Bloemenmarkt (Flower Market)

The city's most fragrant attraction is the only floating flower market on the planet.

TravelCurious Tip

Come here in December for a wonderful range of Christmas trees!

Floating flowers

A surprising apparition in Singel, Bloemenmarkt has floated on Amsterdam’s innermost canal since 1862. Historically, barges used to sail here up the Amstel from their smallholdings; today daily fresh flowers arrive by van, and fifteen florists and garden shops display their colourful wares in an array of covered stalls that are perched on piles.

The market is open seven days a week. In season traditional Dutch tulips are readily available, as well as bulbs (which you can take home as they’re cleared for import), seeds, larger pot plants and a range of rather tacky souvenirs. The colours on display are wonderful, and the plants good quality. Most hotels in Amsterdam can provide vases if you want to brighten up your room with some local blooms.


Tulpenmanie

The Dutch have had rather a soft spot for flowers ever since the ‘tulip mania’ of the Golden Age. After their introduction in the 16th century, tulips quickly became a coveted and luxurious status symbol, and very profitable for merchants; demand and speculation grew to feverish levels, and during the 1630s some single tulip bulbs sold for ten times the annual wage of a skilled craftsman. Luckily, the prices you’ll pay today are a little less steep.


Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Amsterdam
Dam Square
Lying in the very heart of the Dutch capital, Dam Square is surrounded by scenic and notable buildings.
Begijnhof
Amsterdam's picturesque ancient court has a fascinating religious history.
Nieuwe Spiegelstraat
At the heart of the art district, this street is home to many of Amsterdam's premier galleries and antique dealers.
Leidseplein
Leidseplein is a buzzing nightlife hub centered around Leidseplein Square
Pancake Corner
At the Pancake Corner, you are invited to a family-friendly restaurant in the heart of Amsterdam
De 9 Straatjes
A photogenic zone of nine cobbled streets full of designer stores, vintage boutiques, cafés and galleries.

Related Tours

The Best of Amsterdam: Private Full-Day Tour with a Canal Cruise

Explore the major sights and hidden gems of Amsterdam on this immersive full-day tour of the Dutch capital. With an expert guide, discover Amsterdam's vibrant culture, architectural beauty and eccentricity, intricate canal network, kilometres of cycle tracks, the city's top two museums, its major monuments and lively markets. End your day with a fabulous cruise along the canals.

On your private full-day tour, you will:

  • Start the day with a fascinating tour of the Van Gogh Museum, dedicated to the artist's life and work - with a huge number of self-portraits and the only surviving photo; 
  • Admire such iconic masterpieces as the Potato Eaters, Sunflowers, the Yellow House, the Bedroom and his very last work, Tree Roots
  • Learn about Vincent Van Gogh's passionate life and mental health issues through his art, his letter exchanges with his brother Theo, and through his contemporaries such as Gauguin; 
  • Hear what happened on that fateful night with the knife and his ear, and the questions around his tragic death by gunshot;
  • Take a short comfort break before a guided tour of the highlights of the impressive Rijksmuseum;
  • Admire the architecture of the National Museum of the Netherlands, the 80 galleries that house some 8000 pieces of art and artefacts showing the history of Holland from the 1200s to the present day;
  • Explore the breathtaking collection of art by the Dutch Masters of the Golden Age such as Rembrandt and Vermeer;
  • Enjoy a well-deserved lunch break in the foodie Jordaan district, at a place recommended by your guide;
  • Stroll the highlights of the city centre in the afternoon and discover the canal and cycle networks, the historic buildings and famous monuments;
  • Walk by Anne Frank’s house and hear the tragic story of how the Franks were betrayed and sent to the concentration camps where all died, except Anne's father Otto who published her famous diary; 
  • See the famous and historic Torensluis Bridge, Westerkerk, Dam Square with the royal palace, and the smallest house in Amsterdam;
  • Explore the famously beautiful Bloemenmarkt Flower Market and learn the history of Dutch tulips;
  • Finish the day with tickets to enjoy a one-hour public boat trip on the UNESCO World Heritage canal ring of Amsterdam.


Spend the morning exploring Amsterdam's top two museums: the Van Gogh Museum dedicated to the life and works of Vincent, and the Rijksmuseum, the national museum of the Netherlands, as impressive for its architecture as for its amazing collections of historic artefacts and paintings by the Masters of the Dutch Golden Age like Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Dyck.

Hop on a tram to explore the beautiful, bohemian Jordaan District and stop for lunch in the area (price not included) which was once traditionally a rather poor neighbourhood, attracting amazing artists and poets, including Rembrandt and the famous 17th-century Dutch writer Joost van den Vondel.

After lunch, enjoy an in-depth orientation tour of the city centre. See the highlights of Amsterdam including the Torensluis Bridge, Westerker, and the Anne Frank House. Visit the world-famous floating Flower Market, which has floated on Amsterdam’s innermost canal since 1862. 

See Dam Square, which came by its name the same way Amsterdam did: it began life as a dam of the Amstel River nearly 750 years ago. As the city grew so did the dam, until it became large enough for a town square, and it has been at Amsterdam’s heart ever since! It is also home to a royal palace.

At the end of the tour your guide will walk you to the dock to join your Public Canal Cruise, to do one of the most iconic things in Amsterdam: see the city by water. Your cruise will take you through the warren of the city's canals, now listed as a World Heritage site. A perfect way to end the day! 

Markets and Masterpieces: Amsterdam Private Full-Day Walking Tour

Get a taste of Amsterdam's culture, beauty, and history by discovering its markets and masterpieces on this full-day walking tour including the world-famous Van Gogh Museum dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh, the impressive Rijksmuseum, and the Flower Market, the only floating market in the world.

On this private tour, you will:

  • Learn about 800 years of Dutch art history at the Rijksmuseum which holds over one million objects chronicling Dutch history from 1200 to the present day;
  • Explore the must-see Van Gogh Museum with the most comprehensive collection of Van Gogh works in the world;
  • Stop for a lunch break at Leidseplein Square, one of the main squares in Amsterdam;
  • Pop to the popular shopping district of Nieuw Spiegelstraat to find special gifts and antiques;
  • Take a stroll in the world-famous Bloemenmarkt, the only floating Flower Market in the world;
  • Visit the enchanting courtyard of Begijnhof in the heart of Amsterdam;
  • Take a short walk to the 17th-century Westerkerk Church in the Grachtengordel neighbourhood;
  • Explore the myriad of independent boutiques and cafes at Nine Streets;
  • End your tour at Anne Frank's House located at Westermarkt Square in the charming Jordaan neighbourhood, and learn about the history of Amsterdam’s Jewish community during the Second World War.

Begin your tour exploring the must-see Van Gogh Museum, with the most comprehensive collection of his works in the world, followed by a visit to the beautiful Rijksmuseum, which holds over one million objects chronicling Dutch history from 1200 to the present day. 

Head to the nearby popular shopping district of Nieuw Spiegelstraat- a centre for beautiful Dutch antiques and pottery as well as for thoroughly modern design. 

Making a short stop at the world-famous Flower Market is an absolute must, where you will grab a bite to eat at a local vendor and perhaps buy some colourful and fragrant tulips.

You will also get to discover some of the hidden gems of Amsterdam, including a visit to Spui Square where local booksellers and artists vie for your attention, as well as a visit to the enchanting courtyard of Begijnhof- a place of quiet sanctuary in the heart of Amsterdam.

Explore the picturesque Nine Streets with its myriad of independent boutiques and beautiful cafes. From here it is a short and utterly worthwhile journey to the 17th-century Westerkerk Church with its impressive 85m high tower. 

From here you will pass the iconic Anne Frank’s House, where you will spend some time with your expert guide hearing about the tragic history of Amsterdam’s Jewish community during the Second World War.

You will end your tour with a stroll around the beautiful Jordaan District, traditionally a rather poor neighbourhood, attracting amazing artists and poets, including Rembrandt and the famous 17th-century Dutch writer Joost van den Vondel. 

Welcome to Amsterdam: Private Half-Day Walking Tour

Enjoy a welcome tour of beautiful Amsterdam with an expert guide, famous for its elaborate network of canals, historic gabled houses, impressive artistic heritage from Rembrandt to Vermeer, and of course its numerous bike paths for the thousands of cyclists.  

On your private half-day tour, you will: 

  • Enjoy a welcome city stroll tour of Amsterdam with a professional tour guide;
  • Explore all the major highlights of the city, rich in history and home to invaluable art collections
  • Learn the elaborate and unique layout of Amsterdam around four concentric semicircles of canals;
  • Explore Dam Square, home to the iconic and majestic Koninklijk Palace, a royal residence that has served for two centuries as a reception palace for the House of Orange;
  •  See the smallest house in Amsterdam located in the old city centre;
  • Visit Bloemenmarkt, Amsterdam's amazing floating flower market;
  • Walk through the Begijnhof, one of the oldest and most picturesque courtyards in Amsterdam;
  • Discover the Dutch love affair with pedal power in a city with 513km of cycle paths;
  • Walk past highlights of the city including the Torensluis Bridge, Anne Frank’s house, and Westerkerk;
  • End your tour at the Jordaan District – the thriving foodie district of Amsterdam.


From humble beginnings as a fishing village by the Amstel River, Amsterdam became one of the most important European capitals of the 17th Century, by which time it had grown into a lively port town, attracting wealthy merchants and artisans from all over the globe.

Today Amsterdam is characterized by centuries-old canals, painted houseboats, and streets filled with cyclists. World-class museums and galleries boast highly-prized art collections, while elegant spire-topped churches gaze down on an extraordinary number of stone bridges - more than 500 at last count.

On your tour, you will explore Dam Square, once the mouth of the Amstel River; marvel at the ornate grandeur of the cupola-topped Koninklijk Palace, one of a trio of Dutch royal residences, and enjoy a guided stroll through the highlights of Amsterdam.

Admire the stunning facade of the 800-year-old Nieuwe Kerk, an important part of Dutch identity and considered “Amsterdam’s living room”. Stroll the famous Torensluis Bridge, then pass by the house of the young Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank and hear the harrowing story of the Frank family.  

Stop to admire 17th-century Westerkerk’s soaring tower and Renaissance facade - learn a bit about Calvinism and religious reform in Amsterdam during the Reformation. In Nine Street, enjoy the buzzy atmosphere of pavement cafes, florists, and boutiques then marvel at the rainbow of vivid fragrant blooms in Amsterdam’s famous floating flower market!

See where booksellers and street artists vie for attention (on Fridays) close to the leafy courtyard of Begijnhof, a haven of peace and quiet.

Your tour finishes in the Jordaan District – the foodie neighbourhood of Amsterdam, where your guide will happily recommend various dining options to you. 

Dutch Golden Age: Private Tour of Amsterdam & Rembrandt's House

Step back in time as you walk around Amsterdam in the 17th century at the height of the Dutch Golden Age, marvelling at the art and architecture as you learn about the lives of Rembrandt and the Dutch Masters and the rise and fall of the Dutch East India Company. 

On your private tour, you will: 

  • Explore the charming Museumplein, surrounded by Amsterdam's most prestigious museums;
  • Enjoy a guided tour of Rembrandt's House Museum and learn all about the life of this seminal painter;
  • Visit the famed Bloemenmarkt, Amsterdam's Flower Market and maybe buy a tulip bulb to bring home;
  • Walk by Mult Tower, originally part of one of the main gates in Amsterdam’s medieval city wall;
  • Walk through Dam Square, home to the iconic Koninklijk Palace, a royal residence;
  • Pass by Museum Van Loon, a canal-side house along the Keizersgracht in Amsterdam;
  • End your tour outside the famous Rijksmuseum, home of the largest collection of Dutch Masters, including Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Dyck, Frans Hals, and many more. (Tickets not included)


Amsterdam was the capital of the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th Century a city where world trade, incredible wealth and famous art converged. 

The Dutch East India Company (the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie) or the VOC, founded in 1602 expanded Dutch trade all over the world and prospered for 200 years. At the same time, science and the arts flourished under the influence of the Dutch Masters: from Rembrandt to Vermeer. 

On this relaxing and fascinating historic walking tour of Amsterdam, you will see Rembrandt’s masterpieces in the studio in which he lived and worked, with timed entrance tickets included. Called Rembrandt's House Museum, where he lived and worked from 1639 to 1656, you will learn all about his life and influences.  

You will stroll along picturesque canals and admire the architecture of the royal palace, as your guide transports you back in time to the 17th Century. 

See the harbour on which the warehouses from the 17th century still stand to this day, as well as the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company, where you’ll learn about the darker side of the VOC – its colonization of land, trading of slaves and monopoly of the spice trade.  

Your historic tour ends outside the famous Rijksmuseum where you can purchase tickets to see the finest and largest collection of Dutch masters in the world if you are interested in visiting

This tour is also a must-see tour for fans of books such as The Girl with the Pearl Earring and The Miniaturist. 

Explore Amsterdam Highlights: Private Half-Day Walking Tour

Explore the highlights of Amsterdam, the charming Dutch capital famous for its cobblestone streets, iconic canal network, hundreds of old stone bridges, kilometres of cycle paths, beautiful architecture, and vibrant culture on this half-day walking tour with an expert guide. Also included, are tickets for a scenic cruise along the city's famous canals to enjoy at your leisure after the tour. 

On your private tour, you will: 

  • Meet your expert guide in the Bohemian, hipster neighbourhood of Jordaan
  • Pass by Anne Frank’s house to hear about the history of the writer's house and her family’s tragic story;
  • See the famous Torensluis Bridge and Westerkerk;
  • Explore Dam Square, home to the iconic Koninklijk Palace, a royal residence;
  • See the smallest house in Amsterdam;
  • Explore the pretty Bloemenmarkt Flower Market that famously floats on the water; 
  • Learn the history of Dutch tulips;
  • Pass by the Waag, a 15th-century building on Nieuwmarkt Square;
  • See some of the 513km of the city's cycle paths;
  • End your tour on a scenic one-hour boat trip on the UNESCO World Heritage canal ring of Amsterdam


Your tour begins in the beautiful Jordaan District, historically an impoverished neighbourhood, that later attracted artists and poets, including Rembrandt and the famous 17th-century Dutch writer Joost van den Vondel. Now, it is a bustling centre of creativity, full of young artists, entrepreneurs, and students taking their coffee in the myriad of artisanal cafes and restaurants. 

As a centre of Calvinist religious reform, you will also see Amsterdam's Westerkerk, which at its completion in 1631, was one of the first-ever Protestant churches. Amsterdam’s Oude Kerk and Nieuwe Kerk were originally built for Roman Catholic worship before the ‘Alteration,’ the bloodless Calvinist coup of 1578, that saw them converted.

See some of the city's hundreds of kilometres of cycle paths, admire the old stone bridges and especially the iconic Torensluis Bridge. Learn about the rise and fall of the Dutch East India Company and Amsterdam as the centre of the Dutch Golden Age.

From there, your guide will take you to Dam Square, which, along with the River Amstel lends its name to the city! It began life as a dam of the Amstel River nearly 750 years ago. As the city grew so did the dam, until it became large enough for a town square; the dam of Amstel became Amsterdam! 

Paved with the Dutch capital’s distinctive cobblestones, the square today is a great place to browse and people-watch among some of the city’s most notable attractions: Madame Tussaud’s, the 15th century Gothic Nieuwe Kerk, the Royal Palace and the Swish department store De Bijenkorf are all here.

You’ll also have the chance to see the famous Bloemenmarkt, which has floated on Amsterdam’s innermost canal since 1862. Historically, barges used to sail up the Amstel from their smallholdings; today daily fresh flowers arrive by van, and fifteen florists and garden shops display their colourful wares in an array of covered stalls.

Your tour will finish with tickets to board a canal cruise, to see the city from the water, one of the most iconic things to do in Amsterdam!

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