Fun shopping in the Jordaan
Go fun shopping in the Jordaan and visit Art & Antique Market De Looier
The Jordaan
Its rich historical background makes this quarter one of the most attractive areas of the city. The Jordaan is a seventeenth-century working class district with its own traditions and its own informal and relaxed atmosphere with narrow streets, picturesque canals, brown cafes, art galleries and unique shops.
The 9 Streets (De 9 Straatjes)
Especially in the streets which connect the three main canals - Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht - you will find a lot of interesting, sometimes amusing, shops. Take a walk, for example, through the following streets.
Starting from Dam Square you walk along the left side of the Royal Palace, just follow the Paleisstraat, and keep walking. When you cross the first bridge across the Singel you are in Gasthuismolensteeg.
On the right at number 7 you will see the Brilmuseum/Brillenwinkel 
(Museum of Spectacles/Spectacle Shop), offering an unequalled collection of bizarre, outrageous, stylish, extravagant and classical spectacles.
Two bridges further in Reestraat number 22 you will find another remarkable shop. If you are looking for some unusual gift paper or a special type of writing paper Cortina Papier , with the largest product range in Holland is the place for you. This store regularly organises expositions of artists who work with paper.
Next door, at number 20, scented oils and incense, but mainly candles are sold. You have never seen so many different types of candles before.
You have now arrived at Prinsengracht. Turn left until you reach the next bridge across Prinsengracht.
If you cross the bridge you'll walk straight into Norman Automatics where you will feel as if you have stepped back into the fifties. You are sure to find something special here to suit your taste.
If you do not cross the bridge but turn left into Berenstraat, you will quite soon see Galerie Animation Art on your right-hand side, where you can buy cartoon art and gifts, while a little further down the street you can look at art while having your hair cut in beauty parlour and gallery KunstHaar.
The Jordaan is mainly known for its small specialised shops. As London has the world renowned Button Queen and New York its own Tender Buttons, so Amsterdam has its own buttonshop, the Knopenwinkel , situated at Herengracht 389. This shop sell buttons, nothing but buttons, a staggering variety of buttons.
One bridge back at Herengracht turn left again. You are now walking through Huidenstraat with at number 6 Beadies (de Kralenwinkel). The next street is Runstraat, where De Witte Tanden Winkel is situated at number 5. This shop sells a huge variety of toothbrushes.
Art & Antiques
We cross Prinsengracht once more and arrive at Looiersgracht. Lor, de God van het Overschot is the first shop on Looiersgracht, coming from the city centre, and is a taste of what this area has in store for you. This shop's collection consists of second-hand items which can be bought, hired, or made-to-measure, depending on the wishes of the customer.
We continue through Looiersgracht and via the back door (the front entrance is on Elandsgracht 109) 
we come to the last part of this shopping route: Art & Antique Centre 'De Looier' . The biggest imaginable variety of items has been brought together here. Fridays closed.
De Looier is a large, covered market with some 82 stalls, 80 showcases, and a market square where tables can be hired for the sales of arts, antiques or bric-a-brac. You can roam around the glassware, porcelain, ceramics, jewellery, gold and silver, furniture, paintings, prints, mirrors, clocks, ornaments, enamel, pewter and antique toys.
In the various routes the most interesting and unique shops are described. If you want to take a rest, or if you feel like a bite to eat or something to drink, that is no problem. There are plenty of pubs, lunchrooms and restaurants along the routes. We have listed a few recommended ones in the box.
Each route starts at Dam Square, the main square in the very centre of the city. Many shopping streets lead off this square.
De 9 Straatjes
small interesting individual shops
recommended website
The 9 Streets Shopping Map Guide
Shopping districts
Must-see shopping in the KalverstraatFun shopping in the Jordaan
Stylishness in the PC Hooftstraat
Art/Antiques Stores in the Spiegelkwartier
Flea market at the Waterlooplein
Cosiness at the Albert Cuyp Market, Amsterdam's best daily market for everything
Beadies, Huidenstraat 6
De Knopenwinkel, H'gracht 389