Amsterdam
Affordable essentials, grocery options, and setup tips.
You'll find that grocery shopping in Amsterdam can be convenient but expensive, especially at Albert Heijn. However, you can save money by doing a big weekly shop at Lidl and topping up with fresh items at Albert Heijn. Most newcomers are surprised by the strong sustainability culture in Amsterdam, where all major supermarkets have a deposit system on plastic bottles. Watch out for Dutch public holidays, such as King's Day on April 27, which can affect shop closures and daily life. To navigate daily essentials, start by registering with a huisarts, or family doctor, which is essential for accessing healthcare in the Netherlands. Today, take a step towards settling in by visiting Albert Cuypmarkt in De Pijp to explore affordable shopping options.
Ranked by contributor trust level and quality score.
De Pijp · Experience date Feb 7, 2026
Albert Heijn is convenient but expensive. I do a big Lidl shop weekly and top up at AH for fresh stuff. Albert Cuypmarkt in De Pijp for fresh produce at fair prices on weekdays.
Jordaan · Experience date Dec 1, 2025
Dutch families cycle with children as standard. Options: bakfiets (cargo bike, box at front carrying 1–4 children, €1,500–3,000 new or €600–1,200 used), fietsstoeltje (child seat mounted on front or rear of regular bike, €60–200), and child trailers (Burley, Thule — €200–500). Most Amsterdam families: bakfiets for young children, rear seat for older toddlers. Renting a bakfiets: Babboe and other rental services offer monthly rentals. Electric cargo bikes: becoming standard for hilly or longer routes. Children's helmets: not legally required but increasingly common among expats. Bike infrastructure is designed for this — dedicated wide lanes accommodate cargo bikes.
Centrum · Experience date Apr 30, 2026
Food delivery in Amsterdam: Thuisbezorgd (Just Eat Takeaway) is the dominant Dutch platform — enormous selection of restaurants, delivery in 25–45 minutes. Uber Eats: good coverage in central Amsterdam, slightly fewer restaurants. Deliveroo: smaller but present. Grocery delivery: Picnic (grocery-only, subscription-free, very reliable, 1-hour windows), AH Bezorgservice (Albert Heijn delivery, same-day slots in central Amsterdam). Restaurant booking: OpenTable and local reservations via Google — many Amsterdam restaurants are fully booked on weekends, especially for groups. Tip: Thuisbezorgd has a loyalty program worth activating — regular discounts for frequent users.
Noord · Experience date May 4, 2026
Amsterdam has several excellent international schools for expat families. International School of Amsterdam (ISA): IB curriculum, Netherlands Avenue in Amstelveen — waiting list, apply early. Amsterdam International Community School (AICS): slightly more affordable. British School of Amsterdam: for UK curriculum families. Netherlands Japanese School: for Japanese expats. Public Dutch school (basisschool): free, excellent quality, Dutch-medium — appropriate for expat children staying 2+ years who want integration. International schools: €15,000–25,000/year tuition. Some large Amsterdam employers (KPMG, Booking.com, ASML) cover international school tuition as part of expat packages. Apply to international schools before arriving — waiting lists are long.
Jordaan · Experience date Nov 27, 2025
King's Day (Koningsdag, April 27) is the Netherlands' biggest national celebration. Amsterdam transforms: orange everywhere, massive canal boat parties, city-wide flea market (vrijmarkt — anyone can sell anything on the streets, no permit needed, start early for best spots), live music stages. The entire city centre is pedestrianised. Essential practical info for expats: avoid driving or cycling through central Amsterdam. Stock up on food the day before — most shops close. Wear orange. Bring cash — vrijmarkt is cash-only. The IJ harbour area and Jordaan: best canal boat parade viewing. King's Day is genuinely one of the world's great street parties — do not miss it in your first year in Amsterdam.
Jordaan · Experience date Mar 19, 2026
Amsterdam has a strong sustainability culture. All major supermarkets: deposit system (statiegeld) on plastic bottles and cans — €0.15 per can, €0.25 per bottle, return at any supermarket. Reducing packaging: bring reusable bags (plastic bags cost €0.25–0.50 at checkout). Second-hand culture: Vinted (clothes), Marktplaats (general), Kringloopwinkels (charity/thrift shops — excellent for furniture and household items). Amsterdam's circular economy initiatives: city-funded repair cafés, clothing swaps, and community gardens in most neighbourhoods. Sustainability is not just marketing in Amsterdam — genuine infrastructure and culture backs it. Expats are expected to participate in waste sorting (see previous tip).
Oud-West · Experience date May 6, 2026
In the Netherlands, the GP (huisarts — family doctor) is the gatekeeper for all healthcare. You cannot see a specialist without a GP referral. Registering with a huisarts: find one near your address at zorgkiezer.nl or zoekeenartsenhuis.nl. Contact them to register — some have waiting lists. Required: Dutch address, BSN, health insurance details. Your first appointment: introduce yourself, share medical history, establish care. The huisarts system is very efficient — most issues resolved at GP level. For emergencies: call your GP practice (or their after-hours line, often shared by multiple practices — 'huisartsenpost'). Registering with a GP is a priority within your first 2 weeks.