Visit Almere
Welcome to Almere, the newest city in The Netherlands. You are standing on ground that used to be the bottom of the sea. Everything here was built by humans in the last fifty years. It is a place of bold shapes and bright colors. Architects from all over the world came here to test their wildest ideas. It feels like a city from the future that was dropped into the polder.
Walk through the City Center to see the master plan by Rem Koolhaas. The buildings curve and lean in ways that look impossible. You can find shops on top of shops and parks on top of roofs. It is a maze of glass and steel that looks amazing in photos. The city is built on many levels to keep the cars and the people apart.
Head to the Weerwater lake for a view of the skyline. You can see the tall towers reflecting in the blue water. There is a cable park where people fly across the waves on boards. The city is full of energy and is growing every single day. It is a must stop for anyone who loves modern design and new beginnings.
Top sights to visit
- Oostvaardersplassen Wild horses and red deer roam free in this massive nature park located on the edge of the city. You can watch rare birds from the wooden hides and enjoy a world that feels completely untamed.
- Almere City Center Bold architecture and futuristic buildings define the shopping area of this very young and modern city. It is a top site for fans of design who want to see how a city is built from scratch.
- Safety Museum PIT Interactive games and old fire trucks make this museum a big hit for kids and curious adults. You can learn about the work of the police and rescue crews in a very hands on way.
- Almere Strand Fresh water swimming is the main draw at this large sandy beach that looks out over the lake. You can see the city skyline across the water while enjoying a day on the sand without any sea salt.
- Stadslandgoed de Kemphaan Organic farming and animal rescue come together at this green estate located in the forest. You can buy fresh local food and watch the monkeys at the nearby rescue park during your visit.
- The Wave Building Silver panels cover this famous house which was designed to look like a giant moving wave. It is one of the most photographed spots in the city and sits right on the scenic water edge.
- De Diemerzeedijk Long dikes offer a great view of the water and the vast scale of the polder engineering. It is a straight and peaceful road that is perfect for a scenic drive with the wind in your hair.
- Kunstlinie Sleek design and bold art exhibits are found at this cultural center which is built right over the lake. The view from the glass lobby is truly amazing and shows the city from a different perspective.
- Outdoorpark SEC Action seekers can try climbing and survival games at this large park hidden in the city forest. It is a great way to get some exercise and test your physical skills after a long morning of driving.
- The Green Cathedral Living trees are planted in the exact shape of a famous French cathedral in this unique piece of land art. It is a quiet and growing forest that offers a very spiritual and natural experience.
- Cromvliet Park Modern gardens and fun play areas make this neighborhood park a local favorite for a quick leg stretch. It shows how the city blends nature with urban homes to create a very livable space.
- Beatrixpark Quiet ponds and exotic trees fill the oldest park in the city, which has a very mature and calm feel. It is a great place for a morning run or a slow walk under the thick green canopy.
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History of Almere
Almere is a city that exists only because the Dutch decided to play God with the sea. In the middle of the last century the spot where you are standing was several meters deep under the salty waves of the Zuiderzee. Engineers built a massive dike and used giant pumps to push the water away until a new world of mud appeared. This city was literally carved out of the ocean floor and is the newest major settlement in the country.
Because the land was a blank slate the architects were given total freedom to experiment. They built a city with no old rules where the buildings curve like waves and the parks are woven into the shopping streets. It became a magnet for young families who wanted space and modern design. There are no ancient churches or medieval squares here because everything you see was built in the last few decades. It is the ultimate human project.
The city continues to grow and change every day as it pushes the limits of how we live with water. It is a place of bright colors and glass towers that reflect the wide sky of the polder. For the traveler it offers a shocking contrast to the old brick towns of the south. It is a vision of the future that proves if the Dutch need more land they simply go out and create it from the sea.