Friesland
5
Day Itinerary •
Netherlands
Five days in Friesland and the North gives you the complete extraordinary character of the Netherlands' most distinctive region, from the Fries Museum and the Elfstedentocht skating route to the mudflat walking of the UNESCO Wadden Sea and the glacial cliffs of Gaasterland, the only cliffs in the flat Netherlands, the Arp Schnitger organ of Groningen's hidden Aa-Kerk and the extraordinary painted folk art tradition of Hindeloopen. This route covers the complete Frisian experience from the cultural capital of Leeuwarden and the Wadden Islands through the prehistoric megaliths of Drenthe and the perfect star fortress of Bourtange to the sailing lakes of southwest Friesland, the painted village of Hindeloopen and the finest historic port in the province at Harlingen. Five extraordinary days in the most authentically Dutch corner of the Netherlands.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Train from Amsterdam 2 hours
Getting Around
Bicycle and car, train between cities
Budget Per Day
Approx 95 to 255 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, flat cycling and walking
DAY 1
LEEUWARDEN, THE EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE
MORNING
LEEUWARDEN, THE FINEST PROVINCIAL CAPITAL IN THE NORTH NETHERLANDS
Leeuwarden was the European Capital of Culture 2018 and is the most extraordinary provincial capital in the north Netherlands, its extraordinary Fries Museum with the finest Frisian Silver collection in the world and the remarkable account of Mata Hari who was born here in 1876, the extraordinary Oldehove leaning tower more dramatically tilted than the tower at Pisa and the remarkable Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics giving the finest cultural experience in the north. Fries Museum approx 15 euros. Train/Travel: 30 min train from Amsterdam
MIDDAY
THE FRISIAN LAKE DISTRICT AND THE FINEST SAILING WATERS IN THE NETHERLANDS
The Frisian Lake District of Sneek, Sloten and the Sneekermeer is the most extraordinary sailing landscape in the Netherlands, its extraordinary network of lakes, canals and waterways connecting the finest historic fortified town of Sloten with Sneek, the capital of Dutch sailing culture, and the remarkable Heeg watersport village giving the finest inland sailing experience in the country. Sloten is the smallest walled town in the Netherlands. Entry to Sloten free. Train/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
SNEEK AND THE FINEST WATERGATE IN FRIESLAND
Sneek is the most extraordinary sailing town in Friesland, its remarkable Waterpoort watergate from 1613, the finest historic harbour gate in the north Netherlands, and the extraordinary Sneek Week sailing regatta held every August, the largest inland sailing event in the Netherlands. The Fries Scheepvaart Museum gives the finest account of Frisian maritime heritage. Museum approx 8 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Mata Hari House at Kelders 33 in Leeuwarden is the birthplace of the most famous spy in history, Margaretha Zelle who became Mata Hari and was executed by France in 1917. The extraordinary small house in the heart of Leeuwarden and the Fries Museum collection of her remarkable possessions
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: De Engel, Leeuwarden Outstanding Frisian breakfast at the finest traditional hotel in Leeuwarden. Local Frisian rye bread and butter. | Lunch: Cafe de Waag, Sneek Outstanding Frisian lunch on the finest market square in Sneek. Local smoked eel and Frisian cheese. | Dinner: Eetcafe de Ossekop, Leeuwarden The finest traditional restaurant in Leeuwarden. Outstanding Frisian cuisine and local Beerenburg jenever.
DAY 2
THE WADDEN SEA AND WADLOPEN
MORNING
TEXEL ISLAND, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY NATURE ISLAND IN THE NETHERLANDS
Texel is the most extraordinary island in the Netherlands, its extraordinary De Slufter tidal inlet nature reserve, the remarkable De Muy grey seal breeding colony and the finest bird ringing station in the country at the Vogeltrekstation giving the finest wildlife experience on the Wadden Islands. The Ecomare seal rehabilitation centre houses orphaned seals. The North Sea beach is 23km long. Ferry from Den Helder approx 4.80 euros. Entry to Ecomare approx 13.50 euros. Train/Travel: 1.5 hours train and ferry
MIDDAY
WADLOPEN, THE EXTRAORDINARY MUDFLAT WALKING OF THE WADDEN SEA
Wadlopen through the Wadden Sea tidal flats between the mainland and the Wadden Islands is the most extraordinary outdoor activity in the Netherlands, guided walks at low tide across the exposed seabed revealing extraordinary mudflat life including cockles, lugworms and shrimp, with the extraordinary experience of being surrounded by open sea with the mainland and islands both visible. Tours from Pieterburen or Holwerd from approx 25 euros. Train/Travel: Drive to departure point
AFTERNOON
THE WIERUM TERP AND THE FINEST SEA DYKE IN FRIESLAND
The Wierum terp village in northern Friesland sits on the most extraordinary artificial mound in the Netherlands, a man-made hill built over centuries before the dykes existed to keep the settlement above the North Sea flood level. The extraordinary sea dyke walk from Wierum gives the finest view of the Wadden Sea mudflats and the island of Ameland on the horizon. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Amsteldiepdijk near Sint Maartensdijk is the most extraordinary straight dyke in Friesland, a perfectly straight 12km sea dyke with the Waddenzee on one side and extraordinary polder farmland on the other, a cycling route of unparalleled flatness and simplicity. The dyke sheep grazing on the grass slopes are extraordinary.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Ecomare restaurant, Texel Outstanding Texel breakfast at the finest nature centre restaurant on the island. Local Texel lamb and cheese. | Lunch: De Krim, Texel Outstanding island lunch at the finest resort restaurant on Texel. Local Texel sheep cheese is extraordinary. | Dinner: Het Wapen van Friesland, Leeuwarden Outstanding Frisian dinner at the finest traditional hotel restaurant. Local wild duck and Frisian rye.
DAY 3
GRONINGEN AND THE FINEST CITY IN THE NORTH
MORNING
GRONINGEN, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY UNIVERSITY CITY IN THE NORTH NETHERLANDS
Groningen is the most extraordinary city in the northern Netherlands, its extraordinary Groninger Museum by Alessandro Mendini in the canal, the finest museum building in the north of the country, the remarkable Martinitoren at 97 metres the finest Gothic church tower in the north, the extraordinary Forum Groningen cultural centre and the remarkable cycling culture with the finest bicycle density of any city in the Netherlands making it the finest northern city. Groninger Museum approx 17 euros. Train/Travel: 1.5 hours train
MIDDAY
THE AA-KERK AND THE FINEST HIDDEN CHURCH IN GRONINGEN
The Aa-Kerk in central Groningen is the most extraordinary and least visited church in the north Netherlands, its remarkable 15th-century nave, the extraordinary organ by Arp Schnitger from 1702 considered one of the finest historic organs in the world, and the remarkable connection to the northern seafaring heritage of Groningen making it the finest hidden heritage site in the city. Entry approx 2 euros. Train/Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE GRONINGEN CYCLING ROUTES AND THE HUNEBEDDEN
The Drenthe hunebedden, prehistoric megalithic dolmens built between 3400 and 2850 BC, are the most extraordinary prehistoric monuments in the Netherlands, their extraordinary granite boulders weighing up to 25 tonnes transported by glacial action from Scandinavia and arranged in the finest megalithic burial chambers in northwest Europe. The Hunebedcentrum museum at Borger gives the finest context. Museum approx 9 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Bourtange star fortress near Groningen is the most perfectly preserved 16th-century star-shaped fortress in the world, its extraordinary pentagonal ramparts, moat and drawbridges entirely intact from 1580. The village inside the fortress is the finest living heritage site in the north Netherlands. Entry approx 8 euros. Almost entirely unknown
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Goudkantoor, Groningen Outstanding breakfast at the finest heritage cafe in Groningen in the extraordinary 1635 gold office building. | Lunch: Eetcafe Mulder, Groningen Outstanding Groningen lunch at the most characterful student cafe in the north Netherlands. | Dinner: De Pauw, Groningen The finest restaurant in Groningen. Outstanding northern Netherlands seasonal cuisine. Book ahead.
DAY 4
THE FRISIAN LAKES AND CYCLING
MORNING
SLOTEN, THE FINEST WALLED TOWN IN FRIESLAND
Sloten is the most extraordinary small walled town in Friesland and the smallest municipality in the Netherlands until 1984, its extraordinary 17th-century star-shaped ramparts, the remarkable windmill at the town gate and the extraordinary canal through the centre of the town giving it the finest miniature Dutch heritage character in the province. The town has one windmill, one cafe, one church and 800 inhabitants. Rampart walk free. Train/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
THE GAASTERLAND COASTAL CLIFFS AND THE FINEST HIDDEN LANDSCAPE IN FRIESLAND
Gaasterland in southwest Friesland is the most extraordinary and least visited landscape in the province, its extraordinary glacial moraine cliffs above the IJsselmeer, the only significant cliffs in the flat Netherlands, and the remarkable coastal forest of the finest deciduous woodland in Friesland giving a landscape entirely unlike any other in the country. The cliff walk from Oudemirdum to Mirns is extraordinary. Entirely free. Train/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
WORKUM AND THE FINEST HISTORIC MARKET TOWN IN SOUTHWEST FRIESLAND
Workum is the most extraordinary historic market town in southwest Friesland, its remarkable 15th-century Sint Gertrudiskerk, the largest church in Friesland, and the extraordinary Jopie Huisman Museum with the finest Dutch naive art collection in the country giving the finest cultural experience in the Frisian southwest. The extraordinary pottery and craft tradition of Workum has continued since the Middle Ages. Museum approx 9 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The IJsselmeer sunset from the Gaasterland cliffs is the most extraordinary natural spectacle in Friesland, the low sun over the former Zuiderzee turning the water gold from the only cliff viewpoint in the flat Netherlands. The Mirns cliff walk gives the finest vantage point. Entirely free. Best in September when
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe de Wijnberg, Sloten Outstanding Frisian breakfast at the finest cafe in the smallest walled town in the Netherlands. | Lunch: Strand Gaasterland cafe Outstanding IJsselmeer cliff-top lunch at the finest outdoor cafe in the Gaasterland coastal park. | Dinner: Hotel Cafe Restaurant De Wijnberg, Workum Outstanding southwest Frisian dinner at the finest country inn in the region. Local Frisian produce.
DAY 5
THE ELFSTEDENTOCHT ROUTE AND FRISIAN CULTURE
MORNING
THE ELFSTEDENTOCHT ROUTE AND THE FINEST HERITAGE SKATING TRAIL IN THE WORLD
The Elfstedentocht, the extraordinary 200km ice skating race through 11 Frisian cities held only when the canals freeze for 15cm, has run only 15 times since 1909 with the last race in 1997. The extraordinary route through Leeuwarden, Sneek, IJlst, Sloten, Stavoren, Hindeloopen, Workum, Bolsward, Harlingen, Franeker and Dokkum connects the finest collection of small Frisian towns in the province. The cycling version runs every summer. Entry free. Train/Travel: Cycle
MIDDAY
HINDELOOPEN, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY PAINTED VILLAGE IN FRIESLAND
Hindeloopen is the most extraordinary and most painted village in Friesland, its extraordinary tradition of brightly coloured folk painting on furniture and buildings from the 17th century, the remarkable Museum Hindeloopen with the finest collection of the Hindeloopen folk art tradition and the extraordinary harbour giving it a character entirely unlike any other Frisian village. The Hindeloopen painting style is the finest decorative folk tradition in the Netherlands. Museum approx 7 euros. Train/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
HARLINGEN, THE FINEST HISTORIC PORT IN FRIESLAND
Harlingen is the most extraordinary historic port town in Friesland, its extraordinary 17th-century harbour with the finest collection of traditional Dutch sailing vessels in the province, the remarkable Hannemahuis museum in the finest canal house in Harlingen and the extraordinary ferry to the Wadden Islands of Terschelling and Vlieland giving the finest port town experience in the north Netherlands. Museum approx 7 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Terp of Hogebeintum near Dokkum is the highest artificial mound in the Netherlands at 8.8 metres above sea level, built by the Frisians before the construction of the dykes to raise their settlement above the North Sea flood level. The extraordinary view from the top of the terp over
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe de Waag, Hindeloopen Outstanding painted village breakfast at the finest cafe in the most extraordinary decorative art village. | Lunch: Harlingen harbour stall Outstanding fresh herring and smoked eel from the finest harbour fish stall in Friesland. | Dinner: De Gastronoom, Harlingen The finest restaurant in Harlingen. Outstanding Frisian seafood and Wadden Island shellfish. Book ahead.
Where To Stay
Leeuwarden, Nights 1 to 2 Hotel de Pauw. Approx 80 to 160 euros per night. Groningen, Night 3 Hotel Schimmelpenninck Huys. Approx 100 to 200 euros per night. Workum, Night 4 De Gulden Leeuw. Approx 70 to 140 euros per night. Harlingen, Night 5 Hotel de Veereplein. Approx 80 to 160 euros per night.
Top Tips
1. Gaasterland cliffs at sunset: the only cliffs in the flat Netherlands. The IJsselmeer at golden hour is extraordinary.
2. Hunebedden Borger: go in morning light when the shadow of the megaliths is longest. The finest prehistoric NL site.
3. Bourtange fortress: the most perfectly preserved star fortress in the world. Allow 2 hours for the full circuit.
4. Hindeloopen painted furniture: the Museum Hindeloopen gives the finest account of the extraordinary folk art tradition.
5. Afsluitdijk cycling: the 32km dam is cyclable and gives extraordinary Waddenzee and IJsselmeer views.
6. Hogebeintum terp: the highest manmade mound in the Netherlands. The view over flat Friesland is extraordinary.
Total Budget
95 to 250 EUR/day