Amsterdam Shopping Markets

On April 8, 2011, In Living in Amsterdam, Living in The Netherlands, The Netherlands, By admin

Amsterdam has some worth-visiting markets which can be a nice alternative for the standard shopping rituals. These atmospheric markets offer the best way to pick up some bargains for you or your friends. They offer a taste in the local life and give visitors a other view of Amsterdam. Some of these markets open daily, others open on certain days. Here’s an overview of some of the best markets:

Bloemen market – Famous flower market

This is Amsterdam’s famous floating flower market, the only one of its kind in the world. The stalls are indeed “floating” on houseboats, but they are semi-permanent fixtures now. It caters to tourists, who flock to see thousands of blooms of every color and buy Dutch bulbs to take home. Location: Singel, between Koningsplein and Muntplein. Open: Year-round, Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Waterlooplein Flea Market – Amsterdam’s best Flea and Antiques market

Amsterdam’s largest flea market is like 200 garage sales going on at once and the “neighborhood” is home to the posh and the tacky. It’s easy to browse for hours in the maze of second-hand clothes, African drums, tie-dye shirts, antique rugs and furniture and bric-a-brac of all kinds. Unlike most markets in Amsterdam, bargaining isn’t necessarily frowned upon here. Location: Waterlooplein. Open: Year-round, Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Albert Cuyp market – Amsterdam’s famous market in the Pijp

This experience is a must for Amsterdam visitors who love bustling markets. The 100-year-old, open-air street market (the city’s largest) features nearly 300 vendors selling everything from fruits, vegetables, fish, meats, spices, chocolate, cheese, flowers and plants to clothes, jewelry, shoes, bike accessories, bedding, fabrics and cosmetics – basically everything. Prices are dirt-cheap, but product quality often reflects this, so beware. Flowers are less expensive here than at the famous Bloemenmarkt. Location: Albert Cuypstraat. Open: Year-round, Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Spui Book Market

Bibliophiles will marvel at the endless tables and tents of this used and antique book market. Dealer collections run the gamut from biography, literature, poetry and fantasy-fiction to art, history, psychology and geography. While most books are from the Netherlands, some English and international titles are for sale, as well as antique maps, prints and records. Location: Spui. Open: Year-round, Fridays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Spui Art Market

Also known as “Art Plein Spui,” this favorite Amsterdam market in the heart of the city showcases the work of up to 25 professional artists from a rotating group of 60, whose media include everything from oil, acrylic, watercolor and etching to photography, sculpture, ceramics and jewelry. Location: Spui. Open: March – December, Sundays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Thorbeckeplein Modern Art Market

Paintings are the features of this Eastern Canal Belt market, which caters to those who prefer an abstract or modern look. Location: Thorbeckeplein. Open: Mid-March – October, Sundays 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Noordermarkt Flea Market

Wares at this popular market range from tote bags made from old World War II army gear to fine Asian antiques. Die-hard flea-market shoppers get here quite early, especially on Mondays. Location: Noordermarkt, Jordaan. Open: Year-round, Mondays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Boerenmarkt on Noordermarkt – Amsterdam’s organic market

Alongside the popular flea market on Noordermarkt is one of Amsterdam’s biggest organic farmers’ markets. Local and regional growers sell fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, meats and cheeses, while organic bakers offer all-natural breads, cookies and pastries. There are even stalls dedicated to organic olive oils, whole grains and various spice pestos. All these ingredients make for a beautiful, bustling display of color and smells. It’s a must if you’re in the Jordaan on a Saturday. Location: Noordermarkt, Jordaan. Open: Year-round, Saturdays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

While you visit these markets, of course keep an eye on your personal belongings. Markets tend to attract pickpockets, and Amsterdam is no exception. Be warned! If you’re planning a visit to Amsterdam, check these short-stay apartments. For longer stays, look into these long-stay apartments in Amsterdam.

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Where to Live: Neighbourhoods in Amsterdam

On July 15, 2010, In Living in Amsterdam, Living in The Netherlands, The Netherlands, By admin

Amsterdam is undoubtedly an exciting city to live in.

Amsterdam map

This small, atmospheric city has plenty to offer everyone: culture, museums, great food, nightlife, parks and family activities. Amsterdam is officially divided into 15 districts, which are each further subdivided into neighbourhoods.

The city’s history, tolerance and social housing policies have helped to ensure diversity throughout the city. The majority of expats looking for a ‘typically Dutch’ urban environment tend to end up in the canal rings encircling the old city centre, the Jordaan, the Old South or the Pijp.

  • City Centre Canals: The old city centre is surrounded by four U-shaped canals: the Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht. The canal houses lining these canals have retained much of their old-style grandeur and provide the perfect location to enjoy Amsterdam’s extraordinary city life. The canals here are packed with cafes, restaurants, tiny boutiques and shops of every kind. The Nine Streets in particular offer ample opportunity for exploring.Apartment prices in this part of the city centre reflect the neighbourhood�s desirability, and on-street parking is limited and expensive. Residents can expect to wait years before being granted a parking permit. Parking garages offer nearby alternatives, but expect high prices and a short walk or bike ride to reach them.
    Houseboats also line the sides of these canals and living in one can offer a slightly cheaper alternative for finding accommodation in this part of town.
     
  • Jordaan: The charming Jordaan is located just outside the main canal rings in the city centre and is made up of a number of smaller canals and streets that run perpendicular to the Prinsengracht. This area was originally an old working class neighbourhood and today is an extremely sought after place to live. The Jordaan is known for its myriad of small restaurants and cafes, and is home to several well-known markets on Saturday and Monday. As with the city centre, parking in this area is limited and expensive.
     
  • Old South: The Old South is one of the most popular expat neighbourhoods, as it is close to the city centre yet offers larger living spaces and more green, thanks to its close proximity to the Vondel Park. While living in the Old South is quieter than in the City Centre and Jordaan, the area still offers a number of (upmarket) shops, restaurants and cafes. This is an expensive part of town to live in, although parking is easier and parking permit waiting lists are somewhat shorter.
     
  • The Pijp: The Pijp is one of the up-and-coming areas of Amsterdam, having benefited from recent city regeneration efforts. The area is ethnically diverse and filled with interesting shops, restaurants and one of the city’s largest open-air markets (the Albert Cuyp market). In recent years, the Pijp has become a highly sought after neighbourhood to live in and rising prices reflect this.

The Westerpark is another neighbourhood that has benefited from regeneration in recent years. The enormous Westerpark park, with its trendy cafes, old industry buildings, rolling fields, wading pool and constantly rotating event schedule has done a lot for the area. Westerpark borders the Jordaan and provides easy access to the Amsterdam ring road and highways.

For a less urban environment, many expats also relocate to Amstelveen, a suburb of Amsterdam directly to the south. The area is green, has a neighbourhood feel and is close to the city’s largest park (the Amsterdam Woods (Amsterdamse Bos)) and Shiphol airport. Many international companies are located in Amstelveen, and the International School of Amsterdam is also found here.

If you have plans to move to Amsterdam and you do want to find an Amsterdam apartment in a  great location, make sure you do get the right info!

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