Mudpie Fridays >> Flower Gardens >> Floriade 2022 Almere – Everything you need to know before you visit

Floriade 2022 Almere – Everything you need to know before you visit

Floriade 2022 Almere, Amsterdam. Over the May bank holiday, mum and I visited Amsterdam to go to Keukenhof tulip gardens and also visit Floriade World Horticultural Expo 2022. The public event is a unique exhibition held every ten years and is one of the world’s major horticultural shows. We managed to time our visit and tickets so we could see both at the same time. This year the expo’s theme was sustainable solutions, green solutions and alternative sources of energy. With a focus on climate change, air purification and sustainable food production. Which was reflected in many of the gardens and many of the displays on show. Many counties have been involved in showcasing their new technologies. Presenting them in their country pavilions and through country presentations.

In fact, the whole area where Floriade is set up will be a garden city in its own right – a green city of the future. When the show finishes in October. With its own residential area, apartments, school and cable car it is a vast site. In total the sustainable city is a 60-hectare Floriade site. We visited for one day and saw as much as we could. This is how we got on.

Table of Contents

Where is the international horticultural exhibition Floriade 2022

Located close to the Dutch town of Almere, near Amsterdam in The Netherlands. Floride is 30km away from Amsterdam city centre. Located right on the A6 motorway you can actually spot it from the road. As the cable car goes across. As we had the car we did not stay in Amsterdam instead choosing a hotel which was only a ten-minute drive away. But more crucially had parking. In time the island that Floriade is built on will link up with Almere itself.

How do you get there?

There are various ways to get to Floriade, Amsterdam. You can drive and there is a large car park which you need to book in advance. This costs 14.50€ and includes a shuttle bus to the entrance. Alternatively, if you are staying in Almere it is possible to get a boat trip across for 4.50€. With sustainability in mind, there are also various bus routes which stop at the show and you could also cycle. As our hotel was closer than the car park. We actually decided to get a taxi. However, we did find that this cost us more than we were expecting because actually getting to the entrance is a long way round.

What will you see and do at Floriade 2022 Almere

The show is split into three main themed zones focused on growing green cities. When you arrive you can feel a little overwhelmed by just how big it is you will need a full day to see it all. We also found that quite some of it were still being built or planted. I suspect as it spans such a long time that this will be the case throughout the show. As planting needs to be changed as the seasons change. When we visited these are the things we enjoyed the most in each area.

Green Island – focus on green spaces

We really liked seeing all the bug hotels around this area, and the bees definitely seemed to like them as well.
Koers was probably my favourite exhibit of all. Made from lots of glass jars with different items in them which coloured the water. It was surprisingly peaceful and gave a beautiful light. When we visited the agapanthus was not in flower. But when it is it will look stunning.
Van Gough garden. Although I wasn’t a great fan of the metal raised platforms. The metal sculpture and seating area which were painted in his colour palette and also looked a bit like an eye were very effective. Just opposite there is more artwork of a butterfly and bee painted onto a wall.
We took a quiet walk along with the parameter through park-like surroundings, which took you out onto the Weerwater Lake. The paths are wide and for the most part empty. At some point here it will link up with the city of Almere.
The World Village gardens were interesting with traditional live music and several selling mint tea and coffee. Although much of the village wasn’t open. There would be a real buzz if they all do the same.

Utopia Island – focus on expression and families

The bridge across to Utopia Island is quite special as it has three layers of plants growing along its side.
My favourite part was the kid’s area with lots of small plots with name signs. Next to this was the Almere Utopia. Right on the lake, there was a lot to look at and a real mix of textures and shapes.
The willow man and tunnels were also really interesting hanging lots of messages that the children had written.
When we visited the light house was shut so it was not possible to get to the top. But we did stop for a drink and some cake and to listen to the live entertainment at lunchtime
We also caught the cable car from here and looked at many of the gardens on Green Island from above. So you could see the shapes that had been created by the gardens and pathways.

New Urban District – focus on urban areas

The Chinese Bamboo garden had some of the best planting we saw the whole time we were at the show, with beautiful colours of flowers. There are plenty of bamboo seats for you to stop and take it all in. Along with a large bamboo bridge.
The Japanese House – not only did this have some beautiful flower bulbs and varieties of tulips and anemones but inside the house, there were the most exquisite pressed flower pictures
The Thailand Palace was also very beautiful with hanging orchids and a carved dragon. Although you could not go in when we visited, unfortunately.
We liked the statue of Behold with the apartment block in the background covered in pictures of flowers.

How much does it cost – Floriade 2022 Almere Tickets

I did wonder because of the size if one day Floriade 2022 tickets, would be sufficient to visit and see everything. However, we did see pretty much everything that we wanted. As the show develops and the other areas are fully built then you may be able to squeeze two days out of it. Especially if it gets busy and so naturally takes longer to see everything. A day Floriade 2022 tickets cost us xx within the price of your day Floriade 2022 ticket you also get one ride on the cable car. At the time of booking it is also possible to book the car park.

Food & drink at Floriade 2022 Almere

It is not cheap and it is a little hit and miss. There are several main restaurants but we also spotted a number of vans which served hot drinks and cold drinks as well as a selection of cakes and snacks. The only problem with the vans was that there is one person serving and also preparing grilled sandwiches which meant it took a long time to get served. Bringing your own snacks and drinks is probably the way forward.

Things to be aware of when visiting Floriade 2022 Almere, Amsterdam

Make sure you pick up a map at the entrance

Although there are several large ones dotted around the show having it to had will really help you navigate your way around. And as everything is numbered work out what you are actually looking at.

Lack of planting

Unlike other garden shows, we have been to here in the UK there did seem a significant lack of planting at Floriade 2022 Almere. Now I am not sure if this is because it only opened two weeks before or just because the focus is much more on sustainability and technology. Where there was planting there was only very little detail about the plants themselves. So if you did see something you thought you may try at home you were hard pressed to find out what it is.

Cable car

So this annoyed me. The two ends of the cable car are quite away from each other. So when you visit make a plan as to where you want to get on and consequently get off. As your entrance ticket only allows a single ride, a one-way ride. If you want an additional ride then you need to pay 4.50€ to go back. We saw quite a few people unhappy with this set up and I am not surprised.

Water

Is so very expensive. I was surprised that there was nowhere to fill up water bottles on the basis that it is meant to be sustainable. The only fountains we found were outside toilets and were for cleaning your feet. Instead, you could buy a small terapak of water for around 4€.

Miniature Train

The area is vast make sure you wear comfortable footwear. It is possible to get a little train to take you around from area to area. This costs an additional 4.50€, you can pick it up at various locations throughout the show. Including at the entrance.

Opening Hours

Floriade 2022 Almere, Amsterdam opened on the 14th of April and shuts on the 9th of October. It is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm each day. You can find out more information on the Floriade website.

Have you visited the horticultural exhibition Floriade expo in Amsterdam? I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.

If you have enjoyed this post then you may also be interested in our trip to Zaanse Schans