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Top 10 Amsterdam Shopping Areas

From Shannon McAllister,
Your Guide to Amsterdam Travel.
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Amsterdam is undeniably the shopping capital of the Netherlands. Besides the diverse mix of trendy, antique, modern, luxury, cheap, second-hand, lavish and everything in between, what makes shopping in Amsterdam so fun are the different personalities that emerge from each of the city's main shopping districts.

I've outlined my top Amsterdam shopping areas below, but take note: these don't even include the many open-air markets that deserve a category all their own. Whether you're window shopping or out to drop some serious cash, you're in for a complete range of choices with these picks. Happy hunting!

1. De Negen Straatjes ('The Nine Little Streets')

Best for: Scenic, uniquely Amsterdam shopping experience

The quaint "Nine Streets" area is by far my favorite shopping spot in Amsterdam, not just for its picturesque location -- they straddle the Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht in Amsterdam's Central Canal Ring -- but for its original and diverse selection of stores. I never tire of strolling the hand-laid brickwork lanes, dotted with designer boutiques, cozy cafés, vintage stores and specialty shops. Look for "De 9 Straatjes" on the street signs and pick up a district shopping map from any of the charming retailers.

2. Pieter Cornelisz (P.C.) Hooftstraat

Best for: Wishful window-shopping and high-brow label-hunting

Amsterdam's mini Fifth Avenue, located in the Museum Quarter neighborhood, is home to high-end clothing (Chanel, Gucci, Hermés, Louis Vuitton), jewelry (Chopard, Cartier) and specialty (Mont Blanc, Henckels) stores, as well as several boutiques selling more luxury labels. More moderate shoppers can find reasonable prices in stores like Mexx and Benetton.

3. More Streets in Oud Zuid ('Old South')

Best for: A sophisticated afternoon of shopping with affluent locals

Those who venture beyond the P.C. Hooftstraat while in the Oud Zuid ("Old South") neighborhood, are rewarded with smart clothing, accessories and gift stores in one of Amsterdam's nicest residential areas. Van Baerlestraat features chic names like Pauw and Vanila. Beethovenstraat, along the eastern border of this neighborhood, boasts a row of women's, men's and children's chic shops. Don't miss Cornelis Schuytstraat and its trendy boutiques and home stores for a special Dutch outfit or gift.

4. De Jordaan

Best for: Discovering hidden treasures in a funky Amsterdam area

It's fun to spend an afternoon getting lost in the maze of tiny streets in the heart of the bohemian-yuppie Jordaan neighborhood, where you'll stumble upon second-hand stores, artist's studios, small boutiques and galleries. Head to the busy Haarlemmerstraat for more clothing stores and plenty of places to eat after a hard day's shopping.

5. Spiegelkwartier

Best for: Antiquing, scouting local artists

On the pretty little canal (Spiegelgracht) and narrow brick street (Nieuwe Spiegelstraat) just north of the Rijksmuseum, you'll find one after another of beautiful antique shops with art, furniture, Delftware, prints, books -- the list goes on and on. The many art galleries on the cross-street Kerkstraat are also part of this antique- and art-dense area, known as the "Spiegelkwartier."

6. Utrechtsestraat

Best for: Trendy shopping in the Eastern Canal Belt

A much smaller undertaking than the Nine Streets or crazy Kalverstraat (see below), this busy street has enough specialty stores and boutiques to make it worth a look if you're in the neighborhood. I especially like Pasja for funky fashion and In de Keuken (the name means "in the kitchen"), a specialty kitchen and foodie store that doubles as a posh restaurant. There are plenty more cool eateries to fuel your fashion-finding.

7. Dam Square Area

Best for: Rainy-day shopping

While it's not my favorite place to hang out all day (too ultra-touristy for me), the area around Dam Square does offer a wealth of shopping. My favorite is De Bijenkorf, a popular Dutch department store somewhat comparable to the American Bloomingdale's. The many mainstream stores of the nearby Magna Plaza shopping center (behind the Royal Palace) are open seven days a week until 7 p.m. (until 9 p.m. on Thursdays). I stay away from all the tacky souvenir shops on the Damrak.

8. Leidsestraat

Best for: Popping into stores on your way to the Museum Quarter

Busy Leidsestraat features chic clothing stores like the UK-based Karen Millen alongside cheap souvenir traps, night shops and fast-food joints. There are also shoe stores galore (Camper is a favorite) and a high-end department store in a monumental building (Metz & Co.), on the top floor of which you can have lunch overlooking the Central Canal Belt.

9. Kalverstraat

Best for: "Shop 'til you drop" experience

This pedestrian-only street and its adjacent alleys and "Kalvertoren" shopping center feature a mix of chain clothing stores (Esprit, H&M, Mexx, WE, Mango, Zara), dozens of shoe stores, Dutch staple stores like HEMA and a pricey, chic department store (Maison de Bonneterie). If you can tolerate the ever-present crowds, you're likely to leave this street with a new purchase in hand.

10. KNSM Island

Best for: Modern design shopping

If it's all things modern you seek, head to KNSM Island, located in Amsterdam's Eastern Harbor. Tram line 10 will take you all the way to this young neighborhood of former warehouses, where you'll find modern design and home shops, like Pilat & Pilat.
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