Ten Katemarkt

The Ten Katemarkt runs along the Ten Katestraat in Oud-West, a relaxed everyday market that locals actually shop at: fruit and veg, fresh fish, cheese, flowers, fabrics and stalls of cheap clothing.

It draws much of its character from the neighbourhood's Surinamese, Moroccan and Turkish communities — you'll find roti, baklava, olives and Surinamese snacks alongside the Dutch staples.

Just behind the market is De Hallen, a former tram depot now home to the Foodhallen, a cinema and boutique hotel — so a morning's shopping doubles easily as lunch and an afternoon out.

The market takes its name from the street, which honours the Dutch theologian and poet Jan Jacob Lodewijk ten Kate. That literary connection is easy to miss when you're browsing the stalls, but it adds a layer of history to an otherwise practical shopping street. The market's long-standing presence makes it part of Oud-West's everyday heritage: a place whose identity comes from continued use rather than from monuments or grand architecture.

For a wider look at Oud-West, follow your visit with a walk along the Kinkerstraat, the shopping street at the market's southern end. From there, dip into the surrounding residential streets rather than sticking to the main road; the contrast offers a better sense of the neighbourhood beyond its busiest shopping routes. If you'd like to finish somewhere greener, continue towards the Vondelpark, combining the market with a longer walk through this part of Amsterdam.