Just 30 minutes from Amsterdam, 15 minutes from Schiphol Airport and 25 minutes from Haarlem is one of the most charming places to visit in the Netherlands. Known as the flower village on the water, it is home to the largest flower auction in the world, beautiful lakes, historic gardens, and authentic Dutch village life.
Whether you’re passionate about flowers, enjoy nature, or simply want to experience something beyond Amsterdam, Aalsmeer offers a wonderful day out. And if you get hungry along the way, you can even enjoy authentic homemade Ukrainian food at Vesela Pani.
πΈ Visit the World’s Largest Flower Auction
A visit to Royal FloraHolland is one of the highlights of Aalsmeer.
Every weekday, millions of flowers and plants are traded here before making their way to florists and supermarkets across Europe. From the visitor gallery, you can watch this impressive logistical operation in action and experience why the Netherlands is known worldwide for its flower industry.
It’s an unforgettable experienceβand one that can only be found in Aalsmeer.
πΏ Explore the Historical Garden
The Historical Garden Aalsmeer is a beautiful open-air museum where you can discover over 300 years of Dutch horticultural history.
Walk through charming greenhouses, colourful gardens and historic buildings while learning how Aalsmeer became the flower capital of the Netherlands. Throughout the seasons, different flowers are in bloom, making every visit unique.
Don’t miss the cosy Tea House, where you can enjoy coffee, homemade cake or lunch overlooking the gardens.
If you’re visiting on the last Saturday of the month, you can even take part in a traditional flower auction and experience how flowers were sold decades ago.
π€ Cruise the Westeinderplassen
One of the best ways to experience Aalsmeer is from the water.
Take a relaxing boat trip across the Westeinderplassen, one of the largest inland lakes in the Netherlands. You’ll sail through beautiful waterways, pass hundreds of small islands, historic greenhouses and picturesque landscapes while learning about the area’s fascinating history.
The boat departs directly from the Historical Garden, making it easy to combine both attractions.
On warm summer days, the Westeinderplassen are also perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, sailing or simply relaxing by the water.
π₯ Enjoy Homemade Food at Vesela Pani
After exploring Aalsmeer, it’s time to enjoy some delicious homemade food.
At Vesela Pani, located in the heart of Aalsmeer, you can not only buy handmade frozen specialties to take homeβyou can also enjoy freshly cooked meals in our cosy shop.
Our guests love classics such as:
- π₯ Crispy Chebureky
- π² Traditional Ukrainian Borshcht
- π₯ Fresh Syrnyky
If you like Ukrainian and Eastern European food it’s also the perfect place to stock your freezer with over 100 handmade frozen specialties, ready to enjoy whenever you like.
π¨ Discover More of Aalsmeer
Depending on the day of your visit, there are several other wonderful places worth exploring.
πΊ Flower Art Museum
A unique museum dedicated entirely to contemporary art inspired by flowers and nature. Every few months, new exhibitions showcase artists from the Netherlands and around the world.
πΎ Windmill De Leeuw
Visit one of Aalsmeer’s historic windmills and discover traditional Dutch milling. You can even buy locally produced flour and handmade products.
π§ Aalsmeer Water Tower
Climb one of the most beautiful water towers in the Netherlands for spectacular views over the lakes, countryside and, on a clear day, even Amsterdam and Schiphol Airport.
ποΈ Surf Island
Looking for a more active afternoon? Head to Surf Island, where locals enjoy swimming, paddleboarding, windsurfing and relaxing on the beach during sunny days.
π½οΈ Dinner by the Water
End your visit with dinner overlooking the beautiful Westeinderplassen.
Restaurants such as Joseph aan de Poel offer elegant dining, beautiful terraces and unforgettable sunset views over the lakeβthe perfect way to finish your day in Aalsmeer.
π Aalsmeer Is More Than Flowers
Aalsmeer is much more than the world’s largest flower auction. It’s a place where flowers, water, history, nature and great food come together to create a truly authentic Dutch experience.
Whether you’re visiting for a few hours or spending the whole day, make sure to stop by Vesela Pani for a homemade meal or take home some authentic handmade specialties.
We look forward to welcoming you and making your visit to Aalsmeer even more delicious! π₯π·
