A Michelin Star for Leeuwarden
In the new Michelin Travel Guide, Leeuwarden has been awarded an official Michelin star as a 2024 tourist destination. Of course, we are extremely proud that our little city has received such an award, but not surprised! After all, the true connoisseur already knew that Leeuwarden is a star destination.
Star Destination
In addition to stars for restaurants, Michelin has been awarding stars to tourist destinations in their travel guide for over 90 years. Leeuwarden was evaluated based on nine criteria such as first impression, reception, accessibility and what is offered in the city. Destinations are assessed by a team of editors and authors. If approved, they reward it with one, two or three stars, with one star meaning ‘worth a visit’. Places like Nationaal Park de Biesbosch and Museumhuis van Gijn also received a star this year.
A place to toast - Cheers!
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Vino & Verder
Vino & Verder
Discover exceptional wines and delicious local produce in a unique place in the city!
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Bar Zelle
Bar Zelle
Cosy, comfy place in the heart of the city centre where you can go for a nice cappuccino, cocktail or drink! Freshly made sandwiches, pizzas, snack...
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Special Beer Cafe de Markies
Special Beer Cafe de Markies
Specialty beer cafe De Markies is a leading Specialty beer cafe in Leeuwarden, Friesland where knowledge, service and a warm smile are our focus.
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Roast Leeuwarden
Roast Leeuwarden
ROAST is the forerunner on food and drinks in the right ambience, where quality, hospitality and originality are paramount.
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Double B
Double B
For a juicy hamburger of quality and 100% designed by you personally, come to Double B in Leeuwarden.
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Barrevoets
Barrevoets
At Barrevoets you can enjoy a killer cappuccino, hearty lunch, cocktail or gorgeous fresh smoothie.
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Bar Bistro DuCo
Bar Bistro DuCo
At restaurant Bar Bistro DuCo Leeuwarden, delicious food and cosy dining come together perfectly. Enjoy the most delicious dishes prepared in the u...
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Pecorino
Pecorino
In the middle of the cosy and old city centre of Leeuwarden, a stone's throw from the station, you will find wine & food bar Pecorino.
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Post-Plaza Grand Café
Post-Plaza Grand Café
The beating heart of the hotel is the Grand Café, established in the former Post Office with several details from the past. The barista roasts the...
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Grand café De Dikke Van Dale
Grand café De Dikke Van Dale
The Dikke van Dale is located at Nieuwestad 69 in the centre of Leeuwarden. It is the perfect location for a night out in the town. As the only one...
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Hotel Cafe 't Anker
Hotel Cafe 't Anker
Hotel Cafe 't Anker is a family hotel located in 4 characteristic mansions. The hotel is located in the beautiful center of Leeuwarden and offers h...
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Grand Café de Brass
Grand Café de Brass
Enjoy a snack and/or drink in the centre of Leeuwarden! You can eat or drink at the bar or at one of our tables.
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Café de Strohoed
Café de Strohoed
Café de Strohoed is a brown Café in Leeuwarden, where everyone is welcome.
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Sophias
Sophias
You can find Sophias in the middle of the square across from the Leeuwarden Central Station. Go for a lunch, a drink or dinner in the Urban Bistro...
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Proeflokaal Wouters
Proeflokaal Wouters
Opposite Central Station and a short walk from the city centre, this is the right place for a delicious cup of coffee and cake, a drink, a tasty lu...
Experience
The Michelin Travel Guide takes travellers to star spots around the world, from cities to villages, churches, museums, castles and more. The Michelin guide is made for the curious traveller who not only wants to visit, but also to fully understand and experience the destination. As it did for restaurants, Michelin wanted to give a clear rating to its selection of tourist attractions, using one, two or three stars.
The Michelin sticker now proudly adorns the entrance door of the Leeuwarden Visitor Centre.
Visit the Visitor Center
The historic city centre
The nice city centre of Leeuwarden breathes history. In 1435, the three mounds Oldehove, Nijehove and Hoek merged to form Leeuwarden, which also received city rights that year. The city was loved by the Oranje Nassau’s and was court of Friesland from 1584 to 1747. If you walk through the old city centre, you will come across one striking building after another.
Discover the old city centre
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Court city Leeuwarden
Traces of the Oranje-Nassaus - Royalty
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Keramiekmuseum het Princessehof
Keramiekmuseum het Princessehof
In the middle of Leeuwarden's historic city centre stands the 18th-century city palace of Maria Louise van Hessen-Kassel, princess of Orange Nassau, ancestor of King Willem-Alexander. The world-famous M. C. Escher was also born in the same building.
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Hotel Paleis het Stadhouderlijk Hof
Hotel Paleis het Stadhouderlijk Hof
In the heart of Leeuwarden city centre you will find the magnificent Fletcher Hotel-Paleis Stadhouderlijk Hof. This monumental building has a rich history and was owned by the royal family until 1971.
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De Jacobijner Church
De Jacobijner Church
The Grote or Jacobijnerkerk is the oldest and most architecturally significant church in Leeuwarden. For more than seven centuries, people have gathered in this impressive monument. Upon entering, visitors are struck by the beautiful combination of the modern interior with centuries-old elements, such as the graves of the Frisian Nassaus in the choir.
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De Wilhelmina Tree
In the middle of the Hofplein stands this tree, planted by Queen Wilhelmina. The tree is protected by a beautiful cast-iron fence with a small fountain, adorned with the letter "W" and numerous little orange apples.
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De Prinsentuin
De Prinsentuin
In 1648, a park or pleasure garden was created at this location by order of Prince Willem Frederik of Nassau. It was a tribute to the end of the Eighty Years' War and the Peace of Münster. This part of the city would remain closed to the public for another 150 years.
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De Potmarge
Around 1600, just outside the city, you would find gardens where vegetables and fruit were grown and sold. These leafy gardens also attracted the nobility, who built summerhouses and tea pavilions there and spent their summers in the area. In 1711, Princess Maria Louise decided to establish a country house here as well – on the site where you now find the Comenius secondary school. Surrounding her 'Mariënburg' was a stunning garden complex with neat avenues, flowerbeds, and vegetable plots.
More sights - wow!
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Dorpskerk Huizum
Dorpskerk Huizum
Cultuurpodium Dorpskerk Huizum (Cultural Venue Dorpskerk Huizum) regularly organizes concerts, lectures and exhibitions in the Dorpskerk Huizum, Le...
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11fountains Leeuwarden
11fountains Leeuwarden
The mist fountain 'Love' is on the Station square in Leeuwarden. It consists of two 7-metre-high, white sculptures of a boy and a girl. They appear...
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Sint-Bonifatius Church
Sint-Bonifatius Church
The church is named for the heavenly Saint Boniface. It was built in around 1882/4 in Leeuwarden to designs by the architect P.J.H. Cuypers.
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Blokhuispoort
Blokhuispoort
The Blokhuispoort is a cultural business-centre in the lively centre of Leeuwarden. Housed in a former prison, it is now full of creative initiativ...
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Waalse Kerk (Walloon Church)
Waalse Kerk (Walloon Church)
The Waalse Kerk is a single-nave church dating from 1530. The church is located in the Grote Kerkstraat and is a national monument.
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Dekema State
Dekema State
Dekema State was originally a noble residence, where several families lived until 1996. The noble residence and the gardens are now open to the pub...
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Oldehove
Oldehove
The Oldehove has been standing since 1529 and is leans even more than the Tower of Pisa! You can admire it from the inside as well as outside. The...
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Grote of Jacobijnerkerk
Grote of Jacobijnerkerk
The Grote of Jacobijnerkerk is the oldest and, from an architectural point of view, the most important church in Leeuwarden.
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De Utrecht
De Utrecht
A hidden gem in the middle of downtown Leeuwarden. Built in 1904 in art nouveau style, crammed with sayings, lavishly decorated and full of symboli...
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Museumhuis van Eysinga
Museumhuis van Eysinga
Huis van Eysinga is an impressive 18th-century city villa that was inhabited by the family of one of the most significant men of its time: Frans Ju...
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Historic Centre Leeuwarden
Historic Centre Leeuwarden
The HCL is the centre for Leeuwarden's historical heritage. Thousands of linear meters of historical documents, from the Middle Ages to the present...
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Fries Landbouwmuseum (Frisian Agricultural Museum)
Fries Landbouwmuseum (Frisian Agricultural Museum)
Friesland has been an agricultural province for centuries. Since time immemorial, farmers have kept livestock and worked the land. In the Frisian A...
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Uniastate en Tsjerke Bears
Uniastate en Tsjerke Bears
On the grounds of the Cultuur-Historisch Centrum Uniastate, there is a 13th century church with an ornate interior and a beautiful wood-carved pulp...
Anyone visiting Leeuwarden is in for a pleasant surprise. This relatively small – but incredibly charming! – city is brimming with historic canal houses, creative entrepreneurs, underground parties, amazing museums, and top-notch restaurants. Curious about what Leeuwarden has to offer? You’re more than welcome in our little city!
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Shop in Leeuwarden
Shopping areas
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Beautiful in every season
Inspiration
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Dining at special locations
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