Skip to main content
Image from koen smilde

New Land Cycleseeing Route: Lelystad's wildlife and seabeds

Have you ever been to a city on the seabed? Lelystad is not quite Atlantis but it is the youngest coastal city in the Netherlands. Named after Cornelis Lely, a politician and civil engineer. He designed the Zuiderzee Works, turning the Zuider Zee (Southern Sea) into a lake and converting the seabed into dry land.

Cycle route highlights:

Natuurpark Lelystad

Het Flevolandschap wisenten
Image from Jasper Pluim

Spot otters, storks, wild boar, moose, European bison and Père David deer (indigenous to China) at Natuurpark Lelystad. The animals are not always easy to find but, conveniently, the otters are fed daily at 3 pm. The foresters at the visitor centre are happy to tell you all about the park and the latest animal news. Restaurant Hajé is located in its centre, perfect for a coffee break or a tasty, healthy lunch.

Aviodrome

Adults looking at an exhibit at Aviodrome Museum in Lelystad
Image from Aviodrome

For aviation enthusiasts, Aviodrome is a nice stop with flight simulators, a 4D cinema experience and a unique collection of over 100 aircraft. It is about 3 extra miles (5 km) by bike, so the distance is manageable.

Batavialand

Batavialand is a museum in Lelystad where you can find out how people built wooden sailing ships 400 years ago. Board the spectacular VOC ship the Batavia, dive into the history of Flevoland, and experience the stories of the pioneers.
Image from Koen Smilde

Batavialand brings the Dutch relationship with water to life. Impoldering, dyke building and evidence of global voyages are all apparent here. Several ferries also depart from here to the newest land in the area: the Marker Wadden.

Rent a bike