Almere has a 42-kilometre coastline and lies on the Gooimeer, IJmeer and Markermeer lakes. Water sports, beaches and nature areas are among the city’s attractions; at the same time, modern architecture and archaeological history shape its character. As you explore Almere, you’ll encounter a range of themes at specific locations and along routes through the city and its landscapes.
Water, Trails and Birdlife
The coastline is ideal for sunbathing, celebrations and water sports. At Almeerderstrand, you can sail, windsurf and go stand-up paddleboarding. You can stroll along the dunes and explore the surrounding green landscape by bicycle. Two restaurants at Almeerderstrand offer views of the water and serve dishes made with fresh, local ingredients; check what’s on offer before your visit. Stedenwijk Beach offers a different perspective: from there, you can look out over the Weerwater, and the beach is a five-minute walk from the city centre.
There are routes for cycling at different levels. Almere has 500 kilometres of cycling routes, 440 kilometres of which are on fully separated cycle paths. One specific ride is the 41.7-kilometre Almere Nature Route. It starts at VVV Almere, goes through the city and runs alongside the Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve. Check route conditions before setting off.
The Oostvaardersplassen is a marshland area between Almere and Lelystad and is part of Nationaal Park Nieuw Land. It is home to various bird species and distinctive grazing animals; cycling and walking trails run through the area. From Almere Oostvaarders station, Natuurbelevingcentrum de Oostvaarders is less than ten minutes away by bicycle and around 30 minutes on foot. Treat these times as a guide and check them before travelling. The centre’s “Oostvaardersplassen 120.000 jaar geleden” exhibition features Neanderthal tools and the bones of prehistoric animals; access to the exhibition may change.
Another nature area is the Lepelaarplassen. A large colony of spoonbills has lived there since the 1970s, and the area is also home to more than 300 bird species. Reed beds, willow woods, bramble bushes, ponds and wet grasslands shape the landscape. You can walk or cycle there and watch birds from bird hides. In stadsbos Pampushout, the Groene Oase Route leads to another natural attraction: along the route, you can look for signs of deer, foxes and hares. Great reed warblers, reed warblers and bluethroats live in the reed beds of Pampushout.
Stadslandgoed de Kemphaan also combines trails through green spaces with specific places to visit. The site is open to the public and accessible at any time for walks around the grounds or through the surrounding forest. The estate includes the Zuiderzeespeelbos play forest and a city farm.
Discover Architecture and History
Almere’s modern architecture offers another thread of discovery. Architectural highlights include designs by Liesbeth van der Pol, Rem Koolhaas, René van Zuuk and Herman Hertzberger. VVV Almere offers five bookable guided city walks focusing on these highlights. Booking options may change, so check the details in advance. The Rode Donders are considered a symbol of the new architecture of Almere New Town.
The houses of De Fantasie have a unique history: they were built in 1982 as part of a competition for unconventional housing. They were originally meant to be removed after five years, but they are still standing. The site therefore tells the story both of a specific architecture competition and of a building project whose houses have endured.
Archaeological traces reach far beyond the city’s more recent history. Flint, charred hazelnut shells and charcoal were found at the De Buitenkant site. These finds show that people lived there between 10,000 and 6,000 years ago. The Zenit site is one of the oldest archaeological sites in Almere. Erfgoedhuis Almere explores prehistory, shipping on the Zuiderzee, and the city’s origins and development. Talks, exhibitions and activities for children complement the programme; check what’s on before your trip.
Almere has six railway stations, with direct train connections to destinations including Amsterdam, Utrecht, Groningen and The Hague. If you plan to use these connections, check the timetables before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Almere, Lelystad, Urk, Zeewolde, Dronten, Noordoostpolder.
Go to the main travel overview: Flevoland.
