Perhaps one of the most astoundingly beautiful destinations you can visit, the city of Amsterdam in Holland is full of incredible sites and attractions. Those visiting on a budget, or those who simply love flowers, won’t want to miss the city’s gorgeous flower market.

Billed as one of the largest in the world – and home to the only market that floats in a canal – this gorgeous market is well worth the visit.

The World of Floating Flowers

One of the most unique features of the flower market in Amsterdam is the fact that it is floating on the Singel Canal. Located between the Muntplein and Konigsplein, the market is the only flower market in the world located completely over the water.

Located on a series of gorgeous houseboats, while at the market you’ll find just about any type of flower you can imagine. The type of flower you love most is irrelevant. You’ll find gorgeous narcissus plants, tulips, and a myriad of other bulbs.

Because Amsterdam has a reasonably mild climate throughout the entire year, you’ll find the market throughout the year as well. The type of plant you find there will vary depending on the time of year you visit. While it is incredibly popular amongst locals because of the wide variety of fresh cut flowers, the sheer size and gorgeous atmosphere makes gives the market a huge draw amongst tourists as well.

You can, of course, bypass the grown or cut flowers and opt to purchase seeds, bulbs, or other flower related souvenirs and accessories instead.

Buying from the Amsterdam Flower Market

Competition in the market is pretty fierce and, as such, you’ll find the prices for any type of flower to be incredibly reasonable. The open-air atmosphere lends to a fun and relaxed attitude, while the fact that there are so many other markets in the same vicinity leads vendors to keep prices competitive.

The outdoor location of the flower market means that the vendors have very low overhead costs, giving them the ability to make their prices even lower. You can easily purchase a handful of bulbs for a single euro ($1.23 USD), and if you plan to buy large quantities the prices will drop even more.

Sending Flowers Home

If you’re visiting Amsterdam from out of the country, you may be tempted to purchase some bulbs and have them shipped to your home. Every country has specific rules regarding what you can and cannot export, but the merchants you are dealing with will know what they are allowed to send.

It is easiest to ship bulbs to the United States, Canada, and the UK. Some bulb packages are pre-marked with the flag of the country that will accept them. Be careful when purchasing bulbs to take home, as some bulbs are acceptable while others are not. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about being ripped off. The vendors at the flower market will not knowingly sell you bulbs that cannot be shipped into your country of origin.

Visiting the Flower Market

The flower market in Amsterdam is open from Monday through Saturday, from 9am until 6pm. They are closed on Sundays. There is no charge to visit the flower market – your only expenses will be the flowers you are tempted to buy.

Ask the concierge at your Amsterdam hotel for directions to the flower market. Enjoy your walk along the canal, and take your time as you browse the houseboats. The market is a stunning sight to see, even if you have no intention of shipping bulbs home!

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