Markets in Amsterdam

Amsterdam runs on its markets. Long before it was a city of museums and canals, it was a city of trade, and that instinct survives in the street markets that still anchor its neighbourhoods. They range from the world-famous to the resolutely local, and visiting one is one of the easiest ways to step out of the tourist bubble and into the rhythm of daily Amsterdam life.

The famous ones

The Bloemenmarkt, the world's only floating flower market, lines the Singel canal with tulip bulbs and souvenirs. The Albert Cuypmarkt in De Pijp is the city's biggest and busiest street market, a daily kilometre of food, clothing, and stroopwafels griddled in front of you. And the Waterlooplein flea market, the oldest in the Netherlands, is the place to dig for vintage clothing, records, and curiosities.

Where locals shop

For something less touristy, the markets in the Jordaan and the west and east of the city show Amsterdam as it actually lives. The Noordermarkt is at its best on Saturdays for organic produce and on Mondays for antiques and vintage. The Ten Katemarkt in Oud-West sits beside the Foodhallen and brims with international street food. And the Dappermarkt in Oost, named one of the world's best shopping streets by National Geographic, is the city's true multicultural 'world market'.

Practical

Most markets are open six days a week and closed on Sundays, though the Noordermarkt runs only on Mondays and Saturdays. Bring cash — many stalls take cards, but not all — and come hungry, because the street food is half the reason to go.