Amsterdam’s markets

The Dutch capital has lots of markets to discover

Amsterdam has an unusually high number of markets, especially for a city that’s relatively small. There’s flea markets, food markets, markets for antiques, vintage clothing, flowers and much more. Some of the best are near the top sights, so it’s easy to dip in, soak up the atmosphere, and do some window shopping - or cram your suitcase with some irresistible items.

Here’s a selection:

General markets

Albert Cuypstraat market

Located in De Piip, at more than a kilometre long and stretching from Ferdinand Bolstraat to Van Woustraat, this is Amsterdam’s largest and busiest general open air market. Established in 1905, it has clothes, jewellery, household items and more. As well as fresh meat, fish, fruit and veg, you can buy snacks such as raw herring sandwiches, roast chicken and sweet stroopwafels (syrup-filled waffles). There are boutiques, cafés and bars either side (especially around the intersection between Albert Cuypstraat and Eerste van der Helststraat) and some side streets have Surinamese and Indian restaurants that are more keenly priced than in the centre. Or grab ingredients for a picnic and head two blocks south to Sarphatipark.

Albert Cuypstraat; albertcuypmarkt.nl; open Mon-Sat 1000-1700.

IJ Hallen Flea Market

Located in Amsterdam Noord, this is Europe’s biggest flea market with 500 stands. You can take bus 391 or 394 from Amsterdam Centraal Station (get off at Klaprozenweg/Atatürk) and walk for five minutes, or even better, take the free ferry (service 906 towards NDSM-werf) from the rear of Amsterdam Central Station. Lots of vintage finds including a wide selection of home furnishings and clothing.

IJ-Hallen, NDSM-Plein 1; ijhellen.nl; one or two Saturdays and Sundays each month, 0900-1630; entrance - adults €6.00, children €2.50

Dappermarkt

Rather similar to the Albert Cuypstraat market but smaller, this market principally serves locals rather than tourists, but is still interesting to discover and walk round. It offers numerous ethnic cuisines, clothing and homewares, Being situated in Amsterdam Oost (East), it is off the beaten track and gives an insight into an area of Amsterdam that is away from the usual central tourism areas.

Dapperstraat; dappermarkt.nl; open Mon-Sat 0900-1700

Waterlooplein market, copyright Incase designs

Waterlooplein Flea Market

This large central market has around 300 stalls selling everything from vintage clothes to vinyl, toys, books, art, antiques, jewellery, bric-à-brac, bicycles and much more. There are also food trucks offering snacks from Lebanon, Greece and more.

Waterlooplein; waterlooplein.amsterdam; open Mon-Sat, 0930-2100

Antiekmarkt Nieuwmarkt (Nieuwmarkt Antiques Market)

Although referred to as an antiques market, there’s also clothing, bric-à-brac and more.

Nieuwmarkt; amsterdam.info; open May-Sept, Sun 0900-1700

Flowers

Bloemenmarkt (flower market)

Dating from 1862 and a real fixture of Amsterdam (and rather touristy as a result), centrally located, this is the world's only floating flower market, with lots of stalls strung together on one of the centre’s longer canals. There’s a huge selection of plants (including tulips naturally), bouquets, herbs and bulbs.

Singel, between Muntplein and Koningsplein; amsterdamsights.com; open Mon-Sat 0930-1700, Sun 1100-1730.

Books

Boekenmarkt (Book Market)

Expert booksellers have stalls with high quality secondhand rare and out-of-print books, postcards, vintage maps and the like.

Spui; amsterdamsights.com; open Fri 1000-1800

Oudemanhuis Book Market

A long-established book, sheet music and prints market in a tucked-away 18th-century covered alleyway amongst historical university buildings

Oudemanhuispoort; amsterdamsights.com; open Mon-Sat 1130-1730

Antiques

Antiek Centrum

The Antiques Centre Amsterdam is the largest indoor antique market in the Netherlands. It has thousands of unique objects from all different periods and styles including a large range of 17th, 18th and 19th century antiques, Art Deco, items from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, bric-à-brac and more.

Elandsgracht 109; antiekcentrumamsterdam.nl; opem Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri 1100-1800, Sat/Sun 1100-1700

Art

ArtAmsterdam-Spui

Paintings in oil, acrylic and watercolours, sculpture, jewellery, ceramics, paper art, graphics, glass, silk and mixed media, usually of a high standard, offered by a rotating selection of around 25 Dutch and international artists each week at this centrally-located market in a tree-lined square.

Spui; artamsterdam-spui.com; open Sun 1100-1800

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