The 18 best street markets in Amsterdam: the ultimate guide

Street markets in Amsterdam have stacks to offer when it comes to shopping: the thrill of running into a good bargain, finding ethically resourced and healthy options, or gobsmackingly delicious, fresh snacks.

No matter your market must-haves, this list of 18 best Amsterdam markets will hit the spot.

👗 General markets in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a city that rarely rests, and there are a handful of markets with unbeatable variety and availability to capitalise on that shopping bug.

1. The Albert Cuyp market — Oud-Zuid

This 1905 market in Amsterdam is a local and tourist attraction with a nostalgic feel, with an unmatched range in the street-food arena, hand-made jewellery, and clothing.

Open six days a week with 260 market stalls, this Amsterdam market is conveniently located in the city’s 19th-century neighbourhood De Pijp (a.k.a the Latin Quartier) with its artisan cafés and cosy shops.

The Albert Cuyp Market, which is conveniently serviced by multiple tram lines, is a must-stop for any foodie or an individual craving fresh off-the-pan street food in Amsterdam all year round.

2. Nieuwmarkt — Old city centre

Feel like a slice of Amsterdam’s history? This square Amsterdam market has been in session since the 17th century! The market is small from Monday to Friday but expands on Saturdays. And there’s even a flea market on Sundays during the summer. 🌞

A food lover’s dream, Nieuwmarkt is crammed with delicious bites like fresh olives, pickles, and gourmet oils. This city market, surrounded by cafés, restaurants, and coffeeshops, gives you the opportunity to snag yourself some produce for a healthy dinner recipe.

Plus, the market’s location is super convenient: it’s an easy pitstop when checking out the city, especially if you’re on your way to or out of the Red Light District or Amsterdam’s Chinatown.

3. Waterlooplein Flea Market — Centrum

This unique Amsterdam market made it to Tripadvisor’s list of top spots to visit in Amsterdam, given its international and local appeal.

Here, you can find anything from posters for your walls to vinyl records, as well as old cameras, colourful tapestries, city souvenirs, leather gloves, and woven carpets that keep your hands and feet warm (in that order) during a Dutch winter. 🧣

Waterlooplein Flea Market also has some street food options like flatbreads, patat, salads, and fresh juice in case you’re planning to spend the day digging for treasures and need to refuel.

4. Markt Plein 40-45 — Nieuw West

Not only does this market come with an unforgettable name and an impressive range of products, but it’s also a place to remember Dutch history.

Best known as a haven to score some cheap deals on vegetables, fruits, and raw seafood all year round, you can also find stalls that sell clothing and street food at snag-worthy prices. 

To mash two potatoes with one stone, Markt Plein 40-45 also happens to be held in a square behind the Vrijheidscarillon (Freedom Carillon), which, to this day, fills the area with beautiful chimes every half hour in commemoration of the fallen during World War II. 🔔

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Seeking even more? Grab a box of fresh kibbeling (battered fish) from this Amsterdam market and head towards the nearby monumental fountain (Vrijheidsfontein) nearby for an excellent walk and view. Just watch out for the seagulls. 

5. Noordermarkt — Jordaan

Dating back to 1616, this square Amsterdam market has a certain whimsey to it. Full of colourful fabrics, signed paintings and prints, glassware, and cheese, you truly don’t know what you’ll come across. 🤩

Monday’s market can carry a handful of clothing items, plants, food produce, and artisanal wine. Saturdays, however, are more focused on organic food and fresh produce, so keep that in mind as you plan your visit.

And get this: the market is within walking distance from the next market, Lindengracht, and they’re both open on Saturday. You’re welcome!

6. Lindengracht — Jordaan

Fancy a freshly cooked stroopwafel the size of your face? 🤤 You gotta get to Lindengracht. The range of street food and fresh produce at this location is positively overwhelming, so make sure to come with an empty belly.

Fresh fish, an impressive variety of cheese, and a wide range of daily produce await you in this Amsterdam market to inspire your cooking passion. To top it all off, there are friendly vendors who sell used books, records, and beautiful jewellery.

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During the summer, the stalls of this market face the outer side of the street. However, during colder months, they turn them inwards to combat the wind and cold, so it does get shoulder-to-shoulder crowded — you’ve been warned.

7. Kraaiennest (Crow’s Nest) Market — Zuidoost

A 26-minute metro ride from Amsterdam Central lies the lively and multicultural Kraaiennest Market, surrounded by greenery and the waterside park of Bijlmerweide.

And trust us, the journey is worth it: you’ll be able to spend hours wandering the market’s 140+ brightly-coloured stalls packed with clothing, footwear, fruit, and fresh fish.  

Not enough for you? Weather permitting, pick some fresh fruit and head over to the nearby lake in Gaasperpark for some relaxing time — or even a sneaky canoe on the lake. 🚣‍♀️

🎻 Specialised markets in Amsterdam

Sometimes, you’re looking for something specific. But since we’re talking about a buzzing city, then there’s probably an open-air market in Amsterdam for what you’re searching for, so here are the best ones out there.👇

8. Bloemenmarkt — Centrum

Welcome to the world’s only floating flower market: it’s as colourful as you imagined it, and it’s right here in Amsterdam!

This 1862 gem is right in the UNESCO-listed Canal Ring on the Singel Canal and carries an extensive range of flowers, bulbs, plants, and souvenirs all year round. In fact, you’ll probably bump into it as you wander the streets of Amsterdam!

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We highly recommend chatting with one of the expert sellers to find out the best season for each flower or plant to brighten up your apartment. If you’re just visiting, why not grab some of those classic tulip bulbs to take home as a souvenir? 🌷

9. Postzegelmarkt — Centrum

Within walking distance from Dam Square, this Amsterdam market jampacked with collectables is held twice per week, offering rare items to any treasure hunter or enthusiast of vintage items from Dutch and international history.

Postzegelmarkt is the go-to venue to swap, examine, and purchase stamps, coins, and objects of yesteryear. If you’re a collector yourself, or if you’re looking for a unique gift, then this is the place to hit (with tweezers).

But make sure to check the weather before making any plans to visit the Postzegelmarkt! Given the valuable merchandise stocked within albums and old boxes at the stalls, many sellers pack up and head home to protect their goods at the slightest hint of rain.

10. Art Plein Spui Market — Centrum

If you’re a proud bookworm or looking for some original prints and art pieces (or maybe both), look no further — Art Plein Spui Market in Amsterdam is calling your name.

The market itself offers paintings and artworks by 25 local artists, making it the perfect location to pick up a stunning watercolour of the Amsterdam canals to take home as a souvenir. 🎨

By purchasing artwork from this market, not only do you buy and support the artists directly, but you can also strike up a conversation with the artist behind the work! 

Since location is everything, while you’re there, you’ll soon realize that the market is surrounded by bookshops and, within a few steps from Amsterdam’s Begijnhof, a historical backyard with breathtaking views.

11. Westerstraat market — Jordaan

Located on one of the biggest streets in the area, this morning market in Amsterdam offers a variety of fabrics for all your nifty projects, such as curtain cloth, leather, and patches. 🧵

The market doesn’t require you to have a knack for sewing, either — the 163 vendors also carry a range of quality clothes and shoes.

If you have some free time on a Monday, you can plan to visit this market and Noordermarkt on the same day since they’re within walking distance from each other but offer completely different merchandise.

12. Oudenmanhuispoort — Centrum

One of Amsterdam’s best-kept secrets, the “old man’s house gate”, is a full-on hidden passage with a book market right by the University of Amsterdam since 1601.

Overlooking a hidden garden, the stalls offer a wide range of second-hand books in Dutch and English.

Fun fact: the place is said to have been visited by Vincent Van Gogh back in the day. Remember that slice of history the next time you’re on a book hunt in this Amsterdam market!

13. IJ-Hallen flea market — North

Last but not least, we’re ending our great list with the biggest flea market in Europe: the IJ-Hallen flea market. 🛍️

If you enjoy the thrill of walking through kilometres worth of stalls and eyeing hundreds (if not thousands) of items looking for the perfect piece, then this monthly market in Amsterdam is for you.

There’s no limit on what can be found in this market, and transportation is available. You even get to enjoy a free ferry ride to the NDSM wharf on your way there too! ⛴️

During the warm months, the Amsterdam market is held outside. However, when the cold hits, they move their activities inside a warehouse. 

Before you grab your shopping bags, you’ll need to purchase a ticket online prior to the day. Ticket prices range between €2.00 to € 9.00 depending on your age and time of visit.

And don’t forget comfortable walking shoes — when we say this Amsterdam market is the biggest flea market in Europe, we aren’t kidding!

🍎 Fresh produce markets in Amsterdam

No plans for the day, and the fridge is empty? If you’re seeking a grocery shopping trip, we’ve collected some great fresh produce market options too.

14. Dappermarkt — Oost

Widely regarded as the best Amsterdam market, Dappermarkt boasts over 200 stalls brimming with cheese, dried fruits and nuts, and fresh-picked flowers of seasonal ranges from Monday through Saturday. 

The aromas and tastes of exotic food choices run by local residents from Turkey, Morocco, and Eastern Europe are irresistible and affordable! We highly recommend trying some Surinamese food here — it’s a speciality.🤤

15. Haarlemmerplein Farmers Market — Central

Rain, hail, or shine (and you get them all in the Netherlands!), this Amsterdam market is here every Wednesday, right in the heart of Amsterdam city.

At Haarlemmerplein, grab your choice of many biologische (organic) produce: from farm eggs, cheese, and fruits to even flower and plant stalls. For the meat-eaters, we highly recommend grabbing a fresh rotisserie chicken for lunch or dinner.

The plaza where the market is held is a walking distance from Westerpark and can be accessed by bus from and to Amsterdam Central — so think of the infinite picnic possibilities in the warmer months. 🧺

16. Ten Katemarkt — Oud-West

Variety is this market’s own thing, where you can get anything from socks and cheese to wine and fresh bread — that’s all you need for a gezellige evening, packed into one Amsterdam market.

Craving some roasted nuts, a fresh batch of hummus, or some traditional Brazilian snacks? There’s a stall for that.

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Ten Katenmarkt first opened its doors in 1912, offering various street food options along with fresh daily produce and yummy treats. If you’re hungry, treat yourself to some fresh flatbread and freshly squeezed orange juice.

17. Bos en Lommerplein Markt — West

Bos en Lommerplein Markt might be a relatively new addition to the Amsterdam market scene but with 35 fresh-faced entrepreneurs (and growing!), it’s already making its mark.

With stalls that offer fish, cheese, fruit, nuts, and herbs alongside street food favourites like the Vietnamese spring rolls, this market in Amsterdam is a must-visit.

18. Stadionplein market — Oud-Zuid

A compact neighbourhood market in Amsterdam with loads to offer despite its size, Stadionplein market is only 30 minutes away from the central station by public transport, within a buzzing restaurant area.

A few steps away from Amsterdam’s Olympic Stadium, Schinkeleilanden Park, and within walking distance of Amstel Canal, this city market, with its 50 vendors, has a wide range of stalls, perfect for an afternoon’s perusal.

From freshly picked flowers, fish and cheese stalls, and bakery items (especially if you have a sweet tooth), this compact weekend market, with its old feel, is well worth the stop.

❓ Markets in Amsterdam: frequently asked questions

Yep, we’ve truly done our homework to present you with our recommendations for the best markets in Amsterdam for whatever item(s) you’re seeking to find. Happy shopping!

Did we miss any of your favourite Amsterdam markets? Make sure to let us know in the comments below!

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in February 2022 and was fully updated in October 2023 for your reading pleasure.