Bijenkorf Department Store

If shopping is your passion, then De Bijenkorf is your place. Located at Damrak, De Bijenkorf is a high-end department store in the very heart of Amsterdam. Who can resist six floors of exquisite fashion, footwear, jewelry, beauty products and much more at very affordable prices.

Department Store

When in 1870 Simon Philip Goudsmit opened a haberdashery in Amsterdam, he did not know that his shop would become the most up-market department store in the Netherlands. His business started to thrive after twelve years when the shop moved to Dam Square. The present monumental building dates from 1957.

World War II

Jewish-owned Bijenkorf had to be handed over to non-Jewish proprietors during the period of Nazi rule. During those days Jews were not allowed to get into the lunchroom of the Bijenkorf and members of the Wehrmacht (the armed forces of the Third Reich) were not allowed to enter the ground floor to prevent possible confrontations. Some 1000 Jewish staff were deported of which 737 never came back. By the end of 1943 most departments of the Bijenkorf was empty of stock and opening hours were adapted. After the war the Bijenkorf flourished again. However, its Jewish character was lost forever.

Shopaholics Paradise

De Bijenkorf is the largest and most luxurious department store in Amsterdam and focuses on luxury brands such as Burberry, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Shopaholics will delight in five floors brimming not only with international designers and hip labels but also with elegant souvenirs and exclusive presents. In short this is heaven on earth for all shopping fans.

The View

If the panaroma from the rooftop restaurants looks familiar to you, you are right. This view was the fictive capital of Tomania, in Charlie Chaplin’s film the Great Dictator. You cannot climb the roof, but the view from Restaurant Kitchen is the nearest thing. Watch the world at Dam Square below go by while you are sipping Italian coffee and sample one of the tantalizing cakes.

Address

De Bijenkorf

Dam 1

1012 JS Amsterdam

Opening hours: Monday: 11.00 – 20.00 Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10.00 – 21.00 Wednesday: 10.00 20.00 Saturday: 09.30 – 20.00 Sunday 11.00 – 20.00.