Amsterdam (Rough Guide) - Martin Dunford [154]
Gerda’s Runstraat 16 (Grachtengordel west) 020/624 2912, www.gerdasflowers.com. Amsterdam is full of flower shops, but this one is the most imaginative and sensual. Bouquets to melt the hardest of hearts. Mon–Fri 9am–6pm, Sat 9am–5pm.
P.G.C. Hajenius Rokin 92 (Old Centre) 020/623 7494. Long-established tobacconist selling its own and other brands of cigars, tobacco, smoking accessories, and every make of cigarette you can think of. There’s also a room at the back where you can sit and smoke and have a coffee as you view the amazing range of cigars, pipes and smoking accessories, and even leaf through a magazine or book from its library. Mon noon–6pm, Tues–Sat 9.30am–6pm, Sun noon–5pm.
The Head Shop Kloveniersburgwal 39 (Old Centre) 020/624 9061. Every dope-smoking accessory you could possibly need, along with assorted marijuana memorabilia. Mon–Fri 11am–6pm, Sat 11am–7pm, Sun noon–7pm.
Hera Candles Overtoom 402 (Museum Quarter and Vondelpark) 020/616 2886. A wonderful little all-wood shop selling nothing but handmade candles of all shapes, sizes and scents. Wed 2–6pm, Thurs & Fri 11am–6pm, Sat 11am–5pm.
Himalaya Warmoesstraat 56 (Old Centre) 020/626 0899. Something of an oasis of calm in the Red Light District, this cosy shop has a wide selection of books and magazines from around the world, with New Age music, tarot cards and bric-a-brac, as well as readings, a changing photo/art exhibition, and a café with a terrace and canal view out back. Mon noon–6.30pm, Tues–Sat 10.30am–6.30pm (Sat from 10am), Sun 11.30am–5.30pm.
Jacob Hooij Kloveniersburgwal 10–12 (Old Centre) 020/624 3041. Homeopathic chemist with any amount of herbs and natural cosmetics, as well as a huge stock of drop (Dutch liquorice). In business at this address since 1778 – and the shop and its stock seem as if they are the same now as then. Mon 1–6pm, Tues–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 10am–5pm.
Joe’s Vliegerwinkel Nieuwe Hoogstraat 19 (Old Centre) 020/625 0139. Kites, frisbees, boomerangs, diabolos, yo-yos, juggling balls and clubs. Tues–Fri noon–6pm, Sat noon–5pm.
Kitsch Kitchen Rozengracht 8 (Jordaan and Western docklands) 020/622 8261, www.kitschkitchen.nl. Crammed full of chunky furniture, bowls and kitsch home stuff, plus bags, aprons, umbrellas and diaries, all in bright primary colours. Mon–Sat 10am–6pm, Sun noon–5pm.
’t Klompenhuisje Nieuwe Hoogstraat 9a (Old Centre) 020/622 8100. Amsterdam’s best and brightest array of clogs and kids’ shoes. Mon–Sat 10am–6pm.
Kramer and Pontifex Reestraat 20 (Grachtengordel west) 020/626 5274. On one side of the shop, Mr Kramer repairs old broken dolls and teddies; on the other, Pontifex sells all kinds of candles, oils and incense. Mon–Sat 10am–6pm.
Kruiderij De Munt Vijzelstraat 1 (Grachtengordel south) 020/624 4533. A very wide range of herbal remedies, essential oils, teas and dietary supplements. Mon–Sat 10am–6.30pm (Thurs till 9pm), Sun noon–6pm.
Posthumus Sint Luciensteeg 23 (Old Centre) 020/625 5812. Upmarket stationery, cards and, best of all, hundreds of rubber stamps. Mon noon–5pm, Tues–Fri 9am–5pm, Sat 11am–4pm.
De Roos PC Hooftstraat 183 (Museum Quarter and Vondelpark) 020/689 0436, www.roos.nl. New Age bookshop with a wide selection of esoteric books, crystals and remedies. Part of a larger centre with a café (see "De Roos") and lots of training/learning courses. Mon–Fri 10am–8pm, Sat & Sun 11am–5.30pm.
Santa Jet Prinsenstraat 7 (Grachtengordel west) 020/427 2070. Handmade Latin American items, from collectables to humorous knick-knacks to religious icons – and a selection of hand-painted skulls. Mon–Fri 11am–6pm, Sat 10am–5pm, Sun noon–5pm.
Saskya & Co Stromarkt 5 020/420 0840. A better class of Dutch souvenir, with ceramics, textiles and other bits and pieces that are a cut above the stuff you find elsewhere around the centre. Not exactly cheap though. Daily 11am–8pm, except Thurs until 7pm.
Tibet Winkel Spuistraat 185a (Old Centre) 020/420 4538, www.tibetwinkel.nl. Books, music, jewellery and more, all made by Tibetan refugees