The times when I used to buy flowers and seeds from the Flower Market (Bloemenmarkt) are long gone. Now I do as the locals: I buy what I need for the garden from the Intratuin or the small neighbourhood shops. But the Amsterdam Flower Market — a floating market situated on the Singel canal — remains an interesting attraction and is visited by many tourists all year round. It is, after all, the world’s only floating flower market!

The area is usually crowded and the souvenirs might be a bit kitschy, but it has a certain charm, with the piles of bulbs lying around and lovely seasonal bouquets. There are about fifteen stalls, but my favourite is the first one (on the Muntplein side of the market). 

Its ceiling is covered in dried flowers. The way the light passes through the pink or yellow bouquets makes you dream of flower fields and sunny summer days. For the rest, there are plenty of seeds, bulbs of all shapes, ready for export, funny souvenirs and all sorts of tulips — if you visit in the spring. Definitely worths a visit!