Flevoland

Lelystad is the capital of the Dutch province of Flevoland and a modern city built on land reclaimed from the IJsselmeer. Founded in 1967 and named after Cornelis Lely, the engineer behind the Zuiderzee Works, the city has a planned layout, spacious centre and waterfront location that set it apart from older Dutch cities.

The city's maritime heritage is showcased at Batavialand, where visitors can see the reconstruction of the 17th-century VOC ship Batavia and learn about shipbuilding and land reclamation. The Aviodrome aviation museum at Lelystad Airport displays historic aircraft and tells the story of Dutch aviation.

Nature is a major draw around Lelystad. The Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve, a large wetland known for wild horses, red deer, Heck cattle and thousands of birds, lies between Lelystad and Almere. The Marker Wadden archipelago in the Markermeer, reachable by boat, is a newer nature restoration project with walking trails and birdwatching.

The compact Stadshart centre offers shops, cafés, restaurants and the Agora theatre, while Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet near the harbour attracts shoppers. The marina at Bataviahaven and nearby beaches make the waterfront lively in warmer months.

Lelystad is well connected by the A6 motorway and direct intercity trains to Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport and the northern Netherlands. Its space, facilities and accessibility also make it useful for business meetings and events, while leisure travellers come for nature, maritime history and family attractions.