De Bijenkorf
Dam 1, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1012 JS
The most storied, high-end department store brand in the Netherlands, de Bijenkorf was founded more than 150 years ago, growing over time from a small haberdashery shop to a seven-location chain. With a grand flagship location right on Amsterdam’s central Dam Square, the shopping destination features hundreds of premium and designer brands across five floors, plus several dining options.
The basics
de Bijenkorf translates to “the beehive” in Dutch, and the name feels appropriate: This dizzyingly vast temple of high fashion offers enough shopping opportunities to occupy visitors for hours on end. Spread across five levels, there are extensive men’s and women’s departments, as well as areas dedicated to childrenswear, homewares, cosmetics, and more.
While shopping is certainly the main activity here, de Bijenkorf offers other attractions. Patisserie de Bijenkorf is a charming place to unwind over a pastry and a coffee, while The Kitchen restaurant serves a range of freshly cooked dishes across a range of cuisines. When the weather is fine, head to the outdoor roof terrace to admire the scenery.
Things to know before you go
- de Bijenkorf is accessible to wheelchair users with elevators throughout.
- Bag checks are sometimes conducted at the entrance for security reasons.
- Visitors should only eat and drink in the dedicated hospitality spaces and consuming outside food or beverages is prohibited.
- Those visiting from outside the EU who spend more than €50 can enjoy tax-free shopping opportunities. Visit the Tax Refund Lounge for more information. .
- de Bijenkorf offers on-site repairs for clothing, shoes and leather goods, plus personal styling services.
How to get there
de Bijenkorf’s flagship Amsterdam location is found at Dam 1, 1012 JS Amsterdam. It’s easy to reach via public transportation—a number of tram lines stop locally, including the 2, 4, 12, 13, 14, and 17. Additionally, de Bijenkorf is less than 10 minutes on foot from Amsterdam’s Centraal Station, the city’s main transit hub.
When to get there
de Bijenkorf is open daily, typically from mid-morning until evening, although the opening hours for the patisserie and restaurant may differ. The landmark is a major shopping destination throughout the year, but it’s worth visiting during the festive season to admire its window displays or during its Dwaze Dagen (Crazy Days) event in autumn, when three days of major sales are held.
Best shopping destinations in Amsterdam
In addition to de Bijenkorf, Amsterdam offers a wealth of shopping opportunities. Just moments away, the Magna Plaza mall is housed within the former Amsterdam Main Post Office, P.C. Hooftstraat in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid is a destination for designer brands, and De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets) is ideal for vintage hunters.
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