During the 17th century, Amsterdam was the warehouse of the world, stuffed with imperial riches from far-off colonies and nearby neighbors. The Dutch empire has since crumbled but its capital remains a shopper’s paradise. In particular, Amsterdam’s specialty shops and markets truly stand out. Amsterdam has whole shops devoted to items like dope, pornography, flower bulbs, clogs, rounds of cheese and obscure types of genever (Dutch gin). Fantastic bargains are rare here but it may be worth chasing pictorial art, music, vintage clothes, diamonds and collectors’ books.

The most popular shopping streets are popular Nieuwendijk and slightly less undemanding Kalverstraat, with department stores and clothing boutiques that cater for large crowds on Saturday and Sunday. Leidsestraat is more sophisticated with less junk, though the goods are still rather common. Well-heeled shoppers head for the expensive shops and boutiques along PC Hooftstraat, and antique and art buffs check Nieuwe Spiegelstraat and Spiegelgracht. The Jordaan neighborhood is full of quirky shops and galleries, as are the radial streets in the canal belt, especially in the western section. Souvenirs are sold everywhere, but most of them are tacky.

As for markets, the Albert Cuyp is a market which should not to be missed, with its food and other goods from all corners of the globe. The floating flower market along Singel is unique. Waterlooplein flea market specializes in bric-a-brac, army clothes and music; other markets might be cheaper but don't stock as wide a selection.

Since many roads in the center are closed to cars, it makes for pleasant shopping. There are several “shopping corridors" in the city and each one has its own charms and specialties.

For those people who like to shop indoors instead of open markets. Or if it happens to be raining one can always visit one of the mini malls in Amsterdam: Magna Plaza or the Kalvertoren.

If one likes a little more luxury, or actually a lot more the Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat, affectionately called P.C. Hooftstraat is where one can do some serious damage to ones’ budget. In this road in the Oud Zuid district of the city, one will find the haute couture boutiques: Cartier, Gucci, Edgar Vos, Tommy Hillfinger and the very impressive Oger shop are all located here.

The main shopping in Amsterdam are the Leidsestraat between the Leidseplein and Spui, and the Kalverstraat and Nieuwendijk, leading from the Munt Tower via the Dam to near the Central Station. There are large stores near the Munt Tower, and at the Dam. There is a large supermarket behind the Palace at the Dam. The Jordaan and the streets around it contain many small interesting individual shops. There is an interesting daily clothes and second-hand market around the City Hall and Opera. There is a busy cosmopolitan food and clothes market in the Albert Cuypstraat. The flower market on the Singel is not to be missed. The city caters to the needs of all types of pockets and budgets as well as tastes.