Amsterdam (Rough Guide) - Martin Dunford [153]
Akkerman Kalverstraat 149 (Old Centre) 020/623 1649. The city’s poshest pen shop, with an excellent selection of writing accessories. Mon–Fri 10am–5.45pm (Thurs till 8.45pm), Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 1–5pm.
Appenzeller Grimburgwal 1 (Old Centre) 020/616 6865. State-of-the-art designer jewellery, watches and spectacles. Tues–Sat 11am–5.30pm.
Baobab Elandsgracht 105 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/626 8398, www.baobab-aziatica.nl. Textiles and ceramics from Indonesia and the Far East, plus a huge selection of well-priced silver jewellery. Mon & Sun 1–6pm, Tues–Sat 11am–6pm.
Beadazzled Sarphatipark 6 (De Pijp, Outer districts) 020/673 4587. Beads in all shapes and colours as well as bags, cheerfully decorated lamps and other accessories. Mon 1–6pm, Tues–Fri 10.30am–6pm, Sat 10am–5pm.
Bloembollenwinkel Prinsengracht 112 (Grachtengordel west) 020/421 0095, www.amsterdamtulipmuseum.com. Charming little shop selling packets of tulip bulbs in season, as well as cards and gifts such as tulip-patterned pillows and pottery. Downstairs is a small museum that charts the tulip’s history from the gardens of the Ottoman Empire to its role as Amsterdam’s most iconic flower. Daily 10am–6pm.
Blond Gerard Doustraat 69 (De Pijp, Outer districts) 020/428 4929. Popular gift shop with hand-painted and personalized pottery, bed linen, towels and note blocs, mainly in the colour pink. Tues–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 10am–5pm.
Condomerie Het Gulden Vlies Warmoesstraat 141 (Old Centre) 020/627 4174. This shop sells condoms of every shape, size and flavour imaginable (and unimaginable) – all in the best possible taste. Mon–Sat 11am–6pm.
Coppenhagen Rozengracht 54 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/624 3681. The only thing you’ll find here is beads and beady accessories – including everything you need to make your own jewellery. Tues–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 10am–5pm.
Delftshop Muntplein 12 (Old Centre) 020/623 2271, www.delftshop.com. If you’re after that elusive present and don’t want to settle for tourist tat, this is the place – a great selection of delftware, from small ashtrays and trinkets for €2 to more elaborate designs such as the €7500 replica of a tulip vase held in the Rijksmuseum. Other branches at Spiegelgracht 13 (Grachtengordel south) and Prinsengracht 440 (Grachtengordel west). Mon–Sat 9.30–6pm, Sun 11am–6pm.
Demmenie Sports Marnixstraat 2 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/624 3652, www.demmeniesport.nl. Large sports shop spread over two floors, selling everything you could need for hiking, camping and wilderness survival. Mon 1–6pm, Tues–Fri 10am–6pm (Thurs till 7pm), Sat 10am–5pm.
Peter Doeswijk Vijzelgracht 11 (Grachtengordel south) 020/420 3133, www.peterdoeswijk.nl. Idiosyncratic, brightly coloured, street-art style miscellany, from phones and toilet seats to painted wooden canal houses in wobbly mirror shapes – much, much better than the usual tourist stuff. Opening times vary – ring ahead to check.
Droog Design Staalstraat 7 (Old Centre) 020/523 5050, www.droogdesign.nl. Founded in 1993, Droog Design has made a serious contribution to the international reinvention of design. Some of their products, such as their milk bottle chandelier, have ended up in museum collections; this is their gallery and shop. Tues–Sat noon–6pm.
Fair Trade Shop Heiligeweg 45 (Old Centre) 020/625 2245, www.fairtrade.nl. Fair trade goods of all kinds – food, household items, books and cards. Mon 1–6pm, Tues–Fri 10am–6pm (Thurs till 9pm), Sat 10am–5.30pm, Sun noon–5pm.
Frozen Fountain Prinsengracht 629 (Grachtengordel south) 020/622 9375, www.frozenfountain.nl. Contemporary furniture and interior design with the emphasis on all things Dutch. At Leidsegracht. Mon 1–6pm, Tues–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 10am–5pm.
Gamekeeper Hartenstraat 14 (Grachtengordel west) 020/638 1579, www.gamekeeper.nl. The place to go if you’re into games. All kinds of “fantasy” games, mainly for adults, from Games Workshop to role-play games, collectible cards, backgammon, magic accessories, etc.