Leidsestraat, Amsterdam

This busy main shopping thoroughfare is always packed because it connects one of the city's biggest and liveliest squares, Leidseplein, to the central area. Think of it as the fancier version of Kalverstraat, offering a diverse range of reasonably priced designer clothing and shoe boutiques. Plus, there are tons of cool canal-side cafés and restaurants from all over the world (such as Maoz Vegan, La Place Express, or Villa Maria Steakhouse, to name just a few), some of which are so popular that you better make a reservation.

At the corner of Keizersgracht, you can't miss the Abercrombie & Fitch store at #32 housed within a magnificent stone building dating back to 1891, with fancy columns ("caryatids") on the front and a distinctive corner dome. Notably, during its construction, this was the tallest commercial structure in town, which is why they convinced the famous architect Gerrit Rietveld (1888–1964), a leading figure in the De Stijl artistic movement, to add a glass-and-metal showroom on the roof in 1933 (you can still spot it from the street today).

It's worth noting that the street was planned way back in the 17th century, and the old houses still carry the grandeur of their past glory. So, even if shopping isn't your thing, you'll discover plenty to pique your curiosity. And if you wander nearby, you'll stumble upon the Spiegelkwartier, which is basically a super famous spot in Europe for antiques.