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Flevoland
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Explore Flevoland’s reclaimed landscapes, wetlands, modern cities, tulip fields, maritime heritage and cycle-friendly shores in the Netherlands.

Flevoland is the Netherlands’ youngest province, built largely on land reclaimed from the former Zuiderzee during the twentieth century. Its geography is unusually legible: long dykes, engineered waterways, open polders and carefully planned settlements reveal how water management has shaped both the landscape and everyday life. The province lies east of Amsterdam and Utrecht, with the Markermeer and IJsselmeer forming its western and northern edges, while the Veluwemeer separates parts of Flevoland from the wooded province of Gelderland.
Read more about Flevoland
The provincial capital, Lelystad, is a practical base for exploring Flevoland’s maritime history and wetlands. Nearby, Nieuw Land Museum presents the story of the Zuiderzee Works, land reclamation and the people who created the polders, while Batavialand examines the province’s connection with shipbuilding, navigation and the former inland sea. Almere, the largest city, offers a markedly different experience: a young, expanding urban centre known for modern architecture, waterfront districts and extensive cycle routes. Its planned character is especially apparent around the city centre and newer residential areas.
Nature is one of Flevoland’s most important attractions. The Oostvaardersplassen, between Almere and Lelystad, is a large wetland and reedbed landscape where visitors may see waterbirds, geese, birds of prey and wild herbivores from established paths and viewing points. Natuurpark Lelystad provides a more managed setting for observing European wildlife, while the Horsterwold near Zeewolde is one of the largest continuous deciduous forests in the Netherlands. Along the province’s lakes and dykes, walking, cycling, sailing and birdwatching are central to the outdoor experience.
Flevoland’s agricultural identity is equally distinctive. The fertile clay soils of Noordoostpolder support arable farming, fruit growing and seasonal flower cultivation, and spring brings colourful tulip fields around places such as Creil, Espel and neighbouring villages. Schokland, once an inhabited island in the Zuiderzee and now surrounded by polder land, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose church, museum and archaeological landscape preserve the memory of communities living with water. The former island of Urk, still recognisable as a historic fishing settlement on the former Zuiderzee coast, adds a more deeply rooted maritime culture.
The province rewards visitors who travel slowly and pay attention to its contrasts. New towns stand beside villages planned in the 1940s and 1950s; straight roads lead towards wetlands, forests, lakes and working farms; and impressive engineering is visible not as a distant monument but as the framework of the entire journey. Flevoland is best understood as both a landscape and an ongoing national project, where ecological restoration, agriculture, recreation and urban growth continue to coexist.

When is the best time to visit Flevoland?

Best: June–August · 20–22°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January555
February545
March950
April1440
May1855
June (best)2070
July (best)2275
August (best)2170
September1865
October1460
November965
December670

Getting to and around Flevoland

How to get there

Flevoland is easily reached from the Dutch rail and motorway network. Lelystad Centrum, Almere Centrum and other stations connect the province with Amsterdam, Utrecht and other Dutch cities, while intercity services make Lelystad and Almere useful gateways for many visitors. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is outside Flevoland but is the principal international gateway; from there, rail connections provide onward access. By road, the A6 is the main north–south route through the province, with the A27 serving Almere and connections towards Utrecht. Visitors heading for Urk, Noordoostpolder or rural attractions should allow more time for local roads.

Transportation

Trains and buses serve the main towns, but rural attractions, nature reserves and polder villages are more widely dispersed than the urban map may suggest. A car is convenient for combining Schokland, the Noordoostpolder villages, dykes and nature areas in one day, although some sites are accessible by public transport followed by a walk or cycle ride. Flevoland is well suited to cycling, with separated cycle paths, quiet polder roads and long routes beside lakes and dykes; wind and distance can make an apparently easy route demanding. Taxis are available in towns, but should not be assumed to be readily available in remote areas.

Top city travel guides in Flevoland

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Best attractions in Flevoland

Flevoland’s attractions are inseparable from the story of how the province was made. In Lelystad, Nieuw Land Museum interprets the Zuiderzee Works, reclamation and the lives of people who settled the polders, while Batavialand explores maritime history and shipbuilding traditions associated with the former inland sea. Schokland offers a different kind of historical experience, combining archaeological remains, a former church and museum buildings with an open landscape that was once surrounded by water. The Oostvaardersplassen is the province’s best-known nature area, with wetlands, reedbeds, birdwatching points and walking routes, although access arrangements can vary by season and location. Natuurpark Lelystad provides encounters with European wildlife in a managed setting, and Horsterwold near Zeewolde offers forest walks, cycling and quiet water edges. In spring, the Noordoostpolder’s tulip fields and horticultural landscape create a seasonal attraction best explored from designated routes. Almere adds modern architecture, waterfront recreation and urban parks, while the lakes around the province support sailing, canoeing, angling and beaches suited to warmer weather.

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Best landmarks in Flevoland

Schokland is Flevoland’s most important historic landmark: once an island in the Zuiderzee, it now stands amid reclaimed fields, with its church, museum, burial grounds and archaeological traces marking a community shaped by erosion and flooding. The former island of Urk, with its historic streets, harbour and elevated waterfront setting, preserves a contrasting maritime landscape that predates the province itself. The Afsluitdijk lies outside Flevoland, but the provincial dykes and the Oostvaardersdijk reveal the same national engineering tradition that made the land possible; they are working flood defences rather than ordinary scenic roads, so visitors should use designated access points. In Lelystad, the replica ship and maritime installations associated with Batavialand provide a visual link to Dutch navigation and the Zuiderzee past. The modern skyline and planned public spaces of Almere form another kind of landmark, expressing the city’s late twentieth-century origins. Across the province, straight drainage canals, tree-lined polder roads, pumping infrastructure and broad engineered horizons collectively form Flevoland’s defining geographical monument.

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Explore Flevoland on the map

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Best restaurants in Flevoland

Dining in Flevoland reflects both its planned agricultural landscape and its older maritime connections. Restaurants and cafés in Almere and Lelystad offer contemporary Dutch cooking alongside international food, while market towns and villages tend towards cafés, bakeries, family restaurants and traditional pubs. The province’s fertile polder soils support potatoes, vegetables, fruit, flowers and arable crops, and farm shops or seasonal producers provide opportunities to buy local goods directly. Around Urk, fish remains an important part of the area’s culinary identity, with seafood available through fish shops and restaurants, though the broader Dutch tradition of fried fish and herring is national rather than exclusive to Flevoland. In the Noordoostpolder, orchards and farms contribute fruit, juices and other seasonal produce. Visitors will also find Dutch staples such as bread, cheese, pancakes and pastries, as well as modern menus using regional ingredients. Dining options become less frequent in remote rural areas, so cyclists and drivers should check where cafés or shops are located before setting out.

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Best bars in Flevoland

Flevoland’s evening life is concentrated in Almere, Lelystad and the larger towns rather than spread evenly across the countryside. Almere has the province’s broadest choice of bars, cafés, restaurants and live entertainment, particularly around the city centre and waterfront, while Lelystad offers a smaller scene shaped by restaurants, traditional pubs, cultural venues and occasional live music. The provincial nightlife is generally more relaxed than that of nearby Amsterdam, with evenings often beginning over dinner or drinks rather than in large clubs. In smaller towns and villages, historic-style pubs, cafés and community venues are more typical than dedicated nightclubs. Urk has restaurants and cafés, but visitors should be aware that local religious traditions influence the rhythm of the week and the character of public life. Breweries, terraces and lakeside venues may be particularly appealing in warmer months, while opening patterns and programming can change, so current arrangements should be checked locally.

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Best nightclubs in Flevoland

Flevoland’s evening life is concentrated in Almere, Lelystad and the larger towns rather than spread evenly across the countryside. Almere has the province’s broadest choice of bars, cafés, restaurants and live entertainment, particularly around the city centre and waterfront, while Lelystad offers a smaller scene shaped by restaurants, traditional pubs, cultural venues and occasional live music. The provincial nightlife is generally more relaxed than that of nearby Amsterdam, with evenings often beginning over dinner or drinks rather than in large clubs. In smaller towns and villages, historic-style pubs, cafés and community venues are more typical than dedicated nightclubs. Urk has restaurants and cafés, but visitors should be aware that local religious traditions influence the rhythm of the week and the character of public life. Breweries, terraces and lakeside venues may be particularly appealing in warmer months, while opening patterns and programming can change, so current arrangements should be checked locally.

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Best shops in Flevoland

Shopping in Flevoland is centred on the modern retail areas of Almere and Lelystad, where visitors find mainstream shops, department-style retail, cafés and independent businesses alongside everyday services. Almere’s city centre has the larger urban selection, while Lelystad combines central shopping with access to museums and waterfront areas. Emmeloord is the practical retail hub of Noordoostpolder, serving surrounding villages with shops, markets and food businesses. For more regional purchases, look to farm shops, orchard outlets and seasonal producers for fruit, juices, vegetables, flowers and other polder goods. The Noordoostpolder’s spring tulip landscape also supports flower-related retail, although visitors should buy from established outlets rather than taking flowers from fields. Urk is a good place to look for fish products and maritime-themed items, while museums and heritage sites may sell books, maps and locally relevant crafts. Flevoland is not primarily a traditional craft-shopping destination, but its strongest souvenirs are connected to reclaimed-land history, Dutch water management, horticulture and the former Zuiderzee.

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Flevoland essentials

Currency and Payment
Flevoland uses the euro (EUR), as does the rest of the Netherlands. Debit and credit cards, including contactless payments, are widely accepted in shops, museums, cafés, restaurants and transport environments, though smaller rural businesses, market stalls or seasonal farm outlets may have different arrangements. Dutch debit-card payments are particularly common, so international visitors should carry a usable contactless card or mobile-payment option. A small amount of cash remains sensible for minor purchases, but there is no separate provincial currency or payment system.
Safety
Flevoland is generally straightforward for visitors, but its open landscapes require practical preparation. Cycle lanes and rural roads can be windy, and long stretches may offer little shelter or access to shops. Take care at road crossings and on dykes, where agricultural traffic and recreational cyclists share narrow sections. Around the IJsselmeer, Markermeer and connecting lakes, follow local swimming, boating and weather guidance; water conditions can change quickly. In busy stations and city centres, use normal precautions with belongings, particularly during crowded periods. Nature reserves may have uneven ground, muddy paths and restricted areas.
Emergency Situations
For urgent police, fire or ambulance assistance anywhere in Flevoland, call 112, the Netherlands’ national emergency number. State the location clearly, especially on a cycle route, dyke or nature trail, and provide a nearby road, junction, numbered cycle route or recognised landmark if possible. For non-urgent police matters, the national police information number is 0900 8844. On or beside the lakes, follow local instructions and contact emergency services rather than attempting a water rescue yourself. Pharmacies and medical services are available in the main towns, while rural visitors should plan ahead for distance and limited out-of-hours access.
Do's and Don'ts
Keep to marked paths and viewing points in nature reserves, close gates behind you where requested, and never enter cultivated flower fields without permission. Give way correctly on cycle paths and avoid stopping abruptly on narrow routes. In churches and other places of worship, dress and behave respectfully, particularly in communities where religious observance is prominent. Ask before photographing people, private property or working farms. Dutch customs such as queueing, punctuality and direct but courteous communication apply here as nationally. In restaurants, rounding up or leaving a modest tip for good service is appreciated but not compulsory.
Local Tips
Lelystad works well as a base for the province’s maritime museums, wetlands and central cycle routes, while Almere is better suited to modern architecture, urban waterfronts and connections towards Amsterdam. The Noordoostpolder is most rewarding when explored as a landscape of planned villages, farms, orchards and flower fields rather than as a single town destination. Visit Schokland with time to walk beyond the main museum area, and consider Urk for a contrasting historic fishing settlement. Weather forecasts matter more than many visitors expect: wind can significantly alter cycling times and conditions beside the open water.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHallo[HAH-loh]
GoodbyeTot ziens[Tot ZEENS]
YesJa[YAH]
NoNee[NAY]
Please/You’re welcomeAlstublieft[AL-stu-BLIEFT]
Thank youDank u[DANK oo]
Excuse me/SorrySorry[SOR-ee]
How are you?Hoe gaat het?[HOO ghaht het]
Fine. And you?Goed. En jij?[GHOOT. En YAY?]
Do you speak English?Spreekt u Engels?[SPREEKT oo ENG-els]
I don't understandIk begrijp het niet[Ik be-GRIJP het neet]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIk wil graag de menukaart zien, alstublieft[Ik vil GRAHGH de MEN-u-kart zeen, AL-stu-BLIEFT]
I don't eat meatIk eet geen vlees[Ik AYT ghen VLES]
Cheers!Proost![PROHST]
I would like to pay, pleaseIk wil graag betalen, alstublieft[Ik vil GRAHGH be-TA-len, AL-stu-BLIEFT]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![HELP]
Go away!Ga weg![GA vek!]
Call the Police!Bel de politie![BEL de po-LI-tsee]
Call a doctor!Bel een dokter![BEL een DOK-ter]
I'm lostIk ben verdwaald[Ik ben fer-DAHLDT]
I'm illIk ben ziek[Ik ben ZEEK]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ik wil ... kopen[Ik vil ... KOH-pen]
I'm just lookingIk kijk alleen maar[Ik KAIK a-LAY-en mar]
How much is it?Hoeveel kost het?[HOO-veel kost het]
That's too expensiveDat is te duur[DAT is te DURE]
Can you lower the price?Kunt u de prijs verlagen?[KUNT oo de PRICE fer-LAH-ghen]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Hoe laat is het?[HOO laat is het]
It's one o'clockHet is één uur[Het is EEN oor]
Half past (10)Half (10)[Half (10)]
MorningOchtend[OKH-tend]
AfternoonMiddag[MID-dahg]
EveningAvond[AH-vond]
YesterdayGisteren[GHEES-ter-en]
TodayVandaag[VAN-dahg]
TomorrowMorgen[MOR-ghen]
11[1]
22[2]
33[3]
44[4]
55[5]
66[6]
77[7]
88[8]
99[9]
1010[10]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Waar is een/de...?[VAHR is een/de...?]
What's the address?Wat is het adres?[VAT is het a-DRES?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Kunt u het me laten zien (op de kaart)?[KUNT oo het me LAH-ten zeen (op de KAART)?]
When's the next (bus)?Wanneer komt de volgende (bus)?[VAN-neer komt de VOL-gen-de (BUS)?]
A ticket (to ....)Een kaartje (naar ...)[Een KAART-je (naar ...)]

History of Flevoland

The Zuiderzee and Medieval Settlement

Before Flevoland existed, much of the province lay beneath the Zuiderzee, a shallow and frequently stormy inlet of the North Sea. Medieval communities occupied islands, shorelines and peatlands around this waterway, adapting to fishing, shipping and agriculture. Schokland developed as an inhabited island, while Urk became a prominent fishing settlement on a former island in the Zuiderzee. Storm surges and gradual land loss repeatedly altered the coast. The historic remains of Schokland, including archaeological traces and surviving buildings, provide particularly important evidence of how people lived with changing water levels before modern reclamation.

The Evacuation of Schokland, 1859

In the nineteenth century, continuing erosion, flooding and economic hardship made life on Schokland increasingly difficult. The Dutch government ordered the island’s evacuation in 1859, and most residents were moved to settlements on the mainland. Churches and other structures remained, preserving a physical record of the former community. Schokland later became a powerful symbol of the Netherlands’ long relationship with water and land loss. Its archaeological and cultural significance was recognised internationally when the former island was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, one of the country’s earliest such listings.

The Zuiderzee Works and the Afsluitdijk

The devastating floods of 1916 strengthened support for engineer Cornelis Lely’s plan to close off and partially drain the Zuiderzee. The Zuiderzee Works created the Afsluitdijk, completed in 1932, transforming the saltwater inlet into the freshwater IJsselmeer and making large-scale reclamation possible. Flevoland is the most visible result of this national undertaking. The project reduced flood risk, created agricultural land and reshaped navigation and fisheries. Its consequences were extensive: traditional Zuiderzee communities lost direct access to the sea, while new landscapes and settlements were planned on the emerging polders.

The Noordoostpolder, 1942–1960s

The Noordoostpolder was the first major area of present-day Flevoland to be drained, with land emerging during the Second World War. Its villages, roads, farms and tree belts were laid out according to a carefully planned model intended to support agriculture and create a balanced settlement network. Emmeloord became the central town, surrounded by villages including Marknesse, Nagele and Urk nearby on the former island. The polder’s design reflects twentieth-century ideas about social planning, landscape architecture and efficient farming. It also introduced communities from different parts of the Netherlands to newly created land.

Eastern Flevoland and Lelystad

Eastern Flevoland was drained in the 1950s, and its development included both large agricultural holdings and new urban settlements. Lelystad, named after Cornelis Lely, was founded in the 1960s as the future administrative centre of the province. Its location on reclaimed land made it a practical base for water-management institutions, agriculture and recreation. The planned landscape incorporated broad green spaces, waterways and separated traffic routes. Structures such as the Oostvaardersdijk and the province’s extensive drainage network demonstrate how engineering remained central to the region’s creation long after the first polders had been completed.

Southern Flevoland and the Growth of Almere

Southern Flevoland was drained in 1968, completing the main sequence of reclamation that created the province. Almere was established soon afterwards to absorb population growth from the crowded Randstad, particularly Amsterdam. Rather than developing as a traditional historic town, it expanded through planned neighbourhoods, modern housing and new transport links. Almere’s architecture and urban form have consequently become part of Flevoland’s cultural identity. The city’s growth also illustrates the continuing national importance of the polders, which evolved from experiments in agricultural settlement into major urban and economic areas.

From Agricultural Frontier to Ecological and Cultural Landscape

Flevoland’s later history has involved more than farming and urbanisation. The Oostvaardersplassen emerged unexpectedly in the young polder as wetlands and reedbeds colonised land before full agricultural development, eventually becoming a nationally important nature area. Museums, heritage sites and reconstructed maritime projects have interpreted the history of the Zuiderzee and reclamation, while forests such as Horsterwold have matured on land that did not exist a century ago. Today, conservation, recreation, agriculture, water management and expanding cities all compete and cooperate within a landscape that remains comparatively new.

Flevoland in Photos

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Flevoland

Discover Flevoland like never before with Evendo! Your 100% free app-based travel guide covers attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, restaurants, hotels, and more.

  • Comprehensive information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities.
  • Rich descriptions, images, local tips, maps, and contact details for every location.
  • Easy hotel, tour, ticket, and experience booking directly through the app.
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Explore Flevoland with Evendo, the ultimate travel guide app. Access detailed information on attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Download now for free!

  • Detailed history of Flevoland and travel essentials for visitors.
  • Local advice to help you experience Flevoland like a native.
  • Intuitive navigation and 'Near me' feature to discover nearby attractions.
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases or additional costs.
  • Covers 7,000+ other destinations worldwide.

Welcome to Flevoland, the youngest province in the Netherlands, known for its modern landscapes and innovative engineering. With Evendo, your journey through Flevoland becomes an unforgettable experience. Evendo is an app-based travel guide that provides detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Flevoland. Imagine visiting the stunning Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet or exploring the Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve, all while having access to rich descriptions, images, local tips, maps, and contact details at your fingertips.

Evendo's easy navigation ensures you never miss a beat. The 'Near me' feature lets you discover hidden gems like the Aviodrome aviation museum or the culinary delights at restaurants like Brasserie Zuiderzoet. Whether you're planning a visit to the picturesque city of Almere or the charming town of Lelystad, Evendo has got you covered.

Booking hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences in Flevoland has never been easier. Say goodbye to the hassle of searching for what to see, do, and experience. With Evendo, everything is in one place, making your trip planning seamless and enjoyable. Plus, the app is 100% free with no in-app purchases or additional costs, ensuring you get the most out of your visit without breaking the bank.

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