Amsterdam Shopping Tips by jo104 Top 5 Page for this destination

Christmas Palace: Christmas Shop

This tiny shop behind the flower market sells all kinds of Christmas decorations all year round from the traditional to the modern. There are delft ornaments & wooden replicas of dutch houses. There is a countdown board to Christmas & worth a visit to get you in the Christmas spirit. Open 10am - 6pm daily

Update 2008 - Sadly this shop appears to have closed

What to buy: Christmas ornaments

Address: Singel 508-510

Directions: behind the flower market

Theme: Other

Sex Shops: Condom shop Sex Shops Review

This shop has a novelty condom for every occassion.
Your man thinks he is hung like an elephant? there's a big trunk
Or perhaps he is a patriotic American - opt for lady liberty
Vegetables, dope leaves you name it they have got it.

They do sell other ranges besides just novelty with the policy safety comes first.

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.condomerie.com

Supermarkets: Albert Heyn Supermarkets Review

If you need to buy groceries or a sandwich it is far cheaper to buy something from the Albert Heyn supermarket there is a small shop located in amsterdam centraal & several others scattered around the city. There is a reasonable sized supermarket near the magna plaza so do purchase your cheese here to take back instead of at the airport if you are an EU traveller.
They also do strropwafels and liquoirice which are good original presents to take back.

Other supermarkets are Dirk as well as the Co-op, take your own shopping bag as they charge you for plastic bags

Theme: Food and Drink

Various shops: Stroopwafelen - a biscuit delight

What to buy: normally buy a few boxes for the office which go down a treat. It is 2 biscuit waffles sandwiched together with syrup (original), toffee or creamed butter which you place over hot coffee creating a sticky melt in the middle delight.

Very decadent, very naughty, very sweet & incredibly moreish

What to pay: Not very expensive from supermarkets such as Albert Cuyp

Theme: Food and Drink

Kalverstraat: Amsterdam's High street Kalverstraat Review

Kalverstraat is a pedestrianised high street with all the big name brand stores. I personally don't enjoy shopping here it is crowded and one clothes shop stocks almost the same as the next clothes shop. But having everything in one place does make life easier.

If you need to take a break visit De Pappegaai church Kalverstraat 58.

Address: Kalverstraat

Theme: Other

Expensive brand names: Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat PC Hooftstraat Review

If you fancy doing some luxurious shopping this street is where to go, all the famous upmarket branded names. I did not dare to walk up this street but I did see several convertibles racing up it. The street is normally abbreviated to P.C Hooftstraat

What to pay: A lot

Address: Pieter Cornelisz Hoofstraat

Theme: Other

Toilet tip: Toilet tip

Well as you can see by my many toilet tips – I have a fascination with toilets & in Holland the diversity is astonishing. Public toilets on the whole are not free & I believe there is even a charge to use the Big Mac’s throne.

At central station it was 50c & 40c at Magna Plaza but then again the toilets here are very clean.

Theme: Other

Noordermarkt: Organic food & other stuff Noordermarkt Review

Depending on when you go this market transforms itself
On Mondays its a lively flea market
Early on Saturday morning its a bird market, caged birds, rabbits etc
Early to mid Sat afternoon a farmers market is bustling with organic produce, herbs etc

Address: Noorderstraat

Theme: Food and Drink

Albert Cuyp / Street Markets: Big Street Market Street Market - Albert Cuyp Review

I was staying in this area a couple of streets away from the market so one might say it is on the doorstep. The market has an emphasis on food with a variety of cheeses, fish, stroop wafflen etc, there are also clothe stores. In my opinion it was a bit tacky but then it depends on what you are after as it may be more cost effective to buy goods here then in the centre.

The market is open Monday to Saturday 9am – 5pm, do be careful of pickpockets & people trying to sell you postcards it can be a scam / decoy to rifle through your pockets.

What to buy: Cheese - Cheese & more Cheese

What to pay: Cheaper then the shop

Address: Albert Cuypstraat

Theme: Other

De Winkel van Nijntje: Miffy Shop

Miffy is created by Dick Bruna & has worldwide fame, this shop houses merchandise of this cute rabbit. The Dick Bruna house museum is in Utrecht not to be missed if you are a big fan. In Dutch Miffy is call Nijntje which is how a child might say konijn (rabbit). The shop has all sorts of goodies like car window sun shields, sandpit kit, cups, plates, baby stuff etc. I purchased a miffy backpack & A beach ball for my niece

What to pay: Reasonable & varied prices

Address: Beethovenstraat 71, Oud Zuid

Directions: Tram 24 from Amsterdam central

Phone: 020 671 9707

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.dewinkelvannijntje.nl