Amsterdam Shopping
Shopping in Amsterdam yields a phantasmagoria of stores, markets, boutiques, and malls. The malls open late morning during the week and close early evening except on Thursdays when they're open a little later. Stores and markets are closed all day Sunday and Monday mornings. Magna Plaza mall is located behind the Royal Palace in a re-furbished 19th century building. At the less-pricey Dam Square, you'll find the usual fare, mall-wise, but with a more Euro/Dutch flavor. For something unique, shop there, at Chimera, for fantasy/goth items. The main shopping area is on Leidsestraat. Nieuwendijk and Kalverstraat are shopping areas open only to foot traffic. The stores on Hoofsdstraat are expensive, but very chic. Jordaan has small, but charming boutiques. Stop by the American Book Center on Kalverstraat and get a 10% student discount.
If you're hungry, experience the excellent coffee shop at Geels & Co., on Warmoesstraat, improbably positioned within the red light district. Sample delectable cheeses at De Kaaskamer, on Runstraat. For bakeries and bread stores, visit 1001 Kraken on Jordaan and Paul Annee, also on Runstraat. Chocolate is something you should seek out; it'll sweeten the rest of your shopping day. This Dutch specialty can be found at Puccini, near Dam Square and the Opera House, and at both Unlimited Delicious and J.G. Beune on Haarlemmerdijk. If you need groceries, the major market is Albert Cuypmarkt, located between Ferdinand Bolstraat and Van Woustraat. There is also an organic Farmers Market, called Boerenmarkt on Noordermarket.
Music stores abound; wander into Vroom & Dreesman on Kalverstraat, or Boudisque at Haringpakkersteeg.
Expect to pay 5% sales tax on your purchases, 20% for luxury items. Make sure and ask if what you're buying is a luxury item. Get a VAT (value added tax) form from a store that advertises tax-free shopping for foreign visitors. Before you travel, go to Globalrefund.com and get full details on the program.
Banks are at Central Station and Dam Square; expect long lines. Use the ATM for instant conversion of your foreign currency at a good rate, which is better than at the counter. Few places do not take credit cards.