Discover Lelystad: Nature, History and Aviation

Lelystad combines polder history with nature and aviation. Batavia, a true-to-scale reconstruction of the 1628 ship, is located in the Batavialand Museum; it is explicitly not an exact copy. Werkeiland Lelystad is also known as Perceel P and is considered the place where Lelystad began and where the first inhabited piece of land in the new polder was created.

History, Art and Water Management by the Water

This historical connection continues by the water. A coastal route leads from Werkeiland on foot or by bicycle past Gemaal Wortman pumping station and Wortmansluis lock. The One Day Trail: Erfgoed & Nationaal Park also passes Werkeiland Lelystad. Gemaal Wortman and Wortmansluis are among the water-management structures along the coastal route. The coastal route can therefore be included in the day's plans as a walking or cycling route.

There are more than ten murals in the urban area, spread throughout Stadshart and the 't Lelycentre shopping centre. Exposure adds another striking accent: The work was designed by British artist Antony Gormley.

Oostvaardersplassen: Trails and Wildlife Watching

In the vicinity of Lelystad, the core area of the Oostvaardersplassen has Natura 2000 status. The Buitencentrum Oostvaardersplassen in Lelystad is the starting point for activities and hiking routes in the Oostvaardersplassen. The visitor centre therefore provides the starting point for finding your way along trails through this natural area.

At the edge of the area and along several hiking trails, there are bird hides and viewpoints with good views of the birds of the Oostvaardersplassen, making it possible to plan wildlife observations at various sections of the area's trails. With a little luck, visitors can spot red deer, Konik horses and Heck cattle in the Oostvaardersplassen.

The 't Lange pad hiking trail partly runs along unpaved paths. Anyone planning this route with a dog should note that dogs must be kept on a lead and that a small section is inaccessible to them. The combination of the route and the leash rule is part of planning the route with a dog.

Play Equipment and Aviation

The Belevenissenbos has more than 150 play structures, most of which are arranged along and above the water. The Aviodrome aviation museum displays more than 100 aircraft in and around its new exhibition. At Aviodrome, visitors can also use a flight simulator and fly themselves over the world in it. In the aviation museum's helicopter exhibition, they can learn how to pilot a helicopter.

Getting There and Marker Wadden

The journey from Amsterdam to Lelystad takes around 40 minutes, while Lelystad can be reached from Zwolle by Hanzelijn train in 30 minutes. The special ferry to the Marker Wadden departs from Bataviahaven in Lelystad. This means that, in addition to the places in Lelystad, the ferry connection to the Marker Wadden can also be included in your plans.

To the overarching travel overview: Lelystad.