Logo De 9 Straatjes

Wednesday 17 November 2021

More about De 9 Straatjes Shopping Amsterdam. Also every sunday!

Shopping in the middle of the Canal Belt, in De 9 Straatjes, the area of the nine little streets and Singel, Herengracht, Keizersgracht en Prinsengracht. Just behind the Palace on Damsquare. Or on the way from Anne Frank to Rijksmuseum. It is a paradise for pedestrians and it offers a stunning overview of building styles from Amterdam golden century. ‘For that true taste of A’dam. Nine little streets that are big on personality.’ (NG)


De 9 Straatjes form the ideal backdrop for enjoying the variation the city has to offer, for locals as well as visitors from around the world. Along its cobbled avenues you will find an eclectic mix of independent shops, galleries and hidden bars and restaurants.

The Nine Streets is a collective name given to the area of nine small, cosy streets and the 4 main canals. The Reestraat, Hartenstraat, Berenstraat, Wolvenstraat, Oude Spiegelstraat, Runstraat and Huidenstraat. The Gasthuismolensteeg en Wijde Heisteeg also belong to them. Crafts, trade and culture have traditionally been dominant in the area.

This nine streets area is in the heart of Amsterdam’s canal district with the four main canals. Most of the buildings date from the beginning of the 17th century and are little, monumental shopping houses. After 400 years crafts, trades and culture are still dominant.

De 9 Straatjes is home to a great number of vintage stores, alternative fashion, and specialized theme stores. The streets are also an excellent location for a good cup of coffee and a short escape from the busier streets of Amsterdam.

Just two minutes walk from the Royal Palace at the Dam Square these picturesque streets straddle the 17th Century canals from the Singel to the Prinsengracht. Spend a fabulous day wandering from one to the next exploring the designer and vintage boutiques, art galleries, jewelers, gift shops, fashion shops, specialist businesses or the plenty of great bars, cafes and restaurants.

‘All the world is built around Amsterdam,’ wrote the famous Dutch poet Joost van den Vondel in the 17th century. That golden age was a period of unprecedented wealth and prosperity for Amsterdam. The old area of the town within the Singel canal burst out of its seams, so the ring of canals was designed to accommodate the sorely needed town expansion. The three main canals, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht, were dug around the mediaeval town centre and were connected by side-streets. The names of the streets still recall the craft of leather working. The streets offer a magnificent overview of the building styles within the old centre of Amsterdam. In addition to charming Vingboons buildings dating from the 17th century, there is a wide variety of special buildings and houses.