9 Best Street Markets in Amsterdam You Can’t Miss
One of the first things I look for when I’m planning a trip are the best local markets. Where else can you feel the local culture, taste amazing street food, and peruse unique items from artisans?
Most cities and towns in Europe have fantastic markets, and the markets in Amsterdam city are no exception.
I’ve spent hours aimlessly wandering around the various markets in Amsterdam, and they’re some of my favorite places to visit when I’m in the city.
After exploring many of these local markets, here are the ones I’d say are worth visiting on your next trip to Amsterdam:
🏆Top 3 Amsterdam Markets
⭐ My Personal Favorite Market: Lindengracht Market
⭐ Best Street Food Market: Albert Cuyp Markt
⭐ Most Popular Market: Noordermarkt
Amsterdam Market Map Locations
Amsterdam’s Best Local Markets
I am embarrassed to admit that I have spent hours meandering through almost all of the local markets in Amsterdam.
What can I say? I’m a sucker for a good stroopwafel, you know? Give a girl a break.
I also am constantly on the hunt for something unique to bring home (for myself and for others) that will actually get USED!
So, whether you’re on the hunt for a cool antique, some vintage clothing, a handmade souvenir, or even just some bangin’ Dutch food…I’ve got you, boo.
1. Lindengracht Markt- My Favorite Amsterdam Market!
📍 Location: Lindegracht, 1015 KL Amsterdam
🚂 Closest Tram Stop: Amsterdam, Marnixplein (Or Walk from Centraal Station)
🕰️ Times: Saturdays at 9:00 AM
If you go to ONE market in Amsterdam, go to the Lindengracht Markt. Seriously, yes, I mean it.
I give you permission to skip past the Bloemenmarkt AND Albert Cuyp and go straight for this bad boy. And I’ll even admit that until my most recent trip to Amsterdam, I didn’t even know this place existed.
It’s the best. It’s my absolute favorite by a mile. Why? Because it has not yet been taken over by the touristy nature that can sometimes effect Amsterdam.
This is one of the only markets in the city where you’ll find more locals than tourists. And it is glorious.
The market itself, located in the Jordaan neighborhood of Amsterdam city, is one long street filled with vendors selling clothes, food, produce, and snacks. I purchased one of my favorite linen shirts EVER here, along with some cheese, the freshest raspberries I’ve ever tasted (for 1 Euro no less- c’mon!), and some stroopwafels to take home.
Stop along the way at one of the many cafes for a coffee, and sit outside, enjoying the people-watching on a lovely Saturday morning.
⭐ The local cheese stand (The Holland Kaascentrum – Den Hollander Kaas – Amsterdam) here sells Dutch cheese (from real wheels!!), and they will vacuum-pack it on site for you to take home!
It made an awesome souvenir. Just make sure you ask for a cheese that doesn’t have to be refrigerated right away.
2. Noordermarkt- One of the Oldest Markets in Amsterdam
📍 Location: Noordermarkt, 1015 NA Amsterdam, Netherlands
🚂 Closest Tram Stop: Amsterdam, Marnixplein (Or Walk from Centraal Station)
🕰️ Times: Mondays 9:00 AM-1:00 PM, Saturdays 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM
If you’re headed to the above-mentioned Lindengracht Markt, you can (and should) easily tack on a visit to Noordermarkt as well.
Back in October, I actually stumbled upon this market on accident. We had just finished up nearby, and I was like…wait a second…we have not seen those tents and vendors.
Nope- entirely different market!
Literally just one street down from the Lindegracht, on Noordermarkt, you’ll find this awesome market. It is one of the oldest markets in Amsterdam, dating back more than 400 years, now!
I love this market for more local goods. There are lots of bags, vintage clothes, handmade beauty and bath products, jewelry, art prints, and other unique items. There’s almost no produce at this market.
⭐This area is also well-known for its vintage shopping and for the beautiful Jordaan neighborhood. I recommend spending some time just walking around and seeing what you run into once you’re done at the market!
3. Albert Cuyp Market– The Best Market for Street Food!
📍 Location: Albert Cuypstraat, Amsterdam, Netherlands
🚂 Closest Tram Stop: Albert Cuypstraat
🕰️ Times: Monday-Saturday 9:30 AM- 5:00 PM
Albert Cuyp used to be my absolute fav market in the city- and I will say, it’s still pretty great. Definitely worth adding into your Amsterdam itinerary– especially as a delicious lunch stop for some amazing food and drink.
The things that make this market great? It is centrally-located in the De Pijp neighborhood all along the Albert Cuypstraat, just near the Heineken Experience and the Museumplein. Albert Cuyp is also open every day of the week, aside from Sundays. Which means that it is much easier to see during your time in Amsterdam- regardless of when you are there.
Albert Cuyp Market is best for street food, in my opinion. I love trying the warm stroopwafels, fresh smoothies, and the mouthwatering poffertjes made right in front of you. Nothing can compare.
You’ll also find many other booths here- everything from clothing to traditional Dutch souvenirs to tulips.
4. Bloemenmarkt (The Floating Flower Market)
📍 Location: Singel 492B, 1017 AW Amsterdam, Netherlands
🚂 Closest Tram Stop: Muntplein or Koningsplein
🕰️ Times: Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM- 5:30 PM, Sundays 11:30 AM- 5:30 PM
Ahh, the famous “Floating Flower Market.” I hate to say it, but it’s my job to tell you the truth…I just don’t think this market is what it used to be.
Back on my first trip to Amsterdam in 2013, it was awesome. Now? Not so much. While there are packaged tulip bulbs along with Dutch souvenirs like clogs and such, they are generally of pretty cheap quality. The only thing I have ever bought here of note is an ornament- which are (oddly?) somewhat difficult to find in Amsterdam.
If you’re really married to seeing this famous market, it is easy to stop by on your way through the city. It is located along the Singel canal between Koningsplein and Muntplein, quite close to places like Van Wonderen Stroopwafels and the Torture Museum.
This market might be worth a stop on the way down to Leidseplein or Museumplein, but I wouldn’t recommend you go out of your way to see it, unfortunately.
5. Boekenmarkt Op Het Spui (Amsterdam Book Market)
📍 Location: Spui, 1012 WX Amsterdam, Netherlands
🚂 Closest Tram Stop: Amsterdam, Koningsplein or Rokin
🕰️ Times: Fridays 10:00 AM- 6:00 PM
If you’re a book-lover like me, or someone who really appreciates antiques, prints, or other unique curiosities, then this is the market for you.
I absolutely adore this market. Located over in the heart of the Spui neighborhood (and just along from the popular Kalverstraat shopping street), Boekenmarkt Op Het Spui feels kind of like stepping back in time to a simpler era.
You’ll find various booksellers with tons of secondhand novels and titles, along with art prints, old maps, and pretty much the friendliest locals in all of Amsterdam.
The Amsterdam Book Market is definitely one of the smaller markets, and it won’t take you a ton of time to see. 10/10 recommend!
6. Nieuwmarkt (Organic Food Produce Market)
📍 Location: 1012 CR Amsterdam, Netherlands
🚂 Closest Tram Stop: Niuewmarkt
🕰️ Times: Monday- Fridays 10:00 AM- 6:30 PM, Saturdays (Full Organic Food Market) 9:00 AM- 6:30 PM, Sundays 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM
The Nieuwmarkt sets up its stalls in the De Wallen neighborhood, just near the Red Light District. The market square, dating back quite some time, is easily noticeable thanks to the magnificent De Waag building, which used to be an entrance to the city.
Every day, you can find a few vendors here selling things like kaas (cheese) and produce. However, on Saturdays, the entire square is engulfed with the fantastic organic produce market.
On Saturdays, Nieuwmarkt is definitely worth a stop. On its own, the square area is a great choice for enjoying some down time at a cafe or having lunch in the De Waag building at Cafe in de Waag (original, right? lol).
7. Waterlooplein (Amsterdam’s Best Flea Market)
📍 Location: 1011 PG Amsterdam, Netherlands
🚂 Closest Tram Stop: Waterlooplein
🕰️ Times: Monday- Saturday 9:30 AM- 6:00 PM
Waterlooplein is easily one of Amsterdam’s most popular markets, and is well-know by, well, pretty much everyone, as the top flea market in the area. It is also the oldest flea market in Amsterdam!
Unfortunately, I wasn’t very impressed by it when I visited.
I will say this: you have to go to Waterlooplein with the intent and time to pick through the junk and find your treasure.
There are tons of vendors there with all manner of things- old vintage leather jackets (which seem to be a thing in Amsterdam these days), resale sneakers, computer parts, etc.
Basically, you name it, they have it at the Waterlooplein Market. Ya just gotta be willing to look around to find it!
⭐If you’re staying at my favorite hotel in the city, Eden Hotel Amsterdam, the Waterlooplein Flea Market is only a 5 minute walk away!
You can read my full review of this hotel here!
8. Westerstraat Market
📍 Location: Westerstraat, 1015 LZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
🚂 Closest Tram Stop: Amsterdam, Marnixplein
🕰️ Times: Mondays 9:00 AM- 1:00 PM
If you know, you know! The Westerstraat Market is one of the lesser-known markets in the city, but that doesn’t make it any less worth visiting.
This is the stop for vintage clothing. On Monday mornings in Jordaan, plenty of vendors pop up on the site of the Noordermarkt. I found that this market was huge for coats of all kinds- leather, fur, jean, you name it- and shoes, ironically.
It’s another one of those places where you never know quite just what you’ll find, but it sure is an adventure to pursue through!
9. IJ-Hallen Flea Market
Location: NDSM-Plein, 1033 WB Amsterdam, Netherlands
Closest Tram Stop: NOT VISITABLE BY TRAM: Take Ferry 906 to NDSM-Werf
Times: One weekend (Saturday/Sunday) a Month (See Calendar)
The IJ-Hallen Flea Market is the most massive market on this list and the largest flea market in the city.
Two days a month (one weekend), more than 750 vendors pop up along the wharf and sell all manner of things. Mostly, this is a great destination for clothing.
However, you do have to pay an entrance fee to get into this market. Currently, it is € 6,00 for adults and € 2,50 for children.
In addition, you have to buy tickets for each day you’d like to attend, and tickets DO sell out. Once they are sold out, you can be added to a waitlist via the market’s website.
Make sure you bring your own bags to this one- it’s a doozy!
Frequently Asked Questions About Amsterdam’s Local Markets
If you haven’t been to a local market before, the thought of it might be overwhelming. Here’s a few other things you might be asking before your trip to Amsterdam:
Do You Need Cash For the Amsterdam City Markets?
Since COVID, many more market vendors in the Netherlands have the ability to pay with card. However, I would still recommend you have cash on hand when you’re headed to the markets.
Larger markets like Albert Cuyp will pretty much have the option for card or tap to pay everywhere, but some of the smaller ones like Waterlooplein may not.
What is the Famous Market in Amsterdam?
Traditionally, the most famous market in Amsterdam has been Albert Cuyp Market. It is well-known for its street food and unique cultural ambiance. Tons of people visit it each day, and it is quite popular.
Lately, I’ve found that many more people are talking about (and visiting) the Noordermarkt, though. Tourists and locals alike love the Jordaan neighborhood, so a visit to the market really makes the area come alive.
What is the Difference Between Albert Cuyp Market and Noordermarkt?
Albert Cuyp Market is mainly food and imported goods. You won’t find many local, small, handmade artisan shops there. In contrast, Noordermarkt is much smaller than Albert Cuyp and you’ll be able to find much more unique items that are truly from the Netherlands or thrifted, recycled, created. It’s a great place to find artwork or other very sought after items.
It’s worth noting, too, that Albert Cuyp is located on one long stretch of street down near the southern portion of central Amsterdam- kind of near the Museumplein. On the other hand, Noordermarkt is up in Jordaan to the Southwest of the Centraal Station area.
Can You Haggle at Markets in Amsterdam?
You can definitely try to haggle at these local markets.
However, you’ll find that it is more difficult to haggle somewhere like Albert Cuyp- where many of the vendors are permanent.
You’ll have more luck haggling at places like Waterlooplein Market!
Wrapping Up the Best Markets in Amsterdam
Writing this post after coming home from Amsterdam is giving me SUCH FOMO!! I wish I could spend every Saturday hopping from market to market in the city.
In all honesty, beyond the Bloemenmarkt, I would definitely say you should try visiting each of these markets at least once.
You never know just what you’ll find at these Amsterdam markets- it’s different every time!
