious place which brings the nostalgic style and a cosy atmosphere together.

Handboogstraat 15

Alto Café

This cafe which opens its doors 7 days a week for those who want to listen to jazz music, wakes the souls of jazz lovers with whiskey accompanying saxophone sounds between 9 pm and 3 am.

Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 115

Tel: 020 626 3249

Red Light District

Imagine a street: Women perform dance shows on windows and there are cabarets and striptease clubs open for almost 24 hours a day.

 Trouw

This club which is frequented especially by vinyl lovers is a music authority which also has its own label. There are names like Patrice Baumel, Andi Müller, André Obin among musicians whom Trouw produced for.

Wibautstraat 131

Tel: 020 463 7788 

De Groene

This is a bar where people who look for local places among crowds come together. Music ranges from 90's rock songs to 00's house style.

Albert Cuypstraat 130

Tel: 020 470 25 00