Urbanaut

by Ksenija Concept store with pretty little treasures.

by Deepti Rao If you’re looking to discover Dutch design, head to Hutspot. The store offers a combination of fashion, innovative design and local art. From locally distilled gin to art prints by local artists, books to versatile fashion, this well-curated shop is also a good place to buy gifts for your design-savvy friends.

by Deepti Rao This is where you can shop till you drop. With all the big brands located along this one street, the Kalverstraat is the place to go to get your shopping fix. There are also some notable landmarks along this street such as the ornate ceiling of the Beurspassage, the Begijnhof, the oldest courtyard of the city and the Bloemenmarkt, or the flower market.

Nieuwe Spiegelstraat

by Urbanaut This arcane street is a beautifully preserved holdover from the Netherlands’ past, lined with antique boutiques that stock the most bizarre collection of oddities. No one shop is like any other– in one, you’ll find relics of dental tools and dissection kits; head to another and it houses nautical instruments of all kinds. But it’s also worth visiting if you’re on the lookout for authentic Dutch antiques to take home, such as blue Delft tiles and gorgeous period furniture.

by Urbanaut A local favourite in Amsterdam’s much-loved De Pijp, Cottoncake is a lovely little sustainable boutique - slash - coffee shop. The concept store stocks clothing and accessories personally curated by the two owners, whose passion for travel also extends to the shop’s collection and aesthetic. We love that you can enjoy a cuppa while you shop or take it to the window-side to watch people go by. It’s also a cosy little spot to enjoy a Sunday brunch with beautiful art in sight.

Oudemanhuispoort

by Urbanaut Between quintessentially Dutch houses along the canal snakes a passageway once frequented by Vincent Van Gogh. Today, it’s home to thousands of second-hand books and sheet music piled unceremoniously onto teetering tables, carts and storefronts. There’s no rhyme or reason to the arrangements there, so you’d best expect to spend a few hours hunting for the perfect book. The 17th-century passageway is part of the University of Amsterdam building, but has played multiple roles through the past from a cholera hospital to a storehouse for Vermeer and Rembrandt paintings that form the basis of the Rijksmuseim today. If you enjoy maps and vintage prints, you’ll find more than a few gems here to take back home.

Ten Kate Market

by Urbanaut Ten Katemarkt is a bustling street market tucked well away into a largely residential neighbourhood. If you’ve got a free afternoon, we’d recommend strolling through to see how Amsterdammers shop– the open air market has over 100 stalls selling a variety of must-haves and wants including fresh organic veggies, fabric, flowers, shoes and more. It leads up to the Kinkerstraat which just so happens to be one of this area’s busiest shopping streets, packed with indie cafés and greengrocers. The market itself is over 100 years old!

De Hallen Amsterdam

by Deepti Rao De Hallen is a hub for culture, art, design, food and film! Housed in an old tram station, this architectural landmark has lovely boutique stores, a monthly market of local designers, a bustling food hall, art galleries, dance lessons, film theatres and much more.

Bookstore of Pampus

by Urbanaut Boekhandel Van Pampus, as it’s known to local bibliophiles, has but one philosophy— invite to stop. This means you’re more than welcome to stroll in, pick a book and lounge in their armchairs to read for a while. The alternative bookstore has your average top 10 books, but it’s much better known for special editions of literature, philosophy, architecture, even children’s books. You can also order a cup of coffee or tea to go with your lounging– it’s only fitting.

by Deepti Rao If you’ve seen a picture of the quintessential Amsterdam streets along the canals, lined with buildings that are all slightly tilting, it’s probably taken here in the Nine Streets! Think designer boutiques, vintage shops, hidden cafes, gourmet restaurants and a view that will make you whip your camera out around every corner.

Albert Cuypmarkt

by Deepti Rao The Albert Cuyp Market started in 1905 and is still as bustling and lively as ever. There’s nothing like a warm freshly made stroopwafel from Rudi’s original Stroopwafel stall followed by a frothy cappuccino at Darras Café. This market has a lot to offer – fresh fruit, veggies and fish, a variety of food stalls from fried chicken to Turkish Gözleme, vintage and souvenir shopping – it’s all here!

@droog amsterdam

by Ksenija It’s all in one place: gallery, shop, restaurant, and hotel (for one couple only). They’ve got a new terrace and a little fairy tale garden as well. Swing by for your dose of design and coffee.

Sterk Amsterdam

by Deepti Rao This is another must-do for beer lovers. Sterk (which means strong in Dutch) is a corner liquor shop with a twist, they have every single brand of beer you can imagine! From niche limited editions from Australia to brews by monks in Belgium, they’ve got it all. More than the beer, I can spend hours just staring at the labels!

Boerejongens Coffeeshop Center Amsterdam

by Deepti Rao Amsterdam has become synonymous with w**d and here’s where you’ll find the best stuff. Boerenjongens (pronounced Boor-a-young-an’s, meaning Farmer Boys in Dutch) is a reliable and surprisingly chic ‘coffee shop’ selling the best quality greens. There are a lot of options and the smartly dressed attendants are always willing you guide you to a high that suits you.