Around IJsselmeer
Port cities and authentic towns
There are both modern port cities and traditional Dutch villages and cities around IJsselmeer and Markermeer lakes. Typical fishing villages include Monnickendam, Marken, Volendam, and Urk.
Edam is a real cheese city. Hoorn and Enkhuizen are old trading towns with a rich history. Stavoren is an old Hanseatic city. The Frisian towns of Workum and Hindeloopen are near Stavoren.
Read more about the towns & cities
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A small town with a grand history.
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Picturesque coastal village with unique traditions, historical sights and a seafaring past.
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Visit this former island in Flevoland and discover its many monuments and archaeological treasures.
Read more about Schokland
Things to see and do at IJsselmeer lake
Walking and cycling are popular activities around IJsselmeer lake. There are bicycle and hiking routes around IJsselmeer, across the Afsluitdijk and through natural areas like Oostvaardersplassen and Weerribben.
True fanatics even ride around the entire lake, easily 300 kilometers. There is also plenty to see and do on IJsselmeer lake itself, for instance sailing, taking kite surfing lessons, or hiring a row or motor boat. Medemblik is beloved by water sports fanatics.
There are several small beaches around IJsselmeer and Markermeer lakes. In North Holland, you can find the following beaches off IJsselmeer and Markermeer lakes:
Strand Enkhuizen, Vooroever Andijk, Strand Zuiderhaven, Strandje van Schellinkhout, Enkhuizer Zand, Broekerhaven, Schellinkhouterdijk and Havenstrandje Marken.
Flevoland also boasts a number of small beaches off both IJsselmeer and Markermeer lakes. A special beach can be found on the Marker Wadden, an island in Markermeer lake.
Friesland also has a number of beaches off IJsselmeer lake: Lemmer beach, Mirnserklif, Makkumerstrand, Beach ’t Séleantsje Molkwerum, Badpaviljoen IJsselmeer Hindeloopen and It Suderstrand Stavoren.
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Drive along the 32 km Afsluitdijk between fresh and saltwater from North Holland to Friesland. Discover more about this dike and causeway.
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The IJsselmeer Tour is an eight-day bicycle route through a unique, quintessentially Dutch landscape.
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Sail across the Markermeer. Enjoy peace and quiet on the water, near Amsterdam
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Find out why this part of Friesland is a feast for boaters, cyclists, hikers and bird watchers.
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Sightseeing around the IJsselmeer
There is a wide variety of attractions on and around IJsselmeer lake. The fortress island of Pampus is a perfect place to visit in IJmeer lake. Learn all about the Stelling van Amsterdam defense works and life of the soldiers that used to live on the island. The Afsluitdijk is a 332 kilometer dike and one of the most popular water works in the Netherlands. When you visit, don’t forget to check out the Afsluitdijk Wadden Center. Here, you can experience the story of the Afsluitdijk, the IJsselmeer region, the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the fish migration river. Batavialand is a fun attraction if you have children. You can explore the replica of the VOC ship Batavia, discover the workshops, and learn all about how Flevoland was created.
How to find places on the map?
Events
Where to eat & sleep
5x eating fish in Volendam
Try the tastiest of fish dishes at one of these establishments.
Eating by the water’s edge in Flevoland
Flevoland has the most special places where you can eat at the water’s edge. Take a look at our tips here!
Spend the night on the water in Flevoland
Sleep inside a floating ‘water bubble’ or wake up to a gorgeous view of the water.
Spend time in nature
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One of the newest nature reserves of the Netherlands has rapidly developed itself into an area of global significance.
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Sail to the freshwater wadden islands in Markermeer lake, the youngest part of Flevoland.
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Rent a canoe or take a boat trip on an electric boat through this unique Dutch wetland.
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You are guaranteed to have a special time when you go on vacation in an area listed as a World Heritage Site.
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Visit this former island in Flevoland and discover its many monuments and archaeological treasures.
Read more about Schokland
