Fun shopping in the Jordaan
mix of trendy, antique, modern, luxury, cheap, second-hand, and other small interesting stores
De 9 Straatjes, or 'The 9 Little Streets' in English, has become the trendiest place to shop and really just to wander around as every street corner and bridge crossing is picturesque. It is an insanely charming sub-neighborhood in central Amsterdam divided between nine little streets filled with exquisite shops and cafés.
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 3 main canals - Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht - you will find a lot of interesting, original, and 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.
Spectacles
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.
Candles, scented oils and incense
Two bridges further in Reestraat number 20 you will find another remarkable shop. If you are looking for some ritual and spiritual candles, incense sticks, resin incense or a special scented oil Kramer-Pontifex is the place for you. You have never seen so many different types of candles before. The store houses another remarkable and unusual service: a Doll hospital (Poppen & Berendokter ), for all repairs to antique and new dolls or stuffed animals.
Spanish ceramics
On the left at number 21 you will find Terra , a collection of traditional and self-designed handmade shoes, bags and ceramics from different parts of Spain. Espadrilles are available in all sizes, colors, fabrics and styles.
You have now arrived at Prinsengracht. Turn left until you reach the next bridge across Prinsengracht.
Everything for women
If you turn left into Berenstraat, you will quite soon see Fashion Flairs , a large collection of women's dresses, on your left-hand side. You are sure to find something special here to suit your taste.
A little further down the street you will find the latest trends in rings at Pretty Rings for small and special gifts. Prices range from € 5 to € 400.
In the same street at number 18 a famous Dutch lingerie designer has her own lingerie store: marlies|dekkers store
A bookstore, made from books
If you like luxury books you should not miss the unique Amsterdam store of MENDO , a candy store for book aficionados. The walls are not made of bricks, but of thousands of black MENDO books. Browse the latest books on fashion, photography, architecture, interior, graphic design, food and lifestyle at Berenstraat 11.
Buttons, nothing but buttons
The Jordaan neighbourhood 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.
(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. We continue through Looiersgracht and via the back door at number 128 (the front entrance is on Elandsgracht 109) we come to the last part of this shopping route: Antiekcentrum Amsterdam (Antiques Centre Amsterdam), formerly known as 'De Looier'. The biggest imaginable variety of items has been brought together here. Fridays closed.
Antiques Centre Amsterdam 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.
There are plenty of pubs, lunchrooms and restaurants along the above shopping route. We have listed a few recommended ones in the box.
De Negen Straatjes
small interesting individual shops
The Nine Streets
recommended websites
The 9 Streets Shopping Map Guide
www.theninestreets.com
De 9 Straatjes in Amsterdam: Charming & Diverse
www.de9straatjes.nl
Beadies, Huidenstraat 6
De Knopenwinkel, Herengracht 389
more shopping routes