Some say that Amsterdam deserves its nickname of the ‘Venice of the North. The city’s maze of canals, historical buildings overlooking the waterways, and the large number of motor vehicles (compared to the average European capital) could indeed make you mistakenly believe that you are in the capital of Veneto.
However, the comparison pretty much ends there. Amsterdam’s totally unpredictable weather (I’ve never seen such clockwork-like “rain-sun-rain-sun” sequences anywhere else), its crazy bicycle riders, its questionable “food”, and the warm and inviting nature of the locals make it a place like nowhere else. Truly.
Yes, as you may have guessed, I love Amsterdam. I really do. I love its architecture, its people, its artistic spirit and its self-assurance. I even find the Dutch mumbling attractive (crazy, huh?). Having lived in Paris, New York, Stockholm, Berlin, London, Roma, Brussels and Vienna, I have to admit that Amsterdam is in my top three favourite cities in Europe (yes, NYC is like Europe to me).
This trip was my third time in the Dutch capital, but it was unlike any other; perhaps because I was only there for vintage and design shopping. This is the story of our three-day trip.
Where We Stayed In Amsterdam: De Jordaan District
De Jordaan district was originally a working-class neighbourhood, but has since become one of the most expensive and upscale locations in the Netherlands. Home to many art galleries, particularly those specialising in modern art, it is also dotted with specialist shops and restaurants. Markets are held regularly at Noordermarkt, Westerstraat (home to the Lapjesmarkt textile market) and Lindengracht.
What we liked about De Jordaan: There are lots of design and vintage shops in the area, as well as great restaurants and nice houses overlooking the canals. It is an upper-class district nowadays, distant from the tourist craze, but only a 10–15 minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal train station. We would definitely stay in De Jordaan again on our next trip to Amsterdam.
Book your stay in De Jordaan District
Day 1: Intro (Getting Lost In Amsterdam And Buzzing Around)
There’s nothing like getting lost somewhere. It’s the best way to go off the beaten track, escape the hordes of tourists that test your patience, and make the best discoveries along the way. Plus, you can be proud of yourself for making these discoveries on your own. So, if you have the luxury of spending more than two days in a foreign city, treat yourself to a little “lost in the city” time; afterwards, you might even wonder why you spent two extra days there. Well, I suppose this is a way of putting your mind at rest and doing the tourist things you should do while you’re here. When travelling for leisure, there’s no such thing as “something you should do”.
To start with, ask the locals (your hotel receptionist should be able to advise you) what the main districts of the city are (not ‘tourist attractions’ – keep it general), based on what you’re looking for. From there, you can create your own path and schedule as you go along. That’s what we did, and we loved what we saw.
Amsterdam Day 1
Moooi Showroom Amsterdam: Pimp My Living Room
Opened in 2008, the striking Moooi Showroom Amsterdam is located in the vibrant De Jordaan district, which is renowned for its charming boutiques, shops, restaurants and art galleries. Once inside, visitors are immersed in Moooi’s world, where 700 sqm of extraordinary, playful designs of various sizes and compositions await.
It’s easy to see why Moooi is a popular meeting place for the press, architects, designers and design enthusiasts.
(Click on any image below to open the photo gallery)
We loved: The shop is decorated with a variety of patterns and colours, embracing any kind of everyday interior and inspiring people of all ages, cultures and personalities to fall in love with their homes.
Purchase: None. We got tempted by the “Egg Vase” by Marcel Wanders. But 120€ for a 14,5cm x 12,5 cm form created by stuffing latex rubber condoms with hard-boiled eggs, sounded a bit expensive…
- Type: Design showroom
- Quality: * * * * *
- Price: $$$$$
- Web: moooi.com
- Adress: Westerstraat 187, Amsterdam (+31 20 528 7760)
Tenue De Nîmes: Denim, Vintage And Coffee
Tenue de Nîmes is a denim-inspired boutique that showcases a natural blend of carefully selected items, each of which has the potential to enrich people’s lives in some way. While the store offers a variety of unique retro items, including vintage US army watches, Ray-Ban sunglasses, photography, sailor clothing (Armor Lux) and design, its primary focus remains on denim. Everything in the boutique is interconnected and has an underlying link to the heritage of jeans. Tenue de Nîmes claims to have a pair of jeans for everyone, regardless of gender.
We loved: the vintage and retro décor of the shop, which features 1950s and 1960s furniture by Charles and Ray Eames, Saarinen and Friso Kramer. We also loved the retro coffee machine, which is fully operational and offers visitors an espresso upon arrival. The staff were cool and tattooed, and we enjoyed the beer that came with our purchase.
We purchased: a retro Armor Lux sailor sweater for €119 (Armor Lux is a brand from Brittany in France). Ironically, the same Armor Lux sweater is sold at the same price in Brittany.
- Type: Vintage style clothing
- Quality: * * * * *
- Price: $$$
- Web: tenuesdenimes.com
- Adress: Elandsgracht 60, Amsterdam (+31 20 320 4012
Wonderwood Amsterdam: A Heaven Of Wooden Antiques
If you’re a fan of mid-century furniture and wooden art pieces from the 1930s–70s, WonderWood is a must-visit shop. It’s located close to Dam Square, Munt and Stopera. The shop features an extensive and varied collection of over 100 vintage plywood chairs, as well as a wide range of other wooden antiques.
The patina of an older piece is often ten times nicer than the look of a re-edition.
Wiet Hekking, founder of Wonderwood
WonderWood is the only shop and gallery in the world specialising in vintage plywood items from around the globe. Prices range from €1 for a simple yet attractive wooden pencil to high-end prices for museum-quality pieces. The combination of vintage plywood, re-editions, art and gadgets, along with WonderWood’s easy accessibility, creates a unique atmosphere that will surprise and delight not only collectors, but anyone interested in design, art and fun. Read more about WonderWood on Dwell.
We loved the outstanding quality and variety of the furniture on display, as well as the warm welcome we received from Wiet Hekking, Wonderwood’s founder. If he’s not too busy in his office at the back of the shop, Wiet will probably regale you with fascinating tales about vintage design and plywood.
Purchase: None. However, we were tempted by an original ‘Standard Chair’ by the French architect and designer Jean Prouvé.
- Type: Vintage design & plywood furniture
- Quality: * * * * *
- Price: $$$$
- Web: wonderwood.nl
- Adress: Rusland 3, Amsterdam (+31 20 625 3738)
Day 2: Getting Things A Little Bit More Organized
After spending most of our first day getting lost in Amsterdam, we decided to get a little more organised on the second day to make sure that, at some point during our trip, we covered the basics that the city had to offer (always from a vintage, antiques and design point of view).
Venue visited on Day 2:
Waterlooplein Flea Market
As I always say, ‘If a city has a flea market, go there first’. In the case of Amsterdam, however, I’m glad we didn’t go to the Waterlooplein flea market first, because, to be honest, it was a bit disappointing compared to what you can find in Paris (Vanves and Clignancourt), Rome, Berlin or London.
In short, the Waterlooplein Flea Market is a large outdoor bazaar with 300 stalls selling second-hand clothing and general bric-a-brac. That’s all there is to it.
Traditionally the oldest market in Amsterdam (established in 1880), this flea market has paradoxically become associated with youth culture in recent decades. This explains why you can mainly buy trendy T-shirts, old military uniforms, Che Guevara posters, cheap spray paint for graffiti, objects from underdeveloped countries in Africa and Asia, old books, videos and DVDs, electronics, curiosities, and, of course, a lot of rubbish.
Visitors with some knowledge will quickly notice that antique dealers only represent 25% of all sellers. Most of these merchants only sell bric-a-brac or fake antiques, such as engraved sperm whale teeth, sailing objects in ‘copper’, and retro prints.
If you’re not in the mood for rummaging through dirty boxes or haggling over poor-quality items, or if you’re in a hurry, avoid the Waterlooplein Flea Market and focus your time and energy on the other venues listed in this review.
- Type: Flea Market
- Quality: * *
- Price: $$$
- Web: waterloopleinmarkt.nl
- Adress: Waterlooplein 2, Amsterdam (+31 20 552 4074)
Amsterdam Spiegelkwartier (Antiques District)
Amsterdam’s Spiegelkwartier (Mirror Quarter) is an absolute must for art, antiques and curiosity enthusiasts. This area has been at the heart of the Dutch art and antiques trade for over 80 years.
Spanning the Spiegelgracht, there are over 70 specialist dealers with a wide variety of treasures on display, ranging from archaeological finds to 17^(th)-century furniture, glass, and Dutch Delftware, as well as art ranging from ancient to Art Nouveau. Tóth Ikonen, for instance, is the oldest religious icon gallery in Amsterdam, specialising in antique Russian icons on wooden panels from the 16^(th) to the 19^(th) century, as well as brass travelling icons. More ancient treasures can be found at Archea Ancient Art, which stocks authentic artefacts from ancient Greek, Egyptian, Roman and Near Eastern civilisations.
Overall, the Spiegelkwartier/Spiegelgracht is particularly appealing to antique lovers and individuals searching for something specific (who are also willing to pay the price).
Personally, I feel that this street has lost its shine in recent years. It’s not just because it was raining that day: antique shops on the Spiegelgracht were dusty and unwelcoming, filled with overpriced items. Unless you are looking for something very specific and have the budget to match, it’s best to give it a miss.
- Type: Antiques District
- Quality: * * * *
- Price: $$$$$
- Adress: Spiegelgracht, Amsterdam (Spiegelkwartier)
De Weldaad Antiek And Woondecoraties
Situated in a charming canal house at the intersection of Reestraat and Keizersgracht, De Weldaad Antiques, Construction and Decoration offers an array of items, including antique tiles, Delft blue porcelain, crystal chandeliers, decorative glassware, and religious artefacts.
De Weldaad specialises in antiques, historic building materials, and antique country furniture from the Netherlands, Hungary, Slovakia, and France. Its rapidly changing stock is sold to individuals as well as to wholesalers, retailers, caterers, architects, designers and decorators.
The homewares are personally selected and purchased directly from scrapyards, furniture dealers, individuals, Gypsies and antique markets, ensuring their authenticity (no “made in China/Pakistan/Indonesia” here). You can be sure that you are not taking home fake antiques that have been replicated a thousand times. We even found century-old dusty bottles while digging around!
We loved: the variety of items on display, how cosy the place was and its location. Price-wise, we found the shop to be surprisingly affordable compared to similar shops in London or Paris. Even if you’re not in the mood for shopping, a trip to De Weldaad is a reward in itself!
Purchase: a beautiful hand-made vase in terracotta (19€)
- Type: Antiques, construction and decoration
- Quality: * * * *
- Price: $$$
- Web: weldaad.com
- Adress: Reestraat 1, 1016 DM Amsterdam (+31 20-6270077)
Venue we would have liked to visit: The Ij-hallen Flea Market
If you love spending hours searching for second-hand items and don’t mind crowds, you should add Europe’s biggest flea market, the IJ-Hallen, to your bucket list. The IJ-Hallen flea market takes its name from the vast halls it occupies, which were once part of the NDSM shipyard. This monthly flea market seems to sprawl endlessly to the unfettered joy of diehard second-hand shoppers, who come from all over Europe to treasure-hunt — unfortunately, it was closed the weekend we were in Amsterdam. The IJ-Hallen can accommodate up to 750 stalls and is usually filled to capacity. Moreover, only private vendors are allowed, not commercial ones. The market is usually held on the first weekend of each month, but you should check the website for exact opening dates and times.
The IJ-Hallen and its flea market are located on the opposite side of the IJ River from Amsterdam Central Station. However, it is very easy to reach: simply hop on one of the free, frequent ferries that shuttle visitors back and forth over the river. The 15-minute ride offers stunning views of the IJ River and the architecture on its banks, making it well worth the trip. Plus, there’s lots more to explore in North Amsterdam, even after you’ve finished shopping. If you had to choose one venue in Amsterdam to focus your attention on, this flea market would be a great choice.
- Type: Flea Market
- Quality: * * * *
- Price: $$$
- Web: ij-hallen.nl
- Adress: T.T. Neveritaweg 15, 1033 WB Amsterdam-Noord (+31 229 581598)
- Opening Dates and Times: Every first Saturday and Sunday of the month, from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
- Admission Fee: € 4.50 for adults; € 2 for children 11 and under.
Day 3: Tourist Stuff
Yes, I remember what I wrote about avoiding tourist attractions. Up to this point, however, we had done a pretty decent tour of the city and collected more than enough VDRPOIs (Vintage and Design-Related Points of Interest). We really wanted to see what the revamped Rijksmuseum looked like, especially as the museum had been closed to the public for ten years. The last time I was in Amsterdam was exactly a couple of months before the museum closed its doors, so the idea of seeing the new museum was very appealing. The Museum of Modern Art is also worth a detour, not to mention the Van Gogh Museum, which was swarming with tourists when we passed it on our way to the almost empty Stedelijk Museum.
Venue visited on Day 3:
Hotel Droog
Opened by the Dutch design foundation Droog Design in 2012, Hotel Droog offers unique accommodation alongside a restaurant, a design shop, and a gallery which hosts rotating exhibitions throughout the year.
Even if you don’t spend the night, the shop and the 160 m² gallery area are both worth a visit.
The hotel’s store sells affordable products alongside more expensive limited-edition pieces from Droog and the ‘Friends of Droog’ curated collection, as well as products from other labels that fit the Droog concept: “products designed to enhance daily life” with “their own story to tell”.
From curation to product design, exhibitions and lectures, Hotel Droog brings all of our activities under one roof and invites people to plug in as they choose.
Renny Ramakers, co-founder and director of Droog
Last but not least is the Gallery of Hotel Droog, an exhibition space curated by Droog or specially invited curators. Exhibitions typically showcase art, design, fashion, and emerging trends in the creative industries. Workshops and discussions are designed to “facilitate dialogue between design and society”.
We loved: the free access to the exhibition space, the store with original and affordable products.
Purchase: a book about design, stationnary.
- Type: Flea Market
- Quality: * * * *
- Price: $$$$
- Web: hoteldroog.com
- Adress: Staalstraat 7b, 1011 JJ AMSTERDAM (+31 20 523 5050)
Het Grote Avontuur
Het Grote Avontuur (The Great Adventure) is a beautiful interior design shop that has been selling stationery and paper goods since 1994. This beautiful, cosy little shop has lots to showcase, mainly vintage paper goods such as old school posters, botanical prints, great books, and its very own series of retro postcards.
As well as stationery, Het Grote Avontuur offers vintage furniture, bric-a-brac and unique items from all over the world, such as miniature replicas of 1970s cars and vans, or pieces by designers based near Amsterdam. It’s a must-see venue if you’re exploring Haarlem Street.
We loved: the variety and authenticity of the furniture and décor on display, the botanical prints and retro Dutch school posters, the affordable prices, and the warm and inviting nature of the owner.
Purchases: A few retro postcards and some miscellaneous stationery. We were tempted to buy an old school poster or botanical print, but our suitcase was already full.
- Type: Interior Design & Stationnary shop
- Quality: * * * *
- Price: $$$
- Web: hetgroteavontuur.nl
- Adress: Haarlemmerstraat 25, Amsterdam (+31 20 626 8597)
Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
The Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, or Stedelijk for short, strives to be one of the most innovative and interesting modern art museums in the world. After eight years of renovation and construction of a new building next to the old one, the museum reopened in September 2012.
Today, the Stedelijk Museum has one of the world’s richest modern art collections. Alongside all the major names of modern painting movements such as Impressionism, Fauvism, Cubism and Expressionism, it has a unique collection of 29 paintings by Kazimir Malevich, an equally exceptional collection of the De Stijl and CoBrA movements, a superb collection of Dutch photography, an excellent collection of Dutch design and furniture, and an interesting collection of European and American art trends since 1950, including works by Matisse, Picasso, Newman, Rauschenberg and Warhol, as well as Italian Arte Povera and German modern painting.
We loved: There is currently an interesting exhibition on the history of Dutch design featuring some unique original pieces by Gerrit Rietveld, which are well worth seeing.
Purchase: A pair of colorfull woolen table mats by designer Vilt Van Ver.
- Type: Museum of Modern Art
- Quality: * * * *
- Price: Adults: €15 / Students, age 18 and younger: €7.50 / Kids 12 and younger: free
- Web: stedelijk.nl
- Adress: Museumplein 10, 1071 DJ Amsterdam (tel:+31 20 5732911)
Conclusion
If you’re travelling in this part of Europe, Amsterdam is a destination worth visiting for its antiques and design. In fact, Amsterdam is the perfect addition to a tour including London, Paris and Brussels. All four of these capital cities are pretty close to one another and can easily be reached by train in under an hour and a half: London–Paris (Eurostar), Paris–Brussels (Thalys) and Brussels–Amsterdam (SNCB). If you plan to take this tour, consider spending at least two days in each city to make the most of your shopping trip. All in all, a week-long holiday should be more than enough time to visit the best flea markets and antique stores in each city.
What about you? Have you been to Amsterdam before? Are there any particular venues you liked or would like to visit on your next trip?
Feel free to share your Amsterdam experiences in the comments section below!
Bonus: Useful Resources To Prepare Your Shopping Trip To Amsterdam:
- The art of flea market bargaining
- How to get my flea market finds, home?
- Vintage: 10 Ideas For Mixing Modern With Vintage In Interior Decorating
- Iamsterdam: Link to Amsterdam’s tourist office
Bonus 2: More Of Amsterdam In (Random & Yummy) Pictures:
With its characteristic canals (UNESCO World Heritage) surrounded by narrow, low and crooked 17th-century houses, Amsterdam is, without a doubt, one of the most charming capital cities in Europe. With a rich cultural life and a wide range of entertainment, Amsterdam is a full-scale city which has managed to retain its small-town feel. Amsterdam is also a real treat for art-lovers. Amsterdam is home to over 50 museums, many of them famous across the globe. Highlights include the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum. For the visitors who have already seen the beautiful canals pioneered the Jordaan and got the hang of our never-ending nightlife..there is plenty more to experience and explore. The Amsterdam Metropolitan Area offers a great variety of surprising and unusual attractions and landscapes.
Source: arrivalguides.com (this guide was updated: 2015-02-04)
Do & See
Amsterdam’s fantastic architecture is best seen from a sightseeing boat on the canals. But Amsterdam is also a great city to explore by bike or foot. Sign up for a group tour or excursion or feel like a local and discover Amsterdam on your own. Whatever suits you best, the I amsterdam City Card is an outstanding way to explore everything the city has to offer! Sign up for a tour or excursion to discover a side of Amsterdam you might never see on your own. For example, a canal cruise is an absolute must for every first-time visitor. Or travel outside the city and experience the typically Dutch landscape of windmills, dikes and manicured green pastures. Stroll through quaint fishing villages, take a boat tour along the scenic waterways or cycle along the dunes.
Dining
Looking for a quick snack, a refreshing drink or a romantic three-course dinner? Amsterdam has all of that and more! From grand cafés and historical watering holes to Michelin stars and the best in seasonal produce, keep reading for tips on where to have a memorable meal or drink in Amsterdam.
Shopping
Whether you’re searching for the best souvenir, a unique vintage dress or the latest designer handbag, Amsterdam has the perfect shop for you! Hunt for antiques, score some limited-edition trainers or sample local Dutch delicacies: you can find it all in Amsterdam. Besides the main shopping streets the Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat, home to all the shops you would expect to find in a large European city like H&M and Zara, Amsterdam has a lot to offer to the luxury shopper. Amongst the best spots in town are department store De Bijenkorf, shopping street P.C. Hooftstraat with luxury boutiques and designer stores and the exclusive shopping centre Magna Plaza. Looking for antiques? Visit the Spiegelkwartier, within walking distance from the Rijksmuseum, or if you are a more budget conscious shopper, do not miss out on one of the neighbourhood markets!
Shops in Amsterdam are generally speaking open every day of the week, but hours vary. Opening times may differ slightly per shop and district, but here are some general guidelines:
Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri from 09:00 – 18:00
Thu from 09:00 – 21:00
Sat from 09:00 – 17:00
Sun from 12:00 – 17:00
Accommodations
Planning a romantic weekend getaway, a vacation or a business trip? With some 350 hotels in the city, you are sure to find the right location and budget for you. Hotel accommodations vary from budget 1 star and youth hostels to 5 star deluxe.
Bars & Nightlife
The dance clubs in Amsterdam might feel too small for somebody who is used to flashy clubs in NY, LA or London. But the clubs in Amsterdam can be just as entertaining and completely crazy. Hip, laid-back or sophisticated – the choice is yours!
Museums & Attractions
Amsterdam is home to a variety of world-famous museums. A trip to the city isn’t complete without stopping by the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum or the Anne Frank House. However, Amsterdam has much more to offer. A stroll through the heart of the city and beyond will reveal the countless attractions, thereby catering to young and old. Take some time to discover them all!
Cafes
Whether you’re after soaking up the atmosphere of a traditional Dutch brown café, lounging in a city luxurious grand café, enjoying a summer drink on one of the city’s many terraces or checking out the thriving bar scene, Amsterdam is the perfect place to enjoy a tipple.
Amsterdam Metropolitan Area
For the visitors who’ve already seen the beautiful canals, visited the highlights, pioneered the Jordaan and got the hang of our never-ending nightlife… Here’s news for you: Amsterdam is bigger than you think! There is plenty more to experience. The Amsterdam Metropolitan Area offers a great variety of products and is a stunning area that surrounds our city. The beach to relax, shopping, a dive into our history, or a breath of air in our beautiful countryside… All of these attractions are within reach of an hour using public transportation!
Essential Information
Population: 800.000
Currency: Euro, 1€ = 100 cents
Emergency numbers: 112
Newspapers: Volkskrant, De Telegraaf, Het Parool, NRC Handelsblad, AD
Tourist information: Visitor Information Centre Schiphol Airport (Holland Tourist Information), Schiphol Airport, Arrivals 2 at Schiphol Plaza, Mo -Su: 07:00 – 22:00 hour / Visitor Information Centre Central Station, Noord-Zuid Hollands Koffiehuis, Stationsplein 10 (across from Central Station), Mo -Sa : 09:00 – 17:00 hour Su: 10:00 – 17:00