Waterloo Square Flea Market, Amsterdam
Waterloo Square near the Amstel River in Amsterdam was named after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Prominent buildings here include the Stopera complex (home to the city hall of Amsterdam and the Dutch National Opera and Ballet) as well as the Moses and Aaron Church.
Waterloo Square was created in 1882 when the local Leper's and Wood canals were filled in. The square became a marketplace when the city government decided that the Jewish merchants from the nearby areas had to move their stalls here. Thus, in 1893, the square became a daily market (operational all week long, except on Saturdays, the Jewish sabbath).
During World War II, the Jewish quarter was emptied of its residents as the Nazis rounded them up and sent them to concentration camps. The Waterloo Square market had disappeared by 1941.
After the war, the deserted Jewish quarter's Waterloo Square market transformed into a bustling flea market. Popular among tourists and locals, it was revived to offer a rustic bazaar atmosphere, providing a space to shop, haggle, and browse a diverse selection of goods.
The market has some 300 stalls and is open every day except Sunday. Given the wide variety of merchandise on offer, it is not meant for rushed browsing. Making quick decisions can be challenging, so be sure to allocate generous time for your visit.
Tip:
If you're inclined towards saving money, take a preliminary tour of the market before making any purchases. Many items, such as hats and sunglasses, can be found at multiple stalls, with prices varying from one vendor to another.
Waterloo Square was created in 1882 when the local Leper's and Wood canals were filled in. The square became a marketplace when the city government decided that the Jewish merchants from the nearby areas had to move their stalls here. Thus, in 1893, the square became a daily market (operational all week long, except on Saturdays, the Jewish sabbath).
During World War II, the Jewish quarter was emptied of its residents as the Nazis rounded them up and sent them to concentration camps. The Waterloo Square market had disappeared by 1941.
After the war, the deserted Jewish quarter's Waterloo Square market transformed into a bustling flea market. Popular among tourists and locals, it was revived to offer a rustic bazaar atmosphere, providing a space to shop, haggle, and browse a diverse selection of goods.
The market has some 300 stalls and is open every day except Sunday. Given the wide variety of merchandise on offer, it is not meant for rushed browsing. Making quick decisions can be challenging, so be sure to allocate generous time for your visit.
Tip:
If you're inclined towards saving money, take a preliminary tour of the market before making any purchases. Many items, such as hats and sunglasses, can be found at multiple stalls, with prices varying from one vendor to another.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Amsterdam. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Waterloo Square Flea Market on Map
Sight Name: Waterloo Square Flea Market
Sight Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands (See walking tours in Amsterdam)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands (See walking tours in Amsterdam)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Create Your Own Walk in Amsterdam
Creating your own self-guided walk in Amsterdam is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Amsterdam Food Tour
Amsterdam's food scene is a delightful fusion of local traditions and global influences. Making your way through the interlocking canals, pretty bridges, and a maze of streets laden with diverse eateries and bars may easily render you hankering for a bite to eat and/or a drink to wash it down with.
The diverse culinary landscape of Amsterdam caters to a wide range of tastes and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
The diverse culinary landscape of Amsterdam caters to a wide range of tastes and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Amsterdam Introduction Walking Tour
“Dancing to its own beat,” the Dutch capital Amsterdam is famous for its unusual life rhythm that is manifested in the air of canals, coffee shops, and the Red Light District, as well as many other things that altogether draw annually over five million visitors to the city.
A place where “hipness meets history”, Amsterdam emerged in the late 12th century as a small fishing village... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
A place where “hipness meets history”, Amsterdam emerged in the late 12th century as a small fishing village... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.8 Km or 3 Miles
City Center Walking Tour
The inner-most borough and historic heart of Amsterdam, known locally as Centrum, is a tightly woven network of canals and overlapping micro-neighborhoods, each bursting with their own unique vibe and history. Formerly a working-class area, this district is reputed for its traditional community spirit, radical politics and historic brown bars.
Here, all within an easy walking distance you will... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Here, all within an easy walking distance you will... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Western Canal Belt Walking Tour
Western Canal Belt is a historic neighborhood in Amsterdam that forms part of the larger Canal Ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which comprises a web of concentric canals. The three main canals making up the Western Belt are Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht. They are lined with beautiful and somewhat bizarre gabled houses that were built by prosperous merchants in the 17th century,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Red Light District Walking Tour
Amsterdam's Rosse Buurt (Red Light District) has been the subject of much fascination for centuries. The medieval part of it, also the largest, known as De Wallen (or De Walletjes), is particularly famous for its fantastic juxtaposition of age-old architecture, leaning canal houses, narrow alleys lined with old-school bars, quaint shops and late-night pursuits. Of course, the main draw here... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Jordaan Walking Tour
The Jordaan district of Amsterdam is a popular neighborhood renowned for its charming, narrow streets, quaint courtyards, and picturesque canals. Replete with beautiful historic houses, many of which have been converted into cozy cafés, trendy boutiques, and art galleries, this district has a distinctive atmosphere that sets it apart from other areas in the city.
The Jordaan was originally... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
The Jordaan was originally... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
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