Amsterdam is a mecca for first and second-hand clothes. But do not just jump at the first area you see, some precision planning could have you staying in a shopping mall hotel, cycling round the sites, visiting a huge outdoor market and going into the best second-hand shops, and the rest.

Fill your breaks in canal side coffee shops by the quaint shopping area around Nine Streets, grab a handful of bulbs to take home at the end of a kilometre-long road of shops Nieuwedijk-Kalverstraat, which is open on Sundays and buy 50s bric-a-brac chic in some of the city's best-loved stores.

Stay in a shopping centre

For serious shop-a-holics this Amsterdam hotel is in a shopping mall and would be a perfect place to stay. You do not need to leave the 301-room complex at Hotel Okura to browse jewellery, souvenirs, leather and chocolate in the ground-floor gallery. There is also a health centre, so guests can pamper themselves in five-star style as well as eat the Japanese food on offer in one of the two restaurants.

Location, location, location

De Negen Straatjes or Nine Streets shopping centre is a great place to go purchasing because it is in the central canal ring, making the experience more picturesque for that coffee break. De Jordaan is recommended for second-hand wear and antiques while Dam Square has a range of boutiques. Nieuwedijk-Kalverstraat by Central Station is a great kilometre stretch for clothes, finishing in a burst of colour with the Kalverstraat flower market on the Muntplein. You can buy Netherlands tulips here, which are a great gift to take home as bulbs.

Cycle round

Stay at the Bicycle Hotel, which rents bikes for a small charge. Located in multicultural De Pijp, it is one of the cheap hotels in Amsterdam, and there's plenty of world food around the corner. The staff will provide you maps and tips of the best places to shop and visit.

Best outdoor market

The best outdoor market is the 100-year-old Albert Cuyp, which has hundreds of stalls, selling everything from syrup waffles to antiques. Goods on show include vegetables, cheese, fish, spices, cosmetics, pets and beds. Although Albert Cuyp is open on Sundays, a lot of shops in Amsterdam are shut. Exceptions include the Kalverstraat, Damrakl and Leidsestraat and near Noorderkek.

Go retro

This second-hand clothes shop has proved so popular it has opened branches all over Europe. Episode in Amsterdam sells an amazing array of used goods and has stores in Antwerp, Brussels, London, Rotterdam and since August, Paris. Find the first store in Waterlooplein, which hosts one of Amsterdam's largest second-hand markets. It sells vintage, lingerie and retro clothes.

50s to 80s chic

Meanwhile, retro clothes shop Zipperis tucked away in the heart of Nine Streets shopping area. The shop specialises in 50s to 80s clothes, including unique cut Levi jeans and cool vintage coats among other retro items and accessories.

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