Amsterdam's City Markets
Exploring city markets is a great way to blend in with the locals and experience a city like it's your own. Amsterdam, with its different markets, each with its own unique characteristics and atmosphere, makes no exception.
If you're looking to stock your apartment with organic fruit and veggies, uncover the taste and variety of the renowned Dutch cheese, and be captivated by the irresistible smell of the many baked goods that can go with it, visit the weekly Noordermarkt in Amsterdam West. Once called Prinsenmarkt, it dates back to 1616 and continues to take place on a lovely corner of the Jordaan every Saturday, no matter the season. Be part of its history and delve into the local flavours while learning about local products from their makers. Around the square, characteristic local cafes serve some of the most renown Dutch apple pies in town, while some of the stalls dish out planched mushrooms, Dutch pancakes and other delicious street foods. An opportunity to go treasure-hunting for antiques, clothes and prints on a happy stomach, in the non-food section of the market. The reasons why this is one of the best-loved markets in town are too many to mention here! The market has an official website you can browse for more information and updates.
If we were to show you the multicultural face of Amsterdam in one lively exciting place, we would walk you down Dappermarkt in Amsterdam East. Every day from Monday to Saturday feels like an event when this broad avenue stretching from Mauritskade to Wijttenbachstraatgets gets filled with a huge variety of stalls. The market boasts a more than centenary history and has been awarded the best market in the Netherlands a couple of times. The locals go to Dappermarkt for all sort of goods: foods from different cuisines, spices, watches and gadgets, fish, fresh bread, fruit and flowers, clothes and fabrics... You name it, Dappermarkt has it! The mix of vendors is different every day, so if you can’t find what you are looking for one day, go back the next - you might be surprised! The market has its own mascot - a dinosaur - and a website where you can keep up to date with the upcoming events.
Noordermarkt and Dappermarkt are just the main street market highlights on either side of Amsterdam, but there are many other markets in the city, each with its own website. Very convenient, for the street market lovers and browsers who want to plan their stay around their shopping and take home some unique souvenirs.
Here are some further tips to inspire you:
- The Westerstraat market in the Jordaan takes place every Monday morning - it's strong on fashion items and textiles.
- Not far from Noordermarkt, also on Saturdays, the Lindenmarkt offers a more down-to-earth version of the Saturday market, with many street food options.
- The largest flea market in Europe! Ij-Hallen happens once a month in Amsterdam Noord, a few minutes (free) ferry ride from Central Station. It takes place in the fascinating post-industrial site of NDSM and attracts people treasure-hunting for bargains as well as Amsterdammers who rent a stall to cash in on their occasional attic clean-up.
- In the city centre, twice a week, the Postzegelmarkt is a collector's paradise if you have a thing for postage stamps, postcards and coins.
- The Boekenmarkt on Spui is a Friday appointment for the local book lovers. On the same square, on Sundays, the bookstalls leave room to ArtAmsterdam-Spui, an art market where you can buy art pieces, including sculptures, from the artists.
Like this event? Subscribe to monthly tips & updates about hidden gems in Amsterdam, Barcelona and more of your favourite European cities!
