Discover Lelystad – Holiday Apartments Between Nature, Culture and Polder History

The city of Lelystad combines places connected with polder history with nature areas, the coast and unusual museums. On Swifterringweg stands Robert Morris’s observatory from 1977. It consists of concentric earth embankments with three triangular openings that frame seasonal sunrises: on 21 March and 21 September, as well as at the summer solstice on 21 June and the winter solstice on 21 December.

Culture

The Batavia is housed in the Batavialand Museum: a reconstruction of a 17th-century VOC ship built using traditional techniques. Historical crafts are demonstrated at the shipyard, including traditional wooden shipbuilding. The museum also explores the history of the Zuiderzee and its transformation into new land, and displays centuries-old shipwrecks.

Another striking work is Exposure, a 26-metre-high sculpture by artist Antony Gormley. It consists of 1,800 unique steel profiles. The history of the landscape also includes Werkeiland Lelystad: it was the first inhabited part of Oostelijk Flevoland, which had not yet been reclaimed, and around 1950 it served as the starting point for building the dike around the new polder.

The Aviodrome aviation museum displays more than 100 unique aircraft. It has flight simulators and a 4D cinema. Visitors can board a Boeing 747 and learn how aircraft work.

Nature

Natuurpark Lelystad is home to European bison, Przewalski’s horses, European otters, Père David’s deer, wild boar, red deer and moose as Eurasian animal species; several of the species living there are endangered. The Toeristisch OverstapPunt Boer & Bos is located at the Natuurpark visitor centre in Lelystad. It is a starting point for exploring the rural surroundings with agricultural land and nature areas.

The Marker Wadden are a nature destination accessible by ferry from Lelystad. A walking route in Lelystad runs along the extensive coastline, through tranquil nature areas and to notable places in the city.

Paths and Water

Buitencentrum Oostvaardersplassen is a starting point for walking and cycling routes, excursions and other activities. It is difficult to reach by public transport; OV-fiets bicycles can be rented at Lelystad NS railway station.

The One Day Trail Lelystad Erfgoed en Nationaal Park is a 26-kilometre hike through a national park and the history of Flevoland. The Fietsroute: Landart & landscape Lelystad runs across reclaimed land with straight cycle paths.

Houtribhoekstrand is Lelystad’s largest beach and offers swimming opportunities in the IJsselmeer. An area for small children is separated by a ball line.

Regional Surroundings

In the wider region surrounding the municipality of Lelystad are Strand Horst, a beach; Oldenaller, a castle; Strand Nulde, a beach; the ruins of Oud Naarden; Muiderslot, a castle; De Krooneend, an island; and Almeerderstrand, a beach. Larserbos, a park, is located in the area surrounding the municipality of Lelystad.

Other destinations: Urk, Dronten, Noordoostpolder, Almere, Zeewolde.

For the higher-level travel overview: Flevoland.