Ij-Hallen Amsterdam
Flea market madness
I am a flea market aficionada. There are always treasures to be found among other people's unwanted goods. I like the digging and the bargain hunt, I like the non-curated disorder of it all but, most of all, I love to look at objects and imagine their story, and how they have served someone else before arriving in my hands. There's no place like the Ij-Hallen, in Amsterdam North, for a good hunt.
With 500 stalls, the Ij-Hallen is nothing less than the biggest flea market in Europe. It is a sensation, not only for the ones who buy but also for the ones selling: keep in mind that The Netherlands is the motherland of trade. You feel the early morning excitement filling up the air at the NDSM, as small groups of people arrive with their cars or cargo bikes full of everything you can imagine: clothes, furniture, books, trinkets, vinyl, and basically any object ever invented by man. It is also the only flea-market that I know of with paid entrance (5 euro) but, then again, you're in for a party (see face in the picture). And, yeah baby, you're going to score.
Finish the shopping enterprise with a beer at Noorderlicht, the hippie-looking cafe right next to Ij-Hallen. If it's a Sunday there will be live music, and if it's sunny as well, then the circle is round, and life is perfect.
Find your way with 153 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Amsterdam
Hicret
A cute turkish bakery
They have Pide, which is an open bread shaped like an eye and with different fillings: egg & minced meat, feta & spinach, or bell peppers & feta cheese.
by
Isidore
van Westing
Festina Lente
Favorite workspot
Because it is not known as a place where lots of people work, it is actually a very nice place to work from remotely. And the staff is always so nice!
by
Isidore
van Westing
Bakkerij mediterrane
A staple among bakeries!
Get one of the basic pastries like croissants or a pain au chocolat, or go for one of their specialties like bread filled with feta cheese and spinach...
by
Isidore
van Westing
Xi'an Delicious Foods
Best Noodles ever
They offer salads, spring rolls, and what they are really famous for - Noodles. And let me tell you, these noodles are something else...
by
Isidore
van Westing
White label coffee
Funky specialty coffee!
White Label Coffee is a roastery and a coffee place with a really cool interior. They make their own blends that you can buy here as well.
by
Isidore
van Westing
Rotishop Gieta
Best roti of your life!
Gieta makes the best Roti - a mix of potatoes, green beans, and chicken/tempé that you roll into a pancake. It may sound strange but it is amazing!
by
Isidore
van Westing
Lab111
Pizza and a Movie theater!
This movie theater shows movies you don't see every day and sometimes they choose a director whose movies they then show. Wes Anderson month for example.
by
Isidore
van Westing
Chapter 1896
Speakeasy in a former library
Tucked inside Amsterdam’s Hotel de l’Europe, Chapter 1896 charms with vintage décor, serene Amstel River views, and exquisite cocktails like The Principles of Love.
by
Olya
Kartcheva
Canvas
Breathtaking views
One of the standout features of Canvas is its breathtaking views over Amsterdam. The restaurant is situated on the top floor of a creative hotel, offering panoramic views of the city.
by
Olya
Kartcheva
Heading to Amsterdam?
153 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to Amsterdam?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 153 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Amsterdam
Our team loves Amsterdam
Get to know our other Spotters from Amsterdam
As featured on:
