Shopping In Amsterdam

Amsterdam is known for its diamonds, books, antiques, and curiosities throughout the world. It houses a large number of shops dealing in all kinds of goods and artifacts. This makes the city a treat for all those who love to shop.

Some of the most popular shopping destinations in Amsterdam include the city center, Damrak, Kalverstraat, Noorderkerk, and Leidsestraat. The roads in most of the shopping areas are closed for cars. Due to this, shopping in these markets is a lot more convenient as well as pleasant. Each one of these special shopping corridors has its own individual specialties and charm.

Amsterdam offers different kinds of shopping arenas for people from different walks of life. Let us take a look at the various types of shopping opportunities that the city of Amsterdam has to offer.

Shopping Streets
Shopping streets in Amsterdam vary from one to the other, depending on their location in the city. There are a large number of small shops in these shopping streets with their own individual importing contacts. This makes shopping in Amsterdam a lot more exciting.

Malls and Department Stores
Amsterdam boasts of a large number of great shopping malls and department stores. Here the tourists can get a wide variety of choices due to imports from Africa and Latin America, as well as Asia. One of the best stores in Amsterdam is the De Bijenkorf situated at the Dam Square (De Dam). Most of the shopping malls and department stores are located in and around Dam Square (De Dam), expect for one called Villa Arena. However, if you like indoor shopping or if you encounter bad weather, you could visit any of the malls in Amsterdam like Kalvertoren or Magna Plaza.

Markets
Markets in Amsterdam like Albert Cuyp market deal in a variety of products. They range from general goods and food items to specialized products like antiques, biological foods, postal stamps, and art. All markets in the city are situated at a short distance away from the city centre.

Bookshops
Amsterdam is a haven for all book lovers. It comprises of wonderful bookshops filled with unique books from throughout the world. Most of these book stores are located near Spuiplein, whereas others are situated on Leliegracht. Among them, the biggest bookshop in the city of Amsterdam is Scheltema.

Antique shops
The city of Amsterdam houses a large number of antiques stores, most of which are located around Nieuwe Spiegelstraat and Spiegelgracht. This area is a small street extending to the old city centre from Rijksmuseum. This single street comprises of more than seventy antique shops. Even if do not collect art, walking through this street would give you a wonderful opportunity to discover some great works that would enthrall you with their splendor. You would be able to find all kinds of Old Dutch Master Art, African and Oriental Art, pewter, furniture, instruments, as well as old clocks.

Sex shops
Being a open-minded and liberal city, Amsterdam houses various sex shops, particular in its De Wallen (Red Light District) and other neighboring areas. Many of these cater exclusively to lesbians or gay people.

Conclusion
The city of Amsterdam offers a wide array of shopping opportunities to people from different parts of the globe. Make sure to take advantage of this opportunity in your next vacation.

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Category: Amsterdam and Shopping