When I lived in Amsterdam, I was just a five-minute walk from the fabulous Noordermarkt, located in the Jordaan on the corner of the Westerstraat and the Prinsengracht. Though I love Leiden's markets the Noordermarkt is still the best market I've experienced in the Netherlands.

What makes this market special? For one, it's full of organic goods - fruits and vegetables, but also honey, breads, cheeses, and tea. More than 30 stalls are set up every Saturday from early in the morning until about 4pm.

I highly recommend making time to visit the Noordermarkt, especially in the summer. But winter can be equally charming, especially with all those nearby cafes where you can enjoy a coffee or cocoa.