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Around IJsselmeer

The IJsselmeer boasts many attractions and sights. The vast lake is a fantastic destination for fans of water sports and boating. There are also countless beaches overlooking IJsselmeer and Markermeer lakes. Go for a day trip with a historic sailing ship, discover new nature on the Marker Wadden or visit Batavialand in Lelystad. Batavialand will teach you all about how Flevoland was reclaimed and how the Dutch battle the water. At the Zuiderzeemuseum in Enkhuizen, you will experience how people lived and worked around the IJsselmeer.

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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.

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.

  • Afsluitdijk © Cuno de Bruin via Nederland Waterland
    Category: Read

    The Afsluitdijk

    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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  • © Visit Flevoland
    Category: Read

    The Markermeer

    Sail across the Markermeer. Enjoy peace and quiet on the water, near Amsterdam

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  • © D.F. Woudagemaal Lemmer
    Category: Read

    The Woudagemaal

    The Woudagemaal, located in the Frisian town of Lemmer, is the largest, steam powered pumping station in the world that is still in operation today.

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  • © Visit Flevoland
    Category: Read

    Almere

    Almere, the newest city in the Netherlands, has modern architecture, great shops and lovely nature.

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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.

Spend time in nature