Amphawa's is probably the most popular floating market among Thais from Bangkok. Amphawa floating market has gradually gained in popularity among foreigners as well, Unlike Tha Kha and many other floating markets,Amphawa is an afternoon market (no early am wake up!). There is undoubtedly a touristic element but, unlike Damnoen Saduak, here the tourists are mostly Thai and the foreign faces usually come with tour groups from Bangkok.
The market itself sits on the quaint Amphawa canal, part of a network of more than 300 canals jutting out of the adjacent Mae Khlong river. With elevated banks boasting teakwood heritage houses and canal-side seating,
One of the market’s main draws is its endless spread of khanom or Thai sweets/snacks, which the town is known for (there's even a "Thai dessert museum" nearby). Streams of people wander the banks stopping frequently to sit on benches and chow down on dried pork, sweet sticky rice grilled in bamboo and all manner of colourful treats made from rice flour, coconut, mung bean and more. On steps leading down to the water groups gather to buy whole steamed crabs, fried mackerel fish (also famous here) and som tam from sellers floating in their wooden sampans.
Boat trips to nearby temples are touted throughout the market and cost 50 baht a journey, though there is definitely enough to see without getting on the water. In the evenings boats take visitors to see the incredibly popular fireflies. The motorised tourist boats have unfortunately gotten a bit out of hand in recent years, making the market noisier than it used to be.