Souvenir Shopping in Amsterdam: 20 Dutch Things To Buy
1. Custom Clogs
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
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
2. Dutch Licorice
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
Het Oud-Hollandsch Snoepwinkeltje
Tweede Egelantiersdwarsstraat 2, Amsterdam
Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 11 am - 5 pm
Also available at:
Jamin
Various locations in Amsterdam
3. Puccini Chocolate Bonbons
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
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
4. Nijntje Knuffel
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
5. Blond Amsterdam Breakfast Set
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
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
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
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
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
8. Handmade Wallet
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
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
Raw Materials
Casablancaweg 12, Amsterdam
Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9 am - 5 pm
10. Bicycle Seat Cover
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
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
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
12. G-Star Jeans
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
13. Custom Pendant Necklace
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
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
House of Bols Cocktail & Genever Experience
Paulus Potterstraat 14, Amsterdam
Also available at:
Gall & Gall
Various locations in Amsterdam
15. Van Gogh Memory Game
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
16. Local Dutch 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
17. Handmade Soaps
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
La Savonnerie
Prinsengracht 294, Amsterdam
Hours:
Monday-Saturday 10 am - 6 pm
Sunday: 11 am - 6 pm
18. Tea Blends
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
T's Tea
Jan Evertsenstraat 89 wkl, 1057 BS Amsterdam, Netherlands
19. Dutch Design Chair - Momo Chair
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
Van Gogh Museum Shop
Paulus Potterstraat 1, Amsterdam
20. Animal Coat Hangers
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
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.
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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