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New Land

  • 13 points
  • 3 KM
  • 2 hours

Architectural gems can be found throughout Almere. From apartment blocks to the theatre, from the library to the public squares: all are extraordinary designs. Leading architects such as Rem Koolhaas, Herman Hertzberger and Liesbeth van der Pol have contributed to building this ‘New Land’ that was reclaimed from the sea. Find your favourite among the awe-inspiring designs.

  • Amsterdam Central Station

    Begin your New Land journey here.

  • Take the exit on the right-hand side. Walk on straight until you reach a square (Stadhuisplein) and the town hall.
  • Stadhuis Almere

    The building with the partly curving glass façade on Stadhuisplein is the town hall (Stadhuisplein meaning ‘town hall square’).

  • The library is on the other side of the square.
  • De nieuwe bibliotheek

    The main goal in designing the library was to create an inviting building that beckons people to come in.

    09:00 - 20:00
  • Walk to the right alongside the library. Once you’ve passed it you’ll find de Smaragd on the left.
  • Smaragd

    Looking at this impressive, colourful building, it’s clear why it’s called De Smaragd – ‘the emerald’. 

  • With de Smaragd behind you, start walking until you reach some stairs. Take the stairs up to the Belfort. The square continues around the corner to the right. 
  • Het Belfort

    The abundance of restaurants and cafés on the Belfort square make it the perfect spot for a break. 

  • Walk straight across the square until you reach a blue glass wall. Turn left. Walk up to the escalators, pass them on the left, then walk straight ahead for a bit until you can see the water. To your left is Lakeside.
  • Lakeside

    If you look at it from the right angle, it seems as if the Lakeside building turns on its own axis.

  • Turn right behind Lakeside. In front of you, on the right side, you can see the Apollo hotel.
  • Directly after the Apollo hotel you can see the theatre to your left.
  • Kunstlinie

    The KAF (Kunstlinie) building, home to a theatre and an arts centre, is the centre of attention on the Esplanade square – and rightly so.  

    Open 09:00
  • To the right of the theatre, you can see two tower blocks, these are the Side by Side blocks. 
  • Side by Side

    The way these two tower blocks are placed at a right angle to each other is due to a happy accident during the design process.

  • To the right of the Side by Side blocks there is a slightly lower building. This is The Wave.
  • The Wave

    When the maquettes for these apartment blocks were knocked over by accident, it turned out to be a happy one: the architect liked the playful way the blocks suddenly stood at an angle and decided that this was the way they should be built. And it’s precisely this angle that has made them famous: The Side by Side buildings are now an integral part of Almere’s skyline.

  • Walk down the stairs right in front of The Wave. You have reached the Schipperplein.
  • Schipperplein

    Trees and water played an important role when designing the Schipperplein.

  • Across the Schipperplein on the left side there is another set of steps. Walk up the steps – you have reached the bridge.
  • Fietsbrug Olstgracht

    In all likelihood, you will have noticed this bridge already. Its shape is reminiscent of a sailboat.

  • Cross the bridge and turn left. You can now see Silverline.
  • Silverline

    Higher floors are often more popular, hence the way the top of this building juts out.

  • To the right, on the other side of the water, you can see the brown pier with a wooden building. Walk around the building and turn right. Cross the bridge and walk straight ahead. You are now heading directly towards Lakeside. Behind Lakeside, turn left and then turn right into the shopping street. Walk straight ahead until you’ve reached the Stadhuisplein. Walk up the street that’s directly opposite, until you’ve reached the station. 
  • Amsterdam Central Station

    This is the end of the New Land walking route.

New Land