9 Unique Souvenirs To Bring Home From Amsterdam

Amsterdam is famous for being one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world—with tons of tours and bike rentals available—so a bike-shaped keepsake is the perfect way to remember your time in the capital. In the souvenir shops lining the UNESCO–listed 17th-century Canal Ring, you’ll find bicycle-themed souvenirs ranging from seat covers, bike bells, model bicycles with flower-filled baskets, keychains, and magnets.

Additionally, despite its reputation for flower bulbs and bouquets, Bloemenmarkt also boasts stalls selling handmade souvenirs from Amsterdam, where you’re guaranteed to find at least a few cycle-shaped goods.

Best for: Bike enthusiasts and anyone who loves a magnet for their fridge

Where: You'll find an excellent selection of souvenir stores in Dam Square

This staple of Dutch cuisine is made of two thin wafers sandwiched together with caramel syrup (the “stroop”), making it the perfect snack or souvenir for people with a sweet tooth. You can even make your own at a traditional stroopwafel workshop, where you can personalize a completely custom cake-cookie crossover.

If you'd rather focus on just eating them, head to Rudi's Original Stroopwafels, a shop that’s been serving authentic traditional stroopwaffels since 1978. You can also buy them in tin cans (perfect for packing in your suitcase) from HEMA, a chain of department street stores that are among the best shops in Amsterdam for souvenirs.

Best for: Kids and foodies

Where: Head to Albert Cuyp Market to explore cafés and stalls selling stroopwaffels (including Rudi’s)

Souvenirs and prints of Vincent Van Gogh paintings should be at the top of any list of the best Dutch art souvenirs to bring home. Take a skip-the-line tour of the Van Gogh Museum—which is home to the world’s largest collection of iconic Dutch painter’s work—and take your time in the museum shop, which carries tons of playful gifts, prints, and more. Look for LEGO versions of Sunflowers, silk scarves adorned with Almond Blossoms, handmade jewelry inspired by paintings, and even placemats of Self Portrait With Grey Felt Hat, to name just a few.

Best for: Art lovers

Where: The Van Gogh Museum Shop on Museumplein. The neighboring Rijksmuseum also has an excellent gift shop

You might be noticing a theme here—Dutch people love their sweet treats. Another Dutch delicacy that’s perfect for transporting back home are chocolate sprinkles, typically used to make hagelslag (buttered bread covered with sprinkles); Amsterdam locals typically enjoy this indulgent snack for breakfast. For the inside scoop on hagelslag and local favorites, opt for a food tour that takes you to some of Amsterdam's local markets and explores the trendy neighborhood of Jordaan, where boutique stores sell artisan items alongside fancy packs of sprinkles.

Best for: Dessert and chocolate lovers

Where: You can pick up a packet of sprinkles in any Dutch supermarket, such as Albert Heijn, Lidl, and Jumbo

There are few places more famous for flowers than Amsterdam. Every year at nearby Keukenhof Gardens, more than 7 million flowers bloom during spring. Exploring the gardens on a self-paced tour that takes care of tickets and transportation is sure to get you feeling green-thumbed, but if you want to take bulbs back to your home country, make sure you’re clear on the customs regulations before you buy them. If you can’t, don’t worry—hand-painted wooden tulips are a lovely alternative.

Best for: Gardeners and photographers

Where: Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse. You’ll also find displays on a smaller scale in Vondelpark

Related: Know Before You Go: Visiting Keukenhof Gardens

Even though you’ll see both in Amsterdam, cheese and clogs especially abound in the nearby Zaanse Schans, just 20 minutes from the capital. Not only are there plenty of places to buy these wooden shoes, but you can also learn more about their past and process at the Clog Museum (home to the country's largest collection of clogs) and even watch them being made during a workshop. A day trip to Zaanse Schans with round-trip transfers in a vehicle ensures you can load up the trunk with bags of shopping, rather than lugging your haul onto public transportation.

Best for: Collectors and fashionistas looking to liven up their footwear choices

Where: The Clog Museum is part of Zaanse Schans open-air museum near the town of Zaandam in North Holland

If you’re a beer buff, the Heineken Experience is a must during your time in the Dutch capital. Learn about the production process and the best way to sample your beer during a tasting session, before picking up a range of beer-themed bits in the gift shop, which is the only official Heineken store in the world. Here, gifts range from bucket hats to bottle openers, many in the signature shade of emerald green.

Guarantee your entry to the popular attraction by prebooking your ticket and drinks package in advance. The former brewery is also home to a rooftop bar that offers panoramic views of Amsterdam.

Best for: Beer lovers aged 18 and over

Where: The Heineken Experience is in central Amsterdam and the main brewery (which is not open to the public) is in Zoeterwoude

Tin-glazed and famous for blue-and-white illustrations, Delftware is one of the Netherlands’ most prized artisan crafts. If you're wondering where to buy Delftware, you don't have to go all the way to Delft to find it—though visiting the Delft Pottery of Delftse Pauw on a day trip is a must for crockery connoisseurs. The best place in Amsterdam to buy authentic Delft pottery is Heinen Delft's Blauw Concept Stores in the Mint Tower, where you'll find bona fide plates, milk jugs, and much more. You can also create your own Delft-style souvenir during a private, hands-on workshop.

Best for: People with an eye for interior design

Where: Delft, the origin of the pottery and birthplace of Vermeer, is in South Holland between the cities of Rotterdam and The Hague

Unlike in nearby France, cheeses made in the Netherlands tend to have mild flavors and are famous for the large air holes that appear throughout each wedge. While you can find Dutch cheeses in various forms in Amsterdam’s supermarkets, delicatessens, and markets, it's always best to buy them straight from the source—especially when Edam, one of the country’s cheese capitals, is within easy day-tripping distance.

Many day trips combine cheese tasting (and buying) Edam with a visit to the windmill-filled open-air museum of Zaanse Schans (which is also full to the brim of cute keepsakes) and the charming fishing village of Volendam, home to a colorful harbor.

Best for: Foodies and fans of fromage (cheese)

Where: Head to The Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes) to browse delis such as De Kaskaamer, whose shelves are piled high with Dutch cheese