Aalsmeer can be explored through two special themes: water and ornamental plants. The Westeinderplassen shape experiences on, in and by the water; in gardens, museums and at Royal FloraHolland, you can encounter the world of plants from different perspectives. Together, these discoveries tell the story of an area where landscape, leisure and flower culture coexist.
Waterways and Activities on the Westeinderplassen
The Grote Poel and Kleine Poel together have a circumference of about 19 kilometres. A walking path runs along the water from the centre of Aalsmeer towards Leimuiden. For a boat trip, consider a circular route that starts in the village and passes through the Kleine Poel. Boats can moor at four public islands on the Westeinderplassen. Another way to discover the waterscape is a trip with Aalsmeer Rondvaart: the tour travels to Aalsmeer-Oost in an original covered wooden praam.
There are also different ways to enjoy activities on the water. Zeilschool Aalsmeer rents out sailboats and motorboats, sloops, canoes and SUPs, and offers sailing courses. On the Bovenlanden route, you can travel by SUP or canoe through narrow ditches alongside the islands. Waterskivereniging Aalsmeer offers water skiing, wakeboarding and barefoot water skiing on the Westeinderplassen; Windsurfclub Aalsmeer runs windsurfing courses on the Surfeiland near the Watertoren.
Surfeiland is accessible by land and by water. It has a sandy beach with a gently sloping entry into the water. SUP boards are also available to rent in Aalsmeer, along with guided SUP courses. Designated swimming is permitted at Zwemsteiger Kudelstaart, although this is seasonal. There is both a shallow area and another area with a depth of two metres. Zwemsteiger can be reached by bicycle and has a small parking area for cars.
Discover Flower Growing and Trading
At Royal FloraHolland, you can learn about the logistics of the flower trade on your own or on a guided tour. By car, you can reach the site via the A4, the Aalsmeer/Hoofddorp exit, and the N201 and N231; free parking is available for visitors. The Historische Tuin Aalsmeer offers another way to explore the world of plants: it contains more than 1,200 plant species and varieties and serves as a gene bank for modern ornamental horticulture.
From April to October, the Historische Tuin holds a public auction on the last Saturday of every month, which all visitors can attend. Check the official calendar before your visit, as there may be exceptions. Flowers and plants are also at the heart of the Flower Art Museum. It is located in a former clean-water reservoir opposite the Watertoren Aalsmeer and is dedicated to their representation in art. The museum is closed for renovation work; contact the museum before travelling to check whether a visit is possible.
Architecture, History and Landscape
The Watertoren Aalsmeer is a 50-metre-high Art Deco water tower, completed around 1928. It is open to the public on the second and fourth Sunday of each month; opening arrangements depend on the peregrine falcon nesting season. Check in advance whether a visit is possible. The Oude Raadhuis, built in 1780, now serves as an exhibition space with a gallery and sculpture garden. Another discovery for architecture enthusiasts is the R.K. St.-Johannes de Doperkerk in Kudelstaart: the three-aisled neoclassical church was built in 1822.
The mill route also brings landscape and history together. The Aalsmeer Mill Route is an approximately 18-kilometre walking or cycling tour that passes three mills. One of the mills on the route is still in operation; the miller grinds grain on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The Oosteinderpoel nature area in the surroundings of Aalsmeer offers a different impression of the landscape. With its islands and creeks, it is a habitat for birds such as goshawks, common buzzards and grey herons, and is accessible only by boat.
Kudelstaart and Places of Remembrance
Fort bij Kudelstaart, a fort surrounded by a moat and part of the Stelling van Amsterdam, is located in Kudelstaart. The moat has been used as a marina since 1959. The Monument De Propeller commemorates a Stirling bomber that crashed into the Westeinder in 1942. A memorial ceremony for those who fell in the Second World War takes place there every year on 4 May; details may change. The Kerkhof van Calslagen also preserves traces of the past: a low wall stands on the foundations of the former church, and 17th-century gravestones lie within the outline of the original church building.
Discover more destinations: Aalsmeer, Kudelstaart, Den Helder, Velsen, Amstelveen, Huizen, Blaricum, Schagen.
For the overview of the wider region: North Holland.
