Pedestrianised Leidsestraat, which – with its fashion boutiques, large fashion store (Metz & Co), souvenir shops and newsagents – is Amsterdam’s answer to Oxford Street and the perfect place for tourists to combine a spot of shopping with canal views and cafe stops. At the northern end of Leidsestraat is Singel, the floating flower market. Kalverstraat offers a combination of classy department stores, fashion boutiques and the luxurious shopping centre of Kalvertoren, while Nieuwendijk, one of Amsterdam’s oldest shopping streets, is home to moderately priced fashion, shoe and CD stores.

Maison de Bonneterie, Rokin 140–2, is the Harrods of Amsterdam – here one can find top quality men’s and women’s clothing and fine household goods. The Dam offers a couple of options, including Bijenkorf, Dam 1, the premier department store in Amsterdam, which sells a good range of clothing, accessories, cosmetics and household items. Magna Plaza, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 182, is located in a fairy-tale, neo-Gothic pile that was once the General Post Office. Inside are 40 shops ranging from Virgin Megastore to Shu Uemura Cosmetics. Emerging shopping areas include KNSM island, with its designer outlets, and Haarlemmerdijk and Tussen de Bogen, with their speciality and niche shops. Wini, Haarlemstraat 29, is a favourite of the local clubbing set with hip clothes and retro fashion.

The Vogelmarkt (Bird Market), also at Noordermarkt, is open Saturday 0800–1300.Traditional shopping hours are Tuesday to Friday 0900 or 1000 –1800 and Saturday 0900–1700. However, some shops now stay open later, particularly on Thursday. Generally, the shops are closed all day on Sunday and on Monday morning. There is a 20% sales tax on luxury goods and 5% on other items. Visitors from outside the EU can obtain a tax refund at shops displaying the tax-free shopping sign. Shoppers must fill in the appropriate forms and present this to customs at the airport, before check-in. The signed form is then handed to ABN AMRO banks in the departure terminals.