Amsterdam is the city of antiques, books, diamonds, and curiosities. In general, shop-opening hours are 1-6pm on Mondays and 9/10am-6pm Tuesday to Friday. Most have late night shopping on Thursday until 9pm and close earlier on Saturdays, at 5pm. Some supermarkets, like Albert Heijn stay open until 8 or 10 pm. On Sundays, you can shop in the city center, Kalverstraat, Damrak, Leidsestraat, and near the Noorderkerk.
Since many roads in the center are closed to cars, it makes for pleasant shopping. You will still find busses, trams, taxis and bicycles though, so watch you step. There are several “shopping corridors” in the city and each one has its own charms and specialties.
The city is the financial and cultural capital of the Netherlands and one of the vibrant city of Europe you must have to go there and enjoy your Amsterdam holidays with fashion and shopping places of Amsterdam.
Stores and Malls in Amsterdam
Except for one (Villa Arena), all the department stores and shopping malls in Amsterdam are located within a short walking distance from the Dam square. You may compare their actual choice within couple of hours. Shopping in Amsterdam may not save you money, but will save you time and effort.
Bijenkorf
The biggest Amsterdam department store, centrally located at the Dam square - De Bijenkorf (The Beehive) is not to be missed. De Bijenkorf is an up market, luxury department store and not the utility warehouse. Do not expect a complete range of products in any of De Bijenkorf numerous departments. The choice is selective, sharp, and intelligent. It will make your shopping a pleasure. Dam 1, deep left from the Queen’s Palace.
Bonneterie
Maison de Bonneterie or for short De Bonneterie, is an old-fashioned luxury department store, which combines the long tradition of good service with the most modern selection of products. Today, De Bonneterie is a multi brand fashion store with a major names represented. Within 10 minutes walk from the Dam square between Kalverstraat and Rokin streets. Address: Rokin 140-142, there is also entry from Kalverstraat 183.
Kalvertoren
Kalvertoren Shopping Centre is a big and complex all-round shopping mall at the back of the main shopping street in Amsterdam – Kalverstraat. The Kalvertoren has several shops selling fashion (H&M, Diesel, Levis, Mango, Marlboro Classics, Nike, Timberland), a general goods store in the basement (HEMA), cosmetics (Douglas), a Swatch watches shop, shops with contact lenses and spectacles (Eye Wish), an interior decoration shop (Riviera Maison), a music shop, good coffee bar, Häagen-Dazs ice cream. Located in a triangle formed by streets Kalverstraat, Heiligeweg, Singel: there are entries from Kalverstraat and the Heiligeweg.
Magna Plaza
Magna Plaza is a convenient small shopping mall, almost directly behind the Queens Palace on the Dam square. On three floors of Magna Plaza, all major worlds’ fashion brands as some very popular: women’s clothes Mango and American casual clothes - America Today and the GSUS jeans. A brasserie with an Italian food and a coffee bar. Address: Nieuwezijdse Voorburgwaal 182, located behind the Palace on the Dam square.
Metz&Co.
Metz is an élitist and full of pretense department store, selling glass and small decorative design objects, clothes, kitchenware and furniture. The oldest in Amsterdam (est.1740) now clearly has lost its direction, still good for an interesting find. Expensive. A known café with a skyline view on Amsterdam on the top floor. Address: Leidsestraat 34/36, corner of Keizersgracht 455.
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