Amsterdam has much to offer the avid shopper with more than 10,000 shops. On the one hand, there are international fashion labels, books, arts and antiques, while on the other, there are local specialities to buy, such as tulip bulbs, chocolates, cumin cheese, stoneware bottles of jenever (Dutch gin), blue Delft china and diamonds.

The main shopping areas are Leidsestraat, between the Leidseplein and Spui, Kalverstraat and Nieuwendijk, leading from the Munt Tower via the Dam to near Centraal Station. Pedestrianised Leidsestraat, with its fashion boutiques, large fashion store (Metz & Co), souvenir shops and newsagents, is Amsterdam's answer to Oxford Street and the perfect place for tourists to combine a spot of shopping with canal views and café stops. At the northern end of Leidsestraat is Singel, the floating flower market. Kalverstraat offers a combination of classy department stores, fashion boutiques and the luxurious shopping centre of Kalvertoren, while Nieuwendijk, one of Amsterdam's oldest shopping streets, is home to moderately priced fashion, shoe and CD stores.

Amsterdam has gained a reputation for cool clubbing clobber, with Clubwear House, Spuistraat 242, and ZX Fashion, Kerkstraat 113, two of the funkiest outlets, with the latter also boasting a hair salon that specialises in outlandish styles. Both shops also provide insider information on the city's coolest parties, which few tourists ever get to hear about. DKNY is located on PC Hoofstraat 60, while Armani is at number 39-41 in the same upmarket shopping street. Maison de Bonneterie, Rokin 140-2, is the Harrods of Amsterdam - here you can find top quality men's and women's clothing and fine household goods. Miaow, Hartenstraat 36, is perfect for savvy and moneyed shoppers looking for unique fashion from one of the city's most talented designers, Analik.

The Dam offers a couple of options, including Bijenkorf, Dam 1, the premier department store in Amsterdam, which sells a good range of clothing, accessories, cosmetics and household items. Magna Plaza, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 182, is located in a fairy-tale, neo-gothic pile that was once the General Post Office. Inside are 40 shops ranging from Virgin Megastore to Shu Uemura Cosmetics. Emerging shopping areas include KNSM island, with its designer outlets, and Haarlemmerdijk and Tussen de Bogen, with their speciality and niche shops. Wini, Haarlemstraat 29, is a favourite of the local clubbing set with hip clothes and retro fashion.

Amsterdam has 25 markets for those seeking a bargain; they are open during normal shopping hours (see below), weather permitting. There is an interesting flea market around the City Hall and Opera. The busy, cosmopolitan food and clothes market is in Albert Cuypstraat. The colourful bloemenmarkt (flower market) on the Singel is not to be missed, while the organic food boerenmarkt (farmers' market) is in Noordermarkt, which is open Saturday 0900-1600 (in winter until 1500). The vogelmarkt (bird market), also at Noordermarkt, is open Saturday 0800-1300.

Traditional shopping hours are Tuesday to Friday 0900 or 1000-1800 and Saturday 0900-1700. However, some shops now stay open later, particularly on Thursday. Generally, shops are closed all day on Sunday and on Monday morning. There is a 20% sales tax on luxury goods and 5% on other items.

Visitors from outside the EU can obtain a tax refund at shops displaying the tax-free shopping sign. Shoppers must fill in the appropriate forms and present this to customs at the airport, before check-in. The signed form is then handed to ABN AMRO banks in the departure terminals. Global Refund (tel: (023) 524 1909; website: www.globalrefund.com) can provide further information.