Almere is the youngest city in Netherlands, which was raised from the ground in the Flevoland polder in about 50 years. The first people moved here in 1976, but now 220,000 people feel at home in this sprawling city. This even places Almere in the top 10 largest cities in the Netherlands.
If you are planning to visit this remarkable city, finding the right place to stay is key. You can explore some options for suitable accommodation at https://www.hotels-in-netherlands.com/en/enschede-hotels-15149/.
Years ago, Almere was voted the 'ugliest city' in our country, but those days are over. It may not be a place you immediately fall in love with, but we certainly think Almere is the nicest city in Flevoland. Beyond the endless neighbourhoods of newly built houses, there is an amazing amount to do and see. Of course, you don't come to Almere for a charming city centre and medieval sights, but for contemporary architecture, modern art and incredible nature.
Once you have enjoyed what Almere has to offer, it's worth checking other Dutch locations as well. For instance, Enschede is another great city in the Netherlands. To find more about the hotels available in Enschede, you can head over to tophotels.com.
Almere is surrounded by lakes, forests and nature reserves, loved by birdwatchers, cyclists and walkers. You can relax on nine different beaches, climb Flevoland's highest mountain and even take a cruise through its (new) canals. In 2022, flora will be in the spotlight with the Floriade. The city centre is the place to be for shopping, culture and sometimes dismal concrete architecture. Would you like to be surprised during a day or weekend trip? Here are 20 tips on what to do in Almere!
Take a day trip to the Floriade
The highlight in Almere in 2022 is of course the Floriade. For seven months, the city will be the setting for the world horticultural exhibition, which descends somewhere in the Netherlands once every 10 years. On a 60-hectare site, you can immerse yourself in everything that grows and blooms. The theme of this edition is Growing Green Cities. Here, the horticultural sector presents green solutions to make our cities more fun, liveable and sustainable. Some 33 countries are also taking part, from Bangladesh to Suriname, who will showcase their culture, flowers and plants and green innovations in a pavilion.
Besides the pavilions, you can enjoy flower shows, gardens, greenhouses and an extensive art and culture programme. Be surrounded by roses or discover a house that generates more energy than it consumes. Float in a cable car 35 metres above the Floriade grounds, overlooking a forest of bobbing sea buoys. For children, there are no fewer than five playgrounds. In short, you can spend all day at Floriade!
The expo site is right next to the A6 motorway, overlooking the Almere skyline. From the centre of Almere, you can reach the horticultural exhibition by boat or shuttle bus. Floriade takes place from 14 April to 9 October 2022, from 10am to 7pm. Website: www.floriade.com
Admire architecture in Almere
Almere has made quite a name for itself at home and abroad with modern architecture. Well, you have to stand out when you're new at something! Countless well-known architects have left their mark on the city, including Rem Koolhaas and Herman Hertzberger. Especially in the centre of Almere, you will find many remarkable and high-profile buildings, such as The Wave. This residential complex stands out because of its aluminium scaled facade, in a wavy pattern. No facade is the same.
Nearby are two tall 22-storey residential towers at right angles to each other, known as Side by Side. It seems that in the model they were actually just side by side. When someone bumped into the model and the towers became perpendicular, the architect actually liked the idea. The Emerald stands out with its orange façade and sloping walls, with the building increasing in height in size. The most special buildings in Almere-Centre are linked with a city walk, which starts at the VVV office. You can walk the route yourself or join a guided tour.
Chilling out on the beach in Almere
Chilling on the beach, cooling off in the water, water sports and recovering with a cold beer in a beach bar: it's all possible in Almere! This is Flevoland's largest 'seaside resort' with several beaches where you can relax, swim and sunbathe. Almere's coastline is no less than 42 kilometres long, more than any other city in the Netherlands.
Popular is the Almeerderstrand, on the western side of Almere just north of the A6 motorway. It is a nice wide beach with sand, grass and some trees that provide shade on hot days. The water is shallow and you have a view of Muiderberg and the island of Pampus. Nearby is a sailing school where you can take lessons. You can lounge with a bite to eat and a drink at Strandpaviljoen Poortdok(www.poortdok.nl), with its large terrace, delicious cocktails and views of the IJmeer. Almeerderstrand also hosts festivals such as 'Zand' and Libelle Zomerweek.
Just north of Almere-Haven - at walking distance - there is also a beach where you can cool down. From the sheltered sandy beach you can dive straight into the water, which is shallow and protected by a lush little island. Behind it is the Gooimeer lake where boats and windsurfers pass. For hunger and thirst, visit Strandbrasserie De Jutter(www.dejutteralmere.nl), where you can get a slice of Texel in Almere.
Bird watching at the Lepelaarplassen
Just a short distance from the centre of Almere you will find some special nature reserves. One such area is the Lepelaarplassen to the north of the city. This reserve consists of ponds, wet grasslands and reed beds and is home to more than 300 species of birds.
From viewing huts, you can spot polder birds such as cormorants, black-tailed godwits, bitterns, sea eagles and, of course, spoonbills. You can also follow a 12-kilometre walking route around the Lepelaarplassen. The starting point for a cycle tour or walk is visitor centre De Trekvogel, which also happens to be the oldest building in Almere. This building was erected in 1964 as temporary accommodation for the workers and civil servants who worked on the reclamation of Flevoland. Website: www.flevo-landschap.nl
See art in the Kunstlinie
Almere does not have an art museum, but for your daily dose of artistic inspiration, you can visit the Kunstlinie. This is the city's main cultural centre with a theatre and an exhibition centre. The latter is known as the Kunsthal where exhibitions, performances and events are scheduled throughout the year. Exhibitions hook into Almere and contemporary art, but sometimes you can also see a 17th-century masterpiece here.
In September 2022, for instance, the Kunsthal will temporarily host Rembrandt' s The Ensign. You can see the whole programme on the website. You can find the Kunstlinie in the centre of Almere, in a building half-hanging over the water of the lake Weerwater. Address: Esplanade 10, 1315 TA Almere. Website: www.kunstlinie.nl
City estate De Kemphaan
To the south of Almere lies Stadslandgoed De Kemphaan, a green nature reserve with plenty to do. It is only a short cycle ride from the centre of Almere, and yet you suddenly find yourself in the middle of the woods. Put on your walking shoes for a stroll around the estate, with routes between 2½ and 5 kilometres. For the more active, there is also a 21.1-kilometre (half-marathon) walking route. Optionally, you can join a forester from the Forestry Commission for a walk in the forest, which evokes a bit of a 'jungle feel' with lianas and climbing plants.
Walks start at Buitencentrum Almeerderhout, with a restaurant, shop and exhibition. There is also a pancake restaurant on the estate with a lovely waterside terrace. For €3 you can take a ride with the Beaver Bus, where a guide tells you all about the nature reserve. On Saturday mornings you can stock up on local produce at the Organic Farmers' Market. Or make it a fun outing with a visit to an animal park, climbing park or monkey sanctuary. Read more about them below. Website: www.kemphaan.nl
Almere Jungle Zoo
Want to do something in Almere with small children? Take them to Dierenpark Almere Jungle, one of the attractions on Stadslandgoed De Kemphaan. Almere Jungle is a funny combination of a botanical garden and a small zoo. You will see ostriches, alpacas, turtles, snakes, iguanas, raccoons and porcupines, among others. Enter a simulated South American jungle to come face to face with two cute marmosets (look is allowed, don't touch!).
Strolling through tropical greenhouses, you pass all sorts of exotic flora, such as penis plants, the world's largest water lily and carnivorous plants. Behind a sturdy fence are two 'of the last plants' in the world, plant species from Tanzania and Madagascar that no longer grow in the wild.
Almere Jungle once started as a sanctuary for exotic animals, but has continued to expand over the years. Get coffee and cake in the Jungle Café, buy animal cuddly toys and local products in the Jungle Store. Admission is €5.95, but tickets are slightly cheaper online. Address: Kemphaanpad 2, 1358 AC Almere. Website: www.almerejungle.nl
Shopping in Almere
For shopping you don't necessarily have to go to Amsterdam or Utrecht, Almere also has extensive shopping opportunities. In the centre of Almere, you'll find more than 400 shops (for comparison: the Kalverstraat has about 150). From Almere-Centrum station to the Weerwater, it is one big shopping area. It is modern, partly covered and with lots of concrete. Shops here are open seven days a week, including Sundays.
The big national chains dominate Almere's shopping streets, but fortunately there are also some local boutiques and smaller independent shops. Kaky(www.kaky.nl), for example, offers trendy design, home accessories and interior advice. The boutique Bucka Fashion(www.buckafashion.nl) sells clothes, shoes and bags of various labels, from Italian Liu Jo to Dutch Juffrouw Jansen. Many speciality shops can be found in Zoetelaarpassage and Bottelaarpassage, such as the shop of fashion designer and tailor Vittorio Cavalli(www.vittoriocavalli.nl).
Take a boat trip on Lake Gooimeer
From Almere-Haven, you can take a boat trip on Lake Gooimeer. This lake lies to the south of Almere and was created when Flevoland was reclaimed from the sea. You sail on a former navy boat and you can make it a relaxing day out. How about a High Tea boat trip, enjoying tea with chocolates, sandwiches and fruit on the water? You can also join a tasting of wines or special beers on the back deck. In case of rain, you can take shelter in a cabin on board. These boat tours are for 4 to 12 people. Website: www.binkboot.nl
Almere Castle ruins
It's a curious sight: in the middle of the meadows in the south of Almere, you suddenly see the ruins of a gigantic castle looming up. Of course, these are not the remains of a medieval castle, because Flevoland has not existed for that long. It was only in 2000 that the first pile was driven for this castle, which was to be built along the lines of the 13th-century Château Jemeppe in the Belgian Ardennes. The huge castle tower and four corner towers would also rise in Almere. The Almere castle was to serve as a luxury hotel, wedding venue and conference centre.
Due to financial problems, construction was halted in 2002 and since then Almere Castle has been languishing in the meadows. Every so often, new plans were conceived for the structure, but due to a lack of money and political willpower, nothing ever came of it. There were even plans to turn it into a creepy attraction, WitchWorld. In any case, the castle looks creepy. You are not allowed to get close because of a fence, security cameras and guard dogs, but you can see it well on a bike ride on the south side of Almere. Even from the A6 motorway you can see the ruin. Address: Oude Waterlandseweg 29, 1358 BT Almere.
Have an evening out in Almere
In the evening, you won't have to get bored in Almere. It's not really a city for a pub crawl, but there are some theatres where you can have a fun evening. In the centre of Almere, you can check the agenda of the Kunstlinie (www.kunstlinie.nl), a three-stage theatre. Its stages host a variety of performances, from jazz and musicals to cabaret and classical music. Opposite is Kinepolis(www.kinepolis.nl), Almere's largest cinema with eight screens.
In Almere-Haven, you can go to Corrosia Theatre, Expo & Film(www.cultureelcentrumcorrosia.nl). The cultural offer here is a bit more alternative than in the centre of Almere, with small-scale theatre productions and arthouse films. It doesn't lie idle in summer either. Next to the Almeerderstrand, theatre company Vis à Vis(www.visavis.nl) has been putting on spectacular performances in an open-air theatre for more than 30 years.
Climb Flevoland's highest mountain
If you want to do something active, climb Flevoland's highest mountain! Which happens to be on the south side of Almere. You wouldn't expect such a mountain in flat Flevoland, would you? The Almere Mountain is about 30 metres high and is actually an art project, realised in 2017 as part of the Museum Forest. Over 10,000 trucks brought in soil from the wider area to 'build' this mountain.
A spiralling path takes you to the top of the mountain, where stunning views of Almere's skyline and the surrounding forests and fields await you. You almost walk over a carpet of sheep droppings, as there are always sheep and lambs grazing on and around the mountain. Atop the mountain is a memorial to urban planner Dirk Frieling, known as one of Almere's founding fathers. Address: Meesweg 12, 1358 BC Almere.
Dutch Digital Art Museum Almere
The Dutch Digital Art Museum is of the few real museums in Almere and totally suits this young city. This is the first museum in the Netherlands dedicated entirely to digital art. With temporary exhibitions, the museum caters to current themes and the effects of digitalisation on our society. Around the Floriade, for instance, DDAMA put together an exhibition around nature and digital art.
The museum argues that digital art brightens the world, but also calls on people to be critical of an anonymous society with algorithms, big data and (anti)social media. You can visit the museum on Friday afternoons and Saturday afternoons only. Tickets are €10 for adults and €5 for children. The museum is located in the centre of Almere on the 2nd floor of the Eurotower Building. Address: Landdrostdreef 124, 2nd floor, 1314 SK Almere. Website: www.ddama.eu
Take a boat tour of Almere
Almere is a particularly watery city, with many lakes, canals, ditches and canals. Almere has no less than 700 bridges over the water, twice as many as Venice. And to think that this city also lies 5 metres below sea level! On a canal cruise, you can experience Almere from the water and see a completely different side of the city. Along the way, you will hear remarkable stories: what is the most expensive building on the skyline and how do the people of Almere keep dry? A canal cruise lasts 45 minutes. Website: www.almererondvaarten.nl
Almere Heritage Centre
Find out everything about the origins and development of the city in Erfgoedhuis Almere. In this municipal museum, you'll see that Almere's history goes back much further than the 1970s. Archaeologists have found traces of hunters and gatherers who already lived in the area during the Stone Age 9,000 BC.
Remains of shipwrecks from the time when Almere was still the Zuiderzee have also been found in dry seabed of the polder. Of course, there is also a focus on Almere's new cultural heritage, with experiments and unusual architecture. The museum is located right next to NS station Almere Buiten and admission is free. Address: Baltimoreplein 112, 1334 KA Almere. Website: www.almere.nl
Outdoor art in Almere
Grab your bike (or car if the weather is bad) for a tour of outdoor art in Almere. Spread across residential areas, parks, squares and meadows, the city has no fewer than 150 works of art in public spaces. Of particular note are the large landscape artworks found in the polders around Almere. A highlight is the artwork Polderland Garden of Love and Fire, by renowned Polish-Jewish architect Daniel Libeskind. He is the designer of famous buildings such as the Jewish Museum in Berlin and the One World Trade Center in New York.
For the western district of Almere Pampus, he conceived a kind of strange script consisting of five intersecting lines and three dead straight narrow canals. In the middle is a sculpture with vertical aluminium walls. This is a kind of labyrinth you can walk through. Another well-known work of art are Almere 's Elephants at the junction of the A6 and A27 motorways. They are five huge concrete elephants about 7 metres high, designed by sculptor Tom Claassen.
On safari in the Oostvaardersplassen
A few kilometres north of Almere are the Oostvaardersplassen, Europe's largest wetland area stretching all the way to Lelystad. The nature reserve remained after Flevoland was reclaimed and is thus entirely "man-made". There were once plans for a seaport or industry in this area, but they were never implemented. Luckily, because over the years, one of the most extraordinary nature reserves in the Netherlands has emerged with a huge variety of birds and animals.
On a safari in Oostvaardersplassen, you can look for heck cattle, konik horses, red deer, foxes and thousands of geese and water birds. Chances are you will meet them, as the area is home to the largest herd of wild horses in Europe. And you might even spot the white-tailed eagle, which has been breeding around the lakes since 2006. A forester will take you on safari, but you can also wander through the area yourself via one of the walking or cycling routes.
From Almere, you can cycle around the Oostvaardersplassen in 2 hours, starting at De Oostvaarders Nature Experience Centre. There are several vantage points to peer into the wilderness. The Oostvaardersplassen are part of National Park Nieuw Land, the Netherlands' youngest nature reserve. Address: Oostvaardersbosplaats 1, 1336 RZ Almere. Website: www.nationaalparknieuwland.nl
Guided tour at foundation AAP
For more than 50 years,the AAPFoundation has been committed to the care of exotic pets. And not just monkeys, but also tigers, lions and other predators. One of the shelters is in Almere, where visitors are welcome to take a look. You can do a 'tour of AAP' yourself across the grounds along the enclosures where monkeys and chimpanzees are taken care of. On the monkey islands, you can see different species of monkeys swinging between the ropes.
You can also book a free guided tour. Foundation staff will take you around the animal departments and tell you about their work and the animals. Tours are free and from 12 years of age. Registration is compulsory, for a maximum of two people. The shelter is also located on De Kemphaan estate. Address: Kemphaanpad 1, 1358 AC Almere. Website: www.aap.nl
Climbing in Fun Forest
Near the monkey enclosures, you can climb and clamber in Fun Forest Almere. Here you climb through the longest zipline park in the Netherlands, choosing from seven different routes (depending on how high you want to go). Each route starts and ends with a zip line, gliding through the woods and over water. At the most challenging course, a 160-metre zipline awaits you and a free jump at the end! There are two climbing routes for little ones, from 2½ to 5 metres high. Tickets for the Fun Forest are between €15.95 and €23.95. Address: Kemphaanlaan 4, 1358 AG Almere. Website: www.funforest.nl
Gaze at the stars
See a clear sky on a Thursday night? Head to the harbour for a visit to Sterrenwacht Almere Observatory! Every Thursday evening you are welcome from 8pm to learn all about our galaxy and the universe. In clear weather, telescopes are set up on the roof so you can zoom in close on planets and moon craters. The Observatory also organises all kinds of activities, from lectures and seminars to workshops and courses to get started with a telescope yourself. Check the calendar on the website to see what's going on. Address: Markt 29, 1354 AP Almere. Website: www.sterrenwachtalmere.nl
What to do in Almere: practical tips
Places to stay in Almere
Almere has a variety of accommodation options, from city hotels and bed & breakfasts to campsites in the countryside. There are few smaller, quirky or individual hotels. Most belong to one of the big hotel chains, such as Bastion, Best Western, Holiday Inn, Ibis and Van der Valk.
Most hotels can be found in the centre of Almere, which of course makes sense (why would you want to sleep in the middle of a residential area?). At a convenient location is Leonardo Hotel Almere City Center, a stone's throw from the theatre and shops. The 4-star hotel has 117 designer rooms and a bar, the Bierfabriek, which serves home-brewed beer. Of particular note is the architecture of this brown 'box', built on stilts. The entrance is spherical and has a yellow side. This makes the entrance look like a potato in a brown skin. ► Book an overnight stay at Leonardo Hotel Almere from €121
It might be nicer to stay outside the city centre, where you can still get around Almere by bike or car. A special place is Seintower Gooizicht B&B, right on the waterfront in Almere-Haven. You sleep in an old 1958 lighthouse moved from Wijk bij Duurstede to Almere. There is one room for two people, reached via a spiral staircase. On Nature campsite De Kemphaan you can sleep in a tipi, gypsy wagon, hammock, hiker's hut or camping bungalow.
Eating and drinking in Almere
There are two places to go for restaurants and cafés: in the centre of Almere or on the coast. In and around the shopping area in the city centre, there is plenty on offer, from coffee shops and hamburger restaurants to restaurants serving tapas or Italian. There are at least three Japanese (sushi) restaurants in Almere-Centrum. Are you a cat lover? Then be sure to get a cup of coffee and some goodies at cat café The Coffee Cat(www.thecoffeecat.nl). Some 14 cats (and the occasional lodger) welcome you meowing as soon as you enter.
For real culinary delights, Almere-Haven is the place to go. There, it is cozier anyway to grab a terrace at one of the cafés and restaurants opposite the marina, overlooking pretty sailing sheep and the Gooimeer. Try to book a table here at Restaurant Bakboord(www.restaurantbakboord.nl), which many consider Almere's best restaurant. For fine dining, you can choose from a menu of 4 to 8 courses, with wine pairing if necessary.
And you wouldn't expect it from such a young city, but Almere also has some local produce of its own. Get local beers at Stadsbrouwerij De Kemphaan (www.kemphaan.nl). You can join a guided tour with tasting. You're in luck if you manage to get a bottle of wine from the Hof van Almere city vineyard(www.hofvanalmere.nl). You can get other local produce, from jams to honey from Almere bees, at the Almere tourist office in the city centre.
Travelling to Almere by train
Almere is easy to reach by train. The city has no less than six train stations: Almere Centrum is the biggest and best known, but beyond that you have Almere Buiten, Almere Muziekwijk, Almere Oostvaarders, Almere Parkwijk and Almere Poort. With the exception of Almere Centrum, they are all small stations with minimal facilities. The main station Almere Centrum has shops like AKO bookshop and bakery and a GWK office.
Intercity trains run to Almere Centrum from Amsterdam CS (20 minutes), The Hague, Rotterdam, Groningen, Leeuwaren and Lelystad, among others. To explore Almere, it's handy to rent a bike, due to the vast expanse of the city. Unfortunately, Almere Centrum station is the only place where you can rent OV bikes, in an unmanned glass shed. However, renting a bike here is unreliable. Few bikes are available or the system indicates that there are no more bikes to rent (even if there are).
In the centre of Almere, you can rent a bike from Fietsenwinkel Van der Linde(www.vanderlindealmere.nl) from €17.50 per day (and a deposit of €100). Bikes must be returned before 6pm.
Travelling to Almere by car
Almere is right next to the A6, the main highway that runs straight through Flevoland. From Amsterdam it is about half an hour's drive. By car from Utrecht it takes about 45 minutes, via the A27 which runs to Almere.
Paid parking applies only in Almere-Stad and Almere-Buiten. There are eleven car parks in and around the centre where you can park. This is cheaper than street parking (and more practical). You pay for parking from 7 am to midnight. Only on Sundays you pay from 12.00 onwards. For rates and a list of car parks, go to parkeren.almere.nl. Street parking in Almere-Haven and at the beaches is (for now) free.