Are you visiting Amsterdam soon, and wondering which souvenirs you might bring back home? Not to worry. This is a comprehensive Amsterdam souvenirs guide to help you choose during your visit.
14 Amsterdam Souvenirs You Need to Buy on Your Trip
Should it be the Dutch tiles, tulips or cheese? Well, you may be tempted to carry all of them back home. But, these are not the only Amsterdam Souvenirs. There are plenty of others, that only a few know of.
And even better, you can take them home legally.
In this guide, we shall take you through the city of Amsterdam for a souvenir shopping spree. We shall have a look at the best souvenirs from Amsterdam, why they are so important, where you can quickly get them, and if possible, their prices.
If you are traveling to the city soon, or are already there, we have just the best items for you to look for during your tour.
So off we go!
See related: Amsterdam vs Copenhagen: Differences You Should Know
Best Souvenirs from Amsterdam
These are some awesome souvenirs and things you should buy while you are in Amsterdam.
Clogs from Zaanse Schans Workshop
The locals call them Klompen. You will get them from the famous Zaanse Schans workshop where they are hand-made locally. The workshop is located near the Windmills, which is a day trip from Amsterdam city.
These clogs are costly, so prepare to dig into your pockets a little bit deeper. But the price brings with it the authentic Hollands tradition to your feet. What’s more? You can watch the windmills ride on the wind as your clogs are worked on.
They come in different sizes, for adults and kids. Clogs for kids are a bit cheaper as they will only cost you less than 100 Euros. While there are cheaper ones explicitly made for tourists, you can’t compare them to the beauty of the hand-made souvenirs.
Hat from Barts
Nothing brings back fond memories from Amsterdam like a hart from Barts. The genesis of this shop was on the beaches of Santa Tropez.
Today, there are multiple shops located at de Bijenkorf and the numerous Bart shops in Amsterdam city. The hats are, however, a bit overpriced between 20-30 Euros for a piece.
The shop does not only make hats but also items for cold weather like gloves and scarves.
Dutch Cheese
Talk about cheese, and you will be describing the Netherlands in detail. It’s one of the best Amsterdam souvenirs to carry back home. If you are looking for what to buy in Amsterdam supermarkets, Dutch cheese can be a great choice.
What’s better? A vacuumed cheese can last for weeks without refrigeration, which ensures that you enjoy the Dutch tradition for a longer time.
Now, here is the million-dollar question. Which is the best Dutch cheese to buy as a souvenir in Amsterdam? Three types of cheese have been battling the coveted number one spot. It’s not yet clear, which is the winner.
Edam cheese is very classic, but Gouda is the most popular among the locals. On the other hand, Boerenkass is the most affordable. I won’t make a decision for you on which one to choose.
Stop by the shops and make that decision.
Tulips
The Netherlands is famous for planting tulips and is the home for the largest tulips farm in the world. It is the reason why the plant is the state symbol for the Netherlands. There is no doubt that the Dutch have a special place for Tulips in their hearts.
Some countries do not allow entry of Dutch tulips to their soils. For instance, the USA only allows a few types of Dutch tulips. Rare types are illegal, and you might face the law if found in possession of some.
Check this out from the store if your country allows the entry of these plants. While there are many stores selling tulips, the best place to get them is at Schiphol airport.
Dutch Art
The weekends, more so Sundays from March to October in Amsterdam are hyped with all kinds of art. The meeting point is in the numerous art markets in Rembrandtplein, which is at the center of Amsterdam.
You will find numerous types of art products from talented artists, coming from all over the country. They can be paintings, art-inspired eyeglasses, or luggage tags. These are both recent-made arts and those created years ago.
It’s however, a bit cheaper to buy them online.
Dutch Licorice
If you didn’t know, Holland has the highest consumption of licorice. So it would be a pretty good idea to carry some home with you to show your solidarity with the locals.
If you think licorice is not complicated, visit one of the grocery markets, and you will be surprised by the many ways you can use the plant. You’ll get many styles like sweet, hard, chew honey, and minty.
While there are many stores to get these “drop” licorice, none is better than Het Oud-Hollandsch Snoepwinkeltje. This old store tries to bring back to life the ancient tradition of licorice.
You will also get a wide variety of Dutch confectionery, including chocolates, sugar- free sweets, and gummy candies.
Amsterdam Souvenirs: Colorful Hand-made Wallet
In 2004, a Dutch couple Erik and Indy found themselves on a path they never thought they would follow. They started a company called mesimu that creates hand-made bags and wallets. Their first products were t-shirts and handcrafted handbags in the markets around Amsterdam.
Soon after the business picked up, they opened a bigger shop on Haarlemmerstraat. However, they relocated to Thailand in 2009 and opened a shop there to sell their creations to the locals.
But today, what they started in Holland has become a booming business to the few people that mastered their craft of creating hand-made wallets. These wallets are made of Japanese cotton fabric and come in multiple colors.
The physical configuration of the wallets includes a zip close, front zipper pockets, and five clear plastic credit and bank card slots. It’s no doubt that these wallets are charming and unique. It’s the perfect gift to give someone that has been longing for unique Amsterdam souvenirs.
See related: 9 Best Weekend Trips from Amsterdam You Need to Consider
Cowboys Belt
The history of cowboy belts dates back to 1980 in an old hospital building. Today, they are the brand cowboy belt maker and have gone further to manufacture leather handbags and jackets.
They create rugged and high-quality materials that will take years to show the first signs of wear or tear.
The company manufactures the items in different styles, with some being made of pure leather agitated in concrete mixer and others having decorations of grommets and metal studs.
Their main goal is to convey everyone’s unique personality with a universal product.
These belts would be an excellent gift for a friend or a loved one. They make an excellent combination with a pair of jeans.
If you’re around Amsterdam and are dying to get one of these, visit the trendy home décor stores in the clothing boutiques.
Stroopwafels
If you love tasting foods from different cultures, stroopwafels are what you need to buy during a trip to Amsterdam. If possible, take a packet or more back home to share with your family.
They have been the signature Dutch cookie for years. Stroopwafels consist of two buttered wafers sandwiched by a caramel syrup. And, they are quite hard to resist.
You can find them from the many stroopwafels market around Amsterdam. They are not costly and are best when taken with a hot mug of coffee or tea. In case you forget, you need not worry as you can get them in the grocery stores at the airport.
Local Spirits, Beer and Wine
There are numerous breweries in Amsterdam producing alcoholic drinks that might be a great Amsterdam souvenir if you love testing shots from different cultures.
Chateau Amsterdam in the northern part of the city produces wines. You can take a quick flight over there for wine tasting.
For beer, there is the Brouwerij t’IJ Oedipus Brewery and Heineken Experience.
When you have made up your mind to carry a few bottles of your favorite drinks back home, buy a bottle protector so that the bottles don’t open in the suitcases.
Delft Blue
These are the trademark white and blue Dutch antiques that tell about the ancient Holland. These were first used in the 16 century hence a masterpiece if you are a collector.
They range from bowls to classic tiles and are available on almost every shop in Amsterdam. Although they will cost you thousands of Euros to get one, you can get cheap and cheerful versions that are made with less expensive materials.
Check out this tile from 1650 we purchased.
The best place to look for them is at Galleria D’Arte Rinascimento that stock new and old products at reasonable prices.
Small White Canal House
This is an ideal gift for your kids, and they will remember it for days as they can use it as a small toy house.
The white canal house is made of ceramic with a beautiful finish of white color. It tends to replicate the actual canal houses in the country.
And guess what? It can double up as your tea light holder. Your kid can play with it, and you still use it as something beneficial in the house.
Few stores are specifically set aside to sell these white canal houses. Check them out before you return to the airport.
Upcycled Products
If you want to get something new from a used product, Amsterdam is the city. The locals here love to innovate unique products from items that are no longer important.
This is their way of reducing wastes, which is very eco-friendly. If you are an eco-system enthusiast, there is no doubt that you’ll find something you will fall in love with.
The most common products that you are likely to come across are belts made from old bicycle tires.
Instead of burning tires that emit carbon dioxide, which causes the greenhouse effect, they are turned into fashionable products with aesthetic value.
The craftsmen say that they have enough bikes to make belts for the whole Netherlands population.
Jewelry
There are numerous jewel shops in Amsterdam where you will get jewels like necklaces, rings, and chains. Some artists make pendants and special glasses. These are original drawings with glass glazed on the back.
The most common jewel brand is RiverStones, which makes every kind of Jewel. You can get most of their products at the Amsterdam stores.
See Related: Best Tours in Amsterdam
Conclusion on Amsterdam Souvenirs
There is no doubt that Amsterdam is one of the best cities to visit. Talk about their rich culture, lovely food, impressive architecture, and friendly, welcoming people. You will love your stay in the city.
Just make sure that you carry either one or several of the Amsterdam souvenirs that we have talked about. They will remind you of the experience you had in the country and make you want to go back again.
When booking for your trips, our blog on top sites for booking tours will be an excellent source for the right information.
Related Resources
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