Unlike with the Albert Cuyp and Dapper market, I can't remember family or friends mentioning visiting De Bazaar in Beverwijk, so when I visited this market for the very first time it was definitely a new experience and one worth repeating.
Especially seeing how much De Bazaar has to offer and how huge the area is: with 16 halls (selling clothes, decorations, music, furniture, antiques, you name it), 3 outdoor markets, the Gold Souk, a fresh produce market and two large food courts. One visit isn't enough to see all there is to offer. It's almost like visiting a small shopping village.
Before we went in, I was advised not to wander around too much in one hall, as there is plenty to see and if I wanted to see it "all" I had to divide my time sparingly. Knowing me, I wanted to take almost all the little details in, like the heavy discounted Christmas decorations (it was already January), marihuana patterned foot warmers, affordable clothing and unique antique decorations. But as the day progressed I realized I had to use a "strategy": prioritize what I wanted to see to eventually purchase and focus on those.
The stall we especially wanted to visit and eventually purchase goods from was in the spice section: Oba The Spice specialist. We've already bought some of their spices and were in need of some garlic powder, black pepper and dried bay leaves. They also have an online store, but it's a different experience conversing with the seller and seeing, feeling and tasting the spices before purchasing.
Although I'm not in need of new lamps, it was pleasing to the eyes seeing all those Turkish lamps hanging from the ceilings and lighting up the halls. Furthermore, there was energetic and lively music playing in the background and the sound of friendly crowds. It was definitely a vibrant atmosphere for a weekend out.
After a few hours trying to see as much as we could've, we retreated to the food hall to replenish ourselves and found it not as crowded as we had anticipated. It was then that I realized that we were there before or around noon and figured that it'll get busier after. This was true, because when we left, the food hall was busier and noisier in comparison to when we came in.
