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Insider Tips, Travel Guides for Amsterdam Tourists & Expats
Insider Tips, Travel Guides for Amsterdam Tourists & Expats
The centre of Amsterdam has a number of large bookshops selling English language books. Both US and UK published books are well represented - however you will pay a premium over the usual local cover price. There are a number of bookshops located around the Spui square area - a weekly book market is held outside every Friday. |
The American Book Center (ABC) -This Amsterdam institution has been here since 1972 with a huge selection of American (and British) titles. In November 2006 they moved from Kalverstraat to Spui. They also have a second book store in The Hague.
Students, teachers, over 65's get a 10% discount off books at the ABC. (Over 55's get the discount on Mondays only). If you plan to purchase a number of books then you could buy a yearly discount card for 7 euros which also gives you the 10% discount.
ABC always have a decent range of books on special offer. They also sell magazines and newspapers on the ground floor. Regular social events such as book-reading, open mike nights etc are held.
ABC,
Spui 12, 1012 XA Amsterdam
Tel:+31 (0)20 625 5537
ABC are open till 8pm Monday to Saturday (9pm on late night shopping Thursday) and are also open Sunday between 11am and 6.30pm.
Waterstones Amsterdam - This 4 floor British bookshop has an excellent selection of titles from the UK. You can find it across the road from the ABC on the corner of Spui and the main shopping street Kalverstraat. They have regular '3 for 2' book deals.
Waterstones, 152 Kalverstraat, 1012
XE Amsterdam
Tel:+31 (0)20 638 3821
Selexyz Scheltema - Massive Dutch bookstore with 125,000 titles in store over 5 floors. You can find many English titles available. There is also a nice cafe (Bagel & Beans) up on the first floor, something which both Waterstones and ABC lack.
Selexyz
Scheltema, Koningsplein 10, 1012 WZ Amsterdam
Tel:+31 (0)20 523 1411
Other Stores
The English Bookshop at Lauriergracht 71 (Tel:+31 (0)20 626 4230) is a small shop that sells an interesting range of new and second-hand English books. It's a little more out of the way being located in the Jordaan area, but the staff are friendly and helpful.
De Slegte is a Dutch discount book chain. You will find quite a few English books in store especially in the travel ('reizen') section. Located at Kalverstraat 48-52 (Tel:+31 (0)20 622 5933)
The New English Bookstore is a small cut-price English book outlet on Kalverstraat very near Muntplein. They also have a shop on Leidsestraat.
Shopping in Amsterdam > English Bookshops