Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.

Amsterdam's floating flower market

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) on Dec 22nd 2009 at 4:00PM

From the inside, you'll never notice it's floating.

Amsterdam's Singel canal, which in the Middle Ages encircled the city as a moat, is home to the world's only floating flower market, Bloemenmarkt. The stalls sit like large, partially-enclosed pontoon boats up against the street, and from the inside, they appear to be regular shops across the road from the touristy cheese and trinket traps. As you can see above, you'll never notice the stalls are floating, so don't worry about seasickness.

You can find an abundance of random and bizarre "gifts" both in Bloemenmarkt and across the way -- many of my Crazy Dutch souvenirs shots were taken here -- but it's natural for kitschy enterprises to develop in tourist-heavy areas, and no tourist would want to miss the floating flower market. While the local Dutch couldn't care less about stall after stall of tulips, for a color-hungry American or other traveler who craves a respite from the bricks, stone and steel of the city, the place is a sanctuary. You don't have to buy a thing to enjoy it. Flower ogling, like many of the best things in life, is free.

And it's free here, too. Click through the gallery below to experience the tulips, orchids, cacti and more of the floating flower market for yourself.