Almere Oostvaaders

er
e
Public Transport Map rke
rm Almere Buiten Once you’ve seen it,
you will love it.
CASTLES
M51 347 357
Ma Almere
Parkwijk
322 323 324 Boattrips, watersports and events, beautiful
AND GARDENS
Almere Centrum
Amsterdam Central Station
397 Jm Almere 326
Almere Parkwijk surroundings for cycling and walking around the

I
Westeinder Lakes, largest flower auction in the
Elandsgracht Bus station Muiderpoort
ee Pampus Almere Centrum 322 world and only 20 minutes from Amsterdam.
r 
Almere Muziekwijk

Amsterdam City
326 323
Science Park IJburg not valid 326
in ARTT
Almere 327 328
Diemen Poort
M51 M51 320 322 327
322 324 Bus station ‘t Oor
Amsterdam Zuid Amsterdam Amstel 320 322 Muiden Almere Marina
323 327
Diemen Zuid 323 324 328
347 327 328
10 min 110 Muiderzand 326
323
357 50 Brandweerkazerne
324
300 Amsterdamse 397 A Duivendrecht
328
Muiden, P+R Terrein
110
397 Bos  60
Gooimeer

ms
110

tel
300 323 324 328 120
174 300 347 357 397 Amstelveen 106 110 110 s
Schiphol Airport Include
Hoofddorp Amstelveen Bus station  Centrum A’dam Bijlmer ArenA
Weesp 320 Huizen are a m a p&
s
M51 300 B  day trip
F 108 Bus station
Holendrecht Weesp
Hoofddorp 300 340 397 300 Amstelveen 61
62 300 Ouderkerk a/d Amstel
106 Naarden
397 67
Ouderkerk  Westwalstraat  326
VISITAALSMEER.NL
www.iamsterdam.com/area
Rundervreugd A 320
a/d Amstel 120
110
69
340 cht 105 110 C
Ve cover booqi castles 2018.indd 1 13-03-1
Naarden-Bussum 326 Blaricum Carpoolplaats

Amsterdam Castle
357
Aalsmeer 174 50
Ankeveense
Bussum Ziekenhuis Tergooi
347

Muiderslot

tel
  plassen Bussum-Zuid
106 105  108 HAVEN VAN 'T GOOI
Visitor Centres & Highlights

ms
Zwarteweg
Flora
Holland
Nederhorst den Berg 15 min
Laren Just outside Amsterdam • Come enjoy the old village, the charming

A
1 49
Brink shopping center and the Huizer museum.
I amsterdam Visitor Centre 142 170 174
Central Station or Amsterdam Airport Schiphol West- 340
Bus station Natuurmonumenten • The hiking route Huizer Milk maid takes you
www.iamsterdam.com/area einder- past historic farms and fishing cottages.
357
A VVV Naarden (www.vvvnaarden.nl)
plassen
Uithoorn ’s-Graveland
Hilversum
320 • Experience the charming Nautical Quarter
B VVV Weesp (www.welkominweesp.nl) Vinkeveense Media Park with its restaurants and cosy terraces.
C VVV Bussum (www.vvvbussum.nl)
120
106
E
9 105
106
D • Visit the Old city harbour, the Botter yard
D VVV Hilversum (www.vvvhilversum.nl) Amstelplein 174 plassen Hilversum 108 and historical fishing botters.
E VVV Wijdemeren (www.vvvwijdemeren.nl) Kudelstaart 357
F VVV Huizen (www.vvvhuizen.nl)
340 6
104 105 108 320
55
• Huizen offers a fine hotel and b-and-b
accommodations and there are all kinds
Highlights 5 12 of activities and events.

 Pampus, isle of Amsterdam Mijdrecht

104
Hilversum
• And free parking!
 Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot 7 Sportpark

Hilversum
 Dutch Fortress Museum Bus 31
 Museum Weesp Wilnis
 Nautical Quarter Huizen Centrum Bus stop 28
340
 Historical Garden Aalsmeer cht Loosdrechtse
Metro Ve 8 min 30
 Fort Uitermeer Wilnis plassen
 Cobra Museum Railway  Nieuw Loosdrecht
 Amsterdamse Bos (Amsterdam Forest)
 Castle-Museum Sypesteyn Bicycle route 104
 Singer Museum Laren
 Royal Flora Holland 0 1 2 3 4 5 km 120
Breukelen
8
Breukelen

TRAVEL WITH THE Day Trips Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket (ARTT)
AMSTERDAM
& REGION
Get out of Amsterdam with the ARTT, which grants you
unlimited travel on the city's public transportation and beyond.
From flower auctions and windmills to beaches and medieval

TRAVEL
Castles & Gardens
castles, ARTT is the easiest and most economical way to
explore everything the greater Amsterdam Metropolitan Area

TICKET Discover the garden

has to offer! Pick up yours at an I amsterdam Visitor Centre,
participating public transport company ticket counter or
by bus, tram, metro & train selected hotel or campsite. (Don't forget to check in and out
of Amsterdam in VR360°
BINK©

whenever you get on or off a train or bus!)

MIKEBink

www.gooivechtinVR.nl
photo: Mike

Find more information and a map of all included routes on:

www.iamsterdam.com/area

Amstelland by bike full day

Fortress Stretch 1/2 day or full day
AMSTELVEEN
Take a tram, train or the metro from Amsterdam Central
Station to Amsterdam Amstel. From there, buses 320 and 322
international, green & cultural city run regularly to the P+R Terrein stop in Muiden (30 mins). At
the bus stop you can rent e-bikes (with credit card) or you can
take a lovely walk through the historic centre of Muiden to the
medieval Muiderslot Castle  (free entrance with your
I amsterdam City Card) (www.muiderslot.nl). If you follow the
canal towards Muiden, you will see the ferry to Pampus Island
(www.pampus.nl) on your right after about 500 metres (25%
discount with your I amsterdam City Card). The island and
abandoned fort have a mysterious air and make for an
interesting day out for visitors of all ages.
Another ferry (25% discount with your I amsterdam City Card)
(www.amsterdamboatexcursion.com) runs directly from Pampus
www.visitgooivecht.com Island  to Amsterdam IJburg, from where you can take tram
www.amstelveen.nl 26 back to Amsterdam Central Station (April–October).
www.vvvgooivecht.nl
Fortified Towns full day
This day trip is packed with old castles and picturesque towns.
Start early in the morning and take a train from Amsterdam
Central Station to Naarden-Bussum (towards Amersfoort
Vathorst or Zwolle via Weesp). From there, take bus 110/151 to
Naarden. Walk around this preserved fortified town and visit
the Dutch Fortress Museum . From Naarden, take bus 110 or
602 to Muiden. A lovely walk through the picturesque historical
centre of Muiden brings you to a small harbour and the
medieval Muiderslot Castle. Muiden is the perfect spot for a
quick lunch. If you still have a couple of hours left, take bus 110
to P+R Muiden and rent a bike at the bus/train station to follow
the River Vecht. The riverbank offers unimpeded views of the
imposing castles, country estates and accompanying
tearooms.
See www.vvvgooivecht.nl for cycle routes.
Rent a bike from one of Amsterdam’s many bike rental
companies and head south towards Amstelveen and the
beautiful Amsterdamse Bos  (Amsterdam Forest). You can
also rent bikes at the entrance to the Amsterdamse Bos, as
well as canoes for a view of the forest from the water.
In Amstelveen, pay a visit to the famous Cobra Museum 
(www.cobra-museum.nl) or the smaller Jan van der Togt Museum
(www.jvdtogt.nl). Continue on to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, a
picturesque village along the River Amstel. The banks of the
Amstel are bustling with fantastic cafés and restaurants with
sunny waterside terraces. After you’ve refuelled, visit the
Netherlands’ oldest Jewish cemetery, Beth Haim.
The route back to Amsterdam is lovely; in no time at all you’ll
be cycling past grazing cows and elegant country houses.
Brochures of the different cycle routes are available in the
I amsterdam Visitor Centre at Stationsplein.
See map for cycle route

Fortress
Stretch
Home to many old
castles, fortified
towns and ruins, the
picturesque fortress
stretch – a UNESCO
World Heritage site
– offers a fascinating
glimpse into medieval
times.
Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot
Muiden is home to the grand Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot
– built around 1285 – which looms over the mouth of the River
Vecht. Take a tour through the impressive knight’s hall, towers,
dungeon and armoury or dress up like a real knight and try
your hand at jousting. A great day of fun for the whole family.
1 April-31 October: open daily, 1 November-31 March: weekends only
Free entrance with your I amsterdam City Card
www.muiderslot.nl
www.visitgooivecht.com
Pampus, Isle of Amsterdam
Once built to defend the capital, now a unique fortress island
and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pampus offers you a
40-minute Xperience trip through the abandoned fortress, a
black light scavenger hunt for children, an audio tour in
English or German sharing the secrets of 400 years of history,
a cozy restaurant and all over the island are interesting
historical artefacts to discover. Explore freely and find them
all!
To get to Pampus, catch the ferry from Muiden or Amsterdam.
25% discount with your I amsterdam City Card.
www.pampus.nl
TIP: travel by boat from Amsterdam IJburg or Almere to Pampus Island
and Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot and get a 25% discount with your
I amsterdam City Card. Boats run Tuesday–Sunday 1 April–29 October
from IJburg (take tram 26 from Amsterdam Central Station to the
Pampuslaan stop).
www.amsterdamtouristferry.com
photo: Mike Bink
Muiden
Besides Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot, the fortified town of
Muiden offers a cosy harbour with historical flat boats and
lovely terraces. Time seems to pass more slowly on the banks
near the lock.
Naarden & Dutch Fortress Museum
The Loosdrechtse Plassen (Loosdrecht Lakes) are perfect for
water sports: sailing, rowing, canoeing, waterskiing and
speedboating are all possible here. If taking a boat out yourself
is not your thing, then join a sailboat or speedboat excursion
or just relax on a terrace and admire the view from dry land.
See www.vvvgooivecht.nl for rental options.
Naarden is one of the most remarkable examples of a
preserved fortified town. From the air, the town’s unique layout
resembles a gigantic snowflake, comprised of six bastions, a
double rampart and a double ring of canals. The history of
Naarden is explained at the fascinating Dutch Fortress
Museum, which features canons, weapons, uniforms and an
audio-visual presentation. Experience how the soldiers
protected Amsterdam and its surroundings from enemies from
the Far East, and explore the dark corners of the fortress,
where the soldiers once fought, lived and slept.
Free entrance with your I amsterdam City Card
www.vestingmuseum.nl
www.vvvnaarden.nl/en
Weesp
Weesp is a charming town, only 15 minutes by train from
Amsterdam Central Station. Because of the many canals,
Weesp looks like a small version of Amsterdam.
With a lovely museum situated in a 18th century town hall,
boutiques and plenty of terraces along the water, Weesp is an
ideal destination if you want to enjoy a typical Dutch town.
www.museumweesp.nl
www.vvvweesp.nl
Defence Line of Amsterdam
Both of these towns are fantastic starting points for exploring
De Stelling van Amsterdam (the Defence Line of Amsterdam),
a 135-kilometre-long ring of fortifications around Amsterdam
that once protected the city from invaders. It was added to the
UNESCO World Heritage list in 1996. Special bike routes (in
English) take you past the most beautiful highlights, among
them Fort Pampus, Fort aan de Ossenmarkt, Fort Uitermeer
and Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot (April–October).
www.defencelineamsterdam.com
Leisure
Lakes
Just outside
Amsterdam you’ll find
a number of lakes
perfect for a day of fun
on the water. Rent a
sailboat, electric boat,
canoe or surfboard
to explore, enjoy and
relax.
Loosdrecht Lakes Westeinder Lakes & Water Tower
Huizen
In Aalsmeer, the Westeinder Lakes offer plenty of watersport
options from swimming to sailing lessons and boat rentals.
Everyone is welcome to moor their boat at Starteiland (Start
Island). The other small islands still grow strawberries and lilacs
– just as they did long ago. This area is famous for its
horticultural industry. The 50-metre-high, Art Deco water tower
is one of Aalsmeer’s showpieces. At the foot of the tower,
restaurant Westeinder Paviljoen offers a breathtaking view of
the lake and a perfect spot for a surf break. You can discover
this from the water or at the Historical Garden (10 April - late
October).
www.historischetuinaalsmeer.nl
Huizen – literally 'Houses' – was originally an agricultural village
about two kilometres from the sea. It later expanded to
become a coastal town, boasting the IJsselmeer’s most vibrant
Day Trip
fishing industry. In recent years Huizen has developed into a
modern town bordering the Gooimeer (Gooi Lake), with
several marinas and a lively historic centre offering great
shopping as well as the medieval Dutch Reformed Church.
Built around the Oude Haven – Old Harbour – where you can
still see beautiful flat boats, some of them over 100 years old,
Huizen’s Nautical Quarter includes a lovely hotel, restaurants
and convivial cafés. To get there take a bus from Amstel
Station.
www.vvvhuizen.nl
Leisure Lakes 1/2 day and full day
Set the alarm because it's time to discover the wonderful
world of flowers at the Royal FloraHolland flower auction
(www.floraholland.com). The earlier you get here, the more you’ll
see (visit before 9 AM). Experience the hustle and bustle of the
auction floor, watch traders bidding against the clock and be
amazed at the quantity of beautiful blooms traded daily from
more than 10 countries.
Take bus 357 from Amsterdam Central Station (1 hour, direct
connection). After your visit, take bus 357 again to the
Hortensiaplein stop. From here you can walk to Westeinder
Rondvaart (20 mins total), a company that operates boat tours
on the Westeinder Lakes. You’ll float past countless islands
teeming with flora and fauna.
www.westeinderrondvaart.nl
Amstel
River
Countryside
Amsterdam’s hinterland
is quiet, green and
unspoilt – no wonder it
was prime real estate
for wealthy Golden
Age merchants looking
to escape the city.
Retrace their footsteps
along the River Amstel.
Amstelveen
There’s plenty to see and do in leafy Amstelveen – from
museums to shopping, theatre to sports. Amstelveen is home to
one of the largest municipal parks in Europe, the Amsterdamse
Bos (Amsterdam Forest). Amstelveen is also well known for its
heemparken, parks dedicated to native flora and recognised as
national monuments. The parks are well worth a visit, especially
in the spring. The Cobra Museum of Modern Art is home to a
collection of key works by artists from the avant-garde CoBrA art
movement. It presents interesting exhibitions from this unique
collection as well as temporary exhibitions of modern and
contemporary art. Also situated in Amstelveen's ‘Old Village’ is
Museum Jan van der Togt, which holds a superb collection of
modern glass sculptures and fine art. Amstelveen is also home
to two Michelin star restaurant Aan de Poel at the Amstelveen
entrance of the Amsterdam Forest.
Free entrance with your I amsterdam City Card to the Cobra Museum
of Modern Arts.
www.cobra-museum.nl
Heemparks & Amsterdam Forest
Get a big dose of nature in the Amsterdam Forest, featuring
activity-packed central zones framed by quieter forests and
fields of rustic flora and fauna. At the beginning of April, the
many cherry trees in the Amsterdamse Bos blossom, marking
the return of spring. The botanical gardens (heemparks) of
Amstelveen offer would-be botonists a treasure trove of rare
indigenous plants. Explore a typical Dutch polder landscape in
De Braak, romantic ‘garden rooms’ in the Dr. Jac P. Thijssepark
and very rare Molinia meadows in the Dr. Koos Landwehrpark,
all within walking distance of each other.
Uithoorn
Just to the south of Amsterdam is Uithoorn, with its charming
Thamerkerk church from 1834 right on the River Amstel.
The Fort aan de Drecht, completely renovated in 2000 and part
of the Defence Line of Amsterdam, can also be seen here. The
more-than-a-century-old former military installation is located on
the edge of Uithoorn. A variety of walking and cycling routes
have been marked out in Amstelland (the area around the River
Amstel), or discover the area from the River Amstel itself.
Ouderkerk aan de Amstel
Featuring some of Amsterdam’s most breathtaking rural views,
historical Ouderkerk on the Amstel is now happening. It’s just
an idyllic bike ride along the River Amstel from the centre of
Amsterdam. A medieval village separated from the surround-
ing cities of Amsterdam and Amstelveen by the Ronde Hoep
nature reserve and photo-ready fields dotted with windmills
and stately riverside homes. The ideal destination when you’re
looking for a local (bike) trip that offers a little bit of everything.
www.amstelgoed.nl
Restaurants & Cafés
The banks of the Amstel are lined with fantastic restaurants
and cafés with waterside terraces to refuel. Both sides of the
Amstel river feature some of the region’s top dining spots, such
as Jaimie van Heije’s hip eponymous restaurant, steakhouse
Loetje, Brasserie Paardenburg and restaurant Lute. Local
entrepreneurs are drawing in visitors with new bike routes and
attractions. Every summer a hidden beer garden blooms in the
fields along the Amstel River just outside Amsterdam. The
winter home of the Amstelbocht ice-skating club (of which
Grandpa Kek was the chairman for many years) is transformed
in its off season, serving craft beer with an idyllic Dutch view
and tasty local treats. The perfect bike-tour stop.
kek-bier.nl/en
Country Houses
It’s easy to imagine you have been transported back to the
17th or 18th century as you pass one grand country estate after
the next. The banks of the River Amstel were favoured by
wealthy Golden Age merchants looking to escape the bustle of
Amsterdam. A few of these magnificent buildings have been
preserved – including the privately owned Oostermeer and the
fully restored 350-year-old Wester Amstel, which hosts regular
exhibitions and concerts and whose gardens are open to the
public.
www.westeramstel.com
Historical
River
Estates
Take a trip south of
the city to enjoy the
lush greenery and
architectural grandeur
of the historical river
estates that dot the
banks of the River
Vecht.
The River Vecht winds between Amsterdam and Utrecht
and is a wonderful setting for a boat trip or bike ride from
Muiden or Weesp. Both offer unimpeded views of the
imposing castles, country houses and accompanying
tearooms. Wealthy Golden Age merchants once spent their
summer months here. The holidaymakers ‘only’ needed five
to seven hours to reach their rural residences. Thankfully,
it’s much quicker today!
River Vecht by boat & bike
Why choose between land and water when exploring the
lovely country estates of the river Vecht? De Fietsboot (the Bike
Boat) lets you hop on and off and continue by bike as you
please!
www.defietsboot.nl
TIP: For boat trips and rentals check www.visitgooivecht.com
Castle Nyenrode
Built in 1290 and located in Breukelen, the namesake of the
New York City borough of Brooklyn, Castle Nyenrode was
destroyed in 1481 and in 1511 but was rebuilt as a country
retreat in the 1630s in the Dutch Renaissance style. The castle
currently houses a private university but can be viewed from
the river. The adjacent park has a rose garden, old lime trees, a
deer park and pheasantry.
Castle-Museum Sypesteyn
The aristocrat C.H.C.A. (Henri) van Sypesteyn (1857-1937)
dreamed of a grand monument to his family, of which he was
the last male descendant. That dream became reality: between
1912-1927 he designed and built Castle-Museum Sypesteyn.
The museum features portraits of family members and a varied
collection of weapons, porcelain, glass, silver, statues, clocks
and other items. The grounds, which feature gardens and a
park, are also a pleasant place to take a stroll.
www.sypesteyn.nl
Singer Museum Laren
Brink, te Laren, Avond,
Gustave Franciscus de
Smet ©
The town of Laren was one of the centres of Dutch art at the
end of the 19th century, after famous painter Jozef Israëls
discovered the quiet beauty of this picture-perfect village and
its surroundings. Fellow artists followed suit, including Anton
Mauve, Albert Neuhuys and Hein Kever. The American
businessman and art lover William Henry Singer built a large
mansion in the centre of Laren in 1911, which became the
famous Singer Museum after the Second World War, proudly
displaying the works of many of the artists of the Laren School
of Painting. The Singer Museum is hosting a special exhibition
on Impressionism and Dutch Cubism until 6 May. After 6 May,
you can marvel at modernist gardens by Van Gogh, Monet
and many others.
Free entrance with your I amsterdam City Card.
Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11.00-17.00
www.singerlaren.nl
While you’re there…
From new to old, travel back in time by boat: the modern city of
Almere is just a short ferry ride from the medieval Muiderslot
Castle and historic Pampus Island, featuring a park, restaurant and
the sprawling ruins of a former fort. Both are the sites of regular
summer events and activities for visitors. See their websites for
more information.
Plan your trip
Find up-to-date schedules and fares for trams, trains and more at
www.9292.nl/en. Note that many schedules will change 22 July
2018 due to the opening of the North-South metro line.
Get there the Dutch way – by bike! – with the help of bike routes
based on the fietsknooppuntennetwerk (‘bike connection
network’). See map for cycle routes or check
en.routeplanner.fietsersbond.nl.
At the Muiden P + R you can rent electrical bikes! From there it’s
only a 10km ride to the old town Naarden or follow the Vecht river
for gazing at marvellous country estates.
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