cosy & picturesque

De 9 Straatjes (The 9 Streets / Alleyways) is a collective name given to the nine cosy and picturesque shopping alleyways in the Unesco Heritage listed Amsterdam Canal Belt. For almost 400 years they form a charming neighbourhood with a great, bustling atmosphere. The quarter is a paradise for pedestrians and form the ideal backdrop for enjoying the variation Amsterdam has to offer, for locals as well as visitors from around of the world.

From the artisanal of leatherworking to the most fascinating shopping and cultural area of Amsterdam!

The nine little streets with its small monumental shops run between the main canals Prinsen-, Keizers-, Herengracht en Singel. The grand canals that Rembrandt knew well. The names of the streets remind us of the old artisans dealing with all kinds of skins for the leather-industry. From Huidenstraat (Skins Street) to Beren- (Bears), Wolven- (Wolves) and Reestraat (Deer Street). Linked by postcard-pretty bridges, the first floor of practically any monument is occupied by an authentic shop, a gallery  or a café.

De 9 Straatjes: the ideal neighbourhood to get to know Amsterdam in all its variety and richness!


The area offers a great overview of the architectural style of Amsterdam heritage. Even after 400 years it is still very lively with artisanal businesses, charming bars, hotspot restaurants and galleries, and a unique offer of specialized and mostly authentic shops. From mishmash to chic, from ethnic to old Dutch, from doll doctor and Spectacles museum to unique jewellery, galleries, naughty lingerie and handmade shoes and bags ‘con amore’. And from old to new, or better said: from antique and vintage to contemporary.

9 Streets - 9 examples

Gasthuismolensteeg 7 – HET NATIONAAL BRILMUSEUM/MUSEUM OF SPECTACLES 

The National Museum of Spectacles allows you to travel through 700 years of art, culture and history of spectacles. All this presented in two marvellous museum chambers, established in a shattering premises dating back 1620.  On the ground floor is the Museum of Spectacles Shop. Are you looking for the authentic Buddy Holly spectacles or the timeless century-old Schubert spectacles? Do go here. It is a small but unique and fascinating museum.

 
Hartenstraat 37 – HESTER VAN EEGHEN  

Hester van Eeghen has been designing leather bags, wallets and accessories since 1987. She has been quoted as one of the most influential Dutch designers of bags. Every Hester van Eeghen bag is infused with her five essential elements – beauty, passion, shape, colour and surprise. She artistically blends these elements to create functional designs that soar beyond their basic purpose. Geometric shapes and colours characterize her work and it often contains a surprise effect or hidden feature. All objects are designed in Amsterdam, hand-crafted in limited editions and sold in several countries.

 
Reestraat 20 – KRAMER/PONTIFEX

 This is a shop with two concepts wrapped in one location. Pontifex sells candles and candelabras and yet is also home to Amsterdam’s puppet doctor. You will find a wide variety of candles in all sizes and colours and for any occasion, including weddings, parties, and ’spiritual affairs’. The store also carries an extensive collection of homemade essential oils, ointments and incense. You also will find yourself wandering amidst an amazing collection of antique dolls, Jesus- and Maria statues and Buddha figures.

 
Berenstraat 29 – ROECKL AMSTERDAM

Elegance is what you feel when you enter this Roeckl shop. The German firm Roeckl is making gloves for 170 years. Made by hand in the tradition of superior craftsmanship. It is the combination of beauty full materials, design and quality that makes Roeckl so unique in Europe. You will find gloves for women and for men. From very classic, to trendy or casual. Roeckl also offers handmade silk shawls in different sizes and patterns, cashmere, leather slippers, hats and more accessories.

Wolvenstraat 7 – LAURA DOLS

Laura Dols is often mentioned as the must-see vintage shop in Amsterdam. Here you will find a great collection glamorous vintage, unique clothing, shoes, hats, evening bags, jewellery and corsages from the  20’s till the 70’s.  Everything to make a complete glitter & glamour ensemble, from ballroom to wedding dresses, veils and accessories, all aimed at the bride to be. There also is ‘the linen chamber’ with a splendid collection of antique lace pillowcases, embroidered tablecloths and the extended collection farmers bed linens with flowered patterns, sometimes over 100 years old.

Oude Spiegelstraat/Singel 348 - EVENAAR

Whoever likes to know more about a country heads to literary travel bookstore Evenaar (equator). Here they not only sell the best travel stories, but also world literature, culture and history about most of the world. And of course about: Amsterdam and Holland. Not the common tourist guide but the real thing. They not only have the best advice they also sell pieces of Amsterdam Streets and Holland Glory. Handmade en painted authentic historic Amsterdam houses, inspired by the Dutch Unesco heritage and even today to be found all over De 9 Straatjes.

 Runstraat 7 – DE KAASKAMER VAN AMSTERDAM

 Look, smell and taste. Craftsmanship and tradition in the best cheese store in Amsterdam, filled from floor to ceiling with the finest cheeses. De Kaaskamer is a genuine cheese specialty shop selling some 400 different cheeses from all over Europe. As well as lots and lots of Dutch cheeses. All of them have been prepared according to ancient traditional cheese-making methods. Don't worry about the old transportation problem, the De Kaaskamer’s trademark travel packaging is safe enough in every way. The best Dutch cheeses can also be sent all over the world by e-cheese.nl.

 Huidenstraat 17 – RAIN

 Rain stands for natural bath & body products and hand crafted home ware using natural ingredients with African origins. All products are responsibly handmade with care, passion and laughter in Swellendam, South Afrika. Unique products with special details which also provide employment for the local community. The Rain store is designed to showcase the exquisite handwork as well as provide the customer with a unique interactive body and bath experience. Rain uses only the very best ingredients and the body and skincare products are not just a pleasure to use, they actually feed and nourish the skin.

Wijde Heisteeg/Singel 410 – ALFONS DE LETTER

Alfons de Letter is a company that exists more than 40 years and has specialized in the production of stamps and engraving and manufacturing unique personal and business information boards. You can order your own original street sign, safety sign or placard prohibiting sign. Or just a housenumberplate made in Enamel. The store on the corner with the oldest canal, Singel, is still in ‘classic’ shape. It is one of the few places left where you can order the classic house number plates. They also sells Enamel clocks and thermometers which can be hand painted on request.