What to do in The Hague: our personal tips for a weekend getaway
February 24, 2025
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Almere is the youngest city in The Netherlands, and that means you can do incredibly fun things there. But what then? Is a question that is often asked, this is because the city of Almere does not quickly come to mind for a fun day out in the Netherlands. We are going to change that in this article, because this watery city is very cozy. A day out in Almere is guaranteed to be a success with these fun tips on activities and hotspots!
1. Boating on the Weerwater
There is an awful lot of water in the city of Almere and this is why the city is often described as a water city. Located at the edge of the city center, Almere Stad, you will find the Weerwater. A large lake, and Almere's most popular recreational lake. A fun fact about the Weerwater is that the lake was temporarily drained due to sand excavation for the Almere Haven neighborhood, but then the water returned. Hence the name "Weerwater. Boating on the Weerwater is therefore a fun tip to do in Almere. You can rent an electric boat at Sloop rental Almere with which you can sail across the lake, but also exit via smaller branches into, for example, the Leeghwaterplas.
2. A visit to the Kunstlinie
The Kunstlinie in Almere is a theater and exhibition center in the city center where changing exhibitions and performances take place throughout the year. During our visit to the city of Almere, we visited the exhibition "With Character" by architect Liesbeth van der Pol. Spread over several halls, we could admire just about all the designs. Some designs have been realized and so there are and all over the world architectural masterpieces by Liesbeth van der Pol. Extra nice to know is that one of her designs is in Almere, called the Rooie Donders.
Are you in Almere and want to visit the Kunstlinie? On their website you will find the current program.
3. Have lunch at The Pizza Bakers.
There is (almost) nothing like good Italian food, and so we can give you The Pizza Bakers in Almere for sure. You can sit down here for delicious Italian snacks like bruschetta and tiramisu, but of course you can't leave this spot without having a pizza. One of our favorite pizzas is the Gialla, which is richly topped with zucchini and burrata. A combination to lick your fingers at. What makes this hotspot in Almere extra special is that they are also known for their prosecco's, they have a number of delicious bottles cold and are only too happy to tell you about them.
4. Shopping in the city center
You can find a large shopping center in Almere Centrum where many stores are located. And to our surprise, the big chains like Zara, Mango, Costes and H&M are well represented here. But you'll also find smaller boutique stores like Bij Drewes and Kaky. Nice to know that every Wednesday and Saturday there is a market at Stadhuisplein.
5. Have a beer at The Beer Factory
The Beer Factory in Almere is the place for beer lovers to go. Here you can drink delicious home-brewed beers such as the 'snippy day' and the 'schafttijd'. It is a cozy place to have a drink at your own tap table, especially when funky music is played in the evening. You can also grab a bite to eat there, by the way. A specialty is the French farmhouse chicken that comes off the charcoal barbecue!
6. Dining at Boutiq
The Grote Markt in Almere is known as an attractive catering square, so this is the place to go out for dinner in the evening. It is bursting with cozy terraces and nice restaurants. A fairly new hotspot on the Grote Markt in Almere is Restaurant Boutiq. An Instagram-worthy decorated restaurant, but above all a restaurant where you can eat blissful food. At Boutiq, they use products sourced from their own city and the region. For example, fresh vegetables are delivered weekly that the chefs work with in the kitchen. The menu can vary as a result, but this makes it extra appealing to come back again. Boutiq's concept is based on casual and shared dining. A concept we always really like, because shared dining allows you to sample many different dishes!
7. Attending a show at the open-air theater Vis à Vis
An absolute must-do in Almere is to attend a show at the open-air theater of Vis à Vis. You can find the cool location of Vis a Vis near the Almeerderstrand. Before the performance there is the possibility to enjoy a snack and drink in 'the Red Herring', also you can order a drink here after the performance.
The show "Poppy" is an incredibly cool theatrical production where you get totally immersed in a story about the near future where nothing is what it seems. It is one big show involving comedy and science fiction. You'll really feast your eyes and be amazed by everything that happens on stage. The shows change every year at Vis à Vis, but by all accounts, every year is insane.
8. Explore the city and surrounding area
It may not surprise you that in such a young city like Almere you can't find any historical sights (yet), but this does not mean that there is nothing to see at all. Almere is a city with impressive architecture, including the famous building The Wave. A fun way to see more of the city and learn about it is to take a citywalk. You can book this through Visit Almere.
One last fun activity to do is to visit the Oostvaardersplassen. You can be in this insane national park within half an hour by bike from the city center. It is the largest man-made nature reserve in the world, so if you are in the area it is definitely worth exploring.
How do I get to Almere?
No matter whether you travel to Almere by car or by train, the city is very easily accessible from different places in the Netherlands. Because of the many neighborhoods in Almere, the city has no less than 6 train stations. You can be in the city center within 1 hour and 15 minutes from Rotterdam, and even within 20 minutes from Amsterdam. If you travel to Almere by car, the Hospitaalgarage is the largest and most economical place to park.
Stay overnight at the Leonardo Hotel Almere City Center
Still want to stay in Almere longer than a day? Then it's best to stay in a centrally located hotel such as the Leonardo Hotel Almere City Center. The rooms are fully equipped, including a comfortable bed and a spacious bathroom. You can book rooms with a view of Het Weerwater, which is a nice way to wake up.
Leonardo Hotel Almere City Center
The 4-star Leonardo Hotel Almere City Center is located in the city center of Almere. With a striking architectural style, this hotel fits right in with the youngest city in the Netherlands. Overlooking the Weerwater and cozy hotspot De Bierfabriek, this is a place you'll want to stay during a city break to Almere!
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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