Friesland: a unique province in the Netherlands
Welcome to Leeuwarden and Friesland! You can find inspiration for your holiday, day trip or weekend away here. Whether you are looking for culture, love the Wadden Sea or the forests, or want to visit the eleven cities. Friesland has what you need to recharge and enjoy.
unesco world heritage
There are twelve UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Netherlands, three of which are in Friesland. The Woudagemaal, the Wadden Sea and the Eise-Eisinga Planetarium. Leeuwarden is also a UNESCO City of Literature. Find out everything about these special places here.
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highlights - of friesland
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Eleven cities
Eleven cities
Our cities thank their title not to their size, but to their historic significance. These are the cities of the dreamers who show that you don't have to be the largest to stand out and the doers that prove that you don't have to be the richest to pursue your dreams.
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Cultural delight
Cultural delight
Whether you enjoy museums, cultural sights, art or spending a day on the water: we got you covered.
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Water
Water
We've been dealing with it for centuries. We reclaim land from the sea, navigate the canals, pole vault over ditches, and always look for new ways to keep our feet dry.
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Nature
Nature
Enjoy the expansive landscapes or explore the lush forests teeming with flora and fauna.
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Wadden islands
Wadden islands
You don’t have to go to the Caribbean for the sense of freedom. You can find it here, in the Frisian front yard, also known as an extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Routes
Routes
There are winding paths through thirteen different landscapes and over rolling dikes. Watch out for the sheep when cycling over the dikes.
11fountains
Eleven internationally renowned artists graced the eleven cultural-historic cities of Friesland with unique waterworks. Fog, ice, steam, sea water... Each city their own story. Discover the eleven fountains during your own Eleven Cities Tour. No ice required.
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Tips from journalists and bloggers
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Forget the skates. Visit the 11 cities of Friesland at any time of the year
Forget the skates. Visit the 11 cities of Friesland at any time of the year
'' The 11 cities of Friesland very occasionally host a gruelling 200 kilometre skating race – if temperatures dip below zero for long enough, and just recently a swimming marathon. But you can also travel the famous route by bike, by boat, on horseback, on foot… however you like.''
Source: Dutchnews.nl -
Friesland Travel
Friesland Travel
''This unspoilt northerly province is the spot to take your foot off the pedal and go slow, Friesian-style, amid raw coastal nature and a profusion of namesake black-and-white cows.''
Source: Lonely Planet
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Things to do in Friesland
Things to do in Friesland
''The province of Friesland is unlike any of the other 11 provinces in the Netherlands. Over the years Friesland has enjoyed relative autonomy, resulting in a strong cultural identity, and in recent years a renewed drive to preserve the Frisian language and Folklore.''
Source: Veggiewayfarer.com