Aalsmeer Flower Auction Market
World's largest flower auction and wholesale market
At the Aalsmeer Flower Auction near Amsterdam, buyers bid in fast-paced clock auctions; guided tours let visitors watch wholesale trading and learn how millions of stems move through the market.
Aalsmeer Flower Auction at a Glance#
Address: Hoofkant 1, 1431 BZ Aalsmeer, Netherlands
Website: https://www.auctionflowers.com
Hours: Auction: Mon-Fri early morning (auctions begin around 5:00-6:00am). Visitor programs vary; check website.
Admission: Free to enter auction halls for registered visitors; guided tours and visitor center programs from €6-€15
About Aalsmeer Flower Auction#
The Aalsmeer Flower Auction in Aalsmeer, North Holland, is the world’s largest flower auction operated by Royal FloraHolland, with a main auction complex of roughly 518,000 square metres.
The site handles millions of cut flowers and plants daily and serves global wholesale markets; sales are organised through high-speed electronic and traditional Dutch “clock” auction systems that move large volumes quickly. The complex includes extensive cold storage, packing lines and logistics hubs that prepare lots for road and air export.
The auction developed through consolidation of local growers’ cooperatives into Royal FloraHolland and expanded across the 20th and 21st centuries into a consolidated trading and logistics centre. It functions as a central node in the Netherlands’ floriculture export infrastructure.
Located in the town of Aalsmeer in North Holland, it sits about 15 km southwest of Amsterdam and close to Schiphol Airport, which facilitates international freight connections.
- Floor area: Main auction halls and supporting facilities together occupy roughly 518,000 square metres, making the complex one of the largest commercial buildings by floor area.
- Best time to visit: Early weekday mornings are the busiest and best time to observe live auctions when trading volumes and activity are highest.
What to See#
- Main auction building: A contiguous auction complex that houses the main trading floors, sorting lines and packing areas under one roof; the facility accommodates wholesale handling and distribution at large scale.
- Cold storage and logistics: Extensive temperature-controlled storage and logistics zones that link to road and air export, supporting rapid distribution of cut flowers and plants internationally.
How to Get to Aalsmeer Flower Auction#
Aalsmeer is southwest of Amsterdam. From Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, take bus 199 or regional buses to Aalsmeer; from Amsterdam city center, buses and local trains connect toward Hoofddorp and then bus services to Aalsmeer. The auction is a short taxi or local bus from Aalsmeer station.
Tips for Visiting Aalsmeer Flower Auction#
- To watch the auction, arrive early (before 6:00am) - the real action takes place very early.
- Use the public visitor gallery or book a guided tour in advance, as the auction floor is restricted to buyers.
- Combine with a canal-side walk in Aalsmeer to watch the barges arrive with flower cargo.
Best Time to Visit Aalsmeer Flower Auction#
Visit in spring for the busiest, most florid season; very early mornings are essential to see the auction in operation.
Weather & Climate near Aalsmeer Flower Auction#
Aalsmeer Flower Auction's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 0°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (834 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 70 mm | overcast | 91% | 5.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.1h |
| February | Poor | 0° - 6° | -1° | 51 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.7h |
| March | Acceptable | 2° - 9° | 2° | 64 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.2 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Good | 4° - 12° | 6° | 45 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.6 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Very Good | 8° - 17° | 13° | 51 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.5h |
| June | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 71 mm | overcast | 79% | 4.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.5h |
| July | Good | 13° - 21° | 17° | 69 mm | overcast | 79% | 4.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.0h |
| August | Very Good | 12° - 22° | 17° | 64 mm | overcast | 80% | 3.9 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.5h |
| September | Good | 10° - 18° | 14° | 85 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.1 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 14° | 11° | 89 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.5 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 9° | 3° | 94 mm | overcast | 90% | 4.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.6h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 7° | 0° | 81 mm | overcast | 92% | 5.2 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.5h |