Shopping

Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a city known for antiques, books and diamonds. In the small-scale city center, visitors should have no problem walking all the shopping streets in just one day.

A popular area to shop is Nieuwedijk-Kalverstraat, completely closed to vehicle traffic. Nieuwedijk maintains a unique Amsterdam feel while providing stores that offer sportswear, music and gift boutiques. Kalverstraat offers many mainstream clothing and gift shops, and a selection of bars and restaurants.

If you’re not on a tight budget then the street to shop is Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat. Usually referred to as P.C. Hooftstraat, this strip is home to many couture boutiques.

Spiegelgracht and Nieuwe Spiegelstraat are popular antique marketplaces in Amsterdam. The small street Nieuwe Spiegelstraat leads towards the center of the old city and houses over 70 antique stores and art galleries. Even if you’re not a collector, a walk around this area will give you the opportunity to discover old clocks and pewter and Oriental and African Art.

Luxembourg
Shopping in Luxembourg can be found in two main areas, the Oberstadt and the Unterstadt. In Unterstadt, the main street to walk along is Avenue de la Gare, which boasts many jewelers and fashion boutiques. Continuing along Avenue de la Gare leads you to the Oberstadt shopping area.

Oberstadt is home to the Grand-Rue, the most notable shopping street in Luxembourg. Grand-Rue is a shopper’s delight with endless choices of chic leather and shoe boutiques, as well as couture designer shops. Luxembourg breaks free from traditional shopping at a market at Place Guillaume. Every Wednesday and Saturday Place Guillaume is alive with color while vendors sell produce, flowers and an assortment of other goods.

Brussels
Rue Neuve and Avenue Louise are the two main shopping areas in Brussels. Rue Neuve begins at Place de la Monnaie and continues to Place Rogier. This street is where you will find larger shopping centers and European department stores. By contrast, Avenue Louise is reminiscent of the Champs-Élysées in Paris—high-end boutiques and designer shops.

If a local market is more your style, then Grote Market is a must. Located in The Grand Place, it has been named the most spectacular market square in Europe. This square is surrounded by Flemish Renaissance structures and is bustling with vendors.