You don’t want to miss this!

Bloemenmarkt was founded back in 1862. If you’re in the market for some tulips, Holland’s most beloved flower, this is definitely the place to be. They sell more than just tulip bunches though. They’ve got other types of flowers/plants like birds of paradise, bonsai trees, and of course, tulip bulbs.

Like any tourist, I wanted to bring some bulbs back as souvenirs. It’s inexpensive (packaged bulbs were 4 for 10 euros), and it’s a unique gift. So I did some research research beforehand about whether or not it’s legal to bring back tulip bulbs into the U.S. I’ve gotten a lot of mixed answers. One where it’s absolutely illegal and it will get confiscated. Another where it’s legal, but only if it has some sort of an agricultural stamp on it. And another where it’s completely legal as long as you declare it to customs because if you don’t, you’ll be paying high fines.

I ended up taking 5 packs back and had no issues. Unfortunately, some bulbs spoiled on the way back. I’m not sure if it’s because it needed air but I did a quick Google search and in order to prolong the life of your bulbs, you need to put them in a cool and dry area.

If you’re not interested in flowers, Bloemenmarkt is the place to get your souvenirs. They’ve got your magnets. They’ve got your shot glasses. They’ve got your keychains. All of your typical touristy souvenir stuff – and all at a cheaper price than you would find at a brick and mortar shop. Just be sure to make your rounds to all of the shops before you make a purchase because the prices vary from shop to shop.