Bloemenmarkt

The Bloemenmarkt is the flower market on the Singel canal in Amsterdam, between the Munttoren at Muntplein and the Koningsplein, and it is often described as the world's only floating flower market. The stalls stand in a row of long, low greenhouses and shops built on barges moored along the canal, and although the barges are now fixed in place, the arrangement recalls the days when growers brought their flowers into the city by boat and sold them from the water. The market has been held on this stretch of the Singel since the second half of the nineteenth century, and 1862 is the date usually given.

Walking along the row of stalls is a colourful experience at any time of year. In spring there are tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in buckets and bunches, in summer sunflowers, dahlias and roses, and in every season a wide choice of potted plants, cacti and cut flowers. Many stalls sell bulbs in bags and boxes, especially tulip bulbs, which are the most popular souvenir, along with seeds, garden tools and vases. Alongside the plants there are shops that sell Dutch souvenirs, such as wooden clogs, Delft Blue tiles, cheese and fridge magnets, so the market is as much a tourist stop as a place for florists and gardeners.

If you plan to take bulbs home, check the rules. Plants and bulbs are controlled when they cross some borders, and a country may require a phytosanitary certificate or a permit, so look for packaging that is marked for export and ask the seller what is needed for your destination. Bulbs are best planted in autumn, so those bought in spring are often for display rather than planting. Prices can be higher than at markets outside the centre, so it is worth comparing.

The market is open every day, usually from the morning to late afternoon, though stall hours differ and Sunday opening may start later. It is free to walk through, and it is at its best in the morning, when the flowers are fresh and the crowds are smaller. The Singel is one of the oldest canals in the city, and the walk along it is pleasant in its own right. Close by are the Munttoren, the Mint Tower, which has a carillon, the Spui and the Begijnhof.

The Bloemenmarkt suits visitors of all kinds, gardeners, photographers and those looking for a souvenir with a Dutch character. A visit takes thirty minutes, and it combines well with a canal cruise or a walk through the canal ring, including the Amsterdam Museum and the nine little streets, the 9 Straatjes.