{"id":11055,"date":"2019-01-16T21:00:56","date_gmt":"2019-01-16T20:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/euroviajar.com\/?p=11055"},"modified":"2023-03-30T16:48:42","modified_gmt":"2023-03-30T14:48:42","slug":"shopping-in-amsterdam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/euroviajar.com\/en\/shopping-in-amsterdam\/","title":{"rendered":"Shopping in Amsterdam, Souvenirs, Typical and Cheap Gifts"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are plenty of options for shopping in Amsterdam<\/a><\/strong> – the city is famous for its stylish\u00a0boutiques\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0markets<\/strong> where you can buy typical Dutch products <\/strong>of all kinds, modern designer\u2019s items, fashion, antiques, vintage objects, tulip bulbs etc. You will also enjoy the street food stalls<\/strong> and the warm attitude of the sellers, as the Dutch are known for their sense of humour and are very friendly towards tourists.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

What to Buy in Amsterdam – Best Souvenirs and Gifts<\/h2>\n

1. Stroopwafel<\/h3>\n
\"\"

Stroopwafel – the way of serving<\/p><\/div>\n

The most classic of all Dutch sweets<\/strong> and a perfect gift from Holland. Stroopwafel<\/strong> literally means \u201csyrup waffle\u201d<\/strong> and it\u2019s a round crunchy waffle with chewy caramel<\/strong> filling. The correct way of eating it is as shown on the photo: put it on your coffee or tea cup and wait for a minute until the caramel melts and the waffle warms up \u2013 it enhances its flavour and makes it taste as fresh from the oven. Delicious! You will find them everywhere \u2013 in any supermarket or grocery shop. They are packed in foil or in boxes \u2013 to transport them more safely, or even better \u2013 in stylish cans with typical Dutch decorations.<\/p>\n

2. Amsterdam Houses<\/h3>\n
\"\"

Houses of Amsterdam<\/p><\/div>\n

A typical souvenir from Amsterdam<\/strong> are magnets, mugs, chocolates and all kinds of other souvenirs in the form of the classic Dutch houses<\/strong>. The 17th century rich merchant canal houses of Amsterdam are recognizable all over the world and they are UNESCO World Heritage for a reason. They look as if they were made of gingerbread, taken straight from a fairytale<\/a><\/strong>. What\u2019s even more characteristic, they are often crooked \u2013 they seem to be falling!<\/p>\n

3. Van Gogh’s Patterns<\/h3>\n
\"\"

Accessories from official Van Gogh Museum Shop<\/p><\/div>\n

Some of the very best souvenirs from Amsterdam<\/strong> include all kinds of items with Van Gogh patterns<\/strong>. They come in the form of handbags, umbrellas (very useful in the Netherlands), coffee cups, glasses boxes, notebooks, silk scarves, ties, suitcases etc., with characteristic vivid, intense colours and expressive shapes of Van Gogh\u2019s \u201cThe Starry Night\u201d, \u201cSunflowers\u201d, \u201cIrises\u201d, Self Portraits and other paintings\u2019 motives. You will find the best ones in Van Gogh Museum<\/a><\/strong> shops (there are 3 of them), but also in big Amsterdam souvenir shops.<\/p>\n

4. Delftware Windmills<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"\"

Windmills of Delftware ceramics<\/p><\/div>\n

Another among the best souvenirs from Holland<\/strong> is Delftware<\/strong> or Delft Blue \u2013 the characteristic Dutch white and blue pottery<\/strong>. The most popular motives include, of course, windmills and tulips, as well as cows. My own favourite Delfware set is a piece of salt&pepper shakers in the form of little ceramic windmills with rotating sails. Other nice items include milk jugs, vases, napkin holders etc.<\/p>\n

5. Cheese<\/h3>\n
\"\"

Amsterdam Cheese Company<\/p><\/div>\n

One of the most typical products from Amsterdam<\/strong> or souvenirs for family and friends is Dutch cheese<\/strong><\/a>. There is overwhelmingly rich offer of cheeses, especially Gouda, Edam and Maasdam<\/strong>, well known and exported all over the world. Apart from the classics, try some really special ones: a turquoise-coloured cheese with lavender<\/strong>, pink-coloured cheese with red pesto, champagne gouda<\/strong> or even… coconut gouda<\/strong>! A typical cheese fromAmsterdam is Old Amsterdam<\/strong>, exceptional premium aged gouda cheese. Highly specialized cheese shops offer samples to try.<\/p>\n

Read about the types of Dutch cheese here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here are the best cheese shops in Amsterdam<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Henri Willig Cheese & More<\/strong><\/a> (addresses: Leidsestraat 52, 1017 GZ Amsterdam; Singel 518, 1017 AX Amsterdam; Nieuwendijk 226, 1012 MX Amsterdam; there are more of them)<\/p>\n

Amsterdam Cheese Company<\/strong><\/a> (address: Leidsestraat 2, 1017 PA Amsterdam)<\/p>\n

6. Clogs<\/h3>\n
\"\"

Clogs<\/p><\/div>\n

A typical souvenir from Amsterdam <\/strong>is of course a pair of\u00a0clogs \u2013 heavy wooden shoes<\/strong>. They are carved out of a single piece of wood, painted in different designs and varnished. The classic clogs are yellow with a red pattern. They have been the traditional Dutch shoes for centuries and they are apparently still used sometimes in the rural areas of the Netherlands. The main factory of the country is very close to Amsterdam. If you want to take home a pair of clogs, you will find them in souvenir shops and some specialized clog shops. Clogs are available also as funny slippers<\/strong> made of soft and fluffy material.<\/p>\n

7. Tulip Bulbs<\/h3>\n
\"\"

Tulip bulbs on flower market in Amsterdam<\/p><\/div>\n

The Netherlands is the main producer of tulips worldwide<\/strong><\/a> and many visitors choose to buy tulip bulbs during their visit to plant them (or give them to dear ones) on their return. They are easy to transport<\/strong> and can be preserved well for a few weeks or months, depending on the type, quality and packaging. The enthusiasts of gardening will find in Amsterdam the most rare species, difficult to find anywhere else in the world. The choice is overwhelming.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll find them in Bloemenmarkt – <\/strong>the famous floating flower market<\/strong>\u00a0(located on boats<\/strong> along the canal) and in many flower shops and souvenir shops.<\/p>\n

8. Bike Accessories<\/h3>\n
\"\"

Bike bells craziness<\/p><\/div>\n

For fans of cycling, there is no place like Amsterdam! The city is heaven for spotting the coolest bike constructions, additions and decorations. There are plenty of specialized bike shops offering premium equipment, often innovative<\/strong> or not easy to find in other countries. Bike accessories are also a fun and very Dutch gift – like seat covers with Van Gogh sunflowers, a bell with a windmill design, stylish vintage leather handles<\/strong> etc.<\/p>\n

9. Diamonds<\/h3>\n
\"\"

Amsterdam is famous for diamonds<\/p><\/div>\n

Amsterdam is known as the city of diamonds<\/strong> and its jewellers are considered the best<\/strong> masters of cutting and polishing diamonds in the world<\/strong>. To see how they work, you can find a guided tour, available in more than twenty-five languages. In Gassan\u00a0Diamond Centre<\/strong> you will find the most prestigious shops in the city to buy jewellery made of diamonds and precious metals \u2013 only for the richest ;)<\/p>\n

10. Jenever<\/h3>\n
\"\"

Jenever – Dutch Gin<\/p><\/div>\n

Jenever<\/strong>, also known as Dutch gin or Hollands<\/strong><\/a>, is the precursor of the regular gin. It is a a national pride and the most typical Dutch liquor<\/strong>. It is juniper-flavoured liquor distilled of malt wine<\/strong>. There are two kinds of it: an old (oude) and young (jonge) one, and these names don\u2019t indicate the aging, but the way of distilling them. Old Jenever<\/strong> is very aromatic with a malty taste, while Young Jenever<\/strong> has a neutral taste like vodka, with only a hint of juniper berry. Renowned Amsterdam brands of Jenever are Van Wees and Wynand Fockink.<\/p>\n

11. Space Cake \u2013 try it, but don\u2019t take it with you!<\/h3>\n
\"\"

Space cake from famous Bulldog Coffee Shop in Amsterdam<\/p><\/div>\n

One of the most typical products of Amsterdam<\/strong> is of course cannabis<\/strong> and everything you can make out of it: not only joints, but also marijuana lollipops<\/strong>, marijuana chocolate,\u00a0marijuana candies, and popular marijuana brownies called Space Cakes<\/strong>. If you want to try this truly classic product of Amsterdam<\/strong> \u2013 you\u2019ll find plenty of cannabis shops<\/strong> (where you just buy them) and coffee shops<\/strong> (like caf\u00e9s where you eat them sitting in), or just souvenir shops which send a wide range of products to get high.<\/p>\n

Attention! You can\u2019t take any of marijuana products on the plane, it\u2019s illegal.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We are mentioning them only as a suggestion of a truly typical product to buy in Amsterdam<\/strong> \u2013 to consume on the spot ;) Careful though, don\u2019t eat an entire cake, try just a bit, because some of them are strong.<\/p>\n

Main Shopping Areas in Amsterdam<\/h2>\n
\"\"

Shopping in Amsterdam<\/p><\/div>\n

De Negen<\/strong> Straatjes <\/strong>or The Nine Streets could be called the epicentre of the city in terms of shopping and one of the main commercial spots of the country. These shopping streets cross the main canals of Amsterdam<\/strong> and are located in the heart of the old town, so in addition to walking through the different boutiques, galleries, vintage and second-hand shops, caf\u00e9s<\/strong> and a wide etcetera, you will enjoy getting to know the environment.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Jordaan district with independent boutiques and galleries<\/p><\/div>\n

The Jordaan<\/strong> neighbourhood is another of the legendary points of Amsterdam because it maintains the essence of its infrastructure since its founding, consisting of narrow, almost labyrinthine streets<\/strong> where you can get lost for an entire afternoon of shopping, because this humble working class neighbourhood dating from the eighteenth century is full of boutiques and unique shops and bars<\/strong> in each of its streets.<\/p>\n

Check out also De Pijp<\/strong>\u00a0area – the 19th century quarter often called “Quartier Latin of Amsterdam”<\/strong>, with its creative boutiques<\/strong>, artisan shops, many exotic shops<\/strong> and pleasant caf\u00e9s and restaurants.<\/p>\n

Tourists looking for international brands can find them in the two main shopping streets of the city, Kalverstraat<\/strong> and Leidsestraat<\/strong>, where the most prestigious and high fashion brands<\/strong> coexist with standard firms, so that any visitor can meet their demand in their shopping centres.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kramer Kunst & Antiek – Stylish antique shop in Amsterdam<\/p><\/div>\n

Amsterdam is world-famous for its collections of precious antiques, old prints and maps and unique old books<\/strong>. Antiques<\/strong> can be purchased in the area of Prinsengracht, Lijnbaansgracht, Hazenstraat.<\/p>\n

One of the most impressive shops is Kramer Kunst & Antiek (address:\u00a0Prinsengracht 807, 1017 KA Amsterdam). Other good shops include:\u00a0Antiekcentrum Amsterdam (address:\u00a0Elandsgracht 109, 1016 TT Amsterdam), Wildschut Antiques (address: Eerste Looiersdwarsstraat 8hs, 1016 VM Amsterdam) and\u00a0The Antique Ring Shop (address: Staalstraat 18, 1011 JL Amsterdam).<\/p>\n

22 Beautiful Photos That Will Make You Fall In Love With The Netherlands<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n