Flower displays in Amsterdam’s Bloemenmarkt (flower market)
Amsterdam may not be on a par with Paris or Milan when it comes to shopping, but dig deep and you will find around 30 flower, food and flea markets to trawl through each week. Here are some of the best Amsterdam markets.
Albert Cuypmarkt
Amsterdam’s longest street market is the daily food market for the funky residents of De Pijp. Reflecting the fascinating multi-ethnic nature of the district, the food stalls display a delicious mix of baklava, dumplings, raw herring and noodle dishes among the kitchen utensils and cut-price cosmetics. Open Monday through Saturday.
Antiekcentrum Amsterdam
With around 50 stalls, the leading indoor antiques market in The Netherlands is located in the Jordaan and is a treasure trove of quality porcelain – especially the prized blue-and-white Delftware – silverware, quality furniture, Bakelite phones and priceless diamonds. Open daily.
Art Plein Spui
Something of a lucky dip with local artists showing their – sometimes superb, sometimes not – works in a small square just off Spui. Standards vary considerably as around 25 changing artists exhibit each week. Among some fairly trite canal-scape watercolors you could be lucky enough to unearth pretty ceramics or hand-painted shawls. Open Sunday.
Bloemenmarkt (Flower Market)
The world’s only floating flower market explodes with color along the Singel canal between Muntplein and Konigsplein. It’s especially cheery in spring when the stalls positively groan under the weight of psychedelic tulips and cheery yellow daffodils. Cut flowers, bulbs, seeds, houseplants and gardening equipment can all be packaged up for sending overseas. Open daily.
Boerenmarkt (Organic Market)
Known locally as the Bio, Amsterdam’s best organic market has a captive audience of middle-class shoppers from Jordaan. This is just the spot to fill up on breads, cheeses, salamis, fruit and veg for al fresco picnic lunches in the Westerpark. Open Saturday.
Waterlooplein Flea Market
The big mamma of Amsterdam’s flea markets fills every inch of Waterlooplein with around 300 stalls selling anything and everything from old army uniforms to second-hand books and tarnished medals. Dig deep among the knock-off DVDs and you may find a genuine antique clock or decent piece of jewelry. Some stallholders are happy to haggle. Open Monday through Saturday.
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