Start of a warehouse empirium and other Amsterdam, Netherlands Shopping Tips

Name of Shop: De Bijenkorf (Warehouse “the beehive”)

The history of this first huge warehouse of the Netherlands is entangled with the history of the company that has now-a-days a warehouse, shop and more emperium within the Dutch and European economy. “De Bijenkorf” (the beehive) started as a small women’s handworkshop in Amsterdam, owned by S.P. Goudsmit. The shop was so successful and had continous growth. Eventually more products came into the assortment and eventually the building that is now neighbouring the Burs of Berlage was constructed. The neo-style between baroque and classicism is also made by natural stones and materials. The shop is worth a visit for those who like quite exclusive articles.



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Address: Damrak
Directions: The mainstreet between central station and the dam (square)
Website: www.bijenkorf.nl

Name of Shop: Magna Plaza

This remarkable building in neo-gothic and neo-renaissance style used to be the main post-office in Amsterdam. The construction was lead under state-architect C.H. Peters and holds a central hall with on either side two stories high arcades. The public part used to be only at groundlevel, as on the first (and higher floors) offices of the PTT (Post Telephone Telegraph-company) were situated. Now-a-days the building has been turned (in Swedish project) to a shopping centre, with a very limited break down of the monumental value of the building. In 1992 it was opened as “Magna Plaza” and it’s central situation (right behind the royal palace) makes it very popular by visitors to Amsterdam centre.



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Address: Nieuwe Zijds Voorburgwal
Directions: Walk from the dam (square) in between the royal palace and the new church and you'll be right in front of it.
Website: http://www.magnaplaza.nl/

Name of Shop: Waterlooplein / Fleamarkets

Enjoy the fact to mess around on a search for that one funny item. Well, Amsterdam has markets enough where you can do so. A perfect and permanent example is the fleamarket on the Waterloo-plein (=square). This place, centrally situated near the "Stopera" can keep you busy for a few hours and ... hold on to your wallet. Not only because of pickpocekters, but especially so you don't return home with all kinds of ... well ... mess.



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Website: http://www.hiptravelguide.com/amsterdam/php/reviews-16.html

Name of Shop: Kalverstraat

From the Dam-square a street is running away just right from the Royal Palace. This is the Kalverstreet and it is completely pedestrian area. Left and right there are various shops and it is always busy here. However, buying anything in Amsterdam is often also being a thief from your own wallet. Prices here are often 150% from other towns and especially the countryside. Okay, the productrange may be wider here and certain fashion is discounted a lot.

By the way, shoppingevenings are in The Netherlands for larger towns on Thursdays ad the rest on Fridays.



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Name of Shop: Albert Cuyp / Street Markets

On the markets of Amsterdam you will be astonished what you can get. Everything and against the most reasonable prices. Most famous of all markets is the daily Albert Cuyp market that this year (2005) also celebrates it's 100's anniversary. This market is also famous as few of our legendary singers were salesmen here or were dicovered on the market while shouting out their products (-:
Anyway, there are many markets in Amsterdam and also at places where salesmen can stand dry under galleries (such as in the North).



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Website: http://www.hollandsemarkten.nl/talen/?t_id=1&pid=9