TOURIST INFO
Markets in
Amsterdam:
The biggest and best market of all is held on Queen's Day. Amsterdam's
neighbourhood markets, particularly Albert Cuypmarkt and the Dappermarkt,
are the best places to find cheap food and clothes, while aficionados
of second-hand goods should head to Monday's Noordermarkt.
Albert Cuypmarkt
Amsterdam's biggest general market sells everything from pillows
to prawns at excellent prices. It's also worth visiting for the
material stalls, a firm favourite with painters, who can pick up
untreated canvas from around ƒ3,95 a metre. Clothes tend to
be run-of-the-mill cheapies, with the odd bargain.
Albert Cuypstraat
Tram 4, 16, 24, 25. Open 9.30am-5pm Mon-Sat; closed Sun. No credit
cards.
Boerenmarkt
Every Saturday, the Noordermarkt is transformed into the organic
farmers' market. Products include organic fruit and vegetables (with
opportunities for food- and wine-tasting) as well as essential oils,
herbs, candles and the like. Groups of singers or medieval musicians
sometimes make a visit here feel more like a day trip than a mere
shopping excursion.
Westerstraat/Noorderkerkstraat
Tram 3, 10. Open 9am-3pm Sat; closed Mon-Fri, Sun. No credit cards.
Dappermarkt
A true locals' market, far less touristy than its famous counterparts:
for a start, prices don't seem to rise in accordance with the number
of visitors. It sells the usual market fodder, with plenty of cheap
clothes and underwear.
Dapperstraat
Tram 3, 6, 10, 14. Open 9am-5pm Mon-Sat; closed Sun. No credit cards.
Looier
The Looier is more upmarket than the nearby Rommelmarkt: it's mainly
antiques here, with plenty of collectors' items on offer. It's easy
to get lost in the quiet, warehouse-like premises and find yourself
standing alone by a stall crammed with antiquated clocks eerily
ticking away.
Elandsgracht 109
Tram 7, 10, 17, 20. Open 11am-5pm Mon-Thur, Sat, Sun; closed Fri.
Credit AmEx, DC, MC, V.
Noordermarkt
A bargain hunter's paradise. Tagged on to the end of the utilitarian
Westermarkt, the Noordermarkt is compact and frequented by the serious
market shopper. The piles upon piles of new and (mainly) second-hand
clothes, shoes, jewellery and hats need to be sorted through with
a grim determination in order to sift the dross from the delights.
Prices can be laughably low, but like all the best second-hand markets,
if you don't arrive early, the best stuff will already have been
snapped up.
Noordermarkt
Tram 3, 10. Open 7.30am-1pm Mon; closed Tue-Sun. No credit cards.
Oudemanhuis
Book Market
People have been buying and selling books, prints and sheet music
at this arcade since the 19th century. When the alley was built
in 1601, it was the entrance to a home for the elderly, hence the
name.
Oudemanhuispoort
Tram 4, 9, 14, 16, 20, 24, 25. Open 11am-4pm Mon-Fri; closed Sat,
Sun. No credit cards.
Postzegelmarkt
A specialist market for collectors of stamps, coins, old postcards
and commemorative medals.
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, by No.276, Old Centre: New Side
Tram 1, 2, 5, 13, 17, 20. Open 11am-4pm Wed, Sun; closed Mon, Tue,
Thur-Sat. No credit cards.
Rommelmarkt
A flea market where, nestled among the household junk, you are likely
to come across dubious bargains such as a boxed set of Demis Roussos
discs.
Looiersgracht 38
Tram 7, 10, 17, 20. Open 11am-5pm daily. No credit cards.
Waterlooplein
Amsterdam's top tourist market, but no less entertaining for that.
Basically a huge flea market, it's great for clothes (though they
can be a bit pricey and, at many stalls, decidedly naff), with the
usual selections of jeans, leathers and batik T-shirts and some
excellent second-hand stuff. Bargains can be had, but they're often
hidden among defunct toasters and down-at-heel (literally) shoes.
Musos will enjoy rifling through the boxes of battered vinyl, though
everyone should beware of pickpockets.
Waterlooplein
Tram 9, 14, 20/Metro Waterlooplein. Open 9am-5pm Mon-Sat; closed
Sun. No credit cards.
Westermarkt
A general market, selling all sorts of things. The amount of people
packing the pavement is proof as to the entirely reasonable prices
and the range of goods, which includes new watches, pretty (and
not so pretty) fabrics and cheap factory reject clothes.
Westerstraat
Tram 3, 10. Open 9am-1pm Mon; closed Tue-Sun. No credit cards.
Art Plein Spui
Open Air Art Market
Near Begijnhof and the Historical Museum
March - December Every Sunday 10:00am - 6:00pm
Website:www.artplein-spui.nl
