Friesland

Did you know that Friesland is the only province in its official language? And this is not the only thing that makes the province unique. Leeuwarden’s capital, with its canals, monuments and shopping streets, is one of the best kept secrets of the Netherlands. The wadding forms a unique nature that completely changes between ebb and flood.

Leeuwarden

Visit Leeuwarden and Friesland. In 2018 Leeuwarden was the Cultural Capital of Europe

Leeuwarden has a beautiful historic city center with special sights.

Enjoy the special and medieval buildings, monumental ships and do not forget to visit the Dutch Tower of Pisa. One thing is for sure, your visit to Leeuwarden is not complete without having seen these special places.

Leeuwarden is also a great place for a day out. It has everything from culture to shopping areas. After a day of shopping or museum visits, you want nothing more than strolling in a good restaurant. Leeuwarden has nice restaurants with cozy terraces, fine wines and tasty dishes.

The Frisian Lakes

Friesland is a water paradise! Nowhere else in Europe is such an extensive network of contiguous lakes, canals, locks, peaks, canals and rivers. Every year, the area attracts thousands of water enthusiasts and recreationalists who want to experience this unique water spectacle. The area has found a good balance between tourism, water sports and the particular flora and fauna.

One of the most famous lakes in Friesland is the Sneekermeer and has all the necessary water sports facilities to serve every water recipe. Everything is possible from swimming, water skiing and surfing to sailing and pleasure craft. But there is more than just the Sneekermeer.

In total, the area of the Frisian lakes consists of 35 lakes with a total area of 9300 hectares. In and around the area are the National Landscapes of Southwest Fryslân, the Noardlike Fryske Wâlden, the Lauwersmeer National Park, Schiermonnikoog, the Drents-Friese Wold and the Alde Feanen.

Nature

Although the Frisian lakes and surrounding nature are a great area throughout the year, it is especially an experience in spring and summer. The natural areas are in bloom and the lake area is widely used by waterrecipes. Finally, weekly matches, events and festivals are organized in the surrounding villages and towns, of which you are welcome.

Biking or hiking you can take in the vast landscape and calmly admire the boats on the IJsselmeer, the Frisian lakes and the other waterways.

Two good reasons to take binoculars. First, Southwest Fryslân is the habitat of hundreds of species of birds. Between the fields with grazing cows, in the reed and on the bushes you can observe the cuckoo, the gray flycatcher, the reed singer and kievit. Secondly, the panoramic views from the IJsselmeer coastline are of great beauty. With binoculars you can easily stare over the IJsselmeer for hours and forget about time.

The Eleven Cities

The Elfstedentocht is the largest ice skating event in the world. Over fifteen thousand skaters defy the cold and pave a way over the ice, encouraged by hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic fans. The waterways between the eleven Friesian cities form the 200 kilometer long Elfstedentocht trail. Therefore, this sensational skating event can only be held during very severe winters. The last trip took place in 1997.

Leeuwarden, the capital of Friesland, has traditionally been the starting and arrival place. The other ten cities along the Elfstedentocht are Sneek, IJlst, Sloten, Stavoren, Hindeloopen, Workum, Bolsward, Harlingen, Franeker and Dokkum and then return to Leeuwarden. The end of the race is a windmill, De Bullemolen. a great event that attracted an estimated two million people and about 2000 journalists from all over the world to Friesland.

You do not have to wait for a bitter frostbite. Also in spring and summer the eleven cities are excellent to visit with one of the alternative Elfsted treks. Discover the Frisian eleven cities in your own way. Do you do that by bike!

The Holland Travel Tour of the Elf City by bike!

This route from Holland Travel rides along the same eleven cities as the famous skating rink and is 240 kilometers long. Cycling for one day is a good distance.

Do you want to see the eleven cities at ease?

The Elfstedentocht by bike is available at Holland Travel. Then you will cycle past the eleven historic cities in 8 days. Enjoy the beautiful Frisian landscape and discover this unique piece of tradition. But it is also possible to make the route all the way through Holland Travel, so if you like to ride a bike!

Also one of the eleven towns Workum, Hindeloopen and Stavoren is worth a visit.

Accommodation

Friesland offers plenty of possibilities for overnight stays. In addition to hotels, apartments and bungalow parks, there are also many farms that offer Bêd & Brochje (Bed & Breakfast). A very special way of staying overnight is sleeping in a lighthouse, lifeboat, harbor faucet or wine barrel.

Whether you like low budget hotels, romantic hotels or boutique hotels; In the heart of the city center or just outside, you will find good accommodation in Friesland for every taste and budget.

Enjoy nature in Friesland!