http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32738 It has 300 stalls, from cheap chic clothing to fresh fish, from bike accessories to huge amounts of flowers (10 roses for 5 Euros. Guys - it's never been cheaper to buy your way out of trouble).
It's a classic outdoor market, with various vendors barking out their specials all day while locals and tourists amble along and scarf down a fresh stroopwafel (thin syrup waffle) or fries. What it lacks in aesthetics - cheap-looking stalls atop dark grey gum-imprinted asphalt - it makes up for in products and in characters.
I personally get to experience the best and the worst of it. The best being tons of fresh, quality food about 90 seconds walk from my door, one street north of Albert Cuypstraat. This also includes the roasted chicken dripping off the spit, and the butcher who always has a spare bit of smoked turkey for our dog.
Tied for the tops are the people. The characters are real-life, seasoned market-hawkers - mostly very friendly, some gruff, always authentic and fair (this is not one of those markets where you haggle). They'll switch to speaking English in a second too. The old salty dogs selling an awesome variety of fish look like they caught it themselves that morning, and a faulty bike lock is replaced right away. You never feel jobbed (ahem, Istanbul and Barcelona markets - looking at you here).
The worst? The clattering fish and flower trolleys at 5:30 in the morning as they get set up for the day ahead, 6 days a week (the market is closed on Sundays). Ear plugs are a must for this time of day if you sleep anywhere near the market.
And the trash - the street is remarkably clean after 7pm as the city cleaning crews sweep it all up, but between 5 and 7 you can't imagine the heaps of trash and heaps of stink. (Of course, time your trip right at the end of the day and snag deals like 10 kiwis for 1.50Euros, and the stink is less than you think).

The next day, from a blank, flat slate, it rises all over again from the pavement. This is one of those places that you can't experience in many parts of the world.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32738 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31219 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31219 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28142 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28142 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28062 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28062 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24171 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24171 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21690 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21690 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20931
There is a general market on Saturdays on Lindengracht (parallel to Noordermarkt) selling everything from the mundane to the exotic and on Monday mornings the market specialises in cheap and cheerful materials.
Both are great places to mingle with the locals.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20931 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20045 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20045 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18748
And once you've bought some for later, why not pop into Café Gollem to try a couple on tap and maybe a Kaasplank (literally a plank with cheese & bread on it). Very satisfying. There's also a second branch of Café Gollem right by the Albert Cuyp Market in the Pijp district.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18748 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18747 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18747 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18601 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18601 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18156
On summer weekends there is the Kwakoe Afro-Caribbean festival, which makes Notting Hill look like a family picnic. Football, food and kaseko and no multicultural pretensions.

When you get really hot and even the ginger beer doesn't work, take a dive in the sparkling clear waters of the Gaasperplas.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18156 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18155 Friday: Amsterdamse Poort
Saturday: Ganzenhoef]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18155 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15958
The real cakes that they serve are pretty magnificent too. This is the Barbara Cartland of tea-shops.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15958 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14243 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14243 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14206 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14206 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14166
Work off breakfast by exploring the canals, visiting the floating Singel flower market and buying tulip bulbs for green-fingered friends and family. Take in some culture at the Van Gogh museum; alternatively, if the sun is shining, head south for a picnic in Vondelpark.

Spend the evening relaxing over delicious food and wine at Morlang (Keizersgracht 451); on a warm evening, sit on the terrace outside, overlooking one of Amsterdam’s tranquil canals.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14166 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14156 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14156 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14143 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14143 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14127 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14127