Urk Schokland Batavia Stad
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Public Transport Map Ma
Edam
Lelystad
rkermeer
Bataviahaven
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Station Lelystad 3 7
Volendam
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Big Lake
Marken
Oostvaarders Plassen
Lelystad Airport
Monnickendam
Aviodrome
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20 min New Land Almere Oostvaarders
Amsterdam City
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Amsterdam Central Station
Almere
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Muiden
Visitor Information Centres I amsterdam Visitor Centre Central Station or Amsterdam Airport Schiphol www.iamsterdam.com/area
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156 327 328 Busstation ‘t Oor
Almere Haven
A VVV Lelystad (www.vvvlelystad.nl) B VVV Almere (www.vvvalmere.nl)
156 De Kemphaan
Highlights Batavia Yard New Land Museum Batavia Stad Amsterdam Fashion Outlet Buitencentrum Oostvaardersplassen Natuurbelevingscentrum De Oostvaarders Fun Forest Almere Schouwburg (city theatre) Almere Cablepark MARE (Vis à Vis) Aviodrome Natuurpark Lelystad
Muiden, P+R Terrein
Goo Weesp
Almere Centrum 156 322
322 Station Almere Poort Muiderslot
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Almere Parkwijk
imeer Bus
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Centrum
A’dam Bijlmer ArenA 328
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Photo: De Nieuwe Wildernis
NEW LAND The biggest polder in the world! Only 20 minutes from Amsterdam, the perfect destination for suprising trips
Daytrips
ALMERE
Monavid ©
AM-NewLand.indd 1
• Famous Architecture • Cool adventures at Fun Forest • Open-air theatre Vis à Vis
Holland's Youngest Province (full day) The best way to experience the beautiful New Land is to take a train from Amsterdam Central Station to Lelystad Centrum (38 mins). The view from the train is spectacular, as you can see all kinds of indigenous animals in the Oostvaardersplassen Nature Reserve along the way. From Lelystad Centrum, take bus 3 to the New Land Museum (Batavia Stad stop, less than 10 mins). Discover the history of the reclamation of Flevoland, Holland’s youngest province, through fascinating presentations and exhibitions. Next to the museum is the Batavia Yard and a replica of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) ship Batavia. You can also visit the exhibition and take a guided tour. On your way back to Amsterdam, stop at Almere Centrum to admire the stunning modern architecture of this new – 40-year-old – city. Special ‘architecture routes’ for both hikers and bikers are available at the Almere Tourist Information (VVV Almere) B at De Diagonaal 199 in the main shopping street. Thanks to an ingenious system of elevated roads and bicycle-only underpasses, cycling is much easier here than in the centre of Amsterdam since cars and cyclists are kept separate from each other. Trains run every 15 minutes from Almere to Amsterdam Central Station and in just 25 minutes.
LELYSTAD
• Batavia Stad Amsterdam Fashion Outlet • Heritage Center ‘Nieuw Land’ • Batavia Yard
More Almere (1/2 day or full day) The easiest way to get to Almere Centrum is by train from Amsterdam Central Station (towards Lelystad Centrum, (25 mins). Begin your visit at the Almere Tourist Information (VVV Almere) B, which is a short walk from the train station at the end of the main shopping street. The VVV provides you with everything you need to have a great day in Almere. Aside from its trendy shopping – you’ll find brands like Hugo Boss, G-star and Rituals – Almere is famous for its outstanding modern architecture. Cycle routes take in all of the city’s iconic buildings and bikes can be rented at the VVV, where you will also be provided with maps of special architecture routes that explain exactly what you are seeing. If you have some extra time, don’t miss the Oostvaardersplassen , a unique nature reserve comprising 56 km2 of protected marshlands and fields. You’ll find a wide variety of deer, cattle, birds and Konik horses. The Oostvaardersplassen, also known as the ‘New Wilderness’, is within cycling distance of Almere Centrum (+/-30 mins). Homemade pies and local products are served in Gasterij Oostvaardersplassen, a cosy restaurant with wonderful views of the beautiful surroundings.
Sky's the Limit (1/2 day) If you're more of an adventurer, head out to the Aviodrome Lelystad (www.aviodrome.nl) and learn all about modern aviation. Nowhere else in the world you can see and experience aeroplanes of so many different types. Test your knowledge of aeroplane trivia, look inside a Boeing 747 or visit the 4D theatre or museum. There is even more to do outside, including viewing planes taking off from and landing at Lelystad Airport from a lookout point. The airport also offers private sightseeing flights over Flevoland, Holland’s youngest province. See for yourself why the Dutch are masters of land reclamation and water management. A fun day out for the whole family! Take the train from Amsterdam Central Station to Lelystad Centrum (38 mins), then bus 7 to the Aviodrome (approx. 10 mins).
Old Meets New (full day)
Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (ARTT)
Take a train from Amsterdam Central Station to Lelystad Centrum (38 mins), then bus 3 to the New Land Museum (Batavia Stad stop, less than 10 mins), (www.nieuwlanderfgoed.nl). Discover the history of the reclamation of Flevoland, Holland’s youngest province, through fascinating presentations and exhibitions. Next to the museum is the Batavia Yard and a replica of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) ship Batavia. You can also visit the exhibition and take a guided tour. Complete your day at the Batavia Stad Amsterdam Fashion Outlet (www.bataviastad.nl), a five-minute walk from Batavia Yard. This premium outlet centre offers over 100 stores, relaxed cafés and fine restaurants. Choose from international fashion brands, such as Hugo Boss, Nike and Michael Kors, always with 30-70% additional savings on high-street prices. A special luxury bus runs once per day from Amsterdam Central Station (in front of Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam Hotel) directly to Batavia Stad Amsterdam Fashion Outlet (departs 10:00, returns 16:00).
Get out of Amsterdam with the ARTT, which grants you unlimited travel on the city's public transportation and beyond. From flower auctions and windmills to beaches and medieval castles, ARTT is the easiest and most economical way to explore everything the greater Amsterdam Metropolitan Area has to offer! Pick up yours at an I amsterdam Visitor Centre, participating public transport company ticket counter or selected hotel or campsite. (Don't forget to check in and out whenever you get on or off a train or bus!) ARTT tickets are valid on any bus, tram, metro and train services offered by GVB, Connexxion, EBS and NS (including night buses) from 0:00 until 4:00 the following day. Tickets are NOT accepted on Arriva busses in Lelystad. 1-day tickets are €18.50, 2-day tickets €26 and 3-day tickets €33.50. Find more information and a map of all included routes on: www.iamsterdam.com/area
FLEVOLAND
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• The biggest polder in the world! • Six metres below sea level • Oostvaardersplassen
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BATAVIASTAD.COM
vvvalmere.nl
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vvvlelystad.nl
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visitflevoland.nl
New Land
New Nature
New meets Old
The New Land locations offer fascinating examples of cutting-edge architecture and creative developments. And, unique in the world, six pieces of land art can be visited in a single day.
A popular seaside getaway is the Big Lake known as the Markermeer. Take to the water for sailing or kick back on a picturesque harbour terrace. The Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve is a fantastic spot for a hike or a day of bird watching.
Flevoland may be the youngest province in Holland, but its history goes back centuries. This can be seen in the Bataviawerf (‘Batavia Yard’) shipyard, where an authentic reconstruction of a 17th-century VOC ship is moored.
Maarten Feenstra ©
During the creation of the Flevoland polder, the engineers and planners decided to mark the momentous occasion with art. They turned to an artform that spoke to their imagination: land art. As a result, a collection of six ‘land art’ works – the highest concentration anywhere in the world – by worldfamous artists such as Robert Morris, Richard Serra and Daniel Libeskind was commissioned. All six can be visited in a single day. Discover these gems by yourself (by car) or during an organised bus tour – and take in the amazing history of Flevoland’s creation at the same time. Bus tours run in the summer, and the annual Land Art Live programme sees contemporary artists respond to the mammoth works with temporary interventions.
Young Cities Architecture and New Land
Located just 25 minutes from Amsterdam, Almere has a 42-kilometre coastline and beautiful scenery, but it is perhaps best known for its daring contemporary architecture. From the moment it was established in 1976, Almere has been one of the fastest growing cities in Europe. It is a place where innovations thrive – which is essentially what the ‘new town’ character is all about. Lelystad was intended as the capital of the IJsselmeer polders. That’s why it was named after the father of the Zuiderzee project, Dutch engineer, water expert, minister, governor and politician Cornelis Lely. Today, Lelystad offers plenty to see and do, from a replica of a 17th-century VOC ship to one of the country’s largest outlet malls. It is particularly delightful in the summer, when the waterside terraces overlooking the harbor beckon.
Wild horses and singing birds
The IJsselmeer, Markermeer and IJmeer form an impressive artificial lake – formerly the Zuiderzee before the Afsluitdijk was built in 1932, closing it off from the sea. This large mass of water, known as the Big Lake, is perfect for sailing, with the province of Noord-Holland along its west coast and Flevoland and Friesland along its east coast. Many companies rent out boats or offer guided trips aboard catamarans, clippers and historic sailing ships. Swimming, surfing and sunbathing are also popular summer pastimes. But there’s plenty to do for landlubbers, too, including visiting the nature reserve, sampling the freshly caught seafood and relaxing on the water’s edge.
Discover endangered species in a beautiful setting. Natuurpark Lelystad is, for many rare breeds such as Przewalski’s horse, an important link in the circle of wildlife. There is an extensive system of hiking and cycling trails and several picnic areas. The visitor centre offers information on tours and packages, and there’s a shop where you can rent bikes. They will provide you with all information about Natuurpark Lelystad and other beautiful nature reserves such as Lepelaarsplassen. www.flevolandschap.nl
Batavia Yard In the ‘Batavia Yard’ shipyard, workers reconstruct ships from the Golden Age that were important to Holland’s maritime history. In April 1995, the Batavia, the most authentic reconstruction of a 17th-century VOC ship ever made, was launched after ten years of construction. A sort of Golden Age Titanic – the Batavia, filled to the brim with cannons and goods for the colonies, crashed into a reef off the shores of western Australia during its maiden voyage in 1629. The Batavia’s crew was then beset by mutiny and murders before another ship arrived to rescue those who had survived all the mayhem. The replica is on show all year round.
www.visitflevoland.nl/landart
The sky’s the limit as you take to the trees at Fun Forest in Almere’s Stadslandgoed de Kemphaan. With four routes through the trees and long, white-knuckle zip lines (up to 150 metres in length), it’s the perfect day out for the whole family. Starting from children aged eight (min height 1.30 metres). The Fun Forest reception is located in the new Forestry Commission outdoor centre, which also has a great restaurant. See www.kemphaan.nl for more information.
The Oostvaardersplassen is a unique nature reserve located between Lelystad and Almere. Comprising 56 km2 of protected marshlands and fields, it serves as a migration area for birds and makes for an amazing spot for a hike or a day of birdwatching. Its ‘locals’ include not just residents of the feathered kind but also wild deer, cattle and Konik horses. The nature film De Nieuwe Wildernis, a spectacular production that captured the wildlife over a period of two years, was shot here. Stop by one of the two visitor centres – one in Almere, the other in Lelystad – to join an organised tour.
Famous Architects
www.visitflevoland.nl/architecture
www.funforest.nl/almere
New Land Museum + Archive + Studycentre Presenting a broad outline of the history of Flevoland, from the prehistoric Swifterbant people to the largest reclamation project ever: the Zuiderzee Project. The collection includes 6,000-year-old archaeological finds from the days when Flevoland was still an extensive marshland, as well as archives with thousands of photographs, documents and much more. There’s plenty for children to do, including presentations that let them step into the shoes of a dyke builder, archaeologist or lockkeeper. Fun experiments and games teach them about one of Holland’s key challenges: water management.
Natuurbelevingcentrum De Oostvaarders www.stadennatuur.nl Buitencentrum Oostvaardersplassen www.staatsbosbeheer.nl
Fred Rotgans ©
www.nieuwlanderfgoed.nl
Ship Cemetery
MARE (Vis à Vis)
Cablepark
Step off at Station Almere Poort, the entertainment heart of Amsterdam's close suburban cousin, for a open-air theatrical spactacle 27 years in the making – MARE, the latest show at the enormous beachside Vis à Vis water theatre, is an eye-popping exploration of the tempestuous relationship between the Dutch and the sea.
Calling all (water-based) thrill-seekers! Spend a day whizzing around the Weerwater Lake on waterskis or a wakeboard, aided by a kilometre-long cable track that enables speeds of up to 30 km/h. After working up an appetite, grab a seat on the restaurant terrace and take in the tremendous views of the Almere skyline. Advance booking recommended; closed in winter.
www.visavis.nl
www.cultureelerfgoed.nl
Fun Forest
Oostvaardersplassen
A feast for fans of modern architecture, Almere’s skyline elegantly fuses modern design with elements of nature. Iconic Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, with his firm OMA, conceptualised the design of Almere's city centre to be exceptionally pedestrian friendly. Spaces rise and fall, widen and narrow, creating a curved surface so the ‘flat city’ is interrupted by an accumulation of functions. Koolhaas’s design creates a soft dynamic that underpins individual architectural statements from the world’s most famous architects. Pritzker Prize-winner Christian De Portzamparc designed the Citadel, a dual-purpose block that fits into Rem Koolhaas’ multi-layered urban plan. The block is fragmented by the crossing of two pedestrian high streets built onto a structural plate, which, below, accommodates the public car network and car parks. Above the high streets, colourful houses are distributed around a large convex meadow . And it doesn’t end there. The Agora Theater in Lelystad has been universally praised for its design, and has two beautiful halls that host performances of various genres all year round (www.agora-lelystad.nl). The Zilverparkkade, meanwhile, comprises eye-catching terraced houses, each designed by a different architect. With a nod to the canal houses of Amsterdam (street-facing facades, staggered roof heights), the buildings make a distinctive entrance to the city centre.
Next to the Bataviawerf (‘Batavia Yard’) shipyard, the archaeological ship depot displays more than 30,000 objects recovered from shipwrecks. Highlights include a 2,000-yearold Roman ship found near Utrecht and a barge that was excavated in Lelystad.
Maarten Feenstra © De Nieuwe Wildernis
TIP: See Almere’s architecture from an insider’s perspective, with a guided tour – of the city centre or other neighbourhoods. Or explore Almere by yourself by bike. Rentals and information about guided tours are available at the Tourist Information (VVV Almere). Alternatively, join a guided Segway tour with Segs in the City, taking in the city’s iconic architecture, parks and natural surroundings. www.vvvalmere.nl
Netherlands Institude for Maritime Archeology
www.bataviawerf.nl
www.visitflevoland.nl/architecture
Maarten Feenstra ©
TIP: SEE THE POLDER FROM ABOVE See Flevoland from a different angle during a scenic helicopter or aeroplane flight from Lelystad Airport. Follow the flight with a visit to the adjacent Aviodrome, a 6,000 m2 museum covering all aspects of aeroplanes and the development of flight – from the Wright Brothers’ first successful aircraft up to the present day. Explore a host of 70 historical aircraft, including Baron von Richthofen’s WWI triplane, a Spitfire and a KLM 747. You can also play air-traffic controller in a recreated flight tower or watch aviation films in the mega-cinema. www.visitflevoland.nl/attractions
Are you interested in cutting-edge architecture and intrigued by modern urban development? Then you’ll be spoilt for choice in New Land. Some city blocks in Lelystad and Almere are exhibitions in their own right, featuring breathtaking visual spectacles of architectural bravery.
Big Lake
www.visitflevoland.nl/water
Anna van Kooij ©
www.visitflevoland.nl/history
Land Art
Geert van der Wijk ©
Whenever and wherever you walk in Flevoland, you’re walking on the seabed. A system of dykes protects the area from the surrounding sea, the level of which is, on average, five metres higher. In the 20th century, work began on reclaiming more than 1,800 km2 from the inland Zuiderzee, creating Holland’s 12th and youngest province, Flevoland, and cities like Almere and Lelystad in the process. Before the Zuiderzee was drained, it posed a looming and constant threat to the inhabitants of the surrounding area, with thousands of people losing their lives during storm floods. The idea to drain the Zuiderzee had been raised as far back as the 17th century, but it took modern engineering to complete the project. Work began in 1924 and by 1932 Dutch aquatic prowess had achieved what many thought was impossible: the Afsluitdijk (literally ‘closure dyke’), which runs for some 30 kilometres from the province of Noord-Holland in the west to Friesland in the east. Today, the area’s remarkable history, a unique nature reserve, modern architecture and friendly beaches make New Land well worth a visit.
Jasper Pluim ©
The World's Largest Polder
Jasper Pluim ©
Jasper Pluim ©
For centuries the population has waged a war with water, using dykes, dams, windmills and pumping stations to protect farms and towns. In the 20th century work began on reclaiming a large area of land from the former Zuiderzee, creating the province of Flevoland.
New Architecture
www.cableparkalmere.nl
The former Zuiderzee is one of the largest ‘dry’ ship graveyards in the world. As many as 435 shipwrecks, with an inventory of nearly 33,000 objects, were revealed when the polder was drained. Behind these anonymous numbers are, of course, exceptionally heroic stories and indescribably difficult moments at sea. Ships, including their cargo, equipment and crew, perished over the course of centuries as a result of overwhelming storms, unexpected shoals, sandbars and congested channels. TIP: The sites of shipwrecks throughout Flevoland are marked by poles topped with a boat. The New Land Museum has a bicycle route map, which takes in all the shipwreck locations (see the wrecks in the area on the map here: www.verganeschepen.nl).
Batavia Stad Amsterdam Fashion Outlet Amid all this history is the premium outlet centre Batavia Stad Amsterdam Fashion Outlet. This charming, reconstructed 17th-century village is a shopping Valhalla for fashion lovers. More than 250 international fashion and lifestyle brands like Hugo Boss, Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger are waiting to inspire you with the latest trends, must-have items and more. Not only your wardrobe gaps will be filled after a day at Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet; you can also indulge yourself with jewellery, chocolate and even innovative cookware. Tired of shopping? Relax and soak in the cosy ‘Batavia vibe‘ at one of the hip cafés or pleasant restaurants. www.bataviastad.com TIP: A special Shopping Shuttle runs directly from Amsterdam Central Station to Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet. The shuttle departs daily at 10 AM from the pick-up point in front of Amsterdam Victoria Plaza Hotel (4 PM return).
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