Luxury shopping in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s most exclusive stores
From local boutiques tucked away in the 9 Straatjes, to the shiny shopfronts of Europe’s most prestigious fashion houses, the stylish city of Amsterdam presents an abundance of opportunities to shop (or wistfully window shop). The city’s laidback lifestyle has also been the inspiration for a new generation of designers whose streetwear and denim stores have earned a global following.
Explore Amsterdam’s independent shopping district
Those in the know forgo the international chain stores and head for the intimate boutiques and independent designers found in Amsterdam’s 9 Straatjes (9 Streets). This network of nine narrow streets, intersected by canals, is a fantastic shopping district for high-end fashion, jewellery, well-curated vintage stores and precious antiques. In this district you’ll also find some of the city’s best cafés, restaurants and bars which are perfect for celebrating your latest purchase.
Surround yourself in international fashion brands
Every city has its luxury shopping street, where the extravagant window displays of leading fashion houses stop passers-by in their tracks. Amsterdam’s best known is the P.C. Hooftstraat, named after Dutch poet and playwright, Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft. Situated between the Vondelpark and Museumplein, the street is home to renowned luxury brands including Chanel, Prada, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana and Jimmy Choo. In recent years it has been named as one of the best premium shopping streets in the world thanks to its pristine buildings and tranquil atmosphere. At Amsterdam’s luxury department store, De Bijenkorf, you’ll also find the latest collections from these designers (and many more) housed in a beautiful historic building by Dam Square, right in the city centre.
Amsterdam: the city of diamonds
If sparkling stones are at the top of your shopping list, you’ve come to the right place. Amsterdam has a strong heritage in the diamond trade and continues to offer some of the world’s rarest and most exquisite diamond jewellery. Coster Diamonds is the world’s oldest diamond polishing factory. Visitors can admire a treasure trove of jewels at the adjoining Diamond Museum, which also offers guided tours and diamond cutting workshops. GASSAN Diamonds, in the city centre, is another exclusive retailer with a proud history, specialising in customised jewellery.
Emerging designers and streetwear brands
For an authentically Amsterdam shopping experience, several lesser-known designer and streetwear stores are well worth a visit. Boutiques such as Pauw, Claudia Sträter, Supertrash and Won Hundred stock Dutch-designed clothing that is stylish yet relaxed. The city is also known as the denim capital of the world. Immerse yourself in all things indigo at Amsterdam’s own G-Star Raw and Denham, or Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and Levi’s Vintage Clothing, which are now based in the city. In January and July each year, the Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek Amsterdam showcases the talent of up-and-coming designers, giving you a glimpse of what to expect in stores in the future. Even better, many of the shows are open to the public.
More exclusive stores in the region
For exclusive stores and luxury goods without the designer price tags, visit Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet, located just outside of Amsterdam in the city of Lelystad. Here you can find a great selection of discounted and end-of-season clothing. A shopping shuttle runs from the centre of Amsterdam to the outlet each day.
Editor's tip: If your home country is outside the European Union, you could qualify for tax-free shopping, allowing you to have the VAT refunded on purchases over €50.
