Hollands 10 Biggest Markets
If you enjoy market shopping, here are ten of the biggest markets in the Netherlands, which include specialty markets for flowers, cheese, books, holiday items and antiques.
THE HAGUE MARKET (Haagse Markt) – Diverse market offering everything from fresh foods (fruit, vegetables, cheese, fish, meat, bread) and international spices to clothing, jewelry, home decor and electronics. Open every Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat 09:00-17:00. Tram lines 6, 11 and 12 go by the market. More info
DORDRECHT CHRISTMAS MARKET (Dordrechtse Kerstmarkt) – This market takes place over three days in mid-December in South Holland’s oldest city, Dordrecht. Stalls offering an array of Christmas gifts, holiday decor and tasty treats line a 3.5 km route. The event includes ice skating, live performances and the lighting of the town Christmas tree in front of the City Hall. More info
UTRECHT FLOWER MARKET (Utrechtse Bloemenmarkt) – Utrecht’s largest flower market takes place right in the old town center on the square next to St John’s Church (Janskerkhof). It’s open every Saturday from 08:00-17:00. More info
GOUDA CHEESE MARKET (Goudse Kaasmarkt) – One of Holland’s oldest and largest cheese markets takes place in the Dutch city with the world-renown name…Gouda. The market operates every Thursday morning 10:00-12:30 from beginning of April to end of August. Traditionally dressed cheese farmers demonstrate how chese was first traded hundred of years ago. More info
AMSTERDAM BOOK MARKET (Boekmarkt op het Spui) – One of the largest outdoor book markets in Holland takes place on Spui square in the Amsterdam city center. It operates every Friday, year-round, from 10:00-18:00. Find all types of hard and soft-cover books, pamphlets, documents, magazines, etc. More info
BOOK FESTIVAL (Boekenfestijn) – The largest indoor book market in Holland takes place each January over the course of 4 days at Ahoy Rotterdam. Over a million books covering all categories are offered across an area larger than a football field. More info
DE BAZAAR – The largest covered general market in the Netherlands is in Beverwijk, about 25 minutes northwest of Amsterdam. The themed halls include ‘De Zwarte Markt’ (Black Market), De ‘Oosterse Markt’ (Eastern Market), ‘Buitenmarkt’ (Outdoor Market) and ‘De Grand Markt’ (Big Market). The market operates every weekend from 08:30-18:00. More info
ALBERT CUYP MARKET – This Amsterdam street market with over 250 stalls is not just the largest in Holland but one of the largest in Europe. Here you can find everything…fresh foods, flowers, souvenirs, clothes, jewelry, fabrics, home decor and more. The market operates Monday to Saturday 09:30-17:30. You can reach the market with trams 3, 4, 12, 16 or 24. More info
IJ-HALLEN – You’ll find Holland’s largest secondhand and flea market in Amsterdam-Noord, just across the river from the city center. The market operates every 3rd weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 09:00-16:30. During the warmer months the market is outdoors with 750 stalls. The rest of the time it is indoors with 500 stalls. Admission is €5 for adults and €2 for children. You can get to the market by ferry 906 from the pier in back of Amsterdam Centraal Station. More info
MARKTHAL ROTTERDAM – One of the largest indoor food markets in Europe, it is also one of the most unique. The market is situated under a 13-story horse shoe-shaped building with a ceiling covered by the world’s largest mural. You can’t lose whether you are visiting Markthal to buy food items, eat at one of the restaurants (like Jamie Oliver’s Italian) or to just get a view of this architectural wonder which has become one of Rotterdam’s top attractions since it was completed just a few years ago. The market operates everyday until 20:00. You can reach it by tram (line 21 or 24) or metro (line A, B or C). More info
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