A visit to Almere is incomplete without a tour along the Oostvaardersplassen. This vast swampy nature reserve (5600 ha) extends between Almere and Lelystad and has already gained international fame. With the surrounding walking and bike paths and numerous vantage points (especially hills and observation shelters), there are plenty of opportunities, using binoculars or a spotting scope, to see dozens of animals. Hundreds of Konik horses and red deer live in this open land, as well as Heck cattle, foxes and many species of birds. The most famous bird is the sea eagle, which for some years lives and breeds in this nature reserve. There are two Oostvaardersplassen Information Centres: in Almere (called 'Natuurbelevingcentrum De Oostvaarders') and in Lelystad (the address is Kitsweg 1 in Lelystad, near the Knardijk and the railway viaduct). These information centres provide a useful brochure including a map with walks.

Anyone who goes north by bike or on foot along the eastside of the Noorderplassen, reaches the Lepelaarplassen. These lakes are named after the colony of spoonbills that live here since the 1970s. Besides the Lepelaarsplassen (510 ha) is an observation post from which - using binoculars - , one may spot spoonbills, cormorants, grebes, and great egrets. Also from the Oostvaardersdijk (at the Markermeer lakeside) bird-watchers have a wonderful view. Furthermore, there's an information centre, called the Trekvogel, offering more information about this area, as well as a map with walking and cycling routes. On the other side of the Lage Vaart and Hoge Vaart is the Wilgenbos (100 ha), consisting of two pools that are surrounded by woods (willows) and reed. The animals that live in the Wilgenbos include beavers and many types of birds, ranging from willow tits and water rails to buzzards, kingfishers, and sparrowhawks.

The Almeerderhout (1100 ha) is the largest wood of Almere. Hawks, buzzards and deer live here, among many other animals. The Almeerderhout includes the following woods: the Cirkelbos, the Kathedralenbos, and the Waterlandse Bos. In the Kathedralenbos one finds the so-called 'Green Cathedral', a landscape artwork by Marinus Boezem. The Green Cathedral ("Groene Kathedraal") is a full size copy of the Cathedral of Reims. However, the Green Cathedral is not made of stones but of 178 poplars! These trees were planted in 1987 and have become a "construction" of 150 metres long and 70 metres wide. In 1996, lines were added on the ground of the Green Cathedral, symbolizing the cross ribs of the arches. In the Waterlandse Bos is the public estate 'De Kemphaan' (see box below!). There are several walks in the Almeerderhout, marked by coloured sign posts.

In about one hour you can walk around the lake Leeghwaterplas. By doing this, you'll pass both the Hannie Schaftpark, and a wood called the Bos der Onverzettelijken. The Bos der Onverzettelijken (wood) is a monument that commemorates all of the Dutch persons who have been shot because of their resistance work in the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies between 1940 and 1945. In 1993 2,133 trees were planted here, which recall the same number of resistance fighters who were killed. Signs in this wood tell about the Second World War (unfortunately, in Dutch only).