Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SHOPPING
Amsterdam brings out the browser even in those who were not
born to shop. Ten general markets, open six days a week (gener-
ally 9:30-17:00, closed Sun), keep folks who brake for garage sales
pulling U-turns. Markets include Waterlooplein (the flea market),
the huge Albert Cuyp street market, and various flower markets
(such as the Singel canal Flower Market near Mint Tower).
For information on shopping, pick up the TI's Shopping in
Amsterdam brochure. To find out how to get a VAT (Value Added
Tax) refund on your purchases, see page 11.
Most shops in the center are open 10:00-18:00 (Thu until
21:00); the businesslike Dutch know no siesta, but many shop-
keepers take Sunday and Monday mornings off. Supermarkets are
open Monday-Saturday 8:00-20:00.
Department Stores
When you need to buy something but don't know where to go,
two chain stores—Hema and Vroom & Dreesmann (V&D)—are
handy for everything from inexpensive clothes and notebooks
to food and cosmetics. Hema is at Kalverstraat 212, in the
Kalvertoren mall (Mon 11:00-18:30, Tue-Sat 9:30-18:30, Thu
until 21:00, Sun 12:00-18:30). Vroom & Dreesmann, with its
great La Place cafeteria, is at Kalverstraat 203 (Mon and Sun
11:00-19:00, Tue-Sat 10:00-20:00, Thu until 21:00; cafeteria on
ground floor—see page 185).
The De Bijenkorf department store is old-time fancy and
central on Dam Square, with a nice café on the second floor (see
page 186). Metz & Co. is decent but getting dowdy, and its sixth-
floor café has good views (located where Leidsestraat intersects
Herengracht).
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