IJ-hallen

When at Ij Hallen, time for treasure hunting.
This place is absolutely great !
Whatever you are looking for, you will find it there. I went there with some friends, one of them had been looking for a board game for years. A very rare one, impossible to find. Guess what? She found it there for 14 € !
I bought myself a raclette tabletop grill for only 5 €.
And my boyfriend found this amazing Santana record.
What misses I guess would be better food trucks. But, there is Poffertjes ! #greatplace

The Ijhallen is Europe’s biggest flea market. It is spread out over 2 big warehouses and the outside space between the two. All things are sold here, but for the most times we have been, it seems to be top heavy with women’s clothing. Lot’s of 5 Euro tables with people throwing stuff over their shoulders. It also seems light on antiques such as furniture and bigger items. But boy do they have everything else in between and it’s fun treasure hunting. Basic street food is sold at portable stands, such as burgers, poffertjes, coffee & patat frites. The entrance fee is 4.50 Euros. Be aware that these warehouses have no heat, so bundle up during winter months. Also be careful when walking as every few yards you must step over concrete bumps in the floor. As you’re traveling with the ferry outside the center, why not make a day of it and take in the whole NDSM Werf experience. Inside one of the warehouses is a colony of artists studios and lofts and it’s fun to break away and snoop around. Also there is so much street art outdoors against the broken concrete of old warehouses and water gullies. Eat a healthy lunch at Noorderlicht Café, a sort of hippy/​hipster spot or at Pllek which is known for its organic food and outdoor beach. Look up at the Faralda Crane Hotel. Yes, there are 3 hotel suites, an outdoor jacuzzi and a bungee jumping platform built into the converted crane. Rounding things out are the Ij Kantine Restaurant, Brood Café and Veronica Boat which was an old pirate radio boat. Get an impression of everything in our video here:

WOW, Ij-​Hallen is quite an experience. You will find almost everything in here. And for such bargain prices. You have to prepare yourself wit some cash since (obviously) they don’t accept cards but they also don’t have any ATM machines nearby. Then be prepared to get lost in checking every little stand, and be amazed by how some goods don’t even look that they are second hand. If you come on the second day in the afternoon you will find better prices. Probably prices range from 1 to 5 euros with some things being a little more expensive, but still by far not the same price as if you would have gotten them from the store. This is a place where you must have patience to really walk around, look for the hidden treasures and pay a ridiculously good price for it. Now they have two halls, which mostly they had the same things. Clothing is indeed taking over but you still find quite some antique stuff as well. Totally worth a visit. Will be coming back to the next edition, with more time and more money :-).

Four stars for the size. This is a big flea market spread over two big former factories and a big outdoor area in between. Lots of clothing and what we call «knick·knacks» in the United States.
If you are in Amsterdam on holiday it’s pretty easy to get here on the (free) ferry (look for the one going to NDSM) just north of the Centraal Station and make sure you look at
before going to make sure the market is on the particular weekend you would like to go.

If you are moving, go and sell your ‘abandoned’ there.
If you just moved, go and get the best bargains in town.
It is astonishing how huge it turns out. I have not seen this many people in Amsterdam since I arrived last year. Shirts price ranged mainly from 2 to 3 euro. And accessories can go as low as 1 or even cheaper, depends on whether the owner likes you or not. I got a painting for 1 euro. Another thing is be prepared how you got to carry your shopping home.
Ahh, maybe you should eat before heading there if you don’t want to be stuffed by patat.
Such an experience in Amsterdam. For visitors and more for the locals. Get ready, once a month ONLY. The north is growinggggggggg.

They bill themselves as Europe’s largest flea market. Despite a second hall now open it seems that clothing has taken over. When it’s outside in the summer the market is at its best. Still for € 4.50 it’s good weekend entertainment for the first weekend of the month and a fun hunt. The clientele and the sellers are often more interesting than the merchandise. The afternoons are decidedly less frantic after the bargain hunters have left.

It’s a flea market that only happens one weekend per month (check their website for dates). Outstanding finds. One of the best antiques and vintage markets I’ve ever been to. so much good stuff all in one place, it’s hard not to over do it. Lots of vintage and antique housewares, toys, collectibles, clothing and shoes. Right beside the Amsterdam skate park and the NDSM artist studios which are both worth taking a peek at while you’re there. Noorderlicht café is a great spot to have lunch, a 5 minute walk from the ij hallen.
To get to the market just take the free 15 minute ferry ride from central station. It is the ferry to your far left when you are looking out at the water, it comes every 30 minutes.