Flea markets have always had a certain charm about them. They are an integral part of the culture and heritage of a city. The same can be said for Amsterdam’s flea markets. A trip to Amsterdam cannot be complete without a visit to one of these great flea markets, where you can both aste the culture and heritage of the city, and also find some value for money bargains.

Pick up a flower

Having said that, be prepared for a lot of haggling. Bargaining and negotiating prices is very important when you are taking part in the flea market culture, haggling is a process that most shopkeepers, and even shoppers enjoy. At the same time, you should be extra careful of your belongings. Flea markets in Amsterdam are full of pickpockets and small time thieves and crooks. Make sure that you keep your possessions close by and within sight.

You can find almost anything in these flea markets – from goods of daily use to organic food to flowers, books, clothes and even art pieces. Most of the markets are located within the city and are open all week days i.e. Monday to Saturday. It is impossible to visit all the flea markets in Amsterdam when you are in the city for only a few days, there are too many flea markets to reach! The four markets below, however, are a must visit and will give you more than a taste of Amsterdam street life:

Waterlooplein Flea Market

Open Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Location: Waterlooplein, 1011 PG, at the top of Nieuwmarkt

If you are looking to rope in some great bargains, then Waterlooplein Flea market is just the place for you. It is the biggest and the oldest flea market in Amsterdam and you can find many interesting thing like posters, spray paints, antique pieces of furniture, trendy t shirts and a lot of cool traditional stuff from countries like Africa. If you are really adventurous, you can even get tattoos here.

The Spui Book Market

Open Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Location: Spui Straat, near Muntplein (by Tram)

The Spui book market is a virtual paradise for avid book readers. There are millions of interesting and antique book to be found under the makeshift tents of the market. The flea market ahs absolutely every form of literature- pottery, fiction, biographies and what not. Not only will you get a taste of Dutch literature, you will also find a wide range of international books.

The Noordermarkt Flea Market

Open Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Stationsplein 10, 1012 AB

The Noordermarkt Flea Market is another sprawling hip flea market of Amsterdam. Just like Waterlooplein market, it has a variety of cool intriguing stuff like bags made during World War II, old military outfits and other vintage goods including jewellery and old clothes. It is a must visit for people who enjoy collecting ethnic stuff that is deeply rooted in history.

Art Plein Spui

Open Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed during winters)

Location: Spui Plein, 1012 WZ

If you are a weekend person, then you can always visit the Art Plein Spui- the place where local artists sell their creations on Sundays. The market is especially famous for its oil paintings and you can also find replicas of renowned paintings at cheap prices.

These flea markets of Amsterdam are the perfect place to get a few souvenirs for friends back home, and a great way to soak in the culture of this great city!

Dirt Cheap Amsterdam is the Amsterdam travel guide for all tourists with a very limited budget. The guide shows you the prices of beer, food, hotels and attractions in the Dutch capital. There’s no reason to not visit Amsterdam in 2010.

In Amsterdam there is always something to do. Travellers have for centuries arrived to the city to enjoy themselves. But, for the traveller interested in keeping their expenses low and getting further for much less money, it’s always good to know what kinds of events are happening when you’re visiting the Dutch capital. By having a clear idea of what free or cheap events you can enjoy, you’ll be able to do quite a bit more in Amsterdam this year.

Winter-Spring happenings

The Amsterdam Carnival starts in February and lasts into March. Also taking place in February is the Antiques Fair in the Nieuwe Kerk, Dam Square part of the city. In March, you can attend different aspects of the Amsterdam Art Week. Many events cost money, but street fairs and occasional open houses are available for those on a budget.

Spring-Summer happenings

In April, the Queen’s Birthday marks a huge celebration period, followed by National Museum week, of which there are quite a few in Amsterdam to enjoy. In May, the Amsterdam International Marathon offers visitors the chance to view the city from the eyes of an athlete, running through historic city streets without any obstacles. In additional there is the National Cycling and Windmill Day, both of which offer opportunities to enjoy more aspects of the city. In June, there is the Holland festival of Dance and the Amsterdam Canal Race as well, both of which are free to watch.

Summer-Autumn happenings

The Summer months, like much of Europe are sparse, but you can find the Vondelpark Open-Air Theater performing in July and in August there is the Prinsengracht Canal Concert, as well as the Uitmarkt festival – which provides a number of musical and theatrical performances in the Vondelpark. In September, there is the Amsterdam Flower Pageant on the first and the well-known Jordan Festival later in the month.

Autumn-Winter happenings

In October and November there is the indoor equestrian event and in November, the Christmas season kicks off with the St. Nicholas Entrance Parade. Which leads to the traditional exchange of gifts on December 5th, traditionally known as Saint Nicholas’ Eve. The rest of the December holiday season will play out as festive as the earlier parts, but not nearly so much as other, nearby countries where Christmas occurs later.

If you’re interested in going to Amsterdam in 2010, the events listed above is a great help in choosing when to visit to get the most out of the Dutch capital.

A trip to Amsterdam cannot be complete without a visit to one of the many great things that happens in the Dutch capital, where you can both get a glimpse of the culture and heritage of the city, and also enjoy yourself immensely. But, remember, Amsterdam can be a very expensive city so it pays to research on the web before you put your feet on the plane. Research the best bargain buys, hotels, restaurants and bars to secure yourself a holiday you can enjoy without thinking about how much money is left on your account.

Dirt Cheap Amsterdam shows you how to do Amsterdam on a budget. The guide shows you the prices of beer, food, shopping tips hotels and attractions in the Dutch capital. There’s no reason to not visit Amsterdam in 2010.