Amsterdam on a Budget: Markets and Museums galore!
Drinking and marijuana have never really interested me, so on the plane over to Amsterdam I wondered what else I might want to see and do. I browsed through my guidebook looking to see what the city offers and here I discovered the world’s largest flower auction. Fourteen million flowers are auctioned five days a week in the largest warehouse in Europe. Unfortunately the auction was a little out of reach for this trip so I began looking for similar places to visit within the heart of Amsterdam.

I decided to check out as many markets as I could. The largest and most colorful market can be found in the Albert Cuypmarkt. Wigs, formal dress wear, fish, fruit and many other items can be found in this open-air market at reasonable prices. It is difficult to resist the good deals targeted towards locals. A short bus ride from Central Station or a rented bike will take you right there. It is open nine to five, Monday through Saturday.

While Albert Cuypmarkt had a huge variety of goods and low prices, I prefer smaller specialty markets, and Amsterdam has lots of them. The city contains 22 markets, including Bloemenmarkt, the World’s only floating flower market. When I heard this I pictured flowers and plants sold from boats. At one point boats did travel down the ancient, narrow canals to deliver fresh flowers to residents. Now stands sit permanently on the water containing orchids, tulip bulbs, marijuana starter kits and even Christmas trees around the holidays. The flowers found here are probably the most varied and freshest of any market in the world, since it is only 50 minutes from the largest flower auction. Read the whole story