4 Best Shopping in Amsterdam, Netherlands

This century-old market on Albert Cuypstraat is the beating heart of De Pijp. It's open Monday–Saturday, rain or shine, and you're likely to hear the vendors barking out their bargains over the sound of a street musician. Stalls sell food, clothing, fabrics, plants, and household goods from all over the world. Be sure to try some Dutch snacks, like freshly made stroopwafels (thin waffle cookies with a layer of caramel sandwiched in between) or patat (french fries served with mayonnaise or satay sauce).

Since 1910, this popular market has been a consumer crossroads in Amsterdam-Oost. Running the length of the eponymous street, the market's 250 stalls sell everything from discount clothing and cosmetics to flowers and fabrics. The food offerings are just as diverse and include halal lamb kebabs, Indonesian loempia (egg rolls), and Dutch kibbeling (deep-fried battered cod).

Textile lovers will be in heaven during a visit to this so-called patches market, taking place along the Westerstraat on Mondays from 9 am to 1 pm. Located adjacent to the Noordermarkt, vendors sell a myriad of colorful fabrics, from embroidered Asian silks to Indonesian batiks and beautiful prints from Africa and Suriname.

On Saturdays, Noordermarkt's salt-of-the-earth sister, which runs down the length of Lindengracht from 9 to 5. Established in the 1890s, it now has more than 230 food stalls where vendors offer all the basics, including produce, fruit, flowers, cheese, fruit and more.