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3-Day Leeuwarden Itinerary
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Wanderlog staff
Updated • updatedAug 20, 2025
Updated • updatedAug 20, 2025
Leeuwarden in 3 days
If you only have 3 days to spend in Leeuwarden, we’ve narrowed down the top places you should check out to get the best experience of your time here.
Leeuwarden, the historic capital of Friesland, offers a compact old town of canals, gabled houses and the famously leaning Oldehove tower with wide views from the top. You can explore Frisian history, art and culture at the Fries Museum and smaller galleries, or trace the route of the Elfstedentocht ice-skating legend that starts and ends in the city. Former warehouses and prison buildings now house cafés, shops and cultural venues, reflecting the city’s role as a 2018 European Capital of Culture. From here, it’s easy to reach the Frisian lakes and nearby countryside for cycling, boating and village visits.
With favorites like Mango Lounge Leeuwarden, STEK Leeuwarden, and Ceramics Museum Princessehof, we’ll make sure you don’t miss out on all the must sees. We even included some of our favorite food spots around the area, like Grand Café De Walrus - Leeuwarden and Sems so you can get the best taste of Leeuwarden while you’re here. To see our full list of food recommendations, check out our best restaurants post. If you're traveling on a budget, you can check out our cheap eats post.
Looking for other day-by-day itineraries in Leeuwarden?
Visiting Leeuwarden? See our Leeuwarden Trip Planner.
Feel free to follow our itinerary exactly or tailor it to your own needs — happy wandering!
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Table of contents
- Leeuwarden in 3 days
- Most popular attractions
- Northeast side of town
- Proximity is everything
Day 1
Most popular attractions
For day 1, we strategically grouped the most popular attraction, Oldehove, with surrounding point of interests to start your trip off with a bang. Combining the average time spent at each location and traveling time in between, it should fill up about 7 hours of your day.
1
•Simon H — Google reviewPenny H — Google reviewSara H — Google reviewSchalk B — Google reviewVincent F — Google reviewDora S — Google reviewLeah D — Google review
Aquazoo Friesland
4.3
(7483)
3.9
(325)
Zoo
Outdoor Activities
Aquazoo Friesland is a captivating destination nestled in Leeuwarden, the charming capital of Friesland province in the Netherlands. This expansive zoo primarily showcases an impressive array of aquatic mammals and birds, making it a unique experience for visitors. Here, you can marvel at playful sea lions, majestic polar bears, and delightful penguins as they frolic in their habitats. The zoo also features land animals like tapirs and wallabies, creating a diverse menagerie that appeals to all ages.
I went with my child without any major expectations; it was supposed to be just a trip to the zoo. It was fantastic – running lemurs, parkour-paths for children, playgrounds, and food. Plus, there were glass-enclosed areas for viewing the animals. It was a truly successful trip.
Ilona J — Google review
Expensive, especially with paid parking. The dinosaurs with really bad quality speakers were a huge distraction from an otherwise lovely zoo.
The animals were beautiful and seemed well looked after.
Perhaps it's because things need to be better cleaned up still for the new season, but the inside aquarium is dark and needs cleaning up.
The outside, however, is awesome with cool places for kids to play, a good restaurant and well maintained animal areas.
recently visited Aquazoo Leeuwarden and it was a very enjoyable experience. The highlights for me were definitely the polar bears and the penguins. Most of the animals here are either aquatic or live close to water, and the zoo has done a good job of recreating natural habitats for them. It didn’t feel like the animals were simply in cages – walking through the park felt more like exploring a forest where you could watch the animals up close, see their feeding times, and observe their natural activities.
That being said, I think there is still room for improvement. The place could be cleaner and more modern, and it would be great if there were guides to explain more about the animals. Also, using more interactive or digital displays could make the visit even more engaging.
Overall, it was a memorable visit and I really enjoyed seeing the variety of animals in such a unique environment.
A great family outing, so many animals to see. Although I'm not a fan of animals in an enclosure, these animals seem well taken care of and look happy. Do buy tickets in advance as you could get a discount on the website. Pathways are well maintained, perhaps not ideal for walking with a pram when it rains as they turn fairly muddy. 2 large play areas for all age kids, with nice food stands and restaurant. Would highly recommend
A nice zoo that has long surpassed its name as an "aquatic" zoo and is on its way to being much more than that. Our children had a good time at the park and enjoyed seeing many animals up close
I visited Aquazoo Friesland last week, and sadly, it was one of the most disappointing zoos I’ve ever been to. Most of the enclosures were empty, and in many cases, there was only one lonely animal inside. There were a lot of ducks—but ducks are something you can easily see anywhere in the Netherlands.
What really broke my heart was seeing a group of monkeys kept indoors in a very small space. Even worse, there was a crocodile kept in a tiny glass tank—barely larger than the crocodile itself—leaving it no room to move at all. It felt cruel and extremely inhumane.
To make things worse, I saw a bird tied tightly on top of a cage, so tightly that it couldn’t even move its wings. It was left out in the direct sunlight, unable to escape or find shade. It was truly heartbreaking to witness.
I came to this place expecting a fun experience, but I left feeling really sad
The zoo was a little pricy, but seeing the animals made the cost worthwhile! You can tell the zoo staff really cares about them and the animals seem happy. We got to see the Humboldt penguins, kangaroos, and lemurs up close and it was breathtaking. My personal favorites were the agouti (green rodents) and the raccoons, who liked hiding in wooden barrels. I appreciated how accessible the zoo was - I used a wheelchair and had no trouble seeing every exhibit.
De Groene Ster 2, 8926 XE Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
9 min · 4 mi
2•Roger T — Google reviewŽiga J — Google reviewJonggyung K — Google reviewYusuf B — Google reviewMD R — Google reviewNur H — Google reviewParadise H — Google review
Cambuur Stadion
4.4
(1542)
4.2
(13)
Permanently Closed
Stadium
Sights & Landmarks
Soccer field
Arenas & Stadiums
Cambuur Stadion is situated just a kilometer east of Leeuwarden's historic city center and has been the home grounds for SC Cambuur since the club's founding in 1964. The stadium can accommodate 10,000 supporters and includes an onsite fan store. Visitors have praised its resemblance to classic English grounds, fair prices, decent food and beer offerings, as well as the vibrant atmosphere during matches. Despite some comments about older facilities, passionate fans contribute to a lively experience.
I actually loved it, it's a nice, little stadium which looks a bit like a classic english ground. The prices are fair, the food and beer were alright and (which is the most important thing to me) the atmosphere was very good, even if Cambuur lost their match against Volendam 1-2. I'll definitely come back as it's also not too far away from Hamburg.
FCKNZS F — Google review
When to go a see my guy Matthew Steenvoorden play for the first time. Great time and experience that I will remember forever
I used the stadium surface for parking space during the summer festival, and I have nothing to complain about.
A little bit old facilities,But still passionate fans
Nice place and the atmosphere is lekker
Aaah crowdy place....specially when it is the match of Cambuur !
Great place, great atmosphere ;)
I really enjoyed this place. 👏👏👏👏😊💗😍
Cambuurplein 44, 8921 RG Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
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Travelers
2
Travelers
2
4 min · 1.1 mi
3•Albert K — Google reviewMathis V — Google reviewSamet İ — Google reviewSabine R — Google reviewMini M — Google reviewJan L — Google reviewAndrew B — Google review
Nature Museum Fryslân
4.4
(1923)
4.3
(134)
Natural history museum
Museums
Children's Museums
Nestled in the heart of Leeuwarden, Nature Museum Fryslân is a captivating destination that beautifully showcases the natural history and biodiversity of Friesland. Housed in a stunning 17th-century former orphanage, this museum invites visitors to explore its four floors filled with fascinating exhibits and artifacts. One standout attraction is the UnderWaterSafari, where guests can embark on an exciting underwater journey from local ditches to the expansive Wadden Sea using a unique vehicle.
A great museum for everyone who loves to learn about animals, dinosaurus, the planet and Friesland itself. But mostly the museum is truly 100% kidsproof.
There is so much interaction and things to explore, even the adults enjoy it too.
Bonus: free coffee and tea and water.
Mei M — Google review
This place is absolutely amazing and very child friendly!
The underwater safari is especially cool for young and old!
Definitely recommend if you're ever in Leeuwarden!
Tuesdays free!
5 stars!
The museum is mainly designed for children, and it excels at that. The underwater exhibit is amusing, and for just four euros, it’s worth a visit. One highlight is that during the renovations, they chose to keep the old display cases and used them to decorate part of the museum, giving it the feel of an old sailor’s attic filled with items collected from his travels. The historic building itself is also a wonderful backdrop for the museum.
The underwater experience was great. A must-see museum when you come to Leeuwarden
More for children, but good for parents as well. Not complete childish, well done. Even for adults some really good stuff. Online reservation of the Safari was just a pain, and then it did. Not Happen die to Technical Problems.
A nice museum, but not as big as my expectations. 2 floors of specimen but lack of explanations and stories. Decorating is nice, but limited interactive things for kids. The under water safari is nice, cost €4 per person, took about 20 minutes, which is interesting. But I hope there could be something more within the museum.
Kids friendly museum in Leeuwarden. Attractions include an "underwater ride", which was fun and educational. Another activity for smaller kids is an adventure with the dragon that lives under the roof, which was very cute and made a big impression on our 5 year old. Right when you walk in, you can get free coffee and lemonade.
This is a nice small museum that has exhibition space that was taken by the T-Rex in Town tour.
This exhibition was the bulk of the interest for us, although there was a very interesting section on the wildlife of the area and the Wadden area and what makes it unique in terms of biodiversity.
The T-Rex exhibition was good, lots of interactive displays for the kids to enjoy and fun activities.
The rest of the museum was largely to do with skeletons of animals that had washed up on the shores of Friesland and taxidermy, so if you’re into that sort of stuff then the museum is probably really interesting, for us we had little interest so didn’t enjoy it as much as the T-Rex exhibition.
So if there is an interesting tour in town for the museum it’s well worth a visit, it’s not prohibitively expensive and it’s all indoor, so good regardless of weather. If the guest exhibition doesn’t float your boat and taxidermy doesn’t then probably not worth it.
Schoenmakersperk 2, 8911 EM Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
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Where to eat
Even the most seasoned adventurers need a break to chow down some food. Close to Nature Museum Fryslân, these restaurants are about a 4-minute walk away.
Grand Café De Walrus - Leeuwarden
4.3
(2856)
4.1
(1023)
affordable
Restaurant
Grand Café De Walrus is a popular spot in Leeuwarden, known for its cozy atmosphere and no-nonsense bistro food with a Dutch twist. The café features a spacious terrace where visitors can enjoy their meals in the sun or under the shade of parasols. It's an ideal place for a casual drink with snacks or a delightful lunch. Additionally, the café also offers live music on weekends, making it a gathering place for locals to enjoy good conversations over beers.
Grand Cafe De Walrus offers a delightful experience reminiscent of an old-school styled pub. The atmosphere exudes warmth and character, making it a welcoming spot for locals and visitors alike.
The food here is not only great but served in generous portions that are sure to satisfy even the heartiest of appetites. Whether you prefer indoor coziness or outdoor ambiance, the ample seating options cater to all preferences.
The staff further enhance the experience with their friendly and helpful demeanor, adding to the overall positive vibe of the place.
Conveniently located, the cafe is just a short bicycle ride or walk away from the train station, making it easily accessible for travelers.
In summary, Grand Cafe De Walrus is a charming establishment offering delicious food, a welcoming atmosphere, and excellent service—a must-visit spot for those seeking a taste of local charm and hearty portions.
Ben L — Google review
Fast and nice service! Young and smiling! Free water, tasty food! Great ambient
We went to Walrus to celebrate my graduation, and even though we were 30 minutes late they still kept our table and we received a glass of champagne from the restaurant. Every staff member was really nice and very hospitable! Thank you for this nice experience!
Good place with lots of seating, specially to seat outside under the sun, if any.
Service was a bit slow, and there was not that many people.
Lots of seating available at noon on a Saturday, but got crowded closer to the evening.
Drinks took a while to arrive, food was a bit faster. Great food and tasty, I tried what I thought was something Dutch, a huge meatball served in a sauce with some fries and some other sauces.
Nice atmosphere, with diverse groups, friends, family, couples, etc
To me it was a bit pricy.
Very nice Bar. Great Ceasar Salad and Fries. Very very nice Service
Popped in to this cafe for lunch whilst wandering the old town of Leeuwarden and ended up with tea for the evening as well. It was great sunny weather so we sat outside. Fast, friendly and attentive service and huge portions. One doggy bag later we had Caesar salad for tea!
Came in to try their vegetarian options and they were able to accommodate suggested changes to their Gorgonzola pasta dish. Instead we got a delicious pasta dish with veggies and pesto spice. The lentil curry dish with rice was my favorite and far surpassed my expectations. We were also served complimentary side dishes (coleslaw, fries and sauce).
Nice terrace with heaters and even heated cushions on the benches. The monchou cake is really good. The caesar salad for lunch is good and a really big portion. And the dog is welcome
Gouverneursplein 37, 8911 HH Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
Sems
4.4
(125)
Permanently Closed
expensive
Restaurant
Sems is a remarkable restaurant located in the heart of Leeuwarden, housed in a magnificent 19th-century building. The establishment pays homage to Joham Sems, a renowned Dutch cartographer known for creating an important map of Leeuwarden in 1603. What sets Sems apart is its unique dining concept, offering guests the freedom to choose from 20 different dishes without the traditional divide between starters and mains.
Visiting from the US we were looking for an exceptional, unique restaurant in Leeuwarden and struck gold with SEMS. Their wine selection was the best we've seen so far 1.5 weeks in the Netherlands, the Chef's 4 courses were very memorable. Dom was timely in his delivery of each course and we couldn't be more pleased with the experience as a whole. Next time were anywhere close we will be sure to return.
Dan O — Google review
From today's visit: seats and glasses were dirty, some pieces of bread were everywhere (this is unacceptable!). Wine was not opened next to us, but the bottle was always full when they were bringing to refill the glasess, although we were the only one drinking this type of wine at that time - looks that they were refilling the bottle with cheap wine. Food good but not outstanding, definitely not worth 100 euro. They served wine not appropriate for courses. Female blond waiter was nice while the male waiter was unpleasant and arrogant. Lacking class restaurant pretending sophisticated one. Better to avoid.
Great service attitudes. Small plates that resemble tapas are the fare at this restaurant. The taste was excellent although the service was a bit slower paced than many international clientele are used to. Food quality is a B+.
Tried hard, but didn't quite deliver. After a delicious pea soup, all the main course were served with same vegetables and a slightly odd taste. Extra bread is charged separately!
Fancy restaurant but not so fancy that you have to dress up. Excellent food and friendly service.
Great food and service. Fine selection of wines.
Perfect evening, very delicious meal, great service!
(Translated by Google) Delicious food! All dishes, every single one, were top notch. Truly a taste sensation. Service was also very neat and customer friendly. I will definitely come back again.
(Original)
Héérlijk gegeten! Alle gerechten, stuk voor stuk, waren top. Echt een smaaksensatie. Bediening was ook zeer netjes en klantvriendelijk. Ik kom zéker nog eens terug.
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Travelers
2
Travelers
2
KFC
2.9
(3021)
1.5
(41)
affordable
Fast food restaurant
KFC, the iconic restaurant chain famous for its delicious buckets of fried chicken, offers a delightful array of combo meals and sides that cater to every craving. With a focus on quick and efficient service, KFC has made notable improvements recently, ensuring that your meal is served warm and fresh. The friendly staff adds to the experience, making each visit enjoyable as they are always ready to assist you with a smile.
Quick and easy service. they’ve gotten better in the last months! Food was warm and the people were extremely helpful
Shilline J — Google review
Food is great but they have less crew to prepare the food It takes me almost half an hour to wait. Out of 3 machines used for payment. Only 1 is working.
WHERE'S THE GRAVY?
Here are some bulletpoints:
1) They don't wear gloves, rubbing their faces as they make the food.
2) It takes FOREVER to receive the food after ordering, no matter what you order.
3) The app is infuriatingly incompetent, it is practically impossible to order more than 1 irem at a time, and even that is difficult. And even when you order stuff, their system won't register the order. Luckily I got my food after showing them the charge but had to wait for them to make it - which again, took forever.
4) Their own machines(for ordering food) are either out-of-order, non-functional or barely functional. The infrared scanner doesn't work on any if them - I've checked.
5) The offers are only singular and don't work on the machines because the scanner doesn't work.
6) What kind of KFC doesn't have gravy for the chicken? We need to catch up in the NL, this is a travesty. That's like having no Chicken Salsa at Mc.Donald's, come on people. Lotta money getting left on the table here, is all I'm sayin'.
I think they need new management here 'cause it seems like noone knows what they're doing. And I don't mean to "fire the employees" 'cause I don't think it's their fault, I just think someone needs to train these people properly - and that is 1000% a management issue.
I don't really give 1 star reviews but having to spend 45mins to order 3 things and then arriving to the location to find out that they never received the order is absolutely atrocious. It's embarassing and even downright insulting to the concept of "fast food", 'cause I then had to wait like half an hour for them to make my food.. and it wasn't even busy - in fact it was pretty empty there, so even in prime conditions it'll still take forever. Again: fire the management and train your staff, man. This whole operation could be done waaaaaay smoother.
Everywhere you looked—tables, floor, even counters—there were used bags, trays, and leftover food. No one was cleaning. Trash bins were overflowing. It looked like no one cared.
The crew didn’t seem to be doing much. Slow service. No eye contact. No greeting. Just moving through the motions like they didn’t want to be there.
It felt like there was no management. Or if there was, they weren’t doing their job.
If they want people to come back, they need to clean up the place and change the manager. The food can’t carry the experience on its own.
Holy .. I just left the Drive Thru and the guy working was so insanly short and rude. When I arrived at the window i first had to wait 10 minutes to even pay, but once i did i told him that he should work on his customer friendliness/service cuz the way he treated me was not okay. He shoved the card machine in my face and told me to pay. (Mind you he didnt even tell me how much they owned me)
Next time he opened the window I once again told him, the least he could do is applogise for his behaviour. He looked at me, gave me the food and closed the window.
I have never been this close to saying keep the food, im not paying. This experience was horrible and quiet honestly, if I go again to this location and i see him working. I'll just go someone else for my food.
First of all boycot, second of all you wait forever, place is dirty all the time. My drink tasted like a tabacco!! Upstairs is always closed and not enough places to sit. Personel doesnt wear hair protection or even gloves, thats just gross. I dont know how they are passing any control. Really waste of localization.
The food not really good ..french fries, mais..old ..
..chicken quiet good..
Dirty..floor and tables..no one clean..? Garbbage bin overflowing...
One more thing you have to pay CASH in the counter..
Used Kiosk for order is not easy as well..
We cost 2 euros for two deposit cups for our drink. After that we were told that we can only keep these cups. The service of deposit cup was just cancelled. Not possible to get 2 euros back, not possible to change to 0.15 euro paper cup, no notifications upon order. KFC should notify this to customers in advance
De Centrale 2, 8924 CZ Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
Pizzeria Villacidro
4.3
(183)
4.0
(5)
Pizza restaurant
Very lovely little pizzeria. The pizza is incredible, also the staff is full of nice people.
Totally can recommend it
KozakoHUN — Google review
Best pizza in Leeuwarden! Mini pizzas are good sized and great quality vs price
Perfect!
Super pizzas
(Translated by Google) Best pizzeria in Arnhem. The family is Italian and you notice that in everything. The atmosphere is truly authentic and the pizzas are deliciously made and richly topped. The dough has a perfect thickness! We always choose the Gamberi extra spicy!
(Original)
Beste pizzeria van Arnhem. De familie is Italiaans en dat merk je in alles. De sfeer is echt authentiek en de pizza’s zijn verrukkelijk gemaakt en rijkelijk belegd. Het deeg heeft een perfecte dikte! Wij kiezen altijd voor de Gamberi extra pittig!
(Translated by Google) 100% recommended!
Very pleasant atmosphere, mainly due to the friendliness and kindness of both the chefs and the staff in general.
The lasagna Bolognese was delicious and very well served.
A huge variety of pizzas (with vegetarian options)
I would definitely return!
(Original)
100% recomendado!
Ambiente muy agradable, principalmente por la simpatía y amabilidad tanto de los chefs como del personal en general.
La lasaña bolognese deliciosa y muy bien servida.
Una variedad enorme de pizzas (con opciones vegetariana)
Sin duda volvería!
(Translated by Google) Tonight, we picked up two delicious pizzas from Villacidro. They were nice and hot, ready for us, and they tasted amazing! And not expensive at all.
(Original)
Vanavond heerlijke 2 pizza's afgehaald bij Villacidro. Ze waren goed warm, stonden al klaar voor ons en ze smaakte super! En helemaal niet duur.
(Translated by Google) Always delicious pizzas and super friendly staff. Highly recommended.
(Original)
Altijd heerlijke pizza's en super vriendelijk personeel. Aanrader.
Canadezenlaan 71, 8923 AA Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
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Day 2
Northeast side of town
For day 2, we recommend exploring the northeast side side of town. Start the day off with De Alde Feanen National Park, then wind down and take it easy by the time you get to Ceramics Museum Princessehof. All together, your day would be filled with about 8 hours of non-stop fun.
1•Jan N — Google reviewHenk D — Google reviewRoy T — Google reviewWouter V — Google reviewNikolett I — Google reviewAdrian D — Google reviewMeike — Google review
De Alde Feanen National Park
4.6
(5909)
4.5
(9)
Temporarily Closed
National park
Nature & Parks
Hiking area
De Alde Feanen National Park is a unique natural reserve covering 25 square kilometers of marshes, lakes, forests, peat, and meadows. It's home to over 450 plant species and 100 bird species, including the bald eagle. The village of Earnewald offers a large marina and hosts various summer events with plenty of dining options.
Fantastic place. Really loved I. Stayed for 3 nights. Lots of places to cycle. Big playground for kids. Nice facilities for boaters (laundry, shower, toilet). Supermarket, restaurants- highly recommended
Anita M — Google review
Paths across the reserve are restricted due to breeding season but routes which are open are well signed. Plenty of parking, toilets catering etc in the village. We heard a Bittern booming and a cuckoo, saw lots of nesting Storks along with sedge and willow warblers. Observation tower gives you great views.
Whow!!!! Beautiful with capital B.
This is a epic place seriously.
I didn’t know that we have such a nice nature in The Netherlands.
I highly recommend you to take a guided tour. They will take a lot about De Alde Feanen
Very interesting story and again majestic nature!
Very quiet nature overnight spot.
Nice national park for a boat-tour.
The guide that joins the tour is very well informed about what's going on, and what happened in this area in the past century.
Especially when the weather is nice, this is a great place for a day out.
Moiii!!
We had a really nice day here with my boyfriend. Everything is nice,clean and peaceful!! We came from Leeuwarden by bike just to see this beautiful National Park! :)
It was a really nice trip! :)
One of the nicest places near Leeuwarden. You can reach it by bike in around 1.5h. It is the closest National Park. You can visit it on foot, but better to rent a boat or see it on a bike. Lots of birds, lakes, trees. Everything is green and place is not overcrowded.
Beautiful nature and a Lot going on with boats and Bikes, also possible to Walk with Baby stroller. Dogs are allowed. Parking for free, foodtruck and Restaurants also there. Maps for walks can be Downloaded.
Wiidswei 32, 9264 TM Earnewâld, Netherlands•
20 min · 11.5 mi
2•Liubov S — Google reviewAgustina N — Google reviewIrina P — Google reviewAleksandr — Google reviewUskok68 — Google reviewDragos B — Google reviewTerica S — Google review
Blokhuispoort
4.4
(722)
4.3
(233)
Business park
Sights & Landmarks
Corporate campus
Event venue
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Blokhuispoort, a 19th-century prison turned cultural center in Leeuwarden, is a vibrant hub of creativity and entrepreneurship. The former cells now house start-ups, artist workshops, tattoo parlors, boutiques, and a designer hostel. Guided tours by former prison guards offer insight into the building's history. The renovated space also features creative shops selling art and jewelry. Street art and miniatures adorn the city while the Fries Museum adds to its cultural allure.
A former prison transformed into cultural gem. Small entrepreneurs, shops, art projects, a library, restaurants and a museum all in one. Magnificent!
Valentine D — Google review
Such a great experience! A great place to visit
Such a beautiful place with lots of history!
This place was developed with love. You can enter the "Hostel" building for free (day hours) where you can look at the exhibition with items from the former prison (it's on the left side, ground floor). Hard work was done to create this interesting place, so I highly recommend to visit it at least once!
This is a former prison with a rich history. A very inspiring place, it's cool to breathe new life into an old building, turning an old prison into a hostel where you can spend the night, read, take a walk, eat, drink and learn about the history of this interesting building.
Small entrepreneurs shops art projects library tattoo studio massage studio hairdresser restaurants and museum.
There are also guided tours of the old building where you can learn a lot about history.
In general, anyone who will be in Leeuwarden is required to visit.
Great location. You can tour an old prison. Now it hosts the public library and some design studios.
Nice old prison with a library, a restaurant, and local craftsmen. I have been there for the Christmas market too.
Overall, a must-see of Leeuwarden
Lovely especially in summer when its sunny. Library is amazing and new, be sure to have coffee or beer at one of the cafe's
Blokhuisplein 40, 8911 LJ Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
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Travelers
2
Travelers
2
6 min · 0.3 mi
3•Anna — Google reviewLeslie V — Google reviewCagatay ( — Google reviewNaomi H — Google reviewKuky — Google reviewAmy C — Google reviewCeasars Z — Google review
Fries Museum
4.4
(4906)
4.2
(951)
Museum
Specialty Museums
The Fries Museum in Leeuwarden, Netherlands, offers a blend of temporary exhibits and a permanent collection that delves into the history and culture of Friesland's 11 cities and its people. The museum showcases Friesian culture through a wide range of arts, crafts, and artifacts spanning from the 13th to the 21st century.
Interesting museum. History of the Friesland province since the prehistoric times to the present. Culture, art and history. I think an hour and a half is enough to visit it all.
Virginia C — Google review
Was a nice museum. We really liked the bridal gown collection. It was interesting and fun to read all the stories. The exhibition about the resistance of Friesland was also very interesting and intriguing. The other collections on the third floor were less to our taste. Nice museum
Always a great museum to visit. Tasteful and thoughtfully laid out exhibits - this time the theme was Friesland and World War II.
Very interesting and nice museum that sheds light on some historical facts, events of Friesland and its important figures.
The Fries museum was not 1 of the museum that was top of my list but unexpectedly, it was a very nice museum. It was very interesting to learn about the Friesland. Also about the world war ll. I especially liked the Mata Hari exhibition. Unfortunately 1 section was closed due to cremating for the “Wybrand de Geest: Masterful Portraits" exhibition. If I was able to see the previous exhibition I would’ve easily stayed there for 2 hours. There is a cafe and a gift shop at the ground floor near the front desk. The ladies are really friendly. Three are lockers for you to store your bags before entering as well as hangers to hang up your jackets. There are also chairs for you to take a break or rest a little after you finished exploring the museum.
Perfectttttttt
I liked alot
Beautiful atmosphere ,decoration
Interesting and educational! Loved it. Wished there were more to see
The museum is a nice modern new building with lots of open spaces. Everything was clear and nicely layed-out. The expositions didn’t meet my expectations. I experienced both Frisian Resistance Museum and the A La Campagne expostion quite small. I found myself out the door within a hour or so, which is very fast for me.
Wilhelminaplein 92, 8911 BL Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
5 min · 0.25 mi
4•Sven T — Google reviewJames J — Google reviewAdriana M — Google reviewKhan K — Google reviewBenny B — Google reviewHenk P — Google reviewMartin C — Google review
Municipal Theater De Harmonie
4.5
(2419)
4.4
(7)
Performing arts theater
Conference center
Event ticket seller
Event venue
The city boasts multiple theaters, such as the Stadsschouwburg and Municipal Theater De Harmonie, offering a diverse range of performances from classical music to contemporary plays. Municipal Theater De Harmonie is particularly cherished for its aesthetic appeal and holds fond memories for many. It hosts shows that cater to young children, including the Dutch National Ballet. The theater provides ample space and top-notch facilities, with well-designed rooms.
I visited this place for a graduation ceremony. I really enjoyed the interior design of the building. Furthermore, it is clean and fancy.
Людмил С — Google review
Very nice theater, chairs a bit old imo, could be more comfortabele
Quite dated theatre, very nineties! Could use a make over. Also the spacing of the seats could be a little further apart. As a tall gentleman I was feeling quite cramped.
My son graduated in this special place , on the 23th November , this year ....So for me, personally, the Harmonie Hall is the most beautiful remember ,ever . In Harmonie was harmonie for our young children !!!!!
Fantastic NNO experience, what an exquisite play.
This place is fantastic. Lots of space, good quality equipment. Nice rooms (but then I have not visited many theatres).
I booked 3 times here and 2 of them got cancelled/changed completely. You have to response to them on a very short notice and if you do not respond within a few days they give you a voucher so you are FORCED to book at the harmonie again.
Wonderful to see the Dutch National Ballet in de Harmonie. Ask those stairs are good for the lungs, but I wonder why there is no central aisle on the balcony. The rows are much too long.
Ruiterskwartier 4, 8911 BP Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
5 min · 0.25 mi
5•Sophia C — Google reviewRene P — Google reviewLisa P — Google reviewMohammad A — Google reviewJohn M — Google reviewHSNBRG G — Google reviewChristina S — Google review
Ceramics Museum Princessehof
4.4
(1380)
4.2
(277)
Art museum
Museums
The Ceramics Museum Princessehof, located in a 1700s palace named after a princess who once owned the building, is dedicated to showcasing ceramics, tiles, and pottery. The museum features an extensive collection of Chinese porcelain dating back to the Ming Dynasty and modern designs by famous 20th-century artists. Visitors can explore the largest collection of tiles in the world, unparalleled Delftware selection, and works from various cultures including Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese ceramics.
The Wu Zetian exposition was really special and nicely done.
Johan D — Google review
Such a cute museum with a rich history of ceramics. I love the layout of the exhibition and we were there for the WuZeTian special exhibition. Also I left my sweater there by accident, the staff is very helpful and shipped the sweater to me. Highly recommend this museum to anyone.
A great museum with a wide range of Ceramics from all over the planet. But not only that, there's also a great Escher exhibition in the basement.
Every floor and room is very accessible with ramps and lifts.
Great exhibit about Wu Zetian (we didn't check out the rest of the museum at this time) and very friendly staff as well.
As the name of museum says it’s a museum about ceramics! The building it’s nice to experience because the made connection between different old buildings to have more space! For hole collection is more about the typical blue Dutch ceramics and alse Chinese ceramics but there are also a few more from other corners of world! The museum it’s not that big , I guess most of the people can visit it in a few hours!
Great ceramics exhibition!
(Enjoyed reading about the Orange family & MC Escher as well!)
Beautiful museum with a large assortment of ceramics. There is also a nice restaurant inside for coffee and local pastries (oranje koek).
I really enjoyed the museum - though I do think to properly appreciate it, you need to have an interest in ceramic making or ceramic patterns. The museum isn't too big but it has a lot of different rooms with interesting artefacts.
Grote Kerkstraat 9, 8911 DZ Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
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Where to eat
Under a 1-minute walk from Blokhuispoort, here are a few close by recommendations for when you get hungry exploring around.
Drink & Eetlokaal Proefverlof
4.3
(1039)
4.0
(205)
affordable
Restaurant
Located in Leeuwarden's oldest prison, Drink & Eetlokaal Proefverlof offers a unique dining experience within the cell walls. The ambience is a mix of old school and modern with low lighting and industrial fittings. If you choose to sit outside, you can enjoy views of the water and the prison building.
Very pleasant, welcoming atmosphere. Very good Mediterranean course menu, good quality/price ratio and the astonishing view on the canal waters. The professionals that work here made my small family celebration very cozy and bright. Thank you!
Roman ( — Google review
We had a lovely time at Drink & Eetlokaal Proefverlof! The location is fantastic—right by the canal, making it a perfect spot to relax and watch as people stop by on their private boats. It’s definitely best to visit on a nice day to really enjoy the atmosphere and outdoor seating.
The staff was friendly and enthusiastic, though they seemed to be young and still gaining experience. Service was pleasant, but you may notice they’re still learning.
Overall, a charming spot with a unique vibe and beautiful views. Definitely worth a visit, especially in good weather!
I was quite disappointed with my experience. The food was not tasty at all, and for the high prices, I expected much better quality. I don’t mind paying more when the food is excellent, but this was far from it.
While the drinks arrived quickly, it took an unusually long time just to get the food menu. The service overall was very poor—unattentive and slow. For the main course, we were not even served the potatoes, and the salad was missing entirely.
Overall, it was not a good experience, and I wouldn’t recommend it based on this visit.
It was our second time in this restaurant, we celebrated my graduation there. The location was great as always, the service was okay, we had to wait quite some time for the second course. The food wasn’t great tho, I had a pasta which didn’t taste like anything and we had the fish and meat aswell which didn’t taste that good too. For the price and location you‘d expect something better.
It is nice. Especially the courses before and after the main course. I must say the entrecote did not tasted great. Was also to raw instead of rare. The Duck meat was not special. I made this dish at home and it had more flavour in it. But that is my opinion. We had one waiter that was top notch on serving us and another waitress that did not care about the service. So service is 50 / 50.
But it is a great place to drink some, chat a little bit and take a bite. But don't go if you want a top evening with a great main course and a wonderful service.
10/10 experience. Great food, cozy atmosphere, top notch service. Highly recommend.
We ordered drinks, they serve without any nuts at side, and they charge at the end for the nuts which we just asked to have!!! Typical Dutch hospitality.
"Dear Huib Tiemersma,
Thank you for your response. While I understand your policy, the issue is not the existence of a bites menu but the lack of transparency when serving items that incur additional charges. As a guest, I was not informed that the nuts would come at a cost. This omission led to the misunderstanding and dissatisfaction reflected in my review.
As a business, ensuring clarity with your customers is vital to avoid such situations. My review accurately reflects my experience and the surprise charge I encountered. It is not my responsibility to assume your policies differ from common practices unless explicitly stated.
I stand by my review, as it serves as feedback for both your team and future customers to ensure a better experience for everyone.
Kind regards,
A Jami"
Adorable place , that has simply plus : relaxing music, extraordinary attention, excellent drinks, atractive menu.It has an enviroment that invites to enjoy the moment outdoors or indoors .
Blokhuisplein 40, 8911 LJ Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
Barrevoets
4.6
(299)
4.6
(147)
affordable
Lunch restaurant
Nestled in the charming Kleine Kerkstraat, Barrevoets is a delightful little café that perfectly captures the essence of Leeuwarden's vibrant shopping scene. This cozy spot is an ideal retreat for coffee lovers seeking a warm atmosphere to unwind. Not only does it serve up rich brews and homemade cakes, but it also boasts an extensive lunch menu featuring satisfying sandwiches and refreshing smoothies.
In the nicest shopping street of Leeuwarden (and even the Netherlands), you van have a great coffee or hot chocolate with your toppings you choose. We had sandwich croquettes, tosti and BLT sandwich. You can ask tap water if you want to be green :)!
Kathleen A — Google review
excellent coffee, very friendly staff, perfect place to relax
Very nice place to get coffee and/or lunch. Im a regular customer and every time the quality of the products are perfect. 10/10 would recommend. Also love how they remember my favorite orders. It feels very personal.
Very delicious vegan bitterballen and amazing banana bread. Staff is also super friendly and welcoming. Can absolutely recommend this place!
my friends and my new favorite place to go to and do schoolwork and chill! the employees always have a smiling face on and really make you feel welcome, the service is good, and so is the ambiance and the music! love this little gem
Nice friendly coffee bar with a fair selection of food and drinks. It is in the center close to its infamous tower in a cosy street with little shops. Had a sandwich barrevoets (recommended) and 'semi-gezond' (would not recommend).
Really good coffee, tasty food and nice staff!
cosy location for coffee or lunch with delicious food
Kleine Kerkstraat 41, 8911 DL Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
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2
Travelers
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Lazy Lemon
4.4
(1298)
3.7
(114)
affordable
Restaurant
Nestled in the heart of Leeuwarden's bustling shopping district, Lazy Lemon is a delightful haven for both weary shoppers and curious sightseers. This charming eatery boasts an inviting atmosphere with its industrial design, high ceilings, and a mix of formal dining tables alongside cozy sofas that beckon you to relax. The all-day menu is a feast for the senses, offering everything from light bites to indulgent cakes and tasty snacks perfect for pairing with your favorite drink.
One sentence: I wish Lazy Lemon was in my city! 😭
I recently had the pleasure of having a lunch at Lazy Lemon in Leeuwarden, and I must say, it was an experience that left a lasting impression. This place now will stay in my heart for a long time
From the moment I stepped inside, I was struck by the stylish ambiance that perfectly complemented the restaurant’s name. Lemons were thoughtfully incorporated into the decor in a way that felt anything but “lazy.” Every detail seemed carefully considered, from the lemon-themed touches throughout the space to the quirky bottle of lemon juice displayed on a decorative bike upstairs. The atmosphere was both vibrant and welcoming, making it a joy to be there.
Despite the restaurant being quite busy, the service was impeccable. The staff were attentive and efficient, managing to be quick without making us feel rushed. It’s clear that they’re experienced in handling a full house while maintaining a high level of service.
Now, onto the highlight of the day — the food.
I was particularly impressed with the Italiaanse Pinsa’s Kip. It was a dish I had never tried before, and it was nothing short of heavenly. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and it was incredibly satisfying. For two people, the portion was more than generous.
The Heavenly Delight Pancakes were another standout. They were almost too beautiful to eat, and I appreciated that they weren’t overly sweet or heavy. The combination of pancakes with fresh fruit gave them a refreshing quality that’s rare for baked goods. It’s a dish that both looks and tastes delightful.
Given that it was a busy Saturday, the staff did an admirable job keeping the place clean. Despite the crowd, everything was well-maintained, and it was clear that the team was doing their best to keep up with the rush.
The pricing was very reasonable, especially considering the quality of the food and the overall experience. I felt that every euro spent was well worth it.
Without a doubt, I would recommend Lazy Lemon to anyone visiting Leeuwarden — or even those who need a reason to visit!
This place is definitely a highlight, and I’m already looking for excuses to return to the city just to dine here again. It’s a gem that I’m thrilled to have discovered.
Yeva — Google review
Very chill brunch spot with heaps of food on the plate. Very delicious and well worth the money. 2 people could probably split 1 Avo Treasure, as it is very big. Great taste and friendly staff.
It was kinda busy, but service was quick, and good. The food was great, as always. Tried some new things, very nice chicken tenders and the cheese Union waffle was especially great. Love the lemonades as well. Kids corner was crowded, as a tip, I'd wash the stuffed animals.
Came across this place and I instantly wanted to give it a try, and it did not disappoint. Our waitress Robin and all of the other staff where friendly and attended to our table, as we have a 7 month old baby some extra care was given to warm up the baby food and water.
The burger was so so good and the vegan kebab dish as tasty as well, overall very happy. Thank you
I had pancakes. They were tasty but more like American Flapjacks than Dutch Pannekoeken.
I recently enjoyed a meal at Lazy Lemon, and it was delightful. The mustard soup was a perfect start, creamy and packed with flavor. The ambiance at Lazy Lemon contributed to a very pleasant dining experience, creating a welcoming and cozy setting. The staff were exceptionally friendly, making our visit even more enjoyable with their attentive service.
The sweet potato fries were served in a generous portion and were a hit at our table. While the salmon was delicious, it was a bit on the pricier side, but the overall quality of the meal made it worthwhile. The highlight for me was the vegan 'Kapsalon Mexicano,' which stood out for its exceptional taste and innovation.
Overall, despite the salmon's price, the quality of the food, the inviting atmosphere, and the excellent service made our meal memorable. I would definitely recommend Lazy Lemon to anyone looking for a flavorful dining experience!
We stayed in Leeuwarden for a night and visited Lazy Lemon for brunch. It’s spaciously decorated with an urban industrial vibe. The staff is very friendly and kid friendly. They do a fine job of making you feel at home in their establishment. I had the ‘vegan kapsalon’ and it was great. The combination of fresh veggies, sweet potato fries and the mild curry flavor was a joy to eat. So if you’re in Leeuwarden this is definitely a place to check out!
Inshort:
Very nice place, yummy food,lots of vegetarian options. Cool ambience. Will go back.
Overall Experience:
We found this place while searching for a good Vegetarian/Vegan options during our short visit to Leeuwarden. We there went for lunch.
The ambience was very cool, very spacious. There was a special section on the first floor for small kids to play, lot of board games for adults as well.
The Menu was diverse.
We ordered the following:
Beet Burger (Vegetarian) - A delicious burger with sweet potato fries on the side. Quantity was bit less.
Heavenly Delight - the name justifies the dish.
3 nice small pancakes loaded with fresh fruits, dry fruits, chocolate chips.
Chop it up Pancakes - This was a plateful of yummy pancakes with juicy chicken and chopped vegetables.
Lazy Lamb Burger - The lamb patty was delicious. served with potato fries and mayonnaise. The size was bit small.
In the Club sandwich - The sandwich was good, only thing was that the tomatoes were big in size.
In the end we ordered the Cake of the day which was supposedly a Pistachio cake, but found it as basic cake. Maybe we had big expectations based on the food.
Overall it was great experience, had yummy food and menu was not too heavy on the pocket. Will definitely visit this place when I come to Leeuwarden again.
Ruiterskwartier 135a, 8911 BS Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
Mango Lounge Leeuwarden
4.2
(248)
4.0
(78)
affordable
Cocktail bar
Lounge
Mango Lounge Leeuwarden offers a unique dining experience with its tapas menu featuring a fusion of Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. The restaurant's exotic interior adds to the ambiance, creating a cozy atmosphere for patrons to enjoy their meals and cocktails. The staff is highly praised for their friendly service, adding to the overall positive dining experience. With relaxing lounge areas and delectable finger foods, Mango Lounge Leeuwarden has become a popular choice for those seeking an enjoyable evening out.
Awesome cocktails, fantastic staff and a great ambience!
Deborah S — Google review
The cocktail and Shisha bar is a must if you go to Leeuwarden.
Even if you are alone you can sit there and enjoy yourself. Also the staff is very nice.
Nice and cozy. The drinks are not that expensive☺️
Best cocktails in Leeuwarden! Kind and friendly service, the place is very clean and the atmosphere is cozy. Besides cocktails they have delicious bites. Also every month they have a special cocktail, I definitely recommend this place!!
Great cocktails. Friendly staff. Good vibes.
Best place in Leeuwarden to drink cocktails
Really nice place. Awesome cocktail shaker and really kind waiters. Definitely recommendable!
On Saturday I would recommend to come early as it gets really busy later on
Greatest spot to be in the city!! Amazing cocktails, friendly staff and cozy atmosphere...the perfect recipe for the perfect night out in Leeuwarden.
Ruiterskwartier 107, 8911 BR Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
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Day 3
Proximity is everything
For day 3, we bundled attractions like Oldehove and A Guide to Leeuwarden and other places within a close range, so that the time it takes to travel between all of them is less than one hour. Combined with the average time people spend there, your day should take about 7 hours.
1•Amy C — Google reviewMilaa — Google reviewSebastian C — Google reviewDanielle M — Google reviewJarda H — Google reviewDimi — Google reviewMitch G — Google review
Oldehove
4.5
(2502)
4.1
(325)
Temporarily Closed
Sights & Landmarks
Scenic spot
Vista point
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Oldehove is a notable attraction in the medieval center of Leeuwarden, featuring an off-kilter Gothic bell tower dating back to the 1500s. The picturesque leaning tower is often compared to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and offers visitors a unique experience. Nearby, visitors can explore the Princessehof museum, housed in a former city palace and birthplace of renowned graphic artist Maurits C Escher.
Taking a walk back in time was so interesting. This was a good visit with easy access from the underground parking. Heard the bells chime and had the children ring the bell in the foyer. Thanks to the staff for that special privilege.
Views from the top are splendid. Saw the set up for an event in the area in front of the tower. Appreciated the lift on the way down! The staff were friendly and very helpful. They had lots of knowledge and could answer our myriad of questions.
Shann S — Google review
Great views. Felt very strange being tilted to the side. History film on the 2nd floor was informative! Paid €7 for 2 adults. In my opinion worth it. The roof has some binoculars and a glass floor.
I'm so glad I found this odd place!
The staff was incredibly friendly, genuine, interested and helpful giving us advice over the city: where to go, what to do, information points and the best of the vibes!
The place itself is interesting. The panoramic view from the top is beautiful (specially on sunny days).
If you don't like going up hundreds of stairs to get to the top, you can get to the first exhibition room with the lift.
I also found the archeological exposition in the reception room really interesting.
The site is old, was a "failure" but remained against all odds and reminds us that nature is stronger than human plans ;).
Groetjes to the friendly woman in the reception and the meneer who gave us all those useful tips!
Tot de volgende keer!
Well worth the visit, entrance is very cheap
We didn't go inside, it was closed. I've been inside before though, if you just want to look at the ground floor it's for free. You only have to pay if you wanna go up. Also the lady at the counter was super nice, she told us some facts about the history of this beautiful tower! :)
Awesome place in really lovely city / country area. This tower is tilted in the almost same angle as the Pisa Tower. Climbing the stairs is interesting experience ;) btw it is really easy to find the parking lots in near area. Close to the tower is also really nice park and the city centre is nearby.
We had an amazing day really friendly people working there they are volunteering so that's amazing the one thing is that you have to wolk 181 stairs up and 181 to get down but it's totally worth it + it's good for you health . You have an amazing view from the top that you will see from the photos . It's really funny because the tower is almost like the tower of Pisa but not many people know about it .
Very historically interesting and beautiful views from the top. Great time with my Dutch friends!
Oldehoofsterkerkhof, 8911 JA Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
1 min · 300 ft
2Anna S — Google reviewKarolina Ś — Google reviewKristy J — Google reviewCaren — Google reviewEl H — Google reviewDoug K — Google reviewJanet D — Google review
A Guide to Leeuwarden
4.9
(1229)
Sightseeing tour agency
If you're looking to explore the charming city of Leeuwarden, "A Guide to Leeuwarden" offers delightful walking tours that are a must-do. These free tours are led by enthusiastic guides who possess an impressive wealth of knowledge about the city's rich history and hidden gems. They take you off the beaten path, revealing unique spots you might otherwise miss. The atmosphere is always positive, filled with humor and engaging stories that make your time fly by.
Leonie was a lovely guide who told us within context of history, all about Leeuwarden. Beautiful city, a lot of strong leading ladies, nice spots and great anecdotes. Keep up this nice way off walk & talk. 👍🏾🌍♥️
Paul B — Google review
I have a pleasure to have a one hour English excursion with Christina. It was wonderful. It is noticeable that she is in love with her work. She told a lot interesting information with facts about Leeuwarden and Friesland, especially about street art. It is enough to get to now the city. Her smile made my day:)
I recently followed the Street Art tour guided by Christina. Being a local I had noticed that Leeuwarden has quite a lot of interesting Street Art and was curious to hear stories behind the works and the artists. Christina did a fantastic job showing us around and sharing her knowlesge in a humorous, interactive and engaging way. I enjoyed the tour very much and recommended to both the locals and visitors to Leeuwarden!
We went on a guided tour with Henk. He was very friendly and very informative. I learnt so much about Leeuwarden and it's history. Would definitely recommend this to anyone.
Had a wonderful walking tour with Charlotte! It was a great mix of history and modern things to know about Leeuwarden. It never got boring and she was always open to all our questions.
It was a great guide that showed the essence of the historical center of Leeuwarden, mixing art and history. We were so fortunate to have Christine as our marvelous and enthusiastic guide for this tour!
Two of us had a private tour with Henk. His 12 years of experience came through often as his knowledge of the city of Leeuwarden is very deep. In addition to being very informative and friendly we learned about the heroes, artists and royalty of Leeuwarden. Highly recommended.
The details that Kevin provided on the tour were very informative and entertaining. Would highly recommend Kevin. Our tour was Saturday, 22 September.
Oldehoofsterkerkhof, 8911 DT Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
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Travelers
2
Travelers
2
5 min · 0.28 mi
3•Milaa — Google reviewGerben V — Google reviewAaron G — Google reviewGeorge P — Google reviewSeung F — Google reviewBence B — Google reviewRebecca M — Google review
Historisch Centrum Leeuwarden
4.4
(447)
4.4
(681)
Local history museum
Archive
Neighborhoods
Historisch Centrum Leeuwarden is a must-visit for history enthusiasts in Leeuwarden. The center offers a fascinating exhibition of old and new painted cityscapes of Leeuwarden, providing an intriguing glimpse into the city's past. Visitors can explore the rich history of Friesland and Leeuwarden through various displays and research materials. Additionally, there are temporary exhibitions on topics such as the history of hospitals in Leeuwarden.
Just located behind the Ceramics Museum. A history center with exhibitions about the history of Leeuwarden city and Fryslan, temporary exhibition about hospital in Leeuwarden and Erwin in January 2023. No need to make an appointment to see the exhibitions but if you are interested in archives you need to make an appointment. Free entry for all!
Nice exhibition about the history of Leeuwarden from the 'mounds era' and a detailed audio tour (the audio tour is also available in English)
Bonus: free warm drinks 😉
N.A I — Google review
It was a short, but well informed and well curated exposition. The staff is super friendly and it's free! I enjoyed it.
There's also a very interesting exposition about DNA from a local artist.
If you want to dive into Frisian history, get a taste of it here!
I never really knew what to expect from the Historical Centre Leeuwarden, but thought I'd just go and have a look for myself. At the moment there's and exhibition of old and new painted cityscapes of Leeuwarden. As someone who likes to discover a little about the history of the place I live it I found it very intriguing to see these familiar streets in different times. There's also a lot of other history of Friesland and Leeuwarden on display or available for research. Oh, and it's free too! 😁
Fascinating, detailed, and best of all, free. The exhibit signage is all in Dutch, but they have extensive information printed in English near each exhibit.
Nice city with many activities to do
Visited to look at some of the archived adoption documents from 1967 1971. Friendly! service to scan 120 documents due to a malfunctioning scanner on the day of our visit .
Best Dutch city ever. Super interesting history, unique architecture, canals, all in one city which is much calmer than Amsterdam. There is even an ANWB outlet for shoppoholics.
Great exhibitions with lovely people you can also get an audio guide in English
Groeneweg 1, 8911 EH Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
7 min · 0.37 mi
4•Hubert M — Google reviewJack L — Google reviewMinh V — Google reviewAndrés P — Google reviewDaniel S — Google reviewMinprez J — Google reviewKevin C — Google review
Speciaalbier Café De Markies
4.7
(1177)
4.6
(47)
affordable
Pub
Speciaalbier Café De Markies is a must-visit for beer enthusiasts, offering over 250 different craft beers and a rotating selection of tap beers. The bar also features a unique cheese menu with 17 varieties to pair with your chosen brew using their self-developed flavor wheel. In addition to the impressive beer and cheese offerings, visitors can enjoy the large sun-drenched terrace during the summer months.
A lot of great craft beers ! Nice déco, good vegan bitterballen ! Lovely bar !
Pierre A — Google review
In terms of going somewhere for interesting beers in Leeuwarden, I think there's absolutely no contest.
They seemed to be well stocked in all types of beers. I tend to stick to dark beers and stouts and was always happy with the available selection.
The outdoor terrace is a nice place to sit, the indoors also has a cosy atmosphere to it.
For the TLDR: generation:
Brilliant specialty beer pub with very nice and knowledgeable staff in a cosy environment!
For every one else:
Wandered in here without knowing it was a specialty beer pub (walked around the city, started getting thirsty, noticed people drinking on a terrace, so walked in).
Only to be greeted by a very homely pub, with all the signs and menus showing that it, indeed, was a specialty beer pub 😃. What followed was a _very_ pleasant two hours of my life, which only remained two hours, because they were closing early on Sundays... Boo... 😁 Hiss...😁
One of the first things I noticed was a cat walking around, which turned out to be the housecat, and which was imaginatively called "Cat"😁. Very friendly animal, frequently jumping up customers laps to be petted and stroked. Only mentioning this because it enhanced the already homely atmosphere the pub was radiating.
Had (amongst others) the most amazing sour beer there, which was incidentally also a local beer (kudos Grutte Pier 👍). I liked it so much I asked if I could take home a couple of bottles, but they didn't have the license to sell beers to be taken away. They did however provide me with a name and a map to the local booze supply shop, which might still have and sell these bottles. Thank you 😘!
All in all an enormously pleasant experience, and one that made me decide to come back to the city of Leeuwarden (which was an unexpected positive surprise anyway) and to this pub!
Thank you and hopefully see you soon!
Had a great time at this great place. Great vibe, friendly staff, large selection of beers. Highly recommend when visiting Leeuwarden.
Only good things to say about this place. The staff has knowledge about their goods. They can recommend you either a drink similar to yours or your liking, but also something to go with what you might order.
The seasonals feels like they are chosen with great care, which is great. It's simply a great spot for a night of conversing with a good friend. Melancholy and nostalgia are BYO.
Friendly Staff, Great selection of local and international beers, the cheese plank (table) was very tasty and the atmosphere is nice too! recommended
Amazing beer cafe with lots of choices and an interesting cheese -beer pairing
Nic e location and a great range of bier. including the local brew Grutte Pier
Groot Schavernek 19, 8911 BW Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
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Where to eat
When you need a food break from visiting all the attractions today, these fan favorite restaurants are about a 1-minute walk away from A Guide to Leeuwarden.
Zuivelhoeve Leeuwarden
4.7
(429)
Cheese shop
Cold cut store
Nut store
When exploring Leeuwarden, a visit to Zuivelhoeve is an absolute must for any food lover. This delightful deli specializes in unpasteurized Frisian cheeses that are rich in flavor and authenticity. You can also find a fantastic selection of local ales and an impressive variety of sausages, perfect for snacking on the go. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with friendly staff who are dedicated to providing excellent service while you browse their delicious offerings.
EDIT:
After I wrote what happened, the owner of the store contacted me and gave us an heartfelt apology. I understood that there have been a lot of people going to the store and eating cheese repeatedly without buying. While it’s not an excuse, it is understandable that this makes frustration increase and I know we are all human.
We were offered compensation by the owner and I am glad everything was clarified.
Even in such an unfortunate situation, they showed accountability and humbleness.
Thank you so much.
___________________________
Last time I went with my girlfriend to try some of the cheeses and buy some nuts for her and possibly buy some cheese to bring to Portugal like usual, I ended up not doing it.
The man who approach us was EXTREMELY RUDE and assumed from the start we weren’t going to buy anything after we said we were looking. He was super upset and asked if we were only there to eat. He turned his back to me while I was asking him about one of the cheeses and proceeded to make us leave the store because “we weren’t going to buy anything”. Horrible experience, I hope this man doesn’t ruin the day of more people like he did to ours. The store was amazing before his presence.
Thankfully there are more cheese stores.
As a cheese lover that is about to move to Leeuwarden, I have visited the city and this store about 5 times. I always brought friends and family from Portugal to visit this store and try the amazing cheeses. More than half of the times, either me, my friends or my family bought something from the store and we absolutely loved it. They asked me to bring cheese every time I go to Portugal after I move. I was becoming a loyal customer and now I feel like I’m not welcome to this store.
We deserve an apology.
What a shame.
Tatiana P — Google review
My girlfriend and I went to the store to try some cheese and to buy me some nuts. We have already visited the store a lot of times, even with friends and family. They bought cheese to take to Portugal and we were becoming regular customers. Unfortunately, this last time we were approached by a very rude young man who implied we were only there to try cheese and not buy anything. Turned his back to my girlfriend, who was asking him questions about the cheese, and made us leave the store without even wanting to hear what we had to say. We felt ashamed and embarrassed by this men's behaviour. It was the first time after living 1 year here that I didn't feel welcome. If you work in customer service, you shouldn't treat people this way.
Yup great Cheese and meats shop in Leeuwarden. Thoroughly enjoyed my brief shopping visit and picked up a few items to go. The dried sausages are a quick and convenient snack, and what variety. Plenty of different cheeses obviously. Staff was friendly and working hard and efficient.
I am very happy to shop from this store, not only great taste, but also good treatment and high morals thank you
Definitely one of the best places for trying the delicious bites from The Netherlands. They have super delicious cheeses but my favourite is the baguette 🧡
Great shop with great products.
It's a small cute shop full of quality cheese which you can taste and buy if you like it. They speak fluently English and are very helpful.
Visiting Leeuwarden? Don't miss this place. Some of the best cheeses and sausages from Holland!
Kleine Kerkstraat 23 en 24, 8911 DL Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
STEK Leeuwarden
4.3
(855)
3.6
(77)
affordable
Restaurant
Located in the heart of Leeuwarden, STEK is a charming restaurant housed in an old bridge watchmen house. The cozy waterfront setting offers picturesque views of Oldehove and Prinstentuin, making it perfect for a leisurely meal or snack. The menu features a variety of healthy and delicious options including homemade soups, tarts, cakes, smoothies, salad bowls, and wraps made with fresh and sustainable ingredients.
Wow! I am amazed by the taste of the food! First I came for lunch and later I even came back to the same place for a break from shopping for a coffee and a treat.
I loved the taste of the food and the place is nice, a nice ambiance and friendly staff.
Its located on a nice spot, next by water where boats are passing, next to a bridge where boats are passing and it has a view of the ‘Oldehove’.
I ordered for lunch ‘Broodje Carpaccio’, ‘Brood met roerei’ and a Stek Smoothie. All the three I recommend. Later I came back for a ‘Bananenbrood’ which will not disappoint you.
I recommend this place when visiting Leeuwarden, the location and the food will not disappoint you
Natasha — Google review
Nice place by the canal. Friendly staff. Good choice of food. Mine was good as seen in the photos however my friend had the cheese and ham pancakes which were not cooked and raw inside. They removed the price from the bill. But not a good experience sadly.
What an amazing location with a spectacular view on the Oldehove tower and the Vrouwenpoortsbrug. It’s a real joy to watch the boats going under the bridge and the pedestrians and cyclists crossing the bridge.
The breakfast was great as well as the service.
Great place to sit and drink.
Waitresses are sometimes hard to catch and they don’t look that much at the clients to make sure they don’t need anything.
Very nice place, cozy inside and great to sit outside as well. The food was great, I especially liked the loaded fries. When my son (5) asked for some colouring stuff he got some as well, very friendly staff.
Great location with the view on the canal, the staff is great. Food and coffee were great and the place has a really cozy vibe
Pleasant terrace, nice interior.
Food: medium. The scrambled eggs arrived at a low temperature and missed moisture.
Coffee: medium. They serve coffee with highly pasteurized milk, I'd recommend moving to "regular" milk.
Kind waiters, but not very fast.
A lovely cozy place for breakfast and lunch! Tasty and fresh food , many options and nice cakes! Good prices also. Recommend it!!!
Harlingersingel 2, 8913 CJ Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
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thai by Jai
4.7
(446)
4.6
(60)
affordable
Thai restaurant
When you find yourself in Leeuwarden, make sure to stop by Thai-By-Jai, a gem that transports you straight to Thailand with its vibrant atmosphere and authentic cuisine. This delightful restaurant offers an impressive selection of curries featuring your choice of protein, alongside delicious noodles, salads, and starters. The friendly host is always eager for a chat and takes the time to ensure every guest feels welcome.
I went to Thai by Jai with my friends and it was the best experience. Since the beginning, they made us feel welcoming. They collected the jackets, and explained the menu and the new options that they have. The food was amazing! We ordered soups as a starters and then 04 dishes to share. We loved them! It is definitely a good place to try when you are in Leeuwarden. Highly recomended!
Leslie M — Google review
first time come here , for me as an Asians this restaurant just Reccomended .
food , service , atmosphere everything just perfect 👌🏽
Very well balanced foods. Taste very authentic. Last time we went was 2 years ago and taste still has not changed, consistently high quality. Staff was very attentive, we didn’t have to raise our hand and they realised right away when we needed something. Must try their milk tea! loving the saltiness in their sweet drinks / dessert. Portion was quite big too. Best (Thai) restaurant in Leeuwarden / Friesland!
The food and service is EXCELLENT every single time! Our favorite place to visit every anniversary! Try the seabass and the duck! They are perfect ❤️
The service was exceptional and the food!! Very tasty. I recommend the duck dishes
Great food! Had great spice levels too. I wish the service was a bit more attentive, but definitely still good service. Will definitely eat again
Authentic delicious Thai food & very nice milk tea😁
Great Thai food! I'd recommend eating in if you are a local!
The shrimp and mushroom soup I had before eating was really delicious, also if you're not into heat they have options that aren't spicy.
I had fried duck in red curry as my main and it has a lot of layers to the flavour.
I had a Singha to wash it all down with, which is a Thai lager, it was recommended by the waitress and I really enjoyed the beer!
Nieuwestad 3, 8911 CG Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
De Koperen Tuin
4.3
(986)
3.9
(127)
affordable
Restaurant
De Koperen Tuin is a grand café located in the Prinsentuin park on the outskirts of Leeuwarden's city center. The pavilion offers stunning views of the lush greenery and waterways, creating a serene atmosphere for visitors to enjoy. Whether indulging in a delightful lunch, savoring an evening meal, or partaking in a high tea experience, guests can immerse themselves in the tranquil surroundings.
Beautiful location with great food, and huge portions! We got shared dining for 2 people and were shocked at how much food we got. And every single element was delicious. The service was also friendly and attentive. We had a great summer evening on the quaint terrace.
Jo H — Google review
Great place away from the noise of the city, but still in a central location. Friendly service and a nice, cozy interior. We had delicious coffee here. I will definitely come back for dinner.
Charming cafe in the middle of the green area - a wanted stop to enjoy Leeuwarden even more. The personnel are very friendly and accommodating.
High tea here is very pleasant experience, the view is very peaceful, and the living room ambiance is cleverly created. The waiter was polite and helpful. We enjoyed the white tea with coconut and jasmine the most. There is a small misbalance of portion as you get much more sweet treats than savory. Maybe blondie and brownie is too much, there could be left just one.
The place and its environment are like a dream. When we first saw it, we were flabbergasted. The creativity of the cooking made our meal unforgettable.
Secluded, private, pricy
very friendly relaxed atmosphere; very good food, inventive, tasty, absolutely recommended !
It was decent, we had a good 3 course menu, but not really special.
The waiter was really friendly, and the place looks nice
Prinsentuin 1, 8911 DE Leeuwarden, Netherlands•
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What's the weather like in Leeuwarden?
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Leeuwarden throughout the year
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- 3-Day De Koog Itinerary
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- 3-Day Papenburg Itinerary
- 3-Day Emst Itinerary
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