The best shopping cities in the Netherlands
Fancy a day of shopping or a fun weekend getaway? In the Netherlands, you never have to travel far for a great shopping destination. From large cities teeming with international brands to charming city centers with boutiques and specialty stores. Will you choose vibrant Amsterdam, modern Rotterdam, or stylish The Hague? In this blog post, we've compiled a list of the best shopping cities in the Netherlands.
1. Shopping in Amsterdam
Our capital, Amsterdam, is one of the most popular shopping cities in the Netherlands. You'll find a huge variety of shops, terraces, and shopping areas. From the charming 9 Straatjes (Nine Streets) to the luxurious PC Hooftstraat (PC Hooftstraat), Amsterdam offers something for every shopper.
The city is known for its enormous variety of shops: from large fashion chains to small specialty stores where you can find unique items. Shopping here feels vibrant and diverse, with something new around every corner.
Large shopping streets and well-known brands
Well-known shopping streets like Kalverstraat and Leidsestraat are among the busiest in the Netherlands. Here you'll find many well-known clothing stores like ZARA, H&M, and de Bijenkorf, as well as major international brands. If you're looking for luxury and designer brands, PC Hooftstraat is the place to be.
Vintage shops and markets
Amsterdam is also the city for vintage lovers. Throughout the city, you'll find countless vintage shops where you can find secondhand clothing and unique items, for example at Zipper. Music lovers can visit Concerto, the largest record store in the Netherlands.
Amsterdam also boasts many markets where shopping and atmosphere converge. The most famous are the Albert Cuyp Market and the Waterlooplein Market. Here you can browse for clothes, accessories, and souvenirs.
Overnight stay in Amsterdam
Thanks to its enormous variety of shops, shopping streets, vintage stores and markets, Amsterdam is a perfect destination for both a day of shopping and a relaxing stroll through the city.
Want to combine shopping in the capital with an overnight stay? Bastion Hotels has several hotels in Amsterdam and the surrounding area, perfect as a base after a day of shopping. Discover the hotels in Amsterdam here.
2. Shopping in Rotterdam
Rotterdam feels different from other shopping cities. Here, it's all about space, modern architecture, and large stores. The city center offers a surprisingly diverse range of shopping options. It's well-organized and perfect for those who like to see a lot in a short time.
Shopping area Lijnbaan and Koopgoot
The heart of Rotterdam's shopping district is the Lijnbaan and the underground Koopgoot shopping arcade. These are the most famous shopping spots in Rotterdam's city center. Here you'll find many large fashion boutiques, popular brands, and department stores.
Boutiques, specialty stores and Market Hall
If you're looking for something special, Meent is a must-see. This street is known for its luxury boutiques, specialty stores, and exclusive shops. The Markthal Rotterdam is also a must-see when shopping. Here, you can combine shopping with food and drinks. It's a popular hotspot for both locals and visitors.
Overnight stay in Rotterdam
After a day of shopping in Rotterdam, it's nice to spend the night near the city. Bastion Hotels offers several hotels in and around Rotterdam. Click here to discover our hotels.
3. Shopping in Utrecht
Rain or shine, Utrecht is always a great place to shop. In sunny weather, stroll along the city's beautiful canals, while on rainy days, you can stay dry and shop in the Hoog Catharijne shopping center.
Utrecht's city center is packed with great shops and is ideal for a day of shopping. Utrecht's distinctive feature is its compact city center, which keeps shopping both manageable and atmospheric.
Shops in the center of Utrecht
Utrecht's shopping heart is located around Vredenburg. This is the city's most famous shopping street and a great place to start your shopping spree. Here you'll find major chain stores like ZARA and de Bijenkorf, as well as many fashion, shoe, and accessory shops. Need a new pair of trousers? At the popular Rode Winkel, you can find the perfect jeans while shopping in Utrecht city center.
Shopping along the canals
Shopping along the Oudegracht canal is also very popular. After shopping, relax at one of the waterfront terraces or walk a little further to the charming Neude square for a bite to eat or a drink. This way, you can easily combine shopping in Utrecht with restaurants and cafes and enjoy the atmosphere.
Overnight stay in Utrecht
Full bags after a day of shopping in Utrecht? Bastion Hotel Utrecht is a cozy hotel on the outskirts of the city. From the hotel, you can reach the city center by bus or tram in 15 minutes. View Bastion Hotel Utrecht here.
4. Shopping in The Hague
The Hague is a diverse shopping city where luxury, well-known chain stores and charming shopping streets converge. You'll find both large stores and exclusive boutiques, making the city suitable for a wide range of shoppers.
Shops in the center of The Hague
The Hague city center offers a wide and varied selection of shops. In Grote Marktstraat and around Spui, you'll find many well-known chain stores and fashion boutiques. De Passage, one of the oldest covered shopping streets in the Netherlands, is also a popular shopping destination in The Hague city center.
Luxury shopping in The Hague
For those looking for exclusive shops and boutiques, Noordeinde and Denneweg are recommended. This part of the city is known for its luxury fashion stores, specialty shops, and galleries. Luxury shopping in The Hague combines perfectly with culture and history.
Combine shopping with beach and culture
What makes The Hague unique as a shopping city is the combination of shopping, culture, and beaches. After a day of shopping in the city center, you can quickly reach Scheveningen or visit one of the city's many museums. This makes The Hague ideal for a day of shopping or a short city break.
5. Fun shopping in Haarlem
Haarlem has been named the best shopping city in the Netherlands. And for good reason. The city has a charming and personal feel: no long distances or crowded shopping areas, but rather short streets full of character. The famous and picturesque Gouden Straatjes (Golden Streets) are packed with small boutiques, local businesses, and charming shops. These seven streets, including Kleine Houtstraat, Zijlstraat, and Koningstraat, form the heart of Haarlem's city center.
The Golden Streets of Haarlem
Kleine Houtstraat has been voted the best shopping street in the Netherlands several times. In the Gouden Straatjes (Golden Streets), you'll find many unique shops and specialty stores. For example, visit Olivia & Kate for trendy clothes or pick up delicious delicacies at Jamón Jamón while shopping in Haarlem.
The highlights of Haarlem
While shopping in Haarlem, don't forget to visit the Grote Kerk (Great Church) and the De Adriaan windmill, two of the city's most famous highlights. Every Sunday is shopping Sunday in Haarlem, so you can shop year-round. Shopping in Haarlem has a personal and welcoming atmosphere.
Overnight stay in Haarlem
Curious about what else there is to do in Haarlem? Click here for more great tips.
After a day of exploring, a comfortable bed awaits you at Bastion Hotel Haarlem. The hotel is just a fifteen-minute drive from the city center. If you'd prefer to get some fresh air, the beach at IJmuiden is just a 10-minute drive away.
Curious? View Bastion Hotel Haarlem here.
6. Shopping city Eindhoven
Eindhoven is a vibrant city with many hidden gems. From popular clothing stores to bookstores for the true bookworm, and from inspiring home furnishings to secondhand gems at thrift stores: Eindhoven offers plenty of shopping opportunities.
Shops in the center of Eindhoven
In the city center of Eindhoven, the city of light, you'll find a wide range of shops. The long shopping streets often end in squares with pleasant terraces, making it easy to combine shopping in Eindhoven with a break.
Friday evening is shopping night in Eindhoven.
Shopping at the Kleine Berg
Don't forget to visit De Kleine Berg. In this creative and artistic part of Eindhoven, you'll find boutiques, trendy fashion stores, vintage shops, art, and restaurants. This makes De Kleine Berg one of the best places to shop in Eindhoven. After shopping, you can immediately enjoy a meal at one of the cozy eateries.
7. Shopping in Groningen
Groningen is the shopping capital of the north of the Netherlands and is known for its vibrant city center. The city has an energetic and welcoming atmosphere, making shopping here even more enjoyable. Thanks to its car-free city center, shopping in Groningen is easy to navigate and relaxing. You'll find a mix of large chain stores, local boutiques, and specialty shops. Perfect for focused shopping or simply browsing.
Shops in the center of Groningen
Groningen city center offers a wide range of shops. Herestraat is the city's most famous shopping street and, together with the surrounding streets, forms the heart of the shopping district.
While shopping in Groningen city center, you can easily walk from large stores to smaller specialty shops, with plenty of cafés and terraces along the way. This makes it easy to combine shopping with a quick break for a drink or snack.
Boutiques and specialty stores in Groningen
Besides the well-known shopping streets, Groningen boasts many side streets with unique shops and boutiques. Especially in the historic city center, you'll find local businesses and unique shops that set Groningen apart from other shopping cities. This makes shopping in Groningen attractive for those looking for something a little different than just the big chains.
Combine shopping with atmosphere and catering
Groningen has a young and energetic atmosphere, thanks in part to its many students. During or after shopping, you can visit charming squares like the Grote Markt for a bite to eat or a drink. This makes Groningen a great choice not only for a day of shopping but also for a short city break.
8. Shopping in Maastricht
Maastricht is one of the most vibrant and stylish shopping cities in the Netherlands. Thanks to its historic city center and international appeal, shopping in Maastricht feels almost like being abroad. You'll find luxury shops, unique boutiques, and specialty stores in a charming setting.
Shops in the center of Maastricht
Maastricht's shopping district is largely located in the historic city center. Here, you can stroll through narrow streets lined with a diverse selection of shops. While shopping in Maastricht city center, you'll find both well-known brands and unique stores, making the city attractive to a wide audience.
Luxury shopping in Wyck and Stokstraat
For those who enjoy exclusive shopping, Stokstraat and the Wyck district are highly recommended. These are the places to be for luxury fashion boutiques, designer stores, and high-end specialty shops. Luxury shopping in Maastricht is often combined with gastronomy and culture.
Combine shopping with a Burgundian atmosphere
What sets Maastricht apart from other shopping cities is its vibrant atmosphere. After shopping, you can relax at one of the many restaurants or cafés. This makes Maastricht the perfect place for a relaxing day of shopping or a complete shopping weekend.
9. Nice shopping in Arnhem
Arnhem is a lively shopping city and perfect for culture lovers. The city boasts plenty of cultural highlights, such as Sonsbeek Park, the Eusebius Church, historic cellars, and the Sabelspoort gate. There are also plenty of great shops in Arnhem's city center.
Shops in the center of Arnhem
In Arnhem's city center, you'll find a terrace, a charming shop, or a restaurant on almost every corner. Shopping in Arnhem city center feels relaxed and varied, with plenty of opportunities to combine shopping and taking a break.
Thanks to its compact city centre and the combination of culture and shops, shopping in Arnhem is ideal for an afternoon of shopping or a relaxing day out.
Opening hours and late night shopping
Shop opening hours vary in Arnhem. Most shops are open from 9:00/10:00 AM to 5:00/6:00 PM during the week. Thursday evenings are late-night shopping nights in Arnhem, and many shops are also open on Sundays. This gives you plenty of time to stroll the historic streets and shop to your heart's content.
Overnight stay after shopping
Planning a weekend in Arnhem? Bastion Hotel Arnhem is located on the Rijnkade and is perfectly situated near the city center. You can reach the central station in just 15 minutes. View Bastion Hotel Arnhem here.
10. Shopping in Zwolle
Zwolle is a compact and charming shopping city with a surprisingly wide range of shops. Thanks to its well-organized city center, shopping in Zwolle is relaxed and accessible. You'll find a mix of well-known chain stores, local boutiques, and specialty shops.
Shops in the center of Zwolle
The heart of the shopping district is Diezerstraat, Zwolle's most famous shopping street. Here you'll find many large stores and popular brands. While exploring Zwolle's city center, you can easily wander through to side streets with smaller shops and specialty stores.
Pleasant shopping in the city center
What makes Zwolle particularly appealing is the charming atmosphere of its historic city center. Shopping here goes hand in hand with lunch or drinks in one of the squares or terraces. This makes Zwolle ideal for those who enjoy shopping in a compact city.
