Usual hours
The Netherlands has no national opening hours: each municipality and each shop decides. In Amsterdam, city-centre shops generally open between 10:00 and 12:00 and close around 18:00 or 19:00 on weekdays. Department stores and the big chains on the Kalverstraat often stay open later. Small independent shops, for example in the Nine Streets, sometimes close earlier and one day a week.
Monday mornings
Many city-centre boutiques only open around noon on Mondays, or stay closed all morning. If you arrive on a Monday, plan visits, museums or a walk for the morning and keep shopping for the afternoon.
Sundays
In Amsterdam, city-centre shops can open every Sunday (this is called koopzondag). Opening is usually around 12:00 and closing around 17:00 or 18:00, but some shops open earlier or later. Supermarkets, including the Albert Heijn stores in the centre, also open on Sundays, with hours that vary by branch. Markets have their own days: see our guide to Amsterdam's markets.
Thursday: the koopavond
Thursday is the koopavond (late shopping night), when many shops stay open until 21:00. Some shops offer it on another evening too. It is the best time to shop away from the Saturday crowds.
Public holidays
Know these holidays in 2026: 1 January, Easter (5 and 6 April), King's Day (27 April), Ascension (14 May), Whitsun (24 and 25 May), Christmas (25 and 26 December). On Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Easter Sunday, many shops are closed; on the other holidays, hours vary a lot from one shop to the next. On Christmas Eve (24 December) and on 31 December, many shops close earlier. On King's Day, traffic and markets in the centre are disrupted: see King's Day. Before going out on a public holiday, check the shop's website or the hours it publishes.
Sales
Amsterdam's sale periods follow the usual Dutch calendar: one big period in January (winter sales) and one in July (summer sales). Department stores also run other events, such as Black Friday at the end of November and sales in September. Exact dates vary from shop to shop and year to year: check each shop's website. The Netherlands does not set fixed sale dates as France does.
Practical tips
- Card payments are very common; some shops do not accept cash. See money, payment and tipping.
- To buy souvenirs, compare before you buy: see our tips on souvenirs in Amsterdam.
- If you need something on a Sunday evening or a public holiday, find an open supermarket or convenience store in advance.
- A stay in December combines festivities and changed hours: see Christmas in Amsterdam.
