12 hours in New Land: man-made land and nature reserves
Spend the day exploring the incredible reclaimed landscapes and green polder scenery of New Land. Learn about the area’s watery past, shop at one of the country’s most prominent fashion outlets, and explore the nature reserves and countryside on two wheels - all in just 12 hours!
Explore on two wheels
From: 10:00 to 12:00
With an extensive system of cycling trails across its nature reserves, the best way to see everything New Land has to offer in only a few hours is with a bike rental. The visitor centres provide information on tours and packages, and there’s a shop where you can rent bikes. Once you've acquired your steel steed, set out for this 2-hour cycle-seeing routes starting from Lelystad, which cover the various highlights of New Land, and will bring you right to our next stop.
Duration: 2 hours
Learn about how New Land was reclaimed from the sea
From 12:00 to 13:30
Discover the history of the reclamation of Flevoland, The Netherland's youngest province, through fascinating presentations and exhibitions at Batavialand and the Flevoland Museum. One of the jewels in the collection is the spectacular Flevowand, a 60-metre tapestry that took 25 embroiderers 14 years to make. It traces the area's history from the Ice Age to the 21st century. Next to the museum is a replica of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) ship, Batavia. You can take a guided tour and visit an inspiring exhibition.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Eat your fill at Restaurant De Cantine
From 13:30 to 14:30
Nothing tastes quite as good as a hearty meal after a solid workout. Restaurant De Cantine makes for a great pit stop, with its cosy vibes and a terrace facing the harbour, perfect for catching all the sun rays. The lunch fare is a traditional mix of soups, sandwiches and salads, offering plenty of choice for all.
Duration: 1 hour
Shop till you drop at Batavia Stad
From 14:30 to 17:00
Batavia Stad Amsterdam Fashion Outlet is a premium outlet centre home to more than 100 stores and inviting cafés and restaurants. Choose from international fashion brands such as Hugo Boss, Nike and Michael Kors, which offer 30-70% savings on high-street prices. Open 363 days per year, Batavia Stad’s boutiques have everything from fashion to perfumes, kitchenware and more, and several eateries.
Duration: 2.5 hours
Tuck into a tasty dinner at the marina
From 17:30 to 19:00
The sprawling terrace of Grand Café Aan ut Water is perfect for larger groups, boasting 120 seats and spectacular views over the IJsselmeer. Situated directly on the harbour of the Flevo Marina, diners can soak up the nautical scenery as they tuck into a tasty lunch, dinner, high tea or simply afternoon beers. For more inspiration on where to eat, check out this guide to restaurants and bars in the area.
Duration: 1.5 hours
Stay overnight in a tree house
Don’t fancy leaving the area so soon? Buytenplaets Suydersee in Lelystad is the place to be for those looking for peace and lots of space in a natural environment. You can camp here, but sleeping spaces are exceptionally creative: spend the night in a safari tent, a wagon, a sewer pipe, a sea container or up high between the treetops in a tree house. Take a look at this accommodation guide for more tips on where to spend the night in New Land.
