Visitors to Amsterdam looking for holiday readings have many options. These are some of the main sources for English books in Amsterdam.
English bookstores in Amsterdam
The American Book Center Amsterdam
Spui 12
1012 XA Amsterdam
Tel.: +31 (0) 20 625 5537
Located in Het Spui, the mecca for book lovers in Amsterdam, this beautifully decorated bookstore features a huge variety of books spread over four floors. . The enthusiastic hobbyists serve as buyers to ensure that each section is chaired by someone passionate and interested in their topic. The long and very non-Dutch business hours are a bonus for out-of-town customers who are not used to typically Dutch closed at 5 o’clock practices.
The Book Exchange
Kloveniersburgwal 58
1012 CX Amsterdam
Tel.: +31 (0) 20 626 6266
This one-man operation, established in 1978, is the city’s best independent source for used books. The upper level is dedicated to paperback fiction for that perfect vacation reading, while the lower level is filled with more specialized sections like Travel; the basement contains fantasy fiction but also veers towards more intellectual readings.
New English bookstore
Kalverstraat 223
1012 XC Amsterdam
Tel.: +31 (0) 20 624 9789
Although quite devoid of atmosphere, the New English Bookstore scores points for its value and convenient location. The bookstore specializes in publisher overstock – that is, the books left behind when the publisher overestimates the demand for a title, which it sells at rock-bottom prices, up to 90% off. Located on the popular Kalverstraat retail street, it is worth a stop for passersby in search of cheap readings.
Waterstone’s
Kalverstraat 152
1012 XE Amsterdam
Tel.: +31 (0) 20 638 3821
For British readers, Waterstones needs no introduction, but for others, it is useful to note that this is the only branch of a chain of over 300 bookstores in Britain and Ireland. Its location on the Kalverstraat and Het Spui puts it on the corner of the most reserved square in Amsterdam.
Several Dutch bookstores also have a wide selection of books in English:
Athenaeum Boekhandel & Nieuwscentrum
Spui 14-16
1012 XA Amsterdam
Tel.: +31 (0) 20 514 1460 (bookstore); +31 (0) 20 514 1470 (kiosk)
One of the most “bookish” bookstores in Amsterdam, Athenaeum is known for its intellectual titles and its place in the literary world of Amsterdam. The bookstore, with its links to Amsterdam’s universities, has a wide selection of academic titles, while the adjacent newsstand is an excellent source for international newspapers and other periodicals.
Boekenmarkt aan Het Spui
Het Spui
1012 XA Amsterdam
Although not technically a bookstore, this weekly rare and used book market is one of the forces responsible for Het Spui’s reputation as a must-see destination for book lovers in Amsterdam. About 25 booksellers sell their wares in the leafy square, where visitors can collect the most spectacular finds.
selexyz scheltema
Rokin 9, 1012 KK Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Tel.: +31 (0) 20 523 1411
“Selexyz scheltema” (intended lowercase letters) looks a lot like Amsterdam’s Barnes & Noble, with its wide selection of conventional books and an in-house branch of one of the Netherlands’ most widespread coffee chains, Bagels & Beans. Its five floors of books overlook the lively Koningsplein, which can also be viewed via the TERENA Webcam Koningsplein, part of our Amsterdam webcam list.
