Sift For Vintage Treasures in The Marvellous Markets of Amsterdam

Are you looking for a weekend break somewhere nearby, with vibrant culture and a lot of attractions to explore? Then why not book a holiday to Amsterdam? Airport transfer journeys are easy to arrange and flights are very affordable, which makes the city the perfect destination for travellers on a budget.

In addition to the host of well-known attractions, one of the best things about the cityis its markets. The market is not just a great place to pick up some unique items to bring home and show off to your friends, but also an important part of the local culture. Let us talk you through some of the biggest and best …

Albert Cuyp

Located in the 19th century Latin Quarter, ‘the Cuyp’ is one of the most affordable places to shop in the city. It offers fresh veg, meat, fruit and plants, but the real attraction is the wide range of high-quality vintage clothes.

The Cuyp is rightly proud of its heritage, and many of the older items available here may have been the first sold on this site as early as 1905!

Waterlooplein

Once you’ve exhausted the Cuyp, you can move on up to the bigger Waterlooplein. With over 300 stalls, there’s more than enough on offer here for locals and tourists alike. Food and souvenirs are again on offer, but Waterlooplein again prides itself on its vintage clothing. What’s more, if you’re killing time waiting for your Amsterdam airport transfer, the cafes and restaurants scattered around the edge of the market are prime people-watching spots.

IJ-Hallen

Finally, we come to the biggest of the bunch: IJ-Hallen. With over 750 vendors, this place is over twice the size of Waterlooplein. It’s so big, in fact, that it spills out of the pair of industrial warehouses in which it’s housed and onto the city streets.

As you’d expect from a market this size, there’s a lot on offer, so patience, attention and spontaneity will be well rewarded. If you’re the kind of person willing to trawl around and come back from a weekend away with a piece of furniture you simply couldn’t do without, LJ-Hallen is the place for you. Due to its size, though, it’s held only once a month, on the second weekend of each month – so, if it sounds appealing, make sure you book your trip for the right dates to catch it!

How to Get There

Most major airlines, including British Airways and easyJet, service the journey from London to Amsterdam. As it’s one of the busiest air-traffic routes in Europe, flights are regular and often very affordable. The journey from the airport at Schiphol to the city isn’t too taxing, but at 15km it can prove a headache for the unprepared. To make sure you get the most time to shop for vintage goods, book your Amsterdam airport transfer with Shuttle Direct in advance.