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The Bloemenmarkt: Amsterdam’s Floating Flower Market Explained

Amsterdam
Photo: merna rakha / Pexels

What the Bloemenmarkt Is

The Bloemenmarkt is the world’s only floating flower market, a row of stalls built on boats moored along the Singel canal.

It has been trading in the same spot since 1862, making it one of Amsterdam’s oldest continuous markets.

Where to Find It

The market sits on the Singel between Koningsplein and Muntplein, right in the city center.

The stalls themselves float on the water, a leftover from the era when flowers and plants arrived in the city daily by boat rather than by road.

Opening Hours

The Bloemenmarkt is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.

On Sundays it opens later, at 11:00 am.

What’s for Sale

Expect fresh-cut flowers and potted plants displayed in colorful rows along the boats, available year-round.

Alongside them are flower bulbs - tulips, daffodils and the like - sold specifically for travelers to pack and take home, plus a range of Dutch souvenirs that have crept in as the market has become as much a tourist stop as a working flower market.

If bulbs and blooms are the draw, it helps to know when Amsterdam’s tulips are actually in season before planning a trip around them; the Amsterdam Tulip Season Guide covers timing and where to see fields nearby.

Getting There

The market is a short walk from Dam Square and sits directly on the route between the Museumplein area and the center, so it’s easy to combine with other errands.

Munt Tower marks the market’s eastern end at Muntplein, a useful landmark if arriving by tram.

Planning a Wider Market Day

The Bloemenmarkt is one stop among several worth knowing about if markets are the plan for the day - antiques, general street stalls and food markets all run on their own days and locations around the city.

The guide to Amsterdam’s best markets lays out which markets run when, so a visit can be timed around more than just flowers.

For everyday grocery and neighborhood markets rather than tourist-facing ones, the Amsterdam grocery shopping and markets guide is the better reference.

What to Expect on the Day

The market is compact and walkable in ten to fifteen minutes, though it gets busy at peak tourist hours.

Because the stalls are fixed and permanent rather than a weekly pop-up, there’s no wrong day to visit within its opening hours.

For a neighborhood market beyond the flower stalls, visit ZuiderMRKT in Amsterdam Zuid: the Saturday cooperative market.

Planning another market visit?

See Albert Cuyp Market in Amsterdam: opening hours, what to buy and how to get there.

If you enjoy Amsterdam markets, explore Lindengracht Market in the Jordaan.

Visitors exploring Amsterdam markets can also discover Noordermarkt in Amsterdam: the Monday flea market and the Saturday organic market.

Pair your visit with Westerstraat Market in Amsterdam: the Monday fabric market in the Jordaan for another Amsterdam market.

For another distinctive Amsterdam market, explore Waterlooplein Market in Amsterdam: the flea market guide.

Pair a visit to the Bloemenmarkt with the nearby Boekenmarkt Spui in Amsterdam: the Friday book market.

Visitors to the Bloemenmarkt can also explore Art Amsterdam Spui: the Sunday art market on the Spui.

Visitors interested in Amsterdam markets may also enjoy Market on Plein 40-45 in Amsterdam Nieuw-West: opening hours and what to expect.

For another Amsterdam market, explore Ganzenhoef Market in the Bijlmer: the Saturday market in Amsterdam Zuidoost.

Flower market visitors looking for more local shopping can explore Sunday Market Amsterdam.

Market lovers can compare the flower stalls with Museum Market on Museumplein: dates, hours and what to buy.

If you enjoy Amsterdam markets, discover another local option in Versmarkt Amstel1: the Friday and Saturday fresh market at the Stopera.

Find other market stops by day in Amsterdam markets: every street market by day.

The Nieuwmarkt in Amsterdam guide covers a different Amsterdam market, including its Saturday farmers’ market.

Want to know which markets are open this week? See our free list of Amsterdam markets and flea markets, day by day, with opening hours, updated every morning.

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