Albert Cuyp Market sits right in the heart of Amsterdam, and honestly, it’s the kind of place that shows you what daily life looks like here. I’m always drawn to local markets when travelling because that’s where you see the real deal. Fresh produce, weird snacks you’ve never heard of, random products that make you go “huh, interesting”. You always walk away having learned something new.
Google “best market in Amsterdam” and Albert Cuyp Market shoots straight to the top. Been around since 1905, so it’s got history. Locals shop here, tourists flock here. It works.
Steamed dim sum at the market? Yes please!
Fresh fruits. Fresh juices. Market goodness.
Quite a number of stalls selling flowers.
The website claims 260 stalls and calls Albert Cuyp Market the biggest in Europe. That’s a stretch. Biggest in the Netherlands? Sure, I’ll give them that. But if you’re into outdoor market vibes, this spot still delivers.
Getting to Albert Cuyp Market
Take the metro to De Pijp station. Exit, look around, boom—there’s the market. It runs along one straight road called Albert Cuypstraat. Can’t miss it.
Albert Cuyp Market opens 9:30am to 5:00pm, six days a week. Closed on Sundays. We rocked up just before 9:30am on a drizzly morning. Vendors were still setting up, rain was doing its thing, so we ducked into a cafe first. Coffee, warmth, then back to the action.
A massive assortment of snacks—dried fruits, nuts, chocolates and more.
Jewellery and accessories lovers, this one’s for you.
So many pretty tableware pieces—honestly felt tempted to bring them all home.
Lots of fresh seafood on display.
Stroopwafel: thin waffle biscuits with a caramel-like filling. A must-try here!
Only in the Netherlands… tulips for such a steal!
What You’ll Find at Albert Cuyp Market
The mix here keeps things interesting:
- Food stalls serving everything from Dutch classics to international bites
- Fresh produce, seafood, flowers, nuts, dried fruits
- Souvenirs, clothing, jewellery, random accessories
- Fridge magnets from €1 if that’s your collecting thing
- Extended shop areas selling bedding, toiletries, luggage, fabrics, tableware & more
If you need extra luggage to bring home your shopping haul, this is definitely the spot to look.
Albert Cuyp Market’s version of Venus Beauty 😂
Souvenirs are incredibly affordable here too!
Many stalls are outdoor extensions of the shops lining Albert Cuypstraat, so you get this hybrid indoor-outdoor shopping experience.
Food You Need to Try at Albert Cuyp Market
Stroopwafel
Freshly made when you order. The outside’s crumbly and crispy. Inside’s all sticky caramel goodness. Sweet, yeah, but fragrant and proper delicious.
Fair warning—birds will circle you like vultures waiting for crumbs. I may have dropped a few pieces on purpose. They deserved a treat.
Cured Herring
Comes with onions and pickles. The fish tastes a bit salty, texture’s like sashimi but stickier.
Expected it to be fishy but nope. The onions and pickles add crunch and tang that balance everything out. Surprisingly decent.
Kibbeling
This is THE Dutch snack. Deep-fried battered chunks of white fish, made fresh when you order. Crispy outside, moist and juicy inside. They offer several dipping sauces—we went for tartar. Get a portion to share though. Eating a whole one solo might leave you feeling sickly.
When you see a dress and immediately think of your cat-loving mum 😹
Best Time to Visit Albert Cuyp Market
Want a relaxed vibe? Show up around 10am before the crowds hit Albert Cuyp Market. You’ll have space to breathe, won’t be elbowing strangers, can actually see what you’re buying.
Need all the food vendors open? Come after 11am. Just accept you’ll be jostling through crowds. Your call.
Final Thoughts
Markets like Albert Cuyp Market give you that authentic local experience you can’t get from tourist traps. Real people buying real stuff, vendors who’ve been doing this for decades, smells and sounds that stick with you long after you leave Amsterdam.
It’s not the fanciest market you’ll ever visit. Not the biggest either, despite what they claim. But it’s real, it’s got character, and you’ll leave with a full stomach and a better sense of how Amsterdam actually lives. That’s worth more than any polished tourist experience.