1. DE PIJP
This area has a vast array of vintage, designer, and boutique shops. The quiet Sarphatipark is just around the corner to escape the busy district. Men store “Angel Agudo” is a popular among the Dutch for Scandinavian and Italian shoes, leather bags, scarfs and other accessories. You can also visit their salon for hair treatment and styling products. Yoga lovers can visit the first yoga specialty shop in the Netherlands, “Yogisha”. The zen store sells anything you need for yoga from foreign brands you will not have heard of before.Top tip: A former cinema has now opened “CT Coffee & Coconuts” (see picture above), a funky place to enjoy homemade food and great quality coffee. A barista will grind fresh roasted beans for you on request and tell you about their daily selection of beans.
2. DE NEGEN STRAATJES
Leave the big crowds from the Central Station and get lost in the nine little streets of Amsterdam. Filled with authentic boutiques and monuments, you could easily spend the afternoon wandering in and out of shops. A vintage store favourite among the locals is “Episode”. Other cool boutiques to check out are “We Are Labels” and “Collective Space” for eclectic fashion.Top tip: If you are looking for a modern place to eat, “Brix” is a trendy café not to miss. The Oma-Bob bitterballen is a tasty snack to try at the Brix bar.
3. PC HOOFSTRAAT
This southern shopping area of Amsterdam is the Walhalla for luxury shopping. Brands such as "Burberry", "Giorgio Armani", and "Louis Vuitton" are a few of the 160+ designer stores you will discover here. Starting from the West end, you can stroll into the Vondelpark, the Amsterdam central park. At the other end of the PC Hooftstraat you can enter the Museumplein, a square with the most popular museums. A visit to the Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Modern Art Museum, or famous Rijksmuseum can all be combined with a luxurious shopping session.Top tip: After a long day of shopping, the best place to end the day is at restaurant "Momo" nearby. Enjoy the unique sushi creations and then you can head to one of the Amsterdam‘s most gorgeous hotels: Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam or Sir Albert Hotel.
4. HAARLEMMERDIJK
This quirky shopping area is for the younger visitors of Amsterdam. The two main streets, Haarlemmerdijk and Haarlemmerstraat, provide a long walk of shopping, café and bar hopping, or cultural sights. Most stores are affordable and boutiques such as “Six and Sons”. “Restored” and “Store Without A Home” are great for furniture products and accessories. Try out the hip restaurant “STOUT!” when you are there. “STOUT!” literally translates to naughty, because this place offers a naughty menu which the chefs mix up every 6 weeks.Top tip: On a rainy day in the city, head to the oldest movie theatre of Amsterdam. You will not only experience an art house movie, but also a magnificent interior dating back to 1912.
5. LEIDSESTRAAT
This is one of the main shopping streets of the city centre. Here you will find many of the main shops such as “H&M” and “Brandy Melville” and exclusive shops like “Filippa K” and “Karen Millen”. You can also spot the only floating flower market in the world, the “Bloemenmarkt”. The best way to finish a shopping session along the Leidsestraat is at its main square, Leidseplein. This square is a wellknown area to go out or wine and dine.Top tip: To taste new beers, plan to have a drink after shopping at “De Zotte”. This Belgium beer tasting bar has any colour of beer that you want. Try the beer of the month for a surprise.
6. BEETHOVENSTRAAT
Built in the 30s, this shopping district gives a lot more space on sidewalks and for cars to park (only 10 cents per hour) than most streets in Amsterdam. This area is mainly visited by the locals of South Amsterdam. Great cheese, wine and chocolate shops are offered here as well as clothing stores which highly vary in price range. The street is known for its Dutch mix of cheap local stores like the “HEMA” as well as designer brands like “PAUW” and “Groven+”.Top tip: The Beethovenstraat holds the International Sculpture Route Amsterdam (ArtZuid) every two years. Contemporary art works can be seen as you walk through the shopping district. The next edition is in 2015, do not miss it!
7. BIJENKORF
This shopping mall located on the Dam Square hosts every store from A-Z. Designer such as Kenzo, Alexander McQueen and Prada are all on the first floor. But you can find anything from cosmetics to interior design. Bijenkorf also offers many food options such as coffee and cake, frozen yogurt and designing your own Magnum icecream. Their rooftop Kitchen restaurant received the 2010 Best Restaurant Design award by Time Out magazine.Top Tip: Visit the interior department of the Bijenkorf to find the famous Dutch kitchen and pottery store called Blond Amsterdam.
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