Welcome to Friesland
Where the air feels fresher, the horizon stretches endlessly, and water is never far away.
Friesland isn’t about frills — it’s about raw beauty and unexpected freedom. This is where you set the pace. Whether you’re paddleboarding through the canals of Leeuwarden, braving the wild Wadden Sea, or kitesurfing across the IJsselmeer at full speed — Friesland dares you to go further.
Here, courage and tradition go hand in hand. The water is your ally, and every turn brings a new discovery. Friesland isn’t a place to sit still — it’s a place to dive in and live it.
Closer than you think
From Amsterdam, you’ll be in the middle of it all in just over 90 minutes — by train or car. Utrecht? Even quicker.
Flying in? Groningen Airport Eelde is less than an hour away — a smooth landing into Frisian freedom.
Coming from Brussels? You’ll trade city buzz for wide-open skies in under four hours. Even Paris isn’t that far: hop in a car or on a train, and in 6–7 hours, you’re here.
And if you really want to arrive the Frisian way? Take the boat. Because nothing says “welcome to Friesland” like the wind in your hair and endless water all around.
eleven cities - eleven stories
No cookie-cutter towns here — just places with real character. Leeuwarden bursts with creativity: street art, indie coffee spots, and a history that refuses to be boxed in. Sneek lives and breathes water — if you’ve never partied on a boat here, you’ve missed out. Harlingen is rugged, salty, and romantic, with a harbour full of stories and an itch for adventure. Dokkum blends rich history with modern buzz, and its cafés? The kind you’ll settle into and forget to leave.
And that’s just the start.
Franeker has a planetarium so precise, you could set your watch by it. Workum draws you into the colourful world of Jopie Huisman. Hindeloopen keeps a centuries-old fishing tradition very much alive. Stavoren, IJlst, Sloten, and Bolsward — each city has its own rhythm. You decide whether to go with the flow or carve your own path.
Why eleven cities? Because of the legendary Elfstedentocht (Eleven City Tour) — a 200-kilometre ice skating tour that links all eleven cities in a single, epic journey. It’s only held in winters cold enough to freeze the canals, but the spirit of the route lives on year-round. On bike, by boat, or on foot — you can follow it your way. And with each stop, a new story unfolds.
“ This is where you set the pace ”
This isn’t your standard city break — it’s an experience. Friesland knows its history but always looks forward. People speak Frisian not because they have to, but because they’re proud of it. Classic skûtsjes glide by while kitesurfers tear across the waves — here, tradition and adrenaline go hand in hand. Whether you’re into festivals, outdoor thrills, or culture that hits deep, Friesland gives you what you’re after — and then some.
Water isn’t just a backdrop here; it’s a way of life. Sailing, paddleboarding, fierljeppen, surfing, skating when winter allows — in Friesland, you’re never far from your next adventure. And if you think it’s all about sport? Think again. Leeuwarden breathes art, Harlingen smells of fresh catch, and in Sneek, you’ll taste craft drinks you won’t find anywhere else. Local is everything here — fresh, pure, and no fuss.
What do you do in Friesland? - anything you dare
Friesland isn’t a place to stroll through passively. Here, you go all in. Cycle the legendary Eleven Cities route, brave the Wadden Sea on a mudflat hike, or step aboard a skûtsje and learn to sail the way Frisians have done for centuries. Into culture? The Fries Museum in Leeuwarden introduces you to the region’s bold spirit, while the Jopie Huisman Museum gives you a glimpse into the soul of a true storyteller.
Friesland also delivers when it comes to food. You won’t find a standard menu here — you’ll taste what the land and sea have to offer. Fresh oysters in Harlingen, or a strong local herbal bitter shared in a snug bar. Friesland doesn’t follow trends. Friesland sets them.
Friesland isn’t just a place on the map. It’s a mindset, a feeling, an experience. You don’t come here to sit still — you come to make it count. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head to Friesland. Because let’s be honest: this is something you don’t want to miss.
