Lelystad: Culture, Nature and Hotels

Lelystad offers a range of options for a stay: maritime history, art, aviation and nature in the surrounding area. The following topics range from historic sites and museums to hiking trails and wildlife watching.

History and art in Lelystad

The Batavia at the Batavialand Museum is a full-scale reconstruction of the Batavia from 1628, but not an exact replica. Anyone interested in historic ships and reconstructions will find a direct connection to Lelystad’s maritime heritage here.

The Lelystad Works Island, also known as Perceel P, is considered the place where Lelystad began and where the first inhabited piece of land in the new polder was created. A coastal route from the Works Island passes Gemaal Wortman and Wortmansluis on foot or by bicycle. The One Day Trail: Heritage & National Park also passes the Works Island. The coastal route is described in greater detail in connection with the two structures mentioned; for the One Day Trail, the route past the Works Island is a point of interest in its own right.

Murals are spread across the city centre and the 't Lelycentre shopping centre. This means you can encounter art at two named locations in Lelystad. The work Exposure was designed by British artist Antony Gormley.

Fun and technical experiences

The Belevenissenbos has more than 150 play structures, most of which are arranged along and above the water. This layout is just as useful for planning as the number: the water determines where many of the play structures are located.

The Aviodrome aviation museum features more than 100 aircraft in and around its new exhibition; the number in the collection may change over time. Alongside viewing the aircraft, visitors can also take part in activities: they can use a flight simulator and fly around the world themselves. In the helicopter exhibition, they can learn to pilot a helicopter. So the museum offers both the chance to view aircraft and two different hands-on experiences.

Nature and hiking in the surrounding area

The Buitencentrum Oostvaardersplassen in Lelystad is the starting point for activities and hiking routes in the Oostvaardersplassen. Near Lelystad, the core area of the site has Natura 2000 status. There are bird hides and viewpoints along the edge of the Oostvaardersplassen and several hiking trails, with good views of the area’s birds. With a little luck, you may also spot red deer, Konik horses and Heck cattle. The viewpoints and hides focus on birdlife; sightings of the larger animals mentioned depend on luck.

When planning the 't Lange pad hiking trail, take the trail surface and dog rules into account: part of the route follows unpaved paths. Dogs are allowed on a leash, but a short section is not accessible to dogs. If you are hiking with a dog, bear in mind both the leash requirement and this exception.

Getting there and seasonal planning

The special ferry to the Marker Wadden departs from Bataviahaven in Lelystad. As the schedules are seasonal, check the timetable for your visit date. The journey to Lelystad takes about 40 minutes from Amsterdam; from Zwolle, it takes 30 minutes on the Hanzelijn. Travel times may vary.

For planning purposes, these activities differ: seasonal schedules apply to the ferry, while wildlife sightings explicitly depend on luck. The information about the route, trail surface and dog rules can also help you plan a hiking day to suit the actual conditions on the 't Lange pad.

For the main travel overview: Lelystad.