Must-see shopping in The Netherlands

  • Hands making shoes. Shoemaker

    Negen Straatjes

    Western Canal Ring

    In a city packed with countless shopping opportunities, each seemingly more alluring than the last, the Negen Straatjes represent the very densest…

  • Weduwe Joustra

    Friesland

    No drink is more traditional to seafaring Sneek than beerenburg, a local herb-infused gin originally drunk by sailors to warm their cockles at sea and…

  • Roosje Hindeloopen

    Friesland

    A mooch around the workshop and boutique of Hindeloopen's oldest furniture maker is a highlight. Founded in 1894, the family business is run today by…

  • HetFotoAtelier

    Utrecht

    Whichever side of the lens you prefer to be, if you love pre-digital, black-and-white photography, this specialist shop-gallery will probably be your…

  • Hôtel Droog

    Amsterdam

    Not a hotel, but a local design house. Droog means 'dry' in Dutch, and these products are full of dry wit. You'll find all kinds of stylish versions of…

  • Memento

    Jordaan & the West

    Levitating lamps and vases (using magnets), retro flipping clocks, Delft-style porcelain with contemporary designs such as cyclists and tilting canal…

  • X Bank

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    More than just a concept store showcasing Dutch-designed haute couture and ready-to-wear fashion, furniture, art, gadgets and homewares, the 700-sq-metre…

  • De Pure Markt

    Amsterdam

    On the last Sunday of the month De Pure Markt sets up in Park Frankendael, with artisanal and organic producers selling delicious gourmet foodstuffs…

  • Wereldwijven

    South Holland

    A shop associated with a social enterprise, Wereldwijven (Worldpeople) trains migrant women in sewing and embroidery, giving them a potential income…

  • Cottoncake

    De Pijp

    Painted cotton-white inside and out, this chic little shop makes and sells its own scented candles and perfumes, and stocks fashion, jewellery and…

  • De Bierverteller

    Utrecht

    Obliging, knowledgeable staff can help you make sense of over 700 varieties of beer, arranged by flavour rather than provenance.

  • Frozen Fountain

    Western Canal Ring

    Frozen Fountain is Amsterdam's best-known showcase of furniture and interior design. Prices are not cheap, but the daring designs are offbeat and very…

  • De Groene Passage

    Rotterdam

    An emporium of eco-conscious and sustainable products, this indoor market hosts small businesses selling food, soaps, clothing, homewares, furniture and…

  • Lindengracht Market

    Jordaan & the West

    Dating from 1895, Saturday's Lindengracht Market is a wonderfully local affair, with 232 stalls selling fresh produce, including fish and a magnificent…

  • Holtbar

    Groningen

    With its organic coffee bar, homemade cakes and impeccable choice of Dutch brands, this small concept store is worth lingering in. Among its designer…

  • Concerto

    Southern Canal Ring

    This rambling shop is muso heaven, with a fabulous selection of new and secondhand vinyl and CDs encompassing every imaginable genre, including rockabilly…

  • Groos

    Rotterdam

    Its name is revived local slang for 'pride', and this concept store in the Het Industriegebouw creative industries building is clearly proud of the…

  • Grote Markt

    Haarlem

    Haarlem is at its liveliest during its regular Monday and, especially, Saturday market, when its namesake square fills with stalls selling fresh produce,…

  • Kramer Kunst & Antiek

    Southern Canal Ring

    Specialising in antique blue-and-white Dutch tiles, this engrossing, crammed-to-the-rafters shop is chock-a-block with fascinating antiques, silver…

  • Moooi Gallery

    Jordaan & the West

    Founded by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders, this gallery-shop features Dutch design at its most over-the-top, from the life-size black horse lamp to the …

  • Vlieger

    Southern Canal Ring

    Love stationery and paper? Make a beeline for Vlieger. Since 1869, this two-storey shop has been supplying it all: Egyptian papyrus, beautiful handmade…

  • Pied à Terre

    Amsterdam

    Travel lovers will be in heaven in the galleried, skylit interior of Europe's largest travel bookshop. If it's travel- or outdoor-related, you can dream…

  • Marie-Stella-Maris sells plant-based skincare products and home fragrances

    Marie-Stella-Maris

    Western Canal Ring

    Marie-Stella-Maris was set up as a social enterprise to provide clean drinking water worldwide. It donates a percentage from every purchase of its locally…

  • Welcome to craft beer heaven: Bier Baum stocks an endless choice of tipples

    J&B Craft Drinks

    Amsterdam

    J&B Craft Drinks offers a huge range of craft beers, ciders and tasty soda from all over the globe, which are available cold from the fridge, making them…

  • Noordermarkt

    Jordaan & the West

    A market square since the early 1600s, the plaza in front of the Noorderkerk hosts a couple of lively markets each week. Monday morning's flea market has…

  • 360 Volt

    Western Canal Ring

    One of the keys to creating a quintessentially gezellig (cosy, convivial) atmosphere is ambient lighting, making this shop stocking vintage industrial…

  • Kaashandel van der Ley

    Groningen

    In business since 1934, this cheesemonger sells the finest cheese from the Netherlands – more than 300 types – and around the world. Look for local…

  • Denham the Jeanmaker Men's Store

    Western Canal Ring

    Next door to its studio, where jeans are produced, this flagship, 'zoned' boutique carries the cutting-edge jeanmaker's menswear lines. Jeans aside, you…

  • Locals

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    Jeweller Suzanne Hof set up this boutique to showcase designs from her own label, Sugarz, but also to provide a platform for small-scale designers from…

  • Het Faire Oosten

    Amsterdam

    The perfect place to pick up an interesting gift or souvenir, Het Faire Oosten is stocked with beautiful homewares, quirky books, accessories and clothing…

  • Posthumus

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    Established in 1865, this wonderfully preserved shop with original timber cabinetry produces lacquer stamps for wax seals (and sells sealing wax), brass…

  • Love Stories

    Western Canal Ring

    On the Herengracht, this boutique is the flagship store of lingerie brand Love Stories, which was set up by Amsterdam interior designer and stylist-turned…

  • De Kaaskamer

    Western Canal Ring

    The name means 'the cheese room' and De Kaaskamer is indeed stacked to the rafters with Dutch and organic varieties, as well as olives, tapenades, salads…

  • De Texelse Chocolaterie

    Texel

    The heavenly aroma here of melting chocolate made from fresh Texel milk will make you go weak at the knees. Its exquisite pralines and bonbons are laid…

  • Mark Raven Grafiek

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    Artist Mark Raven's distinctive vision of Amsterdam is available on posters, coasters and well-cut T-shirts that make great souvenirs. Prices are…

  • Boekhandel Dominicanen

    Maastricht

    A cathedral of books – literally. Don't miss the relaxed coffee-house area that takes the place of the altar.

  • Waterlooplein flea market in the Southern canal belt.

    Waterlooplein Flea Market

    Amsterdam

    Covering the square once known as Vlooienburg (Flea Town), this flea market isn't huge but there are some good finds (and a bit of tourist tat, too)…

  • Schorem, front view

    Schorem

    Rotterdam

    Styled on the barbershops of old, Schorem offers traditional gel-thick haircuts like pompadours, flattops and contours. However, it’s the atmosphere that…

  • Discover three floors of English-language books at the American Book Center

    American Book Center

    Medieval Centre & Red Light District

    Rambling over three storeys, this excellent bookshop is the biggest source of English-language books in Amsterdam. Its greatest strengths are in the artsy…

  • Stop into Het Fort van Sjakoo for your alternative bookshop fix

    Het Fort van Sjakoo

    Amsterdam

    For anarchist, communist and feminist tomes and zines on everything from pirates to punk, try this long-running not-for-profit bookshop (since 1977 and…

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