Souvenir Shopping in Amsterdam: 20 Dutch Things To Buy
Tulips, red lights, weed... Other than these, there are plenty of good things to remember Amsterdam by. What's more, you can take home some of them quite legally. Look here to see what to buy in Amsterdam and where.
(To visit the venues mentioned in this article, check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Amsterdam)
1. Custom Clogs
When people think of Holland they often imagine windmills and wooden shoes. So why not bring home some custom clogs for your friends and family? De Klompenboer is a shop located in a former metro station that sells clogs in every shape and size, and a variety of colors and patterns. They also have a demonstration of clog painting on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can find wooden clogs all over Amsterdam, but at De Klompenboer you can ask to have a custom design or name painted on the shoes.
Perhaps the 'klompen' are not so practical or comfortable to wear around town, but it is possible to put them to other use. Maybe a custom decorated clog could be used as a paperweight, as they are a bit heavy. Or a wooden shoe could be planted with a small plant, the flowers peeking from the heel. So charming! Numbers could be painted on the shoes and they could be hung on a wall to be used for a house address. Just use your imagination to turn something found in nearly every tourist shop in the Netherlands into something unique for your friends and family back at home.
Price:
€10-25
Perhaps the 'klompen' are not so practical or comfortable to wear around town, but it is possible to put them to other use. Maybe a custom decorated clog could be used as a paperweight, as they are a bit heavy. Or a wooden shoe could be planted with a small plant, the flowers peeking from the heel. So charming! Numbers could be painted on the shoes and they could be hung on a wall to be used for a house address. Just use your imagination to turn something found in nearly every tourist shop in the Netherlands into something unique for your friends and family back at home.
Price:
€10-25
Where to find it:
Available at:De Klompenboer/Wooden Shoe Factory
Sint Antoniesbreestraat 39-51, Amsterdam
Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 11 am - 4 pm; Sunday: 12 pm - 4 pm
Also available at:
Dam Square Souvenirs
Dam 17, Amsterdam
Offline reading and travel directions:
With GPSmyCity App you can read this article offline on your mobile device, use the embedded offline city map and GPS navigation, as well as create a self-guided walk to visit the venues featured in the article.
2. Dutch Licorice
The Dutch have the highest per capita consumption of licorice in the world - they really love their 'drop' (licorice). There are many styles of 'drop' in every grocery store and candy shop in Amsterdam. Sweet, honey, salty, hard, chewy, minty - who knew licorice could be so complicated?
You can buy 'drop' in many stores in Amsterdam but Het Oud-Hollandsch Snoepwinkeltje is like a step back in time. In this old-style candy shop, the proprietor fills paper triangle bags with a variety of whatever candies you choose from the large glass jars lining the shelves. Even if you do not usually like licorice, you must try this local favorite, especially the flavored and salty varieties. This sweet shop also has a large range of gummy candies, chocolates, and sugar-free sweets.
If you cannot make it to Het Oud-Hollandsch Snoepwinkeltje, try the Jamin candy shop chain with locations all over Amsterdam. Fill your bags with sweet delights and try to save some for your loved ones back home.
Price:
€1 per gram
You can buy 'drop' in many stores in Amsterdam but Het Oud-Hollandsch Snoepwinkeltje is like a step back in time. In this old-style candy shop, the proprietor fills paper triangle bags with a variety of whatever candies you choose from the large glass jars lining the shelves. Even if you do not usually like licorice, you must try this local favorite, especially the flavored and salty varieties. This sweet shop also has a large range of gummy candies, chocolates, and sugar-free sweets.
If you cannot make it to Het Oud-Hollandsch Snoepwinkeltje, try the Jamin candy shop chain with locations all over Amsterdam. Fill your bags with sweet delights and try to save some for your loved ones back home.
Price:
€1 per gram
Where to find it:
Available at:Het Oud-Hollandsch Snoepwinkeltje
Tweede Egelantiersdwarsstraat 2, Amsterdam
Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 11 am - 5 pm
Also available at:
Jamin
Various locations in Amsterdam
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Offline reading and travel directions:
With GPSmyCity App you can read this article offline on your mobile device, use the embedded offline city map and GPS navigation, as well as create a self-guided walk to visit the venues featured in the article.
3. Puccini Chocolate Bonbons
Lauded as the best chocolates in the world, local Amsterdam chocolatier Puccini Bomboni creates handmade bonbons in delectable flavors such as lavender, drambuie, vanilla poppyseed, pepper, and plum. Entering the elegant shop, the visitor is struck by the deep cocoa scent permeating the air and the beautiful, large truffles arranged artfully on the table.
The chocolate delights are handmade on site, and do not contain added preservatives. Choose a selection of bonbons to be packaged in a cellophane bag or pretty purple box. A perfect gift for those chocoholics! Be sure to purchase the chocolates shortly before you return home as they only keep for 7 days. That is, if they even make it to the recipient before you devour them yourself.
Price:
€2-3 each
The chocolate delights are handmade on site, and do not contain added preservatives. Choose a selection of bonbons to be packaged in a cellophane bag or pretty purple box. A perfect gift for those chocoholics! Be sure to purchase the chocolates shortly before you return home as they only keep for 7 days. That is, if they even make it to the recipient before you devour them yourself.
Price:
€2-3 each
Where to find it:
Available at:Puccini Bomboni
Singel 184, Amsterdam
Hours:
Monday, Sunday: 11 am - 7 pm;
Tuesday - Saturday: 9 am - 7 pm
Also available at:
Puccini Bomboni
Staalstraat 17, Amsterdam
Offline reading and travel directions:
With GPSmyCity App you can read this article offline on your mobile device, use the embedded offline city map and GPS navigation, as well as create a self-guided walk to visit the venues featured in the article.
4. Nijntje Knuffel
Nijntje is a famous cartoon rabbit from a series of 1950s children's books by Dutch artist Dick Bruna. Bruna has written more than 100 books, which have now been translated into 40 different languages. The name Nijntje comes from a child's mispronunciation of the Dutch 'konijntje' or bunny rabbit, but Nijntje is usually known as 'Miffy' in the translated versions. Some people believe Hello Kitty is a copy of Nijntje.
A wonderful Dutch souvenir for a child is a Nijntje knuffel or 'stuffed animal', which also means 'hug' in Dutch. How sweet! Combine a knuffel with a book about one of Nijntje's adventures. The small format books each contain 16 pages, and are recommended for children aged 4 to 8. Most of the books have a short story about Nijntje's adventures but a few have only drawings without text. Knuffels featuring Nijntje in various outfits can be found in many shops in Amsterdam, including De Winkel van Nijntje, a store solely dedicated to the cute baby bunny.
Price:
€15 and up
A wonderful Dutch souvenir for a child is a Nijntje knuffel or 'stuffed animal', which also means 'hug' in Dutch. How sweet! Combine a knuffel with a book about one of Nijntje's adventures. The small format books each contain 16 pages, and are recommended for children aged 4 to 8. Most of the books have a short story about Nijntje's adventures but a few have only drawings without text. Knuffels featuring Nijntje in various outfits can be found in many shops in Amsterdam, including De Winkel van Nijntje, a store solely dedicated to the cute baby bunny.
Price:
€15 and up
Where to find it:
Available at:De Winkel van Nijntje
Scheldestraat 61, Amsterdam
Hours:
Monday 12:00-18:00
Tuesday-Saturday 11:00-18:00
Sunday 12:00-18:00
Also available at:
De Bijenkorf
Dam 1, Amsterdam
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5. Blond Amsterdam Breakfast Set
Ten years ago, blonde girlfriends Femque and Janneke started a popular home decor line called Blond Amsterdam. Cute colorful hand painted pottery, fabrics, and stationary can be found in their flagship shop and also in other department stores and boutiques around Amsterdam. Their designs, like this boxed breakfast set, make a great girly gift for your sisters, mom or grandma.
This breakfast set includes two plates, two bowls, two large mugs, and two small cups - all packaged in a cute dotted gift box. Choose among several patterns: their signature cartoon style, adorable drawings of breakfast foods, or colorful dots and stripes. Their ceramics also come in a fun blue pattern “Delfts Blond” based on traditional Dutch Delftware. In addition to their selection of charming patterns, Blond Amsterdam takes custom orders, and will paint a name or image of your choice on their pottery with Dutch girly flair.
Price:
€20
This breakfast set includes two plates, two bowls, two large mugs, and two small cups - all packaged in a cute dotted gift box. Choose among several patterns: their signature cartoon style, adorable drawings of breakfast foods, or colorful dots and stripes. Their ceramics also come in a fun blue pattern “Delfts Blond” based on traditional Dutch Delftware. In addition to their selection of charming patterns, Blond Amsterdam takes custom orders, and will paint a name or image of your choice on their pottery with Dutch girly flair.
Price:
€20
Where to find it:
Available at:Blond Amsterdam
Ferdinand Bolstraat 44H, 1072 LL Amsterdam, Netherlands
Hours:
Tuesday - Friday 11 am - 6 pm
Saturday, Sunday: 10 am - 6 pm
Also available at:
De Bijenkorf
Dam 1, Amsterdam
6. Pip Studio Bathrobe
Pip Studio is a home decor line based in Amsterdam with the motto: ‘Happy products for happy people'. The colorful products created by the eponymous designer are developing quite a following worldwide. Pip Studio sells bedding, bath towels, tableware, stationery, and bags all in a characteristic bright flowery style. Pip's bathrobes are made of luxuriously soft 100% cotton velour. The warm hooded robes come in a variety of floral prints and are sized from XXS to XL. They would make a fantastic gift for someone who loves to lounge around the house in cozy comfort. Designer Pip says her palette is influenced by the beautiful but mundane things she sees in the world around her: flowers, antiques, and her pet Lovebird, Tjommy. The Pip Studio logo is in fact a girl with a bird atop her head.
In Amsterdam the Pip Studio products can be found exclusively at De Bijenkorf, an upscale department store located in the center of the city at Dam Square. They carry a full range of Pip items including all colors of the cozy bathrobes.
Price:
€99.95
In Amsterdam the Pip Studio products can be found exclusively at De Bijenkorf, an upscale department store located in the center of the city at Dam Square. They carry a full range of Pip items including all colors of the cozy bathrobes.
Price:
€99.95
Where to find it:
Available at:De Bijenkorf
Dam 1, Amsterdam
Hours:
Monday: 11 am - 9 pm
Tuesday - Saturday: 10 am - 9 pm
Sunday: 10 am - 8 pm
7. Guillotine Cheese Slicer
Have you ever tasted Dutch Gouda cheese, also known as 'Goudse kaas'? A yellow Dutch cheese made from cow's milk, Gouda is popular worldwide and eaten regularly throughout the Netherlands. Several varieties of Gouda cheese exist, including 'Jong' (young) and 'Belegen' (aged). The young cheeses are creamier and softer, while the aged versions are harder and have a sharper flavor.
Wyngaard is a Dutch family with a century of cheese making experience. At their shop in the charming center of Amsterdam, visitors can purchase their excellent cheeses. Sample the cheese in the boutique or get more in depth with a tasting course led by an expert, pairing the cheeses with port, wine and liqueurs.
Unique slicers in the style of guillotines are used to precisely cut the cheeses in the Reypenaer tasting room. The slicer is a wonderful gift for a cheese connoisseur or someone who enjoys entertaining. These guillotines can be used with Gouda cheese as well as other aged cheese such as Pecorino Romano.
Price:
€24
Wyngaard is a Dutch family with a century of cheese making experience. At their shop in the charming center of Amsterdam, visitors can purchase their excellent cheeses. Sample the cheese in the boutique or get more in depth with a tasting course led by an expert, pairing the cheeses with port, wine and liqueurs.
Unique slicers in the style of guillotines are used to precisely cut the cheeses in the Reypenaer tasting room. The slicer is a wonderful gift for a cheese connoisseur or someone who enjoys entertaining. These guillotines can be used with Gouda cheese as well as other aged cheese such as Pecorino Romano.
Price:
€24
Where to find it:
Available at:Reypenaer Kaas Proeflokaal
Utrechtsestraatweg 19, Amsterdam
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8. Handmade Wallet
These colorful handmade wallets and bags are a creation of Mesimu, a label started by Dutch couple Indy and Erik in 2004. They began selling their unique t-shirts and handbags at the crafts market in Amsterdam, but soon opened a shop called Mono on Haarlemmerstraat. In 2009, the couple relocated with their two small children to Thailand, where they opened a workshop to assemble their limited edition creations in a fair and ethical way.
A wonderful gift for friends or family, the wallets are made of Japanese cotton fabric and come in various colors and prints. There is one front zipper pocket and the wallet has a zip close, making it very secure. The inside of the wallet is a contrasting fabric and contains another zipper pocket and five clear plastic credit card slots. Mono has many styles of charming and unique bags and wallets in their shop. There is sure to be something for nearly everyone on your gift list.
Price:
€15-19
A wonderful gift for friends or family, the wallets are made of Japanese cotton fabric and come in various colors and prints. There is one front zipper pocket and the wallet has a zip close, making it very secure. The inside of the wallet is a contrasting fabric and contains another zipper pocket and five clear plastic credit card slots. Mono has many styles of charming and unique bags and wallets in their shop. There is sure to be something for nearly everyone on your gift list.
Price:
€15-19
9. Cowboys Belt
Cowboys Belt is a Dutch fashion brand that was founded in Amsterdam in 1980 in an old hospital building. The idea was to create rugged, high quality leather belts for men and women. This brand has become a leading trendsetter in belts, and now also makes handbags and jackets. Cowboys Belt is a collection that aims to convey personality and individuality. Nearly all of their belts are handmade and produced in the Netherlands. Some are simple leather, distressed by agitation in a concrete mixer. Other versions are decorated with metal studs and grommets.
One of these distinctive belts would be a fabulous gift for that fashion-conscious guy or girl. A long skinny studded belt would look terrific over a floral dress or cardigan, while the thick distressed leather belts would be great with a pair of jeans. A collection of Cowboys Belts can be found at the trendy home decor store Raw Materials and at several clothing boutiques in the center of Amsterdam.
Price:
€20-30
One of these distinctive belts would be a fabulous gift for that fashion-conscious guy or girl. A long skinny studded belt would look terrific over a floral dress or cardigan, while the thick distressed leather belts would be great with a pair of jeans. A collection of Cowboys Belts can be found at the trendy home decor store Raw Materials and at several clothing boutiques in the center of Amsterdam.
Price:
€20-30
Where to find it:
Available at:Raw Materials
Casablancaweg 12, Amsterdam
Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9 am - 5 pm
10. Bicycle Seat Cover
Do you have a friend or family member who likes to ride a bicycle? Well, you are in luck! Since Amsterdam is one of the most bicycle-loving European cities, there is an abundance of bike related items available to purchase all over town. A bicycle seat cover is a decorative and very useful item to have. Sold in almost every conceivable pattern and color, a seat cover can add flair to your bicycle. In addition, the waterproof cover keeps your saddle clean and dry. Children love that it makes their bicycle cool and different.
Kitsch Kitchen is a wonderfully bright and colorful shop with a variety of items ranging from umbrellas to kitchen supplies. The store is quite famous for their items made from kaleidoscope oilcloth fabrics. Their bicycle seat covers are flowery and fun, and you can purchase matching bicycle panniers or handbags as well. Fantastic seat covers are also made by Dutch company BikeCap, and can be found around town at bicycle shops and other boutiques. Their Holland themed covers in Delftware, windmill, and cow patterns are quite charming.
Price:
€7-10
Kitsch Kitchen is a wonderfully bright and colorful shop with a variety of items ranging from umbrellas to kitchen supplies. The store is quite famous for their items made from kaleidoscope oilcloth fabrics. Their bicycle seat covers are flowery and fun, and you can purchase matching bicycle panniers or handbags as well. Fantastic seat covers are also made by Dutch company BikeCap, and can be found around town at bicycle shops and other boutiques. Their Holland themed covers in Delftware, windmill, and cow patterns are quite charming.
Price:
€7-10
Where to find it:
Available at:Kitsch Kitchen
Haarlemmerdijk 48, Amsterdam
Hours:
Monday, Sunday: 12 pm - 5 pm
Tuesday - Saturday: 11 am - 6 pm
Also available at:
Kinderfeestwinkel
Gerard Doustraat 65, Amsterdam
Het Zwarte Fietsenplan
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 146, Amsterdam
11. Birthday Calendar
The 'verjaardagskalender' or birthday calendar is a commonplace sight in homes all over the Netherlands. This is a little different from your typical calendar in that its sole purpose is recording the birthdays of friends and family. It is usable year after year since it only shows the month and date, but no weekdays or years.
You can buy all sorts of themed calendars in almost every tourist shop near the Dam or Rokin.
Another odd thing about these calendars is that they are usually found hanging by the toilet, presumably so that the owner of the calendar can be sure to peruse it daily and not miss congratulating someone on their special day.
This particular birthday calendar humorously depicts regional costumes from different towns or areas in the Netherlands. A charming gift that is certain to be useful to the recipient! But be sure not to write your own birthdate into the calendar, as this is considered quite rude to the Dutch. If you don't find yourself on someone's 'verjaardagskalendar', it means that you are not quite important enough to have made the cut. Perhaps dropping a not-so-subtle hint along with the gift would be more appropriate.
Price:
€24.50
You can buy all sorts of themed calendars in almost every tourist shop near the Dam or Rokin.
Another odd thing about these calendars is that they are usually found hanging by the toilet, presumably so that the owner of the calendar can be sure to peruse it daily and not miss congratulating someone on their special day.
This particular birthday calendar humorously depicts regional costumes from different towns or areas in the Netherlands. A charming gift that is certain to be useful to the recipient! But be sure not to write your own birthdate into the calendar, as this is considered quite rude to the Dutch. If you don't find yourself on someone's 'verjaardagskalendar', it means that you are not quite important enough to have made the cut. Perhaps dropping a not-so-subtle hint along with the gift would be more appropriate.
Price:
€24.50
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12. G-Star Jeans
Nearly everyone wears jeans nowadays, so what better gift from your trip to Amsterdam than a pair of Dutch designer jeans? G-Star RAW, commonly called G-Star, is a Dutch designer clothing company that specializes in denim and urban street wear. G-Star clothing is very popular with young people in Amsterdam, across Europe, and worldwide.
G-Star is known for innovative and edgy style in the world of jeans since they pioneered the use of raw untreated denim in 1996. Their stylish designs include funky details like leather and zippers, as well as complex seams. Of course, designer denim is known to be quite pricey and G-Star is no exception. Their jeans cost about €100-170, but perhaps you will get lucky and visit Amsterdam during a sale. Check out their huge flagship store in the swanky area near the museum square and pick up a pair of G-Star jeans for that stylish person back home. G-Star can also be found at many clothing boutiques around Amsterdam, including the large department store, De Bijenkorf.
Price:
€100-170
G-Star is known for innovative and edgy style in the world of jeans since they pioneered the use of raw untreated denim in 1996. Their stylish designs include funky details like leather and zippers, as well as complex seams. Of course, designer denim is known to be quite pricey and G-Star is no exception. Their jeans cost about €100-170, but perhaps you will get lucky and visit Amsterdam during a sale. Check out their huge flagship store in the swanky area near the museum square and pick up a pair of G-Star jeans for that stylish person back home. G-Star can also be found at many clothing boutiques around Amsterdam, including the large department store, De Bijenkorf.
Price:
€100-170
Where to find it:
Available at:G-Star Store
Address: P.C. Hooftstraat 24, 1071 BX Amsterdam, Netherlands
Phone: +31 20 471 1117
Also available at:
De Bijenkorf
Dam 1, Amsterdam
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13. Custom Pendant Necklace
Lotte Klaver is a young artist and illustrator from Amsterdam, working mainly in India ink at her studio in an old newspaper building. She has created these special glass and silver pendants that are one-of-a-kind. Her original ink drawings are encased in a small glass bubble that is glazed on the back. The pendant hangs from a delicate silver plated ball chain.
Choose a pendant with charming depictions of plants, people, animals, or tiny drawings of Amsterdam's iconic canal houses. Lotte Klaver will also create a custom pendant for you with a design of your choice. It's a wonderful way to always carry a piece of art from your travels. These unique and beautiful pendants can be purchased at Restored, an ultra hip boutique started by two Dutch girlfriends to showcase the work of young designers and artists. All the items are handmade or limited editions. Their jewelry selections are always interesting and would make an amazing gift for someone special.
Price:
€49-99
Choose a pendant with charming depictions of plants, people, animals, or tiny drawings of Amsterdam's iconic canal houses. Lotte Klaver will also create a custom pendant for you with a design of your choice. It's a wonderful way to always carry a piece of art from your travels. These unique and beautiful pendants can be purchased at Restored, an ultra hip boutique started by two Dutch girlfriends to showcase the work of young designers and artists. All the items are handmade or limited editions. Their jewelry selections are always interesting and would make an amazing gift for someone special.
Price:
€49-99
14. Dutch Genever
Genever (also called Jenever) is the traditional liquor of the Netherlands, from which gin has evolved. Some tasters say the flavor of this spirit is similar to white whiskey. It is very good for mixing into cocktails, in fact many classic British gin cocktail recipes originally called for genever. Oude (old) genever is the traditional style, with a malty botanical flavor. Jonge (young) genever is a newer recipe with a cleaner taste, more similar to vodka. A bottle of genever from Amsterdam would be a really fun gift for the cocktail or spirits lover.
There are several genever distilleries in Amsterdam, each with their own secret recipes. Bols, the world's oldest distilled liquor brand, has been based in Amsterdam since 1585. Visitors can take a tour through the House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience to learn about the spirit, sample a cocktail in the Mirror Bar, and then browse for gifts in their shop. This is the only shop in the world where you can buy all flavors of the Bols liqueurs, but you can find this and other brands of genever in stores around Amsterdam.
Price:
€10-25
There are several genever distilleries in Amsterdam, each with their own secret recipes. Bols, the world's oldest distilled liquor brand, has been based in Amsterdam since 1585. Visitors can take a tour through the House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience to learn about the spirit, sample a cocktail in the Mirror Bar, and then browse for gifts in their shop. This is the only shop in the world where you can buy all flavors of the Bols liqueurs, but you can find this and other brands of genever in stores around Amsterdam.
Price:
€10-25
Where to find it:
Available at:House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience
Paulus Potterstraat 14, Amsterdam
Also available at:
Gall & Gall
Various locations in Amsterdam
15. Van Gogh Memory Game
Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch post-Impressionist painter. He was quite prolific, producing more than 2,000 artworks in ten years time, including 900 paintings and 1,100 drawings and sketches. The Amsterdam Van Gogh Museum has created a fun and educational memory game featuring paintings and sketches by Van Gogh. Each card comes with a description and explanation of the paintings and sketches on the other side.
This game is no ordinary matching game, as the two cards to be paired are not exactly the same but share a similar theme. One pair might be the sketch and the other the resulting painting, or perhaps two self-portraits, or maybe two paintings of flowers in vases. Together the images tell a story about Van Gogh. The artworks are all from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. This game would be a wonderful gift for an art lover, combining entertainment with an education about Van Gogh's art and life.
Price:
€16.50
This game is no ordinary matching game, as the two cards to be paired are not exactly the same but share a similar theme. One pair might be the sketch and the other the resulting painting, or perhaps two self-portraits, or maybe two paintings of flowers in vases. Together the images tell a story about Van Gogh. The artworks are all from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. This game would be a wonderful gift for an art lover, combining entertainment with an education about Van Gogh's art and life.
Price:
€16.50
Where to find it:
Available at:Van Gogh Museum Shop
Paulus Potterstraat 7, Amsterdam
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16. Local Dutch Beers
Mention Dutch beer and most people think of Heineken, a huge brand that is ubiquitous worldwide. As tasty as Heineken is, there are many other beers brewed in the Netherlands that are even more delicious! There are more than 50 breweries in the Netherlands, serving up all kinds of delightful beers.
Brouwerij 't IJ is one of these brewers, and they are located right in Amsterdam next to a windmill. Their beer is organic and delicious. Another local Amsterdam brewer is Brouwerij de Prael, located in the center close to the central train station. Just a 15-minute train ride west of Amsterdam is the charming town of Haarlem, where Jopen beer is brewed in a converted church. Jopen makes at least eight varieties of beer including one or two seasonal beers. You can visit any of these breweries to taste their products and purchase bottles to take home. These beers can be quite difficult if not impossible to find outside of the Netherlands. What a fantastic gift!
A one-stop-shop for local and specialty beers, Cracked Kettle is a charming beer and wine shop located in a 400-year old monument building. Their tiny shop with three floors carries over 1200 beers and unique gifts. Buy a few local beers to take home with you or have the shop ship them for you. Proost!
Price:
€1.50-7.00 each
Brouwerij 't IJ is one of these brewers, and they are located right in Amsterdam next to a windmill. Their beer is organic and delicious. Another local Amsterdam brewer is Brouwerij de Prael, located in the center close to the central train station. Just a 15-minute train ride west of Amsterdam is the charming town of Haarlem, where Jopen beer is brewed in a converted church. Jopen makes at least eight varieties of beer including one or two seasonal beers. You can visit any of these breweries to taste their products and purchase bottles to take home. These beers can be quite difficult if not impossible to find outside of the Netherlands. What a fantastic gift!
A one-stop-shop for local and specialty beers, Cracked Kettle is a charming beer and wine shop located in a 400-year old monument building. Their tiny shop with three floors carries over 1200 beers and unique gifts. Buy a few local beers to take home with you or have the shop ship them for you. Proost!
Price:
€1.50-7.00 each
Where to find it:
Available at:Brouwerij 't IJ
Funenkade 7, Amsterdam
Brouwerij de Prael
Oudezijds Armsteeg 26, 1012 GP Amsterdam, Netherlands
De Jopenkerk
Gedempte Voldersgracht 2, 2011 WB Haarlem, Netherlands
Phone: +31 23 533 4114
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17. Handmade Soaps
La Savonnerie is a little sweet-smelling shop that makes their own soaps in a rainbow of more than 50 colors and scents. Most of the soaps are printed with the name of the shop and 'Amsterdam', which makes an ideal and affordable gift from your travels. The soaps can even be imprinted with a personal message or a name for a customized present. Sets like their tulip shaped soaps are also a wonderful memento of the iconic flower of the Netherlands.
The owner mills the soaps in the French style, hence the name of the shop. She uses all natural ingredients and scented oils to create the floral and fruity varieties. Some favorite scents are strawberry, orange, and eucalyptus. Watch the soaps being made in the rear of the shop, or at their sister store Nilsen Cadeau & Zo near the museum square. The shop also carries other European bath products and accessories that you could combine with the handmade soaps for a luxurious gift package.
Price:
€3.50-10
The owner mills the soaps in the French style, hence the name of the shop. She uses all natural ingredients and scented oils to create the floral and fruity varieties. Some favorite scents are strawberry, orange, and eucalyptus. Watch the soaps being made in the rear of the shop, or at their sister store Nilsen Cadeau & Zo near the museum square. The shop also carries other European bath products and accessories that you could combine with the handmade soaps for a luxurious gift package.
Price:
€3.50-10
Where to find it:
Available at:La Savonnerie
Prinsengracht 294, Amsterdam
Hours:
Monday-Saturday 10 am - 6 pm
Sunday: 11 am - 6 pm
18. Tea Blends
Tea Bar is a charming shop on Haarlemmerdijk, a wonderful shopping street close to the central train station in Amsterdam. At Tea Bar you can fill bags with their many tasty tea blends, or mix to create your own. They also sell a variety of tea accessories and tasty snacks. With more than 60 kinds of tea displayed in transparent containers along the shop wall, there is plenty to choose from. The fresh mixtures are lovely to see and smell, with dried flowers and fruits sprinkled throughout the blends. Take your time to explore their offerings and fill a few bags with your favorites. Add a heart or robot shaped strainer for the perfect gift for a tea drinker.
Follow your senses to choose the best blends or the friendly shop owners will help you find teas to please your gift recipients. Popular tea blends include Oudhollandse appeltaart (Dutch apple pie), Choco Chanel (nutty chocolate), and Mangolicious. T's Tea also carries the more typical black, green, rooibos and white teas. After making your purchase, upstairs there is a quiet little nook where you can sit and sip a cup of tea with a cookie or cake.
Price:
€3-5 for 100g
Follow your senses to choose the best blends or the friendly shop owners will help you find teas to please your gift recipients. Popular tea blends include Oudhollandse appeltaart (Dutch apple pie), Choco Chanel (nutty chocolate), and Mangolicious. T's Tea also carries the more typical black, green, rooibos and white teas. After making your purchase, upstairs there is a quiet little nook where you can sit and sip a cup of tea with a cookie or cake.
Price:
€3-5 for 100g
Where to find it:
Available at:T's Tea
Jan Evertsenstraat 89 wkl, 1057 BS Amsterdam, Netherlands
19. Dutch Design Chair - Momo Chair
A foldable chair made of cardboard that can hold a weight of more than 400 pounds? Yes indeed! The Dutch Design Chair is a clever concept with innovative construction. This chair, also sold as the Momo Chair, is made of folded cardboard packed flat that you quickly and easily assemble yourself. And it is 100% recyclable too! The product is manufactured in the Netherlands.
The stool comes in many patterns including tree stump, world map, pebble, old wood, Delft pottery, sunflowers and polka dots. The stool measures 30x30x34 centimeters and can be used as a chair, a stool, a bedside table, or even carried to the park for a picnic! The more colorful patterns are perfect for a child's room. The box would easily fit in standard luggage, or carry it on the plane with the cleverly designed packaging. Simple to assemble and lightweight to move around the house for many uses, this stool makes a very versatile gift.
Price:
€19.95
The stool comes in many patterns including tree stump, world map, pebble, old wood, Delft pottery, sunflowers and polka dots. The stool measures 30x30x34 centimeters and can be used as a chair, a stool, a bedside table, or even carried to the park for a picnic! The more colorful patterns are perfect for a child's room. The box would easily fit in standard luggage, or carry it on the plane with the cleverly designed packaging. Simple to assemble and lightweight to move around the house for many uses, this stool makes a very versatile gift.
Price:
€19.95
Where to find it:
Available at:Van Gogh Museum Shop
Paulus Potterstraat 1, Amsterdam
20. Animal Coat Hangers
These adorable animal head hooks were created by young product designer Jorine Oosterhoff, who was born in The Hague and studied in the Netherlands at the School of Art and Design in Arnhem. She says that she wanted to become a product designer to create art that can be utilized. Her coat hangers are the perfect combination of whimsy and functionality.
The animal head coat hooks come in several variations and colors - rabbit, horse, deer, pig, cow, and duck heads in white, black, green, blue, silver, or red. Something for everyone! These hooks would be fun in a child's room or could add an eye-catching detail to a minimalist decor. Not just for coats, the hooks could also be used for oven mitts in the kitchen or towels in the bath.
Jorine Oosterhoff has also designed similar products for this line including animal head magnets and doorstops. Purchase one or several as a creative gift for that animal lover in your life.
Price:
€10
The animal head coat hooks come in several variations and colors - rabbit, horse, deer, pig, cow, and duck heads in white, black, green, blue, silver, or red. Something for everyone! These hooks would be fun in a child's room or could add an eye-catching detail to a minimalist decor. Not just for coats, the hooks could also be used for oven mitts in the kitchen or towels in the bath.
Jorine Oosterhoff has also designed similar products for this line including animal head magnets and doorstops. Purchase one or several as a creative gift for that animal lover in your life.
Price:
€10
Where to find it:
Available at:Duikelman
Ferdinand Bolstraat 68A, 1072 LM Amsterdam, Netherlands
Phone: +31 20 671 2230
Other Interesting Souvenirs from the Netherlands
If traveling to the Netherlands is not on your immediate agenda, or you simply can't afford an extra space in your luggage, fortunately, these days, you can find a wide selection of authentic and truly interesting Dutch souvenirs online. Presented here are some of the Dutch products sought by foreign visitors, now available online for your convenience.
1. Delft Pottery - Delftware is blue and white tin-glazed pottery originated in the Delft area of the Netherlands around the 16th century. This is one of the types of tin-glazed faience that gained popularity in Europe shortly after it had been imported from China, in which a white glaze is applied, usually decorated with metal oxides. Delftware embraces a variety of objects, such as plates, vases, ornaments, and tiles.
2. Popular Dutch Snacks - These are numerous and include various items, subject to one's preference. Among the most popular Dutch snacks are: Speculaas – the traditional Dutch crumbly spiced cookies, baked to a traditional family recipe; Bolletjes - crisps with a hint of sweetness, good with fruit or sweet spread or cheese, butter or eggs, and coupled with breakfast coffee; they also make great ingredient for meatloaf, burgers, or meatballs; Honigkoek - a traditional Dutch Honey Cake, rich in sweet flavor reminiscent of honey, ideally taken sliced, toasted, and spread with butter or, for a traditional twist, topped with a slice of Nokkelost or Leyden cheese.
3. Droog Design - Droog is a Dutch conceptual design company, emerged in the 1990s, working with independent designers and renowned for its innovative approach to interior products. They commonly adapt prefabricated materials into knowingly sober items with a distinctive sense of playfulness, taking a pragmatic, and often cheeky, approach to design lighting and home furnishings with an inherent abundance of content, reaching far beyond pure aesthetics, in a bid to create products “with a soul”.
4. Tulip Bulbs - Tulips and the Netherlands are inseparable from one another. Tulip bulbs are ideal for a lazy man's garden of outdoor spring flowers or indoor winter cheer! These can be planted in pots on patios, decks or window boxes. Just dig a hole in the fall, bury the bulb, and see the miracle of nature emerge in early spring, without fail, year after year after year. A sure way to bring some spring inside!
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Walking Tours in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Create Your Own Walk in Amsterdam
Creating your own self-guided walk in Amsterdam is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Red Light District Walking Tour
Amsterdam's Rosse Buurt (Red Light District) has been the subject of much fascination for centuries. The medieval part of it, also the largest, known as De Wallen (or De Walletjes), is particularly famous for its fantastic juxtaposition of age-old architecture, leaning canal houses, narrow alleys lined with old-school bars, quaint shops and late-night pursuits. Of course, the main draw here... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Western Canal Belt Walking Tour
Western Canal Belt is a historic neighborhood in Amsterdam that forms part of the larger Canal Ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which comprises a web of concentric canals. The three main canals making up the Western Belt are Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht. They are lined with beautiful and somewhat bizarre gabled houses that were built by prosperous merchants in the 17th century,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
City Center Walking Tour
The inner-most borough and historic heart of Amsterdam, known locally as Centrum, is a tightly woven network of canals and overlapping micro-neighborhoods, each bursting with their own unique vibe and history. Formerly a working-class area, this district is reputed for its traditional community spirit, radical politics and historic brown bars.
Here, all within an easy walking distance you will... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Here, all within an easy walking distance you will... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles