Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Magna Plaza
Built between 1895 and
1899, this magnificent building -
once derisively dubbed ”post-
office Gothic” by its critics - was
designed by Cornelis Hendrik
Peters (1874-1932) to house
Amsterdam's head post office.
Now a shopping mall, around 40
diverse stores are located over
its four floors. There are two
cafés.
d
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 182
•
Map M3
Top 10 Souvenirs
Beer
There's more to Dutch
beer than Heineken. The
Dutch make a fabulous variety
of beers, and you will find
many of them at De
Bierkoning
(see p87)
.
Bulbs
Check your country's
import regulations before
packing this fabulous floral
souvenir into your luggage.
Cannabis
Don't even think about it.
Noordermarkt
There has been a market on
this site since 1627 - a fact you
can contemplate as you fight
over the bargains with the
die-hard clubbers who arrive
here after a night out, or with
the locals who come for a
more civilized Monday-morning
rummage. Unbeatable for
second-hand clothes and
accessories
(see p92)
.
Cheese
If you don't have time to
make it to an out-of-town
cheese market, visit De
Kaaskamer
(see p104)
for a
mouth-watering selection
that's guaranteed to impress
more than Edam or Gouda.
Clogs
The quintessential Dutch
footwear; be in fashion, and
be heard.
Waterlooplein
Whether your taste is exotic
crafts and jewellery or vintage
clothes, you can find them from
Monday to Saturday at the city's
best flea market - although it's a
jumble at the best of times.
When you can take no more,
escape to the adjacent indoor
markets.
d
Map Q5
Condoms
Novelty condoms galore,
and in a variety of flavours; the
city's infamous Condomerie
will oblige
(see p81)
.
Delftware
If you don't manage to
snag one of the dishy Dutch,
at least you can take home a
Dutch dish.
Diamonds
Definitely a girl's best
friend, but possibly the worst
nightmare of the poor guy
who has to fork out for them.
Jenever
“The father of gin” - the
real thing, in a variety of
flavours and bottle types.
T-shirts/Postcards
No shortage of T-shirts and
postcards portraying anything
from the utterly sublime to
the absolutely ridiculous.
Magna Plaza
For more shops
See pp81, 87, 104, 105, 112, 113, 119
63
